Baja is quickly becoming a golfer’s paradise. The area’s arid climate and natural beauty make it an ideal spot for sprawling courses with panoramic views. In all, Baja has about 20 different courses scattered up and down the peninsula, but the majority of them are in Los Cabos.
Los Cabos is the southern tip of Baja that stretches from Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo. There’s only about 20 miles between the two cities, but there are more than a dozen golf courses in the area. With so many choices, every golfer is sure to find their perfect fit for golfing in Los Cabos.
Some of the sport’s biggest legends like Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Pete Dye have designed courses in Los Cabos, many of which take advantage of sweeping ocean views. If you’re planning a trip golfing in Los Cabos, there are a few things you should know:
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Public courses range in price
In Baja, there are a handful of public courses, all of which are in the 20 mile stretch between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Quivira Los Cabos is the farthest east course with greens dotting the southern tip of the peninsula all the way to Puerto Los Cabos golf course, which is on the other side of San Jose del Cabo.
The two best public courses are Quivira Los Cabos and Cabo Del Sol’s Ocean Course. Expect to pay around $350 per round at both of these locations. If you’re looking for more modest prices, try Club Campestre San Jose, which is just under $200.
Most courses do offer a price break if you play in the afternoon, usually after 1:30pm.
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Course recommendations for every player and interest
You’re ready to hit the links, but you know you won’t have time to visit every course. Which courses should be on your list? Here are our suggestions coupled with those from Golf Digest:
- Best course for experienced players: Cabo Del Sol’s Ocean Course
- Most unique course: Quivira Golf Club
- Best course views: Costa Palmas Golf Club
- Best inland holes: Palmilla Mountain (Ninth hole)
- Most walkable course: Costa Palmas Golf Club (First six holes)
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Access to private courses is limited but possible
There are several private courses in Los Cabos like Diamante Dunes, where the El Cardonal, a course designed by Tiger Woods, is highly sought-after. The Costa Palmas Golf Course, the area’s newest premier course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., is also in high demand with its walkabout course and breathtaking Sea of Cortez views.
Both are located inside high-end resort communities with membership restricted to homeowners or those who purchase a year-long membership. If you’re seriously interested in buying property in either location, you might be able to gain access to the courses or you can look for exclusive golf packages from neighboring resorts.
The Four Seasons Los Cabo at Costa Palmas, for example, offers a Costa Palmas Golf Club package that gives guests access to the lush 18-hole course, 30,000 sq. ft. putting course, and onsite pros who are ready to provide an unparalleled lesson.
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Getting to the course
Baja is known for its dirt roads, especially the infamous Route 1, but a new(ish) toll road now extends from the Cabo Airport right into the tourist area. The toll road is about $4 one way and is well worth it. You might still run into a dirt road or two, but the roads to well-traveled areas like golf courses are usually paved.
If you’re planning to try several courses, you’ll probably want to rent a car. If you’re American, there won’t be much to acclimate to since driver’s stay on the right side of the road. Traffic signs are in Spanish though, so it’s a good idea to brush up on a few traffic-related words.
Don’t plan to use Uber, Lyft or any ride-sharing app in Los Cabos. The use of such apps is not legal in Cabo, although both companies are trying to fight the law. There are taxi services available, but it’s more economical to rent a car.
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Preparing for the trip
If a trip golfing Los Cabos is on the books, you’ll need to pack correctly for it.
For starters, if you’re planning to take your clubs with you (most golfers do), you’ll need to buy a heavy-duty travel bag to protect them in flight. It’s a good idea to put socks on all of your irons and wedges for added protection or wrap them in towels.
There are also companies that specialize in shipping golf clubs. If you’d rather go that route, you can look into companies like Ship Sticks or Lugless.
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Versatile weather apparel
Be sure to pack a storable umbrella, a light jacket or sweater, and rain-wicking pants and shirts to keep rain and sweat away.
You can likely expect bright, sunshine-filled days, so be sure to bring a good pair of sunglasses or polarized shades.
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Booking your stay
As you might expect, Los Cabos is a hot spot during the winter months as people look to escape the cold weather and head south. If you plan to come during these peak months, you should begin your search early.
If your trip time is flexible, consider going in October. In October, the temperatures start cooling down and the rainy season is subsiding so the greens are lush.
If you plan to visit a specific course, call ahead and talk with them about ideal times to visit and tee off. You might also consider booking a resort or hotel that’s near the courses you want to visit to minimize travel time.
Consider looking into golf vacation packages first when planning a golfing trip in Los Cabos. It’s easier to book a package that includes your stay and several rounds of golf as opposed to booking everything separately.
Years ago, Baja was known for dirt roads, wild ATV tours, and fishing. Today, the area is known for so much more – including golf. There are many impressive golf courses that could easily make your “best course ever played” list. When you’re ready to book a stay in Los Cabos, consider the golf package at Four Seasons Los Cabos at Costa Palmas for exclusive access to the East Cape’s freshly-minted course, Costa Palmas Golf Club.