Ultimate Guide to Golf Vacations in Playa del Carmen
So you’re searching for the best golf vacation location in the Caribbean?
Well, you’re in luck.
Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya boast some of the most well-designed and popular golf courses this side of the globe.
You’ll find the only official PGA course outside the USA and Canada, pristine courses, gorgeous weather, and world-class service.
That’s the big draw (no pun intended).
So…
A buddy of mine was shopping for a golf vacation for his group and he couldn’t figure out what was included in the golf packages offered by all-inclusive hotels.
Since we organize a ton of golf vacations and group golf vacations here at PlayaDelCarmen.com, I thought I’d help out my fellow golfers with this post.
You’ll get answers like…
- What are the best hotels for golf packages?
- Are green fees included in the packages?
- Can I play 36 holes per day?
- What courses are included in the packages?
- Is transportation to-and-from the course included?
- How early can we tee off?
Typical golf related stuff right?
Not so obvious (surprisingly) for some golf vacation websites.
With a year-round 80°F average temperature, backdrops of tropical foliage, Caribbean seas, and cenotes, as well as over 8 courses to choose from, no wonder it’s a prime choice for golfers and vacationers alike.
The TOP 3 Golf Vacations in Playa del Carmen
1. Palace Resorts
Palace Resorts are known for quality, luxury, comfort, and GOLF!
You can choose to stay in 2 different Palace Resorts in the Riviera Maya.
The best part is that you can play for FREE at their Moon Palace golf course or Riviera Cancun Golf Club.
Palace Resorts offer “resort credit”, that you can use for golf green fees, spa services, tours, room upgrades, and more….
– Book 3 nights get $500 in credits
– Book 4 nights get $750 in credits
– Book 5-8 nights get $1500 in credits
– Book 9-11 nights get $2000 in credits
– Book 12+ nights get $2500 in credits
A 16% tax must be paid on the total amount of resort credits used. It can be paid in cash or with a credit card at the time of check out.
OR…..
You can choose UNLIMITED GOLF!
So instead of getting resort credits, you can choose their “Unlimited Golf” option.
UNLIMITED GOLF INCLUDES:
✓ Unlimited golf rounds
✓ Transportation to and from the courses
✓ Golf Balls for practice
✓ Food and Beverages on the course and in the clubhouse at Moon Spa and Golf Club.
Can you smell the fresh air and hear the crack of your swing right now? Yeah, you can.
Carts will be $38 per person per round when you choose Unlimited Golf option. There a few minor conditions to consider as well.
Palace Resorts to Choose From:
1) Moon Palace Resort
You’ll LOVE this 2000+ room resort with multiple restaurants and bars, entertainment, sports, and a golf course that’s just steps away.
Do you have kids? The Moon Palace has a fantastic kid’s club with a small water park, a teen’s hangout, a fitness center, and an amazing spa. Something for everyone…
2) Playacar Palace Resort
If you want a pristine beach, and you don’t mind traveling (transport included) to and from the Moon Palace golf course, you can stay at the beautiful 200 room Playacar Palace.
Only a few steps from Playa del Carmen’s famous 5th avenue, and on one of the most beautiful beaches in the area.
MORE ABOUT THE MOON PALACE GOLF COURSE…
The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is a true championship course.
You can play a combination of 27 holes Dunes & Jungle, Jungle & Lakes, and Lakes & Dunes.
7,165 yards, par-72 and it features 4 sets of tees.
Surrounded by tropical jungle vegetation, natural wetlands, and bunkers that have been strategically placed.
You’ll like the signature hole on the 17th, a 151 yards is a par 3. It plays to an island green!
Regular Rates / Green Fee Prices
Adults
Regular: $303.00 USD
Twilight: $187.00 USD
Kids
Regular: $71.00 USD
Twilight: $71.00 USD
Get your Moon Palace Golf Course scorecard.
2. Mayakoba
Home to the annual PGA tournament which occurs every November is the Mayakoba complex.
I like how it was built around 6 miles of freshwater canals, sweet water lagoons, lush plant life, and along an impressive beachfront area.
There are 5 luxurious hotels within the Mayakoba complex. They all deliver top-notch service, as well as the Greg Norman designed Camaleon Golf Course.
