|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Los Cabos has become one of North America’s most recognized golf destinations, shaped by decades of thoughtful design and steady development. What began as a handful of seaside fairways in the early 1990s has grown into a collection of world-class courses that reflect the region’s landscapes and evolving identity. From Cabo San Lucas to Loreto, each course offers a distinctive experience, attracting both seasoned players and newcomers eager to play among Mexico’s most admired layouts. This isn’t a complete list, but rather a glimpse at some of the courses that define the region’s character and growth.
Cabo San Lucas
Diamante
Few properties capture the ambition of Cabo’s golf scene like Diamante. Spanning dunes along the Pacific, this private resort community is home to two acclaimed layouts and the site of the World Wide Technology Championship, one of Mexico’s premier PGA TOUR events. El Cardonal, Tiger Woods’ first completed design, draws inspiration from early California courses, featuring open fairways and a strong strategic element. Nearby, The Dunes Course, designed by Davis Love III, is consistently ranked among the world’s best for its natural movement and panoramic views. Green fees at Diamante vary by membership and access, but typically start around US$400 for resort guests, reflecting the club’s exclusivity and tournament pedigree.
Quivira Golf Club
Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Quivira Golf Club unfolds dramatically along cliffs and canyons overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Each hole feels isolated, carved through desert terrain that gives way to sweeping sea views. Its elevation changes and coastal winds make it one of Cabo’s most photographed courses. Access is limited to Pueblo Bonito resort guests and property owners, with rates typically ranging from US$250 to US$400, depending on the season and time of day.
Cabo San Lucas Country Club
One of the area’s earliest courses, Cabo San Lucas Country Club, is situated near downtown and features a traditional layout, framed by desert vegetation and offering views of Land’s End. Initially designed by Roy Dye and refined by his son Matt, it provides a more accessible alternative to newer resort courses. Rounds typically range from US$100 to US$170, and it remains a reliable option for local players or those seeking a casual round within minutes of the marina.
San Jose del Cabo
Palmilla Golf Club
Opened in 1992 as Los Cabos’ first signature course, Palmilla Golf Club established the region’s reputation for championship-level golf. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the 27-hole complex — Arroyo, Mountain, and Ocean nines — offers a balanced mix of scenic vistas and technical variety. Fairways weave through desert arroyos before revealing views of the Sea of Cortez, capturing the essence of Cabo’s terrain without exaggeration. Rates for visiting players generally range from US$200 to US$300.
Club Campestre San Jose
Located in the foothills near downtown San Jose, Club Campestre was designed by Nicklaus Design and is renowned for its expansive fairways, undulating greens, and consistently excellent conditioning. The course offers a more relaxed pace of play while still presenting a challenge to experienced golfers. Public rates typically range from US$130 to US$200, making it one of the most approachable Nicklaus courses in the region.
Puerto Los Cabos
Combining nine holes by Greg Norman and nine by Jack Nicklaus, Puerto Los Cabos delivers two distinct design philosophies within a single round. Norman’s front nine blends seamlessly with the landscape, while Nicklaus’s back nine introduces bold elevation shifts and panoramic ocean views. Golfers can expect to pay between US$250 and US$350, depending on the season and tee time. Beyond its design, the course’s location near the marina and resort properties makes it an attractive option for travelers staying in the northern San Jose area.
East Cape
Costa Palmas Golf Club
Set on the Sea of Cortez near La Ribera, Costa Palmas Golf Club was designed by Robert Trent Jones II and features a minimalist aesthetic that allows the natural desert contours to guide play. Wide fairways and open greens create a sense of calm rare in modern resort golf. The course forms part of a Four Seasons resort community, with green fees for guests typically ranging from US$300 to US$450. Costa Palmas represents the East Cape’s emergence as a destination where luxury and remoteness coexist in balance.
Loreto
TPC Danzante Bay
In Loreto, TPC Danzante Bay offers a dramatic contrast to Cabo’s bustle. Designed by Rees Jones, the course moves through arroyos, canyons, and ridgelines before reaching the Sea of Cortez. Its 17th hole, perched above a rocky cove, has become one of Mexico’s most photographed par threes. Rates generally range from US$200 to US$300, including practice access and transportation from nearby resorts. The course anchors the Villa del Palmar resort community, reinforcing Loreto’s growing reputation as a destination defined by quiet elegance and natural drama.