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Experience morning golf at El Camaleon Golf Course, Mexico’s only beachside golf course in Playa del Carmen. Test your skills with coastal views and challenging holes amid the Riviera Maya’s unique landscape.
Experience morning golf at El Camaleon Golf Course, Mexico’s only beachside golf course in Playa del Carmen. Test your skills with coastal views and challenging holes amid the Riviera Maya’s unique landscape.
Book with Upgrade Vacations
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Operated by Upgrade Vacations · Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Located just steps from the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, El Camaleon Golf Course in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, offers an unforgettable morning golf adventure that combines championship play with stunning natural beauty. Known as the first and only course in Mexico to be situated directly alongside a beach, El Camaleon offers golfers an immersive coastal experience that few other courses can match. Its unique setting along the Riviera Maya delivers challenging play through a landscape shaped by Mayan jungle, shorelines, and cenote water hazards.
Designed by renowned golf architect Greg Norman, El Camaleon challenges players with a layout that balances technical fairways and strategic hazards. The course’s signature feature is the “Devil’s Elbow,” a par-3 hole that threads between the Caribbean coastline and a lush jungle ravine, providing both a thrilling challenge and breathtaking views. The mixture of native vegetation, from towering palms to coastal scrub, creates distinct microclimates and a habitat for native birds and reptiles.
Morning tee times at El Camaleon are particularly magical—soft sea breezes keep players cool and the morning light transforms the landscape, providing photogenic moments across the green and blue horizon. Playa del Carmen itself stands as a vibrant hub of culture and outdoor adventure, with nearby cenotes, Mayan ruins like Tulum and Coba, and vibrant coastal wildlife reserves, making the golf experience part of a broader, active exploration of the Riviera Maya.
El Camaleon is a standout destination not just because of its design and location, but also for its commitment to sustainability. The course integrates environmentally friendly practices to preserve the fragile coastal ecosystem, keeping it pristine for both golfers and native species.
Incorporating a round at El Camaleon into your Playa del Carmen itinerary means embracing the best of Mexico’s outdoor recreation scene—from the sport’s competitive challenge to the serenity of a seaside setting. Whether you’re a serious player or a casual enthusiast moving through the greens surrounded by Caribbean breezes, this morning golf experience offers a fresh way to connect with nature and sport alike.
moderate.
3–4 hours.
Players should be in moderate physical shape for walking 18 holes over varied terrain.
Yes, beginners are welcome and can enjoy the course; however, some holes are challenging so booking a lesson is recommended.
Yes, the course offers club rentals, but it's best to reserve them ahead of your round.
Golf carts are available for rent and recommended for those who prefer not to walk the entire course.
Smart casual golf attire is required, including collared shirts and no denim.
Yes, El Camaleon has a clubhouse with food and beverage services available before and after your round.
Tee times can be booked online through the referral link or by contacting the course directly.
El Camaleon opened as part of the Playacar development and was the first golf course in Mexico to border a beach directly, making it unique in the region.
The course actively employs water conservation techniques and preserves native plant species to protect the coastal ecosystem.
Upgrade Vacations is a Cancún-based tour operator specializing in golf trips, tee time bookings, and equipment rentals across Cancún and the Riviera Maya. The business coordinates access to a wide selection of regional courses and lists designer and signature details where available. Upgrade Vacations arranges rounds at courses including Riviera Cancun Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus), Moon Palace Golf Course (Jack Nicklaus), Puerto Cancun Golf Club (Tom Weiskopf), Iberostar Playa Paraiso (P.B. Dye), El Camaleon, El Tinto, Coyote Golf Club, Hard Rock Riviera Maya, Playa Mujeres, and PGA Riviera Maya. Many trip listings include morning and twilight tee times and specify on‑course features such as par 72 layouts, island holes, and elevation changes. Select packaged trips note all‑inclusive amenities like food and drinks and list transportation where transfers are included. Rental equipment options are offered, with premium Callaway XR sets, Rogue 2023 rental sets, and a dozen golf balls included in some packages. Upgrade Vacations focuses on organizing logistics and equipment so visiting golfers can concentrate on play. All trip pages provide detailed inclusions, tee time availability, and rental terms; travelers should review individual trip descriptions, booking policies, and course rules before reserving.
Book with Upgrade Vacations