Photo courtesy El Camaleón Golf Course at Mayakoba
A relative newcomer to the world’s resort golf circuit, the Riviera Maya has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years from humble fishing village hideaway to one of North America‘s hottest new golf destinations. Here, championship courses wind through Mayan jungles to provide some of the most memorable rounds you’ll ever play.
This spectacular 75-mile stretch of Caribbean coast between Cancun and Tulum now houses 15 world-class golf facilities that combine tropical beauty with serious golf challenges, making it an essential destination for golfers seeking a mix of luxury and authentic Mexican culture.
But never mind what we think: the region’s golf credentials speak for themselves. The PGA Tour established Latin America‘s first professional tournament here in 2007 with the Mayakoba Golf Classic at El Camaleón, which has now hosted 16 PGA Tour championships and two LIV Golf League events. PGA Riviera Maya recently won “Best Golf Course in Mexico 2024” at the World Golf Awards, while multiple courses have earned recognition from discerning publications such as Golf Digest and Golfweek Magazine for exceptional design and conditioning.
Enjoy Some of the Best Golf in Riviera Maya Mexico
What makes Riviera Maya particularly compelling for golfers is the care that has been taken to integrate natural features into course design.
Ancient cenotes (underwater caverns), pristine Caribbean beaches, dense mangrove forests, and archaeological ruins create playing conditions unlike anywhere else in the world. The year-round tropical climate ensures consistent playing conditions, with trade winds providing natural cooling and drainage systems that keep courses playable even during the brief rainy season.
The LPGA returned to Mexico in May 2025, for the first time since 2017, with the Mexico Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba cementing the region’s status as a major championship venue. From Greg Norman and Robert Trent Jones II masterpieces to innovative designs by P.B. Dye and Nick Price, these courses represent the pinnacle of modern golf architecture adapted to Mexico’s unique coastal environment.
The Best Golf Courses in Riviera Maya
El Camaleón Golf Course at Mayakoba
The El Camaleón Golf Course stands as the crown jewel of Riviera Maya golf. This 7,024-yard, par-72 Greg Norman masterpiece winds through three distinct ecosystems: tropical Yucatan jungle, dense mangrove wetlands, and Caribbean coastline. The course takes its name from the chameleon, reflecting how dramatically the landscape changes from hole to hole, creating what many consider Latin America’s most prestigious golf experience.
The routing brings two spectacular par-three holes to the very edge of the Caribbean Sea, with the 116-yard 7th and 155-yard 15th holes tucked alongside natural dune ridges with incredible views across turquoise waters all the way to Cozumel Island. The course incorporates several natural cenotes into play, including the famous “Devil’s Mouth” along the opening fairway, adding an element of Mexican mystique.
El Camaleón also holds Audubon International certification as a Cooperative Sanctuary, demonstrating exceptional environmental stewardship while maintaining championship conditions. The course features five tee options ranging from 4,800 to over 7,000 yards, ensuring enjoyable play for golfers of all abilities. Premium amenities include a 450-yard, two-sided driving range, dedicated short game practice area, and a putting green.
The exquisite clubhouse is a great place to spend time pre- or post-play. Set overlooking the 18th green, check out Koba Sports Bar with its course views, world-class dining, and cocktails so good we’re planning to add it to our list of the region’s top cocktail bars. The exclusive Jim McLean Golf School operates Mexico’s only location here, utilizing advanced motion analysis software and custom club fitting from PXG’s fitting center.
The course’s proximity to luxury accommodations, including those of the magnificent Mayakoba resort community itself, definitely enhances the experience. Fairmont Mayakoba is just 30 miles from Cancun International Airport and offers 401 modern rooms and suites with lagoon or ocean views. Banyan Tree Mayakoba provides an equally luxurious option, with guests enjoying special green fee packages and complimentary golf cart transportation to the course. Both also feature world-class spas, multiple dining venues, and unique boat transportation through Mayakoba’s canal system.
Green fees range from $199 for Mayakoba resort guests to $299 for visitors, including cart, range balls, and bottled water. Complimentary transportation is available from most Cancun and Riviera Maya hotels for groups of two or more players.
