Best golf courses in Cancun

Situated on the East Coast of Mexico, Cancun is renowned for not only its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife but also its exceptional golf courses. The region promises a temperate and sunny climate year-round. With its stunning natural scenery and world-class golf courses it's no surprise that Cancun is one of the most popular destinations for golf vacations in Mexico.

To help you plan the ultimate golf vacation, we’ve curated a list of some of Cancun's standout courses. From world-class fairways to breathtaking scenery, check out the very best golf courses in Cancun!

Ranked as the No.6 golf course in Mexico by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Riviera Maya | Par: 72 | Architect: Greg Norman | Founded: 2006 | Yardage: 6,583

Why play here? Just 30 minutes south of Cancun, Mayakoba El Camaleon Golf Club is one of Cancun’s most iconic golf courses. The course offers its guests a unique experience taking them through three distinct ecosystems - the tropical Mayan jungle, mangrove wetlands and the Mexican Caribbean Sea coastline. Playing host to the annual Mayakoba Golf Classic, this beautiful layout boasts being the first PGA Tour event to be played outside of the US and Canada.

Mayakoba El Camaleon Golf Club is also home to the Jim McClean Golf School, state of the art practice facilities and the Koba restaurant offering stunning views of the closing holes on the course. Mayakoba El Camaleon is a must visit for golfers looking to tick off bucket list golf in Cancun.

Highlight: El Camaleón’s closing par-4 18th is a dramatic finish, bordered by mangroves and water that demand both accuracy and composure. It has been the stage for thrilling PGA Tour moments since the course made history in 2007 as host of the first Tour event ever played in Mexico.

Key features:

• Unique design weaving through tropical jungle, dense mangroves, oceanfront stretches, and limestone canals
• Greg Norman–designed championship test with risk–reward strategy throughout
• Renowned for its eco-conscious integration with natural habitats and the surrounding Riviera Maya environment
• Host of international events, including the PGA Tour’s World Wide Technology Championship

Bonus fact: The course takes its name from the chameleon, reflecting its ever-changing landscapes.

Ranked as the No. 27 golf course in Mexico by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Riviera Maya | Par: 72 | Architect: Robert Trent Jones Jr | Founded: 2010 | Yardage: 7,272

Why play here? This is a truly exquisite championship course that gracefully traverses a diverse range of biomes, including dense Mayan jungle, an enchanting limestone quarry, tranquil lagoons, and mysterious freshwater caves.

The course's advantageous partnership with the PGA of America has brought forth exceptional practice amenities. The main feature is the 18-hole course but with a more relaxed 9-hole executive course, it caters to golfers of all skill levels.

Highlight: the par-4 7th hole is a true standout, framed by dense jungle and natural limestone, demanding both accuracy and nerve. With its elevated green guarded by deep bunkers, it’s a test of precision in the heart of the Riviera Maya.

Key features:

• Robert Trent Jones II design blending tropical jungle, natural lakes, and cenotes
• Championship-caliber layout stretching over 7,200 yards, with multiple tee options for all abilities
• Wildlife encounters with iguanas, coatis, and exotic birds adding to the authentic Mexican golf experience

Bonus fact: several holes are strategically routed around ancient Mayan cenotes (sinkholes), seamlessly integrating cultural history with modern golf design - making PGA Riviera Maya one of the most distinctive resort courses in Latin America.

Ranked as the No. 32 golf course in Mexico by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Cancun | Par: 72 | Architect: Jack Nicklaus | Founded: 2008 | Yardage: 7,060

Riviera Cancun Golf Club is a stunning setting for the championship course designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Located just minutes from Cancun’s Hotel Zone, Riviera Cancun Golf Club offers a world-class round of golf in a tranquil golf setting surrounded by a beautiful natural reserve.

On arrival at the golf club, or after a round, guests can enjoy the Mexican contemporary clubhouse to enjoy an authentic meal or drink. The course, played off the back tees, is a true challenge. Though with numerous teeing options available, golfers can decide how much of a test they want, making Riviera Cancun Golf Club inclusive for all standards.

Highlight: the par-4 14th is Riviera Cancun’s signature challenge, bordered by dense mangroves and shimmering lagoons. Accuracy is essential, as wayward shots risk being swallowed by water or tropical vegetation, making it both breathtaking and demanding.

Key features:

• Jack Nicklaus Signature Design, opened in 2008
• Routed through mangroves, wetlands, and natural lagoons, offering a true tropical golf experience
• Seaside breezes add an extra layer of challenge to already narrow fairways

Bonus fact: the course was built with an eco-conscious philosophy, carefully preserving mangrove ecosystems and natural lagoons. Wildlife such as herons, iguanas, and crocodiles are common sights, adding to the sense of adventure.

Location: Cancun | Par: 72 | Architect: Isao Aoki | Founded: 1994 | Yardage: 6,734

Why play here? Located within the Iberostar Cancun Resort, this course sits between the Caribbean Sea and the picturesque Nichupté Lagoon. Taking its visitors through 150 acres of subtropical landscape, with an abundance of native plants and exotic animals, the course provides an unforgettable experience at this unique location.

The club's fantastic facilities include unlimited snacks and drinks, included in the green fee, driving range, pitching area and a putting green to accommodate everyone's requirements. The golf course combines with the five-star Iberostar Selection Cancun to produce one of the best all-inclusive golf resorts in Mexico.

