Date of publication 04/09/2019
Destinations to play golf Golf – from the 18th to the 19th hole
Beaches, fun and lots of leisure under par
Montego Bay
Why choose between packing your swimsuit or your golf clubs? Why debate between playing on a world-class course or relaxing on a dreamlike beach? In many destinations around the world, both pleasures merge seamlessly, allowing no