A vacation in Tulum is one of the best destinations for golf enthusiasts. There are fantastic golf courses for golf lovers, blue crystal clear water, sandy white beaches for spending days at the beach, and Mayan history and ruins for the adventurous at heart. You can do one of these things every day or all at once. It’s up to you.
Tulum is 118 miles (190 km) from Cancun International airport. There is no direct flight to Tulum; therefore, you must fly to Cancun and then drive to Tulum. Knowing about the Riviera Maya is essential to understand how close Tulum is to other resorts with famous Golf Courses. Even though Tulum houses two of the most famous Golf courses in the Rivera Maya, other Golf Courses are just as impressive and accessible.
Golf in Tulum: The 7 Best Courses
More than a dozen golf courses in the Riviera Maya are part of luxury resorts with unique landscaping designs and amenities. So if you’re planning a vacation getaway to golf and relax, pay attention to the following alternatives because it’s the best place to choose where to stay in Tulum.
Let’s start from the closest to farthest away. The most immediate gulf course from Tulum city is 23 minutes, and the farthest away is 1 hour and 20 minutes. It’s important to consider all the golf courses in the Riviera Maya. In hindsight, an hour is not that far away, and most times, the hotels have shuttle services that will gladly drive you to your destinations and pick you up once you’re done.
Let’s dive into some of Latin America’s most beautiful golf courses so you can start making your golf trip packing list.
1. PGA Riviera Maya Golf Club
Access: With reservation only.
Site: pgarivieramaya.com
Green fee: $122
The PGA Riviera Maya Golf Club is a part of the Bahia Prince Golf resort complex. The landscape was designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the British-American golf course landscape architect who designed world-renowned golf courses worldwide. This course’s terrain is built in coexistence with the Mayan jungle and mangroves, along lakes and the famous natural forming cenotes from the Yucatan Peninsula. Golf Digest acknowledged the PGA Riviera Maya Golf club as one of the best resorts in the Americas in an article published on May 2022.
The golf course has a professional 18-hole par-72 course, an executive 9-hole par 27 course, and a driving range area of 300 yards for 50 players. A slope rating of 137 and a length of 7272 yards. There is also a large putting green and a double tee box in a separate location. And only 23 minutes away from Tulum.
The PGA Riviera Maya Golf club has a Golf Academy that offers services like company team building, private lessons, play with the pros, club fitting, junior golf academy, VIP clinics, and more. There is also a golf clubhouse, tournaments, golf shop and clubhouse, and equipment rental.
They are partnered with PGA of America and are the only golf course in Mexico with Troon management services in the resort, guaranteeing a pleasant experience for golf enthusiasts.
2. Puerto Aventuras Golf Course
Access: Public, no reservation required.
Site: puertoaventuras.com
Green fee: $79
Puerto Aventuras Golf Course was the first golf course in the Riviera Maya. Designed by legend golfer Thomas Leman, the only golfer to be Player of the Year on the three PGA tours. This is a more affordable and accessible golf course that stays true to its beginnings. Located in a resort that is known for its nautical presence.
The field is 36 minutes away from Tulum. Puerto Aventuras Golf Course is part of the Puerto Aventuras residential and hotel complex. With a challenging 9-hole golf course of 36 Par, open all year, with no slopes, a length of 3255 yards. Fees range from $70 to $200, depending on your needs.
The field is a more relaxed area for beginners, practices, and friendly competitions among travelers and residents. Perfect for taking a break from your vacation and jumping in the water after tee time!
3. El Camaleon Mayakoba
Access: With reservation only.
Site: mayakoba.com
Green fee: $259
The course landscape was designed by Greg Norman, better known in the golf world as “The Shark.” El Camaleon is the first PGA tour Golf Course in Latin America, technically not in Tulum but in Playa del Carmen, which is only 1 hour away.
Because of its location, the architect wanted to include the mangroves, jungle, water canals, cenotes, and views of the Caribbean Sea in the golf course. As a result, there are unbelievable ocean views along the route.
It’s an 18-hole par 72 course with a length of 7,024 yards and a slope rating of 139. The prices for reservations are from $140 to $300 and up. In addition, you can enjoy on-course food services, golf carts with GPS, complimentary bag storage available, open all year round, practice areas with a 350-terrain driving range, a putting green, and a short game area to practice chipping and bunker shots.
El Camaleon has the Koba clubhouse, the KIM Mclean Golf School, and the World Wide Technology Championship, an annual tournament from the PGA tour that attracts professional golfers from all over. In addition, there is a pro shop with your favorite golf brands and club rental services.
El Camaleon is famous for hosting the OHL Mayakoba Classic and other PGA tournaments. El Camaleon has everything the true golfer needs, from friendly and professional tournaments to relaxing getaways to practice ranges to take it slow.
4. Hard Rock Golf Club Riviera Maya
Access: With reservation only.
Site: hardrockhotels.com
Green fee: $250
Designed by prestigious golf architect Robert Von Hagge. Located in the Hard Rock Golf Club Riviera Maya, just 56 minutes from Tulum. The course is set among the naturally occurring biosphere with mangroves, lakes, beautiful greenery, and the region’s fauna. Located 56 minutes away from Tulum.
This is an 18-hole course, par 72, and a length of 6,775 yards inside the resort. The rates for using the course are from $180 to $250 for access. There is a Club House, Snack Bar, Practice Range, Clubs and shoe rental, locker rooms, showers, and friendly staff.
5. Gran Coyote Golf
Access: With reservation only.
