I’m Kayla. I play to about a 10 on a good day. I pack extra golf gloves, a roll of athletic tape, and way too many tees. Last spring, I spent a week in Cancun and played my heart out. I wanted ocean wind, firm greens, and maybe a few iguanas. I got all three—and a lot more.
If you want the hole-by-hole notebook that sits beside these memories, I logged every swing and score in a longer diary you can skim right here.
You know what? Cancun golf is a mix. Some courses sit by the hotel zone. Some hide in thick mangroves near the airport. A few feel like you’re on a quiet nature walk, then the breeze smacks your hat sideways. I’ll walk you through what I played, what I loved, and what bugged me. No fluff. Real rounds, real notes.
Quick context: how I booked and got around
I booked most tee times the old way—over email or phone with the pro shop. Twice, the hotel concierge helped, and that was easy. I took taxis with set prices. Two courses picked me up at the lobby and dropped me back after. Early tee times were gold. Less heat, less wind, and smoother greens.
Golf-hungry travelers who want a chilled base can look at staying at Ceiba del Mar, a boutique retreat in Puerto Morelos that sits within a quick taxi ride of several of these tracks.
Tip stuff? I used pesos for cart staff and range guys. Sunscreen and bug spray lived in my side pocket. I wore a light long-sleeve for sun. And I kept a small towel soaked in ice water. That little trick saved me on holes 14 through 18 more than once.
Puerto Cancun Golf Club: salty wind and marina views
I played Puerto Cancun first, 7:30 a.m. The range had those tidy pyramid stacks. The starter smiled and pointed to the wind flag, which already leaned left.
- Vibe: modern, clean, close to the city. Condos peek over a few fairways.
- Look: water, white sand, and a marina. One hole runs right by the beach. It’s a postcard. And it knows it.
- Condition: greens were quick and true; I’d guess mid-10s on a stimp, rolling smooth in the morning.
- Rentals: they handed me a Callaway set with a chunky mallet putter. Grips felt fresh. I still missed a three-footer, but that’s on me.
The ocean hole had a crosswind that bullied my ball. I tried a baby cut and got a big slice. Bogey. Still, I grinned. You can smell salt and hear the surf, so it’s hard to pout. Pace was steady, around four and a half hours. Only gripe: some construction noise on the back nine. Not wild, but you notice it.
Riviera Cancun Golf: quiet, pure, and sneaky tough
If you want peace, this is your spot. It’s near the airport, yet it feels sealed off. The fairways twist through mangroves and lagoons. Signs warn you about crocs. I didn’t see any up close, and I was okay with that.
- Vibe: calm, almost hush. Bird calls, soft wind, soft cart seats.
- Look: dark green paspalum, bright water, light sand. It’s pretty without trying.
- Condition: fairways clean, greens firm, medium-fast. Tee boxes neat.
- Notes: bring bug spray. On still days, they bite. On windy days, they don’t.
There are forced carries over scrub and water. They’re fair from the right tees, but they do test your nerves. I hit a stingy 3-wood on a long par 4 and still had a mid-iron in. Miss right? Lost. Miss left? Also lost. I made one par that felt like a birdie. The beverage cart rolled by often, and they had cold towels, which felt like a tiny vacation.
Want to know how those post-round margaritas and on-course beers fit (legally) into a travel day? I unpack my real-life lessons about local liquor rules in this candid rundown.
Iberostar Cancun Golf Club: hotel zone hustle, breezy and fun
This one is easy to reach if you stay in the hotel zone. It’s the classic resort round—wide in spots, windy in others, and lively.
- Vibe: busy, friendly, bright. Lots of first-timers, lots of selfies, lots of iguanas sunbathing like they own the place.
- Look: open fairways, a few ponds, and palms that sway even when the air seems still.
- Condition: good overall; greens a touch slower in the afternoon; bunkers raked.
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I rented TaylorMade irons here and a driver that felt hot off the face. I swear it added 10 yards, even though it was likely just the wind behind me. There’s a par 3 with water that got in my head. Short swing. Short ball. Splash. I laughed, dropped, saved bogey, and moved on. The snack shack by the turn had fresh fruit and tacos. Simple, perfect fuel. Only downer was a slow patch when a group hunted balls like it was an Easter egg hunt. Marshals did check in, and it improved.
Playa Mujeres Golf Club: jungle calm with a kick
North of the hotel zone, the drive felt like a small escape. The course starts gentle, then tightens up when the jungle leans in. There are a few holes near the water where the view stretches and you can see boats in the distance.
- Vibe: quiet, relaxed, small-lux mood.
- Look: mix of jungle corridors and open breezy holes.
- Condition: greens were the best of my trip that day—firm but not harsh.
The fairways here can pinch. If your driver gets wild, hit 3-wood. I learned that the hard way when a perfect drive rolled through a dogleg and kissed a palm. Punch out, wedge, two putts. Bogey. My caddie wasn’t chatty—there are no caddies required, but a starter gave me a few lines early—and I liked that. I could just swing and breathe. Pace of play was a touch slow, but not bad. Bring a mosquito wipe for late afternoon. For players who crave a similarly coastal test, the nearby Golf Costa Mujeres layout delivers fresh paspalum fairways and ocean glimmers in spades.
Craving a pure beach day between rounds? I kicked off my spikes and took a sandy stroll that you can virtually join in this honest toes-in-the-sand review.
Moon Palace Golf Course: 27 holes, lots of service, sneaky water
I got in through a friend who stayed there and had a day pass. We played two nines: Dunes and Lakes. The range is wide and flat, with plenty of space to warm up. Cart staff cleaned my clubs like they were crystal.
- Vibe: polished and organized.
- Look: water on a bunch of holes; everything framed right.
- Condition: consistent. Greens rolled the same from hole 1 to hole 18, which I love.
Here’s my tiny gripe: some holes blend together. The water left, water right theme repeats. It’s not bad—just a lot. Still, I made two birdies, which always colors my view. The cart girl handed out ice at the turn, and I stuffed my towel and neck wrap. That kept me sharp under the sun.
Bonus day trip: El Camaleón at Mayakoba (worth the trek)
Yes, it’s down in Riviera Maya, not Cancun proper, but I had to play it. It hosted a big tour event for years, and you can feel that. It’s a stunner. Mangroves, canals, and that famous fairway with a cenote off to the side. I hired a driver for the day and teed off early.
- Vibe: refined, quiet, almost museum-level care.
- Look: clean lines, striking contrasts, a few true jaw-drop holes.
- Condition: best of my trip. Period.
I walked off tired and happy. Pricey? Yes. Strict pace? Also yes. But it felt like a treat, like a fancy meal you save for.