Cabo vs. Puerto Vallarta vs. Cancún: Which Mexico Golf Destination Is Right for Your Trip?

Planning a golf trip to Mexico but not sure where to go?

Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Cancún/Riviera Maya all offer excellent golf, warm weather and outstanding resorts — but the golf experience in each destination is very different.

At Golf Mexico Tee Times, we've been helping golfers book tee times in Mexico for more than 15 years. Rather than trying to tell you there's one "best" Mexico golf destination, here's how the three major golf regions compare.

Los Cabos: Desert, Mountains & Dramatic Ocean Golf

If you're picturing fairways surrounded by cactus, desert mountains and the blue Pacific, you're probably picturing Los Cabos.

Cabo has developed into one of the most recognizable golf destinations in Mexico, with courses designed by some of the biggest names in golf architecture.

Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Tom Fazio and Robert Trent Jones Jr. are among the designers who have created courses in the region.

What Does Cabo Golf Look Like?

The defining feature is the landscape.

Golf courses move through desert terrain, natural arroyos, sand dunes and cactus-covered foothills before opening to spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean or Sea of Cortez.

Some layouts feature dramatic elevation changes and holes perched high above the ocean.

This isn't tropical golf. It's desert golf beside the sea.

Who Should Consider Cabo?

Cabo makes a lot of sense if golf is one of the main reasons for your trip.

It's particularly attractive for groups planning multiple rounds, golfers who enjoy dramatic course architecture, and travelers looking for a combination of golf, upscale resorts, restaurants and ocean scenery.

Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit: Tropical Golf Between the Mountains and Pacific

Fly across Mexico to Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit and the landscape changes completely.

Instead of Baja desert, expect lush tropical vegetation, the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay.

Puerto Vallarta works especially well for golfers who want golf to be an important part of their vacation without necessarily making the entire trip about golf.

What Does Puerto Vallarta Golf Look Like?

There's considerable variety.

Vista Vallarta offers two championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf, with elevated terrain and views toward the mountains and Banderas Bay.

Vidanta Vallarta gives golfers the opportunity to play a Greg Norman design that has hosted the PGA TOUR's Mexico Open.

You'll also find options including El Tigre, Marina Vallarta, Flamingos and Vidanta's Nayar course.

One day you can be playing through tropical jungle and mountain terrain. Another round can feel much more like traditional resort golf.

Who Should Consider Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta is particularly appealing for couples, families and mixed golf/non-golf vacations.

You can play in the morning and spend the rest of the day at the beach, pool, restaurants or exploring Puerto Vallarta.

It's also an excellent choice for golfers who want to play several different styles of courses without changing destinations.

Cancún & Riviera Maya: Caribbean Resort Golf

Now head to Mexico's Caribbean coast.

Cancún and Riviera Maya provide another completely different golf environment.

Here the scenery is defined by tropical vegetation, limestone terrain, wetlands, mangroves and the turquoise Caribbean.

Golf also fits naturally into the region's enormous resort and all-inclusive vacation market.

What Does Cancún & Riviera Maya Golf Look Like?

Expect tropical layouts with plenty of water, dense vegetation and natural hazards.

Rather than the desert-and-ocean contrast of Cabo or the mountains surrounding Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya golf has a distinctly Caribbean and jungle feel.

It's a very different visual experience — and that's one of the reasons golfers who have already played western Mexico should consider trying the Caribbean side.

Who Should Consider Cancún or Riviera Maya?

This region makes particular sense if you're planning an all-inclusive resort vacation and want to add golf to the trip.

It's also a strong choice for couples and families where some travelers golf and others don't.

You can play a morning round while the rest of your group enjoys the resort, beach or pool, then spend the afternoon together.

What About the Weather?

All three destinations can offer excellent winter golf, but their climates aren't identical.

Cabo has a much drier desert climate. If your priority is dry conditions and desert scenery, this may appeal to you.

Puerto Vallarta has a warmer tropical Pacific climate. Winter is particularly attractive, while the summer and early fall months are hotter and wetter.

Cancún and Riviera Maya have a tropical Caribbean climate with warm temperatures, humidity and seasonal rainfall.

For golfers escaping a northern winter, all three can provide exactly what you're looking for: warm-weather golf while your home course may be covered in snow.

What Kind of Scenery Do You Want?

If scenery matters when choosing a golf destination, think about what you want to see standing on the first tee.

• Cabo: Desert + cactus + mountains + dramatic Pacific and Sea of Cortez views.
• Puerto Vallarta: Tropical vegetation + Sierra Madre mountains + Banderas Bay and Pacific views.
• Cancún/Riviera Maya: Jungle + mangroves + wetlands + Caribbean resort scenery.

There isn't a wrong answer. They're simply very different golf environments.

Going Specifically for Golf?

If you're organizing a dedicated golf trip with friends and want to play a different course almost every day, Cabo offers an exceptionally deep collection of destination golf.

Puerto Vallarta is also very well suited to a multi-round trip, particularly if you want to combine golf with restaurants, nightlife and a traditional Mexican resort-city experience.

Cancún and Riviera Maya tend to work especially well when golf is part of a broader resort vacation.

Traveling With Someone Who Doesn't Golf?

This can completely change which destination makes sense.

If you're traveling with a spouse or family who aren't interested in playing five rounds of golf, consider the entire vacation — not just the courses.

Puerto Vallarta and Cancún/Riviera Maya make it particularly easy to combine a morning round with beaches, resorts, restaurants and other activities.

Cabo also offers outstanding resorts, dining, fishing, beaches and activities, making it easy to build a vacation around more than golf.

Our Advice: Choose the Experience, Not Just the Course

Don't choose your Mexico golf destination based solely on one famous golf course.

Think about the entire trip.

Do you want dramatic desert golf overlooking the Pacific?

Look closely at Cabo.

Do you want tropical Pacific golf, mountains, restaurants and plenty of course variety?

Consider Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.

Want a Caribbean or all-inclusive vacation where you can easily add several rounds of golf?

Cancún and Riviera Maya may fit your trip extremely well.

Book Your Mexico Golf Before You Travel

Whichever destination you choose, there's one piece of advice that applies to all three:

Don't wait until you arrive in Mexico to start planning your golf.

Popular courses and desirable morning tee times can become limited during the busy winter travel season.

Choose your destination, decide which courses you want to play and arrange your golf before you leave home.

More Than 15 Years Booking Golf in Mexico

Golf Mexico Tee Times has been helping golfers book Mexico golf for more than 15 years.

We offer tee times in Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Cancún and Riviera Maya, allowing you to organize your golf before your vacation.

Our rates are displayed in U.S. dollars, so there's no need to calculate your golf costs in pesos when booking through us.

Whether you're planning a dedicated golf trip, a winter escape or simply want to play one great round while you're in Mexico, we're here to help you get your golf organized before you arrive.

Cabo, Puerto Vallarta or Cancún — choose the Mexico experience that fits your trip, then let Golf Mexico Tee Times help you book the golf.