Golfing on the Mayan Riviera

If you're a golfing devotee, you need to plan aEl Manglar Golf Riviera Maya (Nicklaus Design)
getaway on the Mayan Riviera. Just look at theBeautiful and challenging par 3, this course is
choices:between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Its 18
Cancun Golf Club at Pok ta Pok (Robert Trentholes offer traps of white sand and lakes
Jones Designsurrounded by natural rocks. The greens are
Designed in 1976 by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.,1950s style, but are considered the best
hundreds of meters of dramatic shoreline andconditioned in the area. It's a good place to
Mayan ruins make this an extraordinarypractice short play, and it is known for its
experience for golfers at all levels of ability.personalized service. This club also has a putting
Located between the Nichupte Lagoon and thegreen and a driving range. You can rent clubs, and
Caribbean, it is in the heart of Cancun's hotel zone.transportation to the course from your hotel is
Sandstone Mayan ruins are one of the hazards.available.
Open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk, mealsEl Camaleon Mayakoba (Greg Norman). Host of
are served daily until 9:00 p.m.the 2007 PGA Mayakoba Golf Classic
Hilton Cancun Golf ClubCancun-Riviera Maya.
This club offers Cancun's only par 72 hotel golfThis club has been described as a work of art. It's
club. Located on the Nichupte Lagoon, this club hasin the Mayakoba luxury resort, but its name
been hosting golfers for years. It's an 18-holecomes from its diverse layout and ever-changing
full-service complex available to Hilton guests butlandscape. Bending through the tropical jungle,
also to others who wish to play here. Thedense mangroves, oceanfront stretches of sand,
fairways and greens are beautiful in and ofand long channels with limestone borders, this
themselves, but the scenery and exotic wildlifecourse has unusual hazards and beautifully clear
make a visit here never-to-be-forgotten.lagoons.
Scratch-players and high-handicappers alike willPlaya Mujeres Golf Club (Greg Norman design)
enjoy playing this course.This club is five miles north of Cancun's hotel strip
Golf Club Moon Palace (Nicklaus Signature)and is surrounded by white beaches and tropical
This is a golf club extraordinaire not only with ajungle. It's a premium course, considered one of
boutique but also 27 holes. It's the only Nicklausthe finest in Mexico. The views of lakes, oceans,
Signature Course in the Riviera Maya. Ecologicallyand extraordinary plant life as well as exotic
designed, it's beautifully landscaped with naturalanimals are outstanding. This club is also
mangroves and exotic animals. Only 10 minutesconsidered a model for one that respects nature
from the Cancun airport and 15 minutes fromand protects local wildlife. It's a spectacular par 72
Cancun's Hotel Zone.with traps and challenges even for the most
Cozumel Country Club (Nicklaus Design)skilled golfer. Besides the club house, there is an
Cut out of limestone and the coral and saltwaterexclusive Pro Shop in addition to a fine restaurant.
marshes on the northwestern shores of CozumelThe first woman-friendly course in Mexico as
Island, this is the island's first golf course. Therated by the Executive Women's Association.
environment has been respected in the creationPlayacar Spa and Golf Club (Robert Von Hagge's)
of this club, and it is surrounded by mangroves,Located only 35 minutes from Cancun's hotel
marshlands, and a tropical rainforest. It offers azone, this golf club sits right in the heart of the
first-class golf test for players at whatever levelRiviera Maya. The course covers 7,144 yards. Its
of proficiency. It's challenging for serious golfersdesign and construction were overseen by the
but fun for not-so-serious ones. There's a golffamous architect Robert Von Hagge. Surrounded
store, snack bar, and two tiered tees for practiceby lakes and astonishing vegetation, this club is
or warm-up. The club also offers a putting greenconsidered by players the most challenging golf
and chipping green for practice.course in the Mayan Riviera.