PGA Riviera Maya Course Review: Is This Mexico’s Best Golf Course?

Overview

PGA Riviera Maya is located within the luxurious, residential development Tulum Country Club. It’s the closest golf course to Tulum, a short drive from Playa del Carmen and a 90 minute drive from Cancun.

It’s widely regarded as one of the best golf courses in Mexico. And one of the few golf courses in Latin America affiliated with the PGA. It has tour-level ambition, boundless natural beauty, and recently compared to heavy-hitters like El Camaleón Mayakoba or TPC Danzante Bay.

With all that being said, we had to go find out what all the buzz was about.

The Vibe & Setting

As you approach on the highway, you see two huge towering flags — one Mexican flag and one with the PGA logo. Once you pull in, you are greeted by an equally huge entrance structure. Tulum Country Club is a gated community so be ready to show your tee time confirmation and ID at the gate.

Everything about it is bold and impressive — a welcome that immediately signals: this isn’t just any golf course.

Sarah Williams, Co-Founder and Average Golfer

Once inside, you’ll pass through a short residential stretch lined with well-kept villas and palm trees before arriving at the clubhouse.

The pro shop is well-stocked with premium gear and branded apparel from TravisMathew and TaylorMade but expect resort pricing.

You’ll encounter a mix of golfers ability—from seasoned regulars who own property at Tulum Country Club to visiting vacation groups—but the overall vibe is relaxed but upscale.

Course Layout & Design

Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones II, PGA Riviera Maya is a course that fully embraces its surroundings. The layout weaves through dense Mayan jungle, jagged limestone, and even a few natural cenotes—it’s beautiful, no doubt, but also demands your full attention.

It’s the kind of course that you should really think twice before pulling the driver.

Karsten Rowe, Co-Founder and Average Golfer

The front nine starts with a few holes that give you a false sense of comfort—they’re relatively open off the tee and don’t immediately reveal how challenging the course becomes. But by the time you reach holes 6, 7, and 8, the tone shifts. Narrower fairways with dense jungle suddenly raise the stakes.

The back nine doesn’t offer much more reprieve—precision is still everything. A slight miss into the jungle, and once it’s in there, it’s gone. And let’s be honest—you’re probably not diving into the brush with spiders, snakes, or the occasional crocodile lurking nearby.

Course Conditions

PGA Riviera Maya is immaculately maintained and the grounds staff deserve extra credit. We recently played a week before the Tulum Championship, a recent addition to the PGA’s prestigious Korn Ferry Tour circuit. The fairways are some of the best you will see and the greens fast, firm, and true.

The tee boxes are level and well-positioned, and the bunkers are well-kept with soft, playable sand. Rough is manageable in most areas, but stray too far and you’ll quickly transition from second cut to thick, unforgiving jungle. You’re not just dropping a stroke—you’re dropping a ball.

Given the tropical climate, humidity and afternoon storms can come into play, so course conditions may shift slightly depending on the time of day. But overall, the conditioning here matches the premium expectations of a PGA-branded resort course.

Difficultly

The three main factors that make this course such a challenge:

1. The length. From the tips, it stretches to over 7,200 yards, even from the white tees some of the par 4’s are hard to reach in two. My advice is not to hit the driver but hit the fairway and maximize the roll on the plush firm fairways.
2. The jungle. If you miss the fairway, you will most likely lose your ball. Penalty strokes are easy to come by and will really hurt your score.
3. Slick greens. The greens are in great nick but the firm conditions and run-off areas can make it hard for your approach shot to stick.

It’s a course that rewards smart, steady golf and punishes carelessness. If it’s your first time playing it, bring some extra balls and keep your expectations in check.

Signature Hole

Too many beautiful holes to pick from but my favorite has to be the Par 4 Hole 6. It’s iconic and visually intimidating framed by jungle with a deep limestone cenote (sink hole) that protects the green.

Staff and Practice Facilities

From the moment you arrive at PGA Riviera Maya, the hospitality stands out. The staff is warm, welcoming, and professional—not in a scripted resort kind of way, but in a genuinely helpful, proud-to-host-you way.

The practice facilities are solid, with both grass and mat driving range bays, hight quality balls and tees which you get free with your green fees. There’s a large short game area with a bunker and chipping green to warm up properly. The putting green mirrors the speed and feel of the course, which is always a good sign.

There’s also a modern clubhouse and pro shop with branded merch and solid gear options. Plus a few options for food and drinks.

We play this course a lot and have built up a solid relationship with numerous members of staff—they always make us feel welcome. At the end of the round you are greeted with ice pops, towels, and water to cool off. Staff help unload your cart, and clean your clubs which is a nice touch.

Pricing & Booking

Booking a round at PGA Riviera Maya is simple—you can reserve your tee time directly through their website, via email, or by phone. The staff is responsive and helpful, and the process is smooth whether you’re booking in advance or trying to squeeze in a last-minute round.

Let’s be honest: this is not a budget-friendly course. Standard green fees are around $220 USD, which puts it in the premium tier for Mexico. That said, there are a few ways to play smarter:

• Twilight rate: Tee off after 2 PM and the price drops to around $150 USD—a great value if you don’t mind chasing the sunset.
• Hotel guest discount: If you’re staying at one of the partner resorts within Tulum Country Club, you may qualify for a reduced rate—definitely worth asking about.
• Local resident pricing: Mexican residents or those with proof of local address can also receive a discounted rate, though you’ll need to inquire directly and provide documentation.
• Par 3 option: Not ready to drop that kind of coin? The 9-hole par 3 course is just $60 USD and offers a fun, relaxed alternative.

Rental clubs are available at around $85 USD, and they’re quality name-brand sets—perfect if you’re traveling light but still want a solid bag for the day.

Final Thoughts

Is it worth the price tag? Absolutely. With stunning jungle scenery, abundant wildlife (yes, that includes crocodiles and sunbathing iguanas), and the prestige of a PGA-affiliated design, this is a must-play if you’re in the area—even at the higher price point.

Since writing this post, we’ve played PGA Riviera Maya multiple times—and it hasn’t gotten any easier. It’s a challenging, visually stunning, and thoughtfully designed course that delivers a true championship-caliber experience.

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