11 Finest Golf Courses in Mexico: Teeing Off in Paradise
If you’re an avid golfer like me, you’ll probably like to know where the best golf courses in Mexico are for your next vacation.
Los Cabos has consolidated its position as the mecca of this beautiful sport on Mexican soil, and destinations such as Riviera Nayarit-Puerto Vallarta and the Mexican Caribbean are advancing in the same direction.
With more than 230 golf courses, Mexico has successfully positioned itself as one of the favorite countries for golf lovers.
This progress is closely related to the attributes of the golf courses built in these regions of the country and the benefits their creation brings with it.
“In addition to substantially increasing the added value and the economy of the area where they are located, they contribute to generating oxygen and life,” says Agustín Pizá, a Mexican architect recognized for the innovation of his designs with a sustainable emphasis.
Creating and developing golf courses is an art and a science governed by nature, Pizá emphasizes.
It is no coincidence that the architect draws his inspiration from the diversity of ecosystems and the desire to regenerate spaces from an extroverted and contemporary perspective.
I have resorted to the architect’s expertise to introduce you to some of the best golf courses in Mexico that you must visit at least once.
Again, although more than 200 golf courses exist in Mexico, I’ve selected eleven of the best ones trending today.
Top 11 Best Golf Courses in Mexico
1. Twin Dolphin – Los Cabos
Opened in 2018-2019, the Twin Dolphins Golf Course is the flagship course of Fred Couples, considered an authority on golf on an international scale.
Its impressive design features streams, canyons, rolling desert terrain, and sweeping views of the deep blue sea.
Location: Along the Golden Corridor of Los Cabos, Baja California Sur (closer to San Lucas).
Architect Pizá participated in the construction and coordination of the project.
2. El Tigre Golf Course – Nuevo Vallarta
This legendary golf course has unique features, including 5 to 6 tees per hole, extra-wide fairways, beach bunkers, and many lakes, making the course challenging and picturesque.
Excellent for spending a pleasant golfing day, more than half of the holes have water obstacles, also the carts bring screen with GPS which helps to calculate the distances.
Location: Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit.
Some sand traps are a little hard but in general very good. The greens handle long shots well. Par 3’s are very challenging.
3. Querencia – Los Cabos
This is the first project in Mexico by acclaimed architect Tom Fazio and the third in which Pizá participated.
The golf course is designed to maximize views of downtown San Jose del Cabo and the Sea of Cortez while providing a fair balance of risk and reward.
Location: Los Cabos Tourist Corridor, Baja California Sur.
4. Quivira Golf Course – Los Cabos
This is one of the best golf courses in Mexico that produces a “wow” effect with amazing drops from tee to fairway.
The Jack Nicklaus design at 7,085 yards was included in Golf Digest’s elite list of the “100 Best Golf Courses in the World.”
Location: Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur.
5. Las Parotas in Huatulco Oaxaca
Pizá’s team redesigned this golf course to enhance the spectacular environment that surrounds it: the jungle.
The project that began in 2014 made the golf course’s footprint more organic and harmonious by including foliage, corridors, and lakes that generated a unique micro-environment overlooking Tangolunda Bay.
Location: Huatulco, Oaxaca.
6. The Camaleon at Mayakoba – Hosts LIV Event
Designed by legendary Australian golfer Greg Norman, el Camaleon features ever-changing views and stretches across three diverse ecosystems: the Mayan rainforest, the mangrove wetlands, and the Mexican Caribbean coast.
It is certified by Audubon International for its commitment to the environment. This is the home of the LIV Golf Mayakoba event in February.
Location: Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo.
7. One&Only Palmilla – Los Cabos
This golf course opened in 1992 in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur; it was designed by Jack Nicklaus, becoming his first design in Latin America.
It is famous for having 27 holes divided into ocean, mountains, and desert, nicknamed “The Great Lady of Los Cabos.”
The One&Only Palmilla Golf Course is considered a worldwide masterpiece with impressive views.
Located in San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, you will have the Sea of Cortez as a witness during your stay.
8. El Jaguar Golf Course – Yucatan, Mexico
Located in Merida, Yucatan, this golf course has won over twenty international awards for its design and operation.
A complete professional golf course, with 7,295 yards created around eight lakes and six natural cenotes.
It has 18 holes in the Original Jack Nicklaus Signature category, a golf academy, a pro shop, and a deli & bar.
9. Ventanas San Miguel de Allende Golf Course
Expertise is everywhere you look at this golf course, as it was Nick Faldo, one of the most successful players in the history of golf, who designed it.
This course has 18 holes with a mix of the best grasses in the world, including Kentucky Blue Bent Grass.
Of course, the playing experience is unique because what could be better than playing on a course designed by one of golf’s elite players?
The view is second to none of the courses located near the sea, but here, you will be accompanied by the mountains and the imposing parish of San Miguel de Allende.
10. Punta Mita Golf Club
You will find yourself in front of one of the best golf courses in Mexico and the world, which you will access through the doors of the Four Seasons in Punta Mita.
Jack Nicklaus has also created this course in the Signature category and has another one with similar characteristics within the hotel.
This golf course has an extra challenge, the 19th hole, it is the only green in the world on a natural island.
You’ve already played by the sea, in front of imposing mountains and cenotes… But have you ever seen whales while playing golf?
In this course, eight of its holes border the Pacific Ocean, and from these points, you can see the whales passing by (Dec-Apr).
11. Nayar Course at Vidanta in Nuevo Vallarta – PGA TOUR Mexico Open
Nestled amidst the verdant jungle and flanked by the imposing Sierra Madre Mountains to one side and the vast Pacific Ocean on the other, the Nayar Course provides an enjoyable experience for golfers of varying skill levels.
Featuring seven serene lakes, 48 strategically positioned bunkers, and unrelenting sea breezes, this course consistently delivers an exhilarating challenge.
Crafted by the esteemed golf icon Greg Norman and honored with the prestigious title of “Renovation of the Year” by Golf Inc. magazine, the Vidanta Vallarta Course serves as the venue for the PGA TOUR Mexico Open at Vidanta.
Adorned entirely with paspalum grass and bordered by the majestic Ameca River, this course offers breathtaking vistas of the Sierra Madre Mountains from every tee.
It boasts expansive fairways, demanding shots, and bunkers reminiscent of Norman’s distinctive style.
Top Golf Courses in Mexico: Conclusion
In conclusion, Mexico is home to some of the most stunning golf courses in the world.
From the pristine beaches of Cabo San Lucas to the lush green hills of San Miguel de Allende, the country’s diverse landscape offers golfers a unique experience with each course they play.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual player, these 11 golf courses will impress.
With world-class amenities, breathtaking views, and challenging holes, they represent Mexico’s best for golf enthusiasts.
So pack your clubs, head south of the border, and discover why Mexico is quickly becoming one of the most popular golf destinations in the world.