Site: grancoyotegolf.com
Green fee: $175
Grand Coyote in Playa del Carmen, just 57 minutes away from Tulum, was designed by “The Golden Bear” golf legend and golf course architect Nick Price. This golf course is designed to showcase the coastal jungle ecosystem with its mangroves and wildlife. Only 57 minutes away from Tulum.
You can expect incredible views of the Caribbean sea, bunkers, and coastal winds that add an extra challenge to the game, seven acres of water bodies spread all over the 18-hole course par 71. Prices range from $150 to $300, depending on what you need and when you want to play.
A practice range of 300 yards, a putting green, and a sand trap is available. There is also a Golf Academy, club rentals, and on-course beverage cart service. There is also a fully equipped Golf Pro Shop, access to the clubhouse facilities, and lockers, and you can also enjoy a meal at coyote grill.
6. Iberostar Golf Club Playa Paraiso
Access: With reservation only.
Site:iberostar.com
Green fee: $179
Brought to life by golf course designer P. B. Dye, the landscape is impressive, surrounded by Mayan ruins and showcasing the natural ecosystem as part of its course. The Iberostar Golf Club in Playa Paraiso has been open for over a decade. Iberostar has hosted many world-renowned tournaments. The Iberostar Play Paraiso Golf Course is up to par for professional golfers, intermediate and beginners. Located 1 hour and ten minutes away from Tulum.
Let’s talk more about the course design. It’s an 18-hole, Par 72 course with a length of 6800 yards, paspalum grass, and a Slope rating of 136. There are different Tee times, and it takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete the 18-hole course. Therefore, it’s essential to call for reservations.
The prices range from $200 to $300 to play, including a golf buggy, appetizers, unlimited drinks, and alcoholic beverages. In addition, If you are a guest at the Playa del Carmen resort, you qualify to schedule a golf trip at their resort in Cancun. The resort will be responsible for transporting you back and forth. Let the front desk know ahead of time.
7. Vidanta Golf Course
Access: With reservation only.
Site:vidanta.com
Green fee: $150
Vidanta Golf Course, also known as “The Nicklaus Experience.” The golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus, better known in the golf industry as “The Golden Bear,” with a record of 117 professional tournaments worn. This legend is also the person responsible for creating the Vidanta Golf Course.
The golf course is about 1 hour and 20 minutes away from Tulum.
Vidanta golf course is known for its trade winds which can create a welcoming challenge to proficient players. There are 28 bunkers, 2 lakes, and 18 holes of 54 Par, with a length of 2923 yards.
The price for access varies from $80 to 150 depending on your needs and the availability of the golf course. Vidanta Golf course has a pro shop where you can find the latest golf equipment and rent equipment for the day. In addition, a restaurant is available to you while you play, and there are occasional tournaments, group catering, and services for executive meetings.
A few things to know before planning your trip:
So you found where to stay in Tulum; now let’s talk about all the other things you need to consider, like the weather, packing tips, and safety.
When is the best time to go to Tulum to play golf?
According to Weatherspark, “The hot season lasts for 2.0 months, from April 13 to June 12, with an average daily high temperature above 90°F. The hottest month of the year in Tulum is May, with an average high of 92°F and a low of 69°F. The cool season lasts for 2.9 months, from November 13 to February 9, with an average daily high temperature below 84°F. The coldest month of the year in Tulum is January, with an average low of 62°F and high of 83°F.”
Now that you know what type of climate Tulum has planned your trip, what you find most comfortable. Mid-December to late April is considered the best weather for people vacationing in Tulum.
What can you do in Tulum after golfing?
It depends on the type of experience you want to have. For example, in Tulum, there are all-inclusive resorts for adults only that cater to activities for adults. However, if you are traveling with family, you can find family activity packages for all ages.
Note that if you’re traveling with family, you might come with tons of luggage in tow. If this is the case and you can’t bring your favorite clubs in your golf bag along, don’t worry. Instead of renting you can always opt to bring an adjustable golf club.
Suppose you want to stay at your resort. In that case, travel agencies offer water activities like snorkeling on the second-largest reef in the world, scuba diving, water skiing, fishing, and many other water sports in Tulum. There are plenty of water sports available in Tulum. So take a day off to tan, swim, and relax at the beach. Enjoy the services offered at the resort, like massages, spa treatments, yoga retreats, and group activities.
If you want to explore outside of your resort, for adventure junkies, there is ziplining, an adventure course, and activity parks close to Tulum for the whole day. Do some sightseeing in the Tulum archeological sight, visit cenotes and discover more about the Mayan culture. Travel to cities close by like Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, punta Allen, Puerto Cancun, and Akumal, or take a long excursion to one of the new wonders of the world, Chichen-Itza in Yucatan.
How to stay safe in Tulum?
The best safety practices are double-checking restaurant and bar prices before ordering and paying. Don’t walk alone at night, do not purchase drugs from street vendors, drink in moderation, and watch your drink. Keep your valuables with you and avoid getting dragged into the street conflict. Use registered taxis or hotel transportation services.
Leave the valuable jewelry at home. Keep your tech and essential documents in the resort’s safebox or with you. Only carry a little cash with you and wear a money belt. Draw out money from the bank in tourist places and in the company of more people. Don’t flaunter cash on the streets, do it inconspicuous or in a bathroom, stay in tourist areas, don’t be too trusting of strangers, and use common sense in all situations.
In conclusion
Tulum has everything for the golf enthusiast. Take your time to discover it and the Riviera Maya. Enjoy some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world, and don’t forget to explore around for more activities beside Tee Time. Here’s a suggestion: best places for snorkeling in Tulum.
