Here is a fact that might surprise you: Mexico is the number two worldwide golf destination for U.S. golfers, right behind Hawaii. The Mexican Government Department of Tourism wants to change that ranking. That's right -- they are determined to become number one, and at the rate they are going it shouldn't take too long to achieve that goal.
To seasoned Mexico travelers the reasons are obvious. Mexico is an amazingly diverse country blessed with gorgeous locations that rival any in the world, from the stark beauty of Baja California hard against the Sea of Cortez to the new jungle courses in Puerto Vallarta. In the interior of Mexico, at elevations over 5,000 feet you can golf the wonderful traditional courses of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Morelos. In fact, there are now more than 150 golf courses in Mexico with the world's top architects (Nicklaus, Dye, Von Hagge, Weiskopf, Jones, to name a few) lining up to create new, exciting venues to meet the rising demand.
And in case you haven't noticed, Mexico is right next door. Direct flights from gateway U.S. cities will have you teeing off the same day that you board your plane, after checking into a world-class hotel manned by the friendliest, most respectful people you'll find anywhere on the planet. Or, if you prefer, you might choose an old, culturally-rich colonial inn with portola lined walkways and colorful bougainvillea climbing the walls. Take a serene evening walk on the pristine beach, party half the night downing street tacos, or settle into a three-hour meal prepared by a French-trained chef…the choice is yours. Want to take a day off from the course? Take a jungle cruise, rent a car and go visit the seaside village nearby, or take in a day of catch-and-release deep-sea fishing.
You see, a golf trip to Mexico is more than just golf. It is a culturally rewarding, educationally enriching adventure that you just aren't going to get in Myrtle Beach, Orlando, or Scottsdale. And here's the best part: it doesn't have to cost any more! You will find some great deals available to destinations all over Mexico. They want your business, and they are making it very enticing to make their country your choice for a great golf vacation.
There are plenty of warm, sunny, sandy places to play golf. But there is only one Riviera Maya -- and it is among the top vacation destinations in the world. This 80-mile stretch of coastline on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, beginning just south of Cancun and stretching south to Tulum -- the only Mayan city built on the coast -- is jam packed with things to see and do.
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The Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos and the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort Los Cabos are very different. What's amazing is they're both a part of the same family -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Choosing which one to stay at, however, might be the hardest part of a Cabo golf vacation, Jason Scott Deegan writes from Mexico.
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Palmilla Golf Club hasn't landed a top-100 ranking. But for those who have played Palmilla -- the first course by Jack Nicklaus in Latin America -- know it's on par or better than anything in Mexico. No detail is left to chance, making Palmilla a world-class experience, Jason Scott Deegan writes.
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The Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos, located at the tip of Mexico's Baja Peninsula, has some quirks, but it is infinitely beautiful and unique. The hotel juts from the mountainside, where the stunning scenery from the lobby is framed by an "arch" in the building, showcasing the sea, sandy beach and rocks offshore.
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Few places around the world do golf-and-beach vacations better than Los Cabos, a desolate stretch of land at the tip of Mexico's Baja Peninsula where the mountains, desert and sea collide. It's home to dynamic seaside courses -- including stellar Palmilla Golf Club and Cabo del Sol -- and year-round golf weather.
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From the very first hole, you get the sense that El Camaleon at the Fairmont Mayakoba resort south of Cancun, Mexico is different than your typical resort course. It's truly one of Greg Norman's best designs, offering a variety of holes with different backdrops. There's nothing boring about El Camaleon, Mike Bailey writes.
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