PGA Riviera Maya Golf Club
PGA Riviera Maya Golf Club spans nearly 720 acres and features a par-72, 6,791-yard Robert Trent Jones II championship course located 62 miles south of Cancun International Airport. It’s also notable as the first Latin American course to partner with the PGA, a guarantee of quality play and amenities.
Consisting of 27 holes, it’s a great course for its lush Mayan jungle and natural features including natural lakes and cenotes that are not only scenic, but double as strategic hazards Grupo Piñero‘s first golf development, it features both an 18-hole championship layout and an above-average 9-hole par-three course.
Recent upgrades include grilled meat and pizza oven halfway houses, an upgraded clubhouse, enhanced practice facilities with an illuminated driving range and indoor Trackman facility and completely rebuilt bunkers. The course has hosted PGA Tour Latin America events and also welcomed a Korn Ferry Tour visit in 2025.
Practice facilities include chipping area, large putting green, as well as a driving range, while professional instruction is available through the golf academy. The course’s top-notch clubhouse features a pro shop as well as a restaurant, while the on-course beverage service includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.
The course is part of the Tulum Country Club residential community, offering accommodations at varying luxury levels. Bahía Principe properties provide the closest resort access, with their Luxury Sian Ka’an offering adults-only accommodations just minutes from the course. The Grand Bahía Principe features family-friendly options with multiple pools, restaurants, and activities, while maintaining easy access to the championship course.
Green fees range from $180 during May-October with twilight rates after 2 pm, adjusting upward during peak season from November to April. Each green fee includes cart, water bottles, tees, and 24 practice range balls.
Iberostar Playa Paraíso Golf Club
Described by Golf Digest as one of Mexico’s most challenging layouts, the Iberostar Playa Paraíso Golf Club presents a 6,441-yard, par-72 P.B. Dye creation that for over a decade has hosted prestigious tournaments. These include the World Amateur Team Championships in 2016 and Big Break Mexico. It has also served as an 11-time host for Mayakoba Golf Classic qualification rounds.
The course certainly stands out from the usually flat Riviera Maya landscape, with surprisingly dramatic elevation changes and hilly terrain that demands precision shot-making. P.B. Dye’s signature vertical movement and distinctive natural rockwork create unique playing challenges, with golfers facing narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and severely undulating greens. To their credit, the course left much of the surrounding Mayan jungle intact, while greens, fairways, and tee boxes are maintained to championship levels.
JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar provides the most luxurious accommodations for those wanting to play this world-class course. Highlights include adults-only suites with ocean views, concierge and butler services, and a superb spa. JOIA-category guests receive special pricing with unlimited golf rounds, plus round-trip transfers between course and hotel. The Iberostar Selection Paraíso complex is a good alternative, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Along with multiple restaurants and pools, there’s plenty to do here for non-golfers.
Green fees include golf cart, appetizers, and unlimited beverages during the round, including beer, wine, spirits, bottled water, and soft drinks. Resort guests also enjoy complimentary electric car and train transfers between hotels and the golf course. All green fees include cart rental, range balls, and both on-course and clubhouse food and beverage service. Regular green fees run $129 USD with twilight rates at $99 USD, and the course features excellent practice facilities including a lighted driving range and putting green.
Gran Coyote Golf Course
Gran Coyote is an 18-hole, par-71 masterpiece designed by three-time major champion Nick Price, stretching 7,043 yards through coastal jungle just minutes from Playa del Carmen. Price, a World Golf Hall of Fame inductee since 2003 with 45 professional tournament victories, employed wildlife consultants, biologists, and environmental experts to minimize environmental impact while creating this golfer-friendly layout.
Here, the emphasis is clearly on minimal environmental impact while providing fair and challenging play including eight lakes and 71 strategically placed bunkers. Paspalum grass throughout is a golfer’s dream and makes for excellent playing surfaces. Standout holes include the challenging par-5 12th and 18th holes on the back nine, which provide memorable tests for players of all skill levels. And shoot straight: dense jungle comes into play along fairways, requiring accuracy to avoid losing balls in the impenetrable vegetation.