You can choose to stay at the Fairmont Mayakoba, Rosewood Mayakoba or the Banyan Tree and have the golf course and beach right at your doorstep.
I never wanted to leave, and the Mayakoba Residences and Banyan Tree Residences make this possible. (evil genius)
If you prefer a non-all inclusive approach, Mayakoba is a destination of its own.
Mayakoba Resorts to Choose from:
1) Fairmont Mayakoba
401 guest rooms, AAA 5-diamond, Oceanfront within the gated Mayakoba community, this resort hotel is an ideal setting for an unparalleled travel experience.
Gourmet restaurants on site, only 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen town, with a Willow Stream Spa and only steps from the El Camaleon Golf Course.
2) Banyan Tree
107 beautifully designed villas at the Banyan Tree curl around individual gardens creating unique and private outdoor areas.
You’ll feel Asian hospitality throughout this luxury resort.
They offer several options for dining that include Thai, Mediterranean, in-villa, and the unique drifting dinner served onboard a traditional dining boat.
3) Rosewood Mayakoba
128 suites feature contemporary furnishing, rooftop sundecks, plunge pools and boat docks.
I like this family-friendly resort because of their Rose Buds program, an exceptional program for kids. The signature restaurant also serves exquisite Mediterranean cuisine.
You can also opt to dine beachside or at the sushi bar 😉
4) Andaz Mayakoba
Mayakoba Andaz is all about upscale luxury in a zen-like environment.
It’s a unique resort that makes discovering the local culture the center of their mission.
I loved the lush surroundings and of course their world-class dining. Absolutely exceptional stuff!
Read our Andaz Mayakoba review
MORE ABOUT THE El CAMALEON GOLF COURSE…
A Greg Normal masterpiece, this 7039-yard course will stun you with its beauty, taking you from mangrove jungles to limestone canals and oceanfront stretches.
Golfers of all abilities can enjoy as each hole has a minimum of 5 tee blocks.
The Camaleon Golf Course has made history by becoming the first golf course outside Canada and the US to host an official PGA Tour Event.
Get the El Camaleon Scorecard here.
Regular Rates / Green Fee Prices
Adults
Regular: $299 USD
Twilight: $199 USD
Kids
Regular: $79.00 USD
Twilight: $79.00 USD
If you’re staying in Mayacoba you’ll pay less. $199 for Regular, $129 Twilight. Twilight starts at 2:30 and you get unlimited golf with a Twilight green-fee until sunset. Prices drop during the low season, June to end of October.
3. Hard Rock Hotels
The Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya has 2 sections, one that’s family-friendly called Hacienda, and an adults-only section called Heaven.
You will also receive the following amounts of resort credit which can be applied towards golf at the Playacar Golf Course.
– Book 4 nights get $750
– Book 5-6 nights get $1500
– Book 7-8 nights get $1800
– Book 9-11 nights get $2000
– Book 12+ nights get $2500
A 20% tax must be paid on the total amount of resort credit used. It can be paid in cash or with a credit card at time of check out.
More about the Hard Rock Golf Club
It’s a beautiful course is in the heart of Playacar, about 20 minutes north of the Hard Rock Hotel.
The 18-hole, par 72 courses was designed by architect Robert Von Hagge.
I enjoyed the Hard Rock Golf Club Riviera Maya’s practice area with driving range, large putting green and surrounding tropical foliage. You may also encounter local wildlife such as deer, coatis, iguanas and tropical birds.
Regular Rates / Green Fee Prices
Adults
Regular: $220 USD
Twilight: $120 USD (9 holes)
Juniors (ages 13-17)
Regular: $43.00 USD
You can replay the course for $35!
Inclusions
✓ Round transportation from hotel
✓ Golf cart (for 2)
✓ Unlimited practice balls
✓ Food & beverages
Need Help Getting Organized?
We, PlayaDelCarmen.com, can guide you through this maze of options.
You should worry about your swing, we’ll take care of the rest and get you the best price.
We organize a TON of golf packages for small and large group golf vacations.
Have questions? We are happy to help. Call our team at PlayaDelCarmen.com at 888-537-9797.
You can also ask your questions in the comment section below.