Active Pursuits in Escazu & Santa Ana

Golf & Tennis -- Some of the best Central Valley facilities for visiting golfers and tennis players can be found at Parque Valle del Sol ★ (tel. 2282-9222), in Santa Ana. The 18-hole course here is open to the general public. Greens fees are $70, including unlimited balls on the driving range. A golf cart will run you an extra $32. The tennis courts here cost $7.50 per hour weekdays and $13 per hour weekends. Reservations are essential. The golf course at the Cariari Country Club is not open to the general public.

The excellent Los Reyes Country Club ★★ (tel. 2438-0858) in Escazu, has 9-holes and is open to the public and features a driving range. For non-members, it is $50 for 2 rounds and $25 to rent a cart.

Horseback Riding --Options are nearly endless in the mountains and along the coasts, but it’s more difficult to find a place to saddle up in the Central Valley. Centro Ecuestre del Sol (Equestrian Sun; tel. 2282-1070) is in Santa Ana and offers riding classes, though your best bet is to head a little farther west to Ciudad Colón, where Finca Caballo Loco (tel. 7010-1771) offers trail rides through some beautiful rural terrain.