Highlight: the par-3 16th is the showpiece hole at Iberostar Cancun, playing over water with the Caribbean Sea as a backdrop. It’s as photogenic as it is demanding, requiring a perfectly struck tee shot to hold the green.

Key features:

• Designed by Isao Aoki, blending resort playability with championship-level challenges
• Seaside setting with several holes framed by views of the turquoise Caribbean
• Wide fairways and generous greens that make it accessible for all skill levels
• Conveniently located in Cancun’s hotel zone, just minutes from luxury resorts and beaches

Bonus fact: Iberostar Cancun Golf Club is built on lush former coconut plantation land, giving the course a distinctive tropical character. The resort’s all-inclusive golf experience means players can enjoy food and drinks on the course, adding to its reputation as one of the most enjoyable vacation golf spots in Mexico.

Location: Playa del Carmen | Par: 71 | Architect: Nick Price | Founded: 2001 | Yardage: 7,043

Why play here? Gran Coyote Golf Club is a standout among Cancun’s best golf courses, delivering a world-class experience in the heart of the Riviera Maya. The course takes its visitors through lush fairways, 71 challenging bunkers, and 8 lakes that enhance the beauty and difficulty of the course.

This 18-hole championship course is ideal for a leisurely, enjoyable round for golfers of all abilities. With perhaps slightly wider fairways and a greater margin for error than other nearby coastal tracks, the course can still be enjoyed by those with higher handicaps. Located just a short drive from Cancun, it blends modern course design with the region’s stunning tropical landscapes. Gran Coyote Golf Club is a must-visit for anyone exploring the top golf courses in Cancun.

Highlight: the par-5 18th is a dramatic finishing hole at Gran Coyote, where crosswinds off the Caribbean make club selection critical. Water hazards guard the fairway and green, demanding precise strategy to finish strong.

Key features:

• Nick Price design, emphasizing natural flow and shot-making strategy
• Routed through jungle, coastal dunes, and lakes, with ocean breezes adding challenge
• Environmentally sensitive layout, integrating native vegetation and wildlife
• Modern practice facilities, including a driving range and short-game area, ideal for warm-up or instruction

Bonus fact: Gran Coyote is one of the few courses in the region built with a sustainable water management system, using treated water for irrigation and protecting the delicate Playa del Carmen ecosystem.

Best time to visit: The prime golf season in Mexico runs from November to April, when the weather is dry, sunny, and comfortably warm - ideal for long days on the course.

Winter and early spring offer the most consistent playing conditions, especially in coastal regions like Cancun, where ocean breezes keep temperatures pleasant. The summer months (May–October) can bring higher humidity and afternoon showers, but courses remain lush and green, often with fewer crowds.

Where to stay: Cancun combines championship golf with turquoise Caribbean waters, soft white-sand beaches, and world-class hospitality. Many of its golf resorts sit just minutes from the famous Hotel Zone, giving golfers effortless access to luxury all-inclusive resorts, vibrant nightlife, and nearby Mayan archaeological sites. Top accommodation options include:

• JOIA Paraiso by Iberostar - An exclusive adults-only five-star retreat on pristine white-sand beaches near Playa del Carmen, featuring 310 elegantly designed rooms with private terraces, lush tropical surroundings, and access to the luxurious Paraíso Complex.
• Iberostar Selection Cancun - This offers beachfront luxury on Delfines Beach with spacious rooms, breathtaking views, and the superb on-site Iberostar Cancún Golf Club - perfect for an all-inclusive golf getaway.
• Iberostar Waves Paraiso Beach - A five-star beachfront hotel on Playa Paraíso in Riviera Maya, surrounded by tropical gardens and offering family-friendly amenities, diverse dining, and activities to enjoy beyond the golf course.

Booking tips:

• Reserve tee times and accommodations early, especially from December to March, when Cancun and Riviera Maya are at their busiest.
• Consider combining multiple destinations, such as Cancun, Riviera Maya, and Los Cabos, for a diverse golf and travel itinerary.
• Twilight rounds are a great option in warmer months, offering cooler temperatures and spectacular Caribbean sunsets over the fairways.

Q: What is the best time of year to play golf in Mexico? A: The prime season is November to April, when the weather is dry, sunny, and ideal for golf. Summer and fall (May–October) can be hotter and more humid, with a higher chance of showers, but courses are lush and often less crowded.

Q: Are the courses beginner-friendly? A: Yes. Many courses feature multiple tee boxes to suit all levels of play, from championship layouts for low-handicappers to more forgiving forward tees for beginners.

Q: Is Mexico good for a golf vacation? A: Absolutely. Mexico is one of the world’s top golf destinations, combining championship-level courses with stunning settings. Beyond the fairways, Mexico offers all-inclusive resorts, warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and year-round sunshine, making it perfect for golfers who want to pair great golf with a memorable vacation experience.

Q: What else can I do besides golf? A: Mexico offers world-class beaches, Mayan ruins, water sports, and vibrant nightlife, making it easy to balance your golf vacation with sightseeing and relaxation.

Golf in Cancun is more than just a round - it’s paradise on the Caribbean. With courses weaving through white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and lush jungle, every hole offers a spectacular backdrop. Designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus and Isao Aoki, Cancun’s layouts combine challenge with resort-style playability, making them ideal for golfers of all levels.

Off the course, you’ll find all-inclusive luxury resorts, vibrant nightlife, and nearby Mayan ruins, creating a golf vacation that blends world-class sport with culture, relaxation, and adventure.