The modern clubhouse includes a spa, fitness center, beach club, restaurant, lockers, and a pro shop, with TaylorMade SpeedBlade, SLDR, and AeroBurner clubs available to rent. Round-trip transportation is included for groups of two or more players from most Riviera Maya hotels.
Speaking of hotels, the course sits within the Pure Mareazul luxury resort community, which features 300 two-bedroom suites and amenities including an infinity pool, jacuzzi, 200 meters of semi-private beach, tennis courts, paddle tennis court, fitness center, and spa. Alternative nearby accommodations include El Taj Oceanfront and Beachside Condos, both offering modern amenities within walking distance of Fifth Avenue‘s shopping and dining.
Green fees include golf cart, range balls, bottled water, golf tees, divot repair tools, ball markers, towels, and dressing room access with lockers and safety deposit boxes. It’s worth noting the course maintains a strict dress code of collared shirts, golf shoes with soft spikes, and appropriate golf attire.
El Manglar Golf Course at Vidanta
Although the least challenging of the establishments on our list the best golf courses in Riviera Maya, El Manglar is definitely worth keeping in mind if you’re seeking a fast and fun round. This 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus-designed, par-3 course can be completed in three hours or less, making it an ideal choice for newbies and casual players.
Eight holes incorporate water hazards, with the signature 18th hole featuring an island green that provides a memorable finish. Its shorter format also allows multiple rounds in a single day if the mood strikes and also serves as ideal practice course for improving short game skills.
Moon Palace Cancun provides accommodation access with resort credits of $1,500 or more that can be applied to golf, spa services, or off-site tours. Alternatively, guests can forgo the credit and receive unlimited golf for cart fees only: $38 for the first round and $19 for additional rounds.
The Vidanta complex offers multiple resort options from family-friendly accommodations to luxury suites, all with access to the executive course. Additional amenities include multiple pools, restaurants, entertainment venues, and spa services throughout the expansive resort property.
Fast Facts: Best Golf Courses in Riviera Maya Roundup
Be sure to book mark this handy summary of the best golf courses in Riviera Maya for future reference:
El Camaleón Golf Course at Mayakoba
- Address: 298 Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo 77710
- Website: https://mayakoba.com/el-camaleon-golf-course/
- Par 72, 7,024 yards, designed by Greg Norman
- Green fees: $199-$299 including cart and range balls
- Notable Features: Two oceanfront holes, cenotes, Jim McLean Golf School
PGA Riviera Maya Golf Club
- Address: Carretera Chetumal Benito Juarez, Akumal, Quintana Roo
- Website: https://pgarivieramaya.com/en/home/
- Par 72, 6,791 yards, designed by Robert Trent Jones II
- Green fees: $180+ including cart, range balls, water, and tees
- Notable Features: 27 holes total, indoor Trackman facility, PGA partnership
Iberostar Playa Paraíso Golf Club
- Address: Carr. Chetumal, Carr. Cancún – Tulum 309, 77710 Playa del Carmen
- Website: www.iberostar.com/en-ca/golf/
- Par 72, 6,441 yards, designed by P.B. Dye
- Green fees: $99-$129 for resort guests including cart and beverages
- Notable Features: All-inclusive food and drinks, resort transportation included
Gran Coyote Golf Course
- Address: Carretera Federal 307 Km. 294 + 700, Playa del Carmen 77710
- Website: grancoyotegolf.com
- Par 71, 7,043 yards, designed by Nick Price
- Green fees: Vary by season, includes cart and practice facilities
- Notable Features: Beach club access, spa, fitness center, transportation included
El Manglar Golf Course at Vidanta
- Location: Within Vidanta Riviera Maya resort complex
- Par-3 executive course, designed by Jack Nicklaus
- Notable Features: Island green 18th hole, family-friendly layout, quick play option
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Bryan Dearsley is a luxury lifestyles writer, a prolific traveler, and a Founder of the Riley network of luxury lifestyle websites.
