Picture a tee shot over turquoise water, a fairway lined with palm trees and a warm breeze off the ocean. That is the appeal of golf in Mexico and the Caribbean. For golfers in North America, these destinations are a short flight from home. For travellers from Europe and elsewhere, they make a memorable long-haul trip that combines golf with beaches, culture and some of the most dramatic coastal courses in the world.
This guide covers the main golfing areas, the best time to go, what it costs and how to make the most of a tropical golf trip.
Why golf here is different
- Spectacular settings. Many courses are built along cliffs, beaches and jungle, with holes that play over the sea or around natural lagoons.
- Resort golf. Most courses are attached to resorts or residential developments. Expect excellent service, practice facilities and clubhouses, but premium green fees.
- Warm-season grasses. Many courses use paspalum or other grasses suited to heat and salt air. The ball sits up nicely on the fairways, but greens can putt slower and grainier than you are used to.
- The wind. Coastal courses are often exposed to steady trade winds, which can add or take away several clubs.
Mexico
Mexico has a large and growing number of golf courses, many designed to a very high standard. The main golf destinations are on the coasts.
Los Cabos
At the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, Los Cabos is Mexico's golf capital. Courses run between the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, with desert scenery, cactus-lined fairways and holes on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. Rainfall is low and the sun shines almost every day.
- Best for: dramatic ocean holes, dry weather, luxury resorts.
- Good to know: green fees at the best-known courses are among the highest in the world. Twilight rates and resort packages help.
Riviera Maya and Cancún
The Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán peninsula offers flat, jungle-lined courses near white-sand beaches, from Cancún down through Playa del Carmen towards Tulum. Many courses feature natural limestone sinkholes (cenotes) and Mayan ruins.
- Best for: combining golf with beaches, snorkelling, ancient sites and all-inclusive resorts.
- Good to know: humidity is high. Morning tee times are much more comfortable.
The Pacific coast
Puerto Vallarta and the neighbouring Riviera Nayarit have courses between the mountains and the Bay of Banderas, some with holes played right along the beach. Further along the coast, Mazatlán, Manzanillo, Ixtapa and Acapulco offer quieter, often better-value golf.
Inland Mexico
Mexico City, Guadalajara and other cities have courses too, but many are private clubs. A visitor will find it much easier to book on the coast.
The Caribbean
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has more golf than most Caribbean islands, with courses concentrated around Punta Cana in the east and La Romana in the south-east. Several of its seaside courses are regularly ranked among the best in the region, with holes that hug the rocky coastline. There are also good-value resort courses and some inland layouts.
Jamaica
Jamaica's golf is centred on Montego Bay on the north coast, where several courses sit on old plantation land between the sea and the hills. Expect sea views, tropical vegetation and challenging winds. Jamaica also has some historic courses in the cooler hills inland. Many private courses offer day passes to visitors, and some resorts include green fees in their packages.
Barbados
Barbados has a small number of high-quality courses, mostly on the sheltered west coast, from luxury resort layouts to more relaxed options. The island is easy to get around and combines golf with beaches, rum and a lively food scene.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas spread their courses across several islands, often next to resorts and marinas. Courses tend to be open to the ocean breezes and some are only reachable by boat or short flight, so island-hopping golf trips need careful planning.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has a good number of courses and the advantage, for American travellers, of being a US territory: no passport needed for US citizens, and US dollars throughout. Courses range from coastal resort layouts near San Juan to hillside courses with rainforest views.
Other islands
Aruba, St Kitts, Antigua, the Cayman Islands, the US Virgin Islands and others have one or a few courses each. They suit a beach holiday with some golf, rather than a dedicated golf trip.
Costa Rica and Central America
Costa Rica combines golf with rainforest, volcanoes and wildlife. Most visitor courses are in the dry north-west province of Guanacaste, near the Pacific beaches, and in the Central Valley near San José, where the altitude brings cooler temperatures. Panama and Belize have a few courses too.
When to go
| Season | Months (approx.) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| High season | December to April | Dry, sunny, less humid, busiest and most expensive |
| Shoulder | May, and November | Good weather, better prices, quieter courses |
| Rainy and hurricane season | June to November | Hot, humid, afternoon storms; risk of hurricanes, peaking around August to October |
Hurricanes are not frequent at any single destination, but if you travel between June and November, choose flexible bookings and take out travel insurance that covers weather disruption. Rain usually falls in short afternoon bursts, so morning tee times avoid most of it. Los Cabos and the Mexican Pacific coast follow a similar pattern, with the rainy season mainly from July to September.
Costs and booking
- Green fees at top resort courses are high. Fees usually include a cart, practice balls and sometimes food and drink on the course.
- Packages that combine accommodation with golf, or resort guest rates, are often the best value. Some all-inclusive resorts include unlimited golf on their own course.
- Twilight rates cut costs significantly, and afternoon light lasts well in high season.
- Book early for December to April, especially over Christmas, New Year and Easter.
- Tipping is customary for caddies, forecaddies, cart attendants and bag staff. Ask your resort what is usual.
Practical tips
Health and comfort in the heat
- Start early. It is the coolest, calmest and driest part of the day.
- Hydrate constantly. Drink water at every opportunity and add electrolytes on hot days. Read what to eat and drink on the golf course.
- Protect yourself from the sun. High-factor sun cream, reapplied during the round, a hat and sunglasses. Use insect repellent near jungle and water.
- Dress for heat. Light, breathable fabrics, and a spare glove: you will sweat through one.
Playing the courses
- Club for the wind. Into a trade wind, take one or two clubs more and swing smoothly; downwind, the ball will release a long way.
- Respect the hazards. Ocean holes, lagoons and jungle swallow balls. Pack plenty, and play the safe line when the carry is long.
- Adjust to the grass. Grainy greens can break towards the sea or in the direction the grass grows. Watch your playing partners' putts.
Travel and safety
- Check passport and visa rules, and any health advice, for each country before you travel.
- Use resort or officially licensed transport, especially at night.
- Airlines charge for golf bags. Read our guide to travelling with golf clubs, or hire clubs at the resort.
Choosing your destination
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| The most courses in one place | Los Cabos, Punta Cana and La Romana |
| Golf plus Caribbean beaches | Riviera Maya, Barbados, Jamaica |
| Golf plus nature and wildlife | Costa Rica |
| Easy travel from the US | Puerto Rico, Los Cabos, the Bahamas |
| Value | Mexico's quieter Pacific resorts, shoulder-season travel |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a good golfer?
No. Resort courses usually offer several sets of tees, and the forward tees make even dramatic layouts manageable. Play the right tees for your game and enjoy the scenery.
Are carts compulsory?
At most resort courses, yes. Courses are often spread out across large developments, and the heat makes walking hard work. Some carts have GPS screens showing yardages.
Can I walk on and play, or should I book?
Always book, especially in high season. Many courses give priority to resort guests, and some private clubs only accept visitors on certain days.
Is golf in the Caribbean expensive?
The top courses are among the most expensive in the world. Shoulder-season travel, twilight rates and packages make it more affordable, and some islands have more modest courses too.
What should I pack?
Lightweight clothing, a hat, high-factor sun cream, insect repellent, a light waterproof for tropical showers, spare gloves and more balls than usual. Check the course dress code before you go; read what to wear on the golf course.
The bottom line
Mexico and the Caribbean offer golf in some of the most beautiful settings on earth, from desert clifftops to palm-fringed beaches. Travel in the dry season if you can, look for packages to manage the costs, tee off early and take the heat and wind seriously. For more destination ideas, read our guides to warm-weather golf destinations in the USA and golf holidays in Spain and Portugal, and our tips on how to plan a golf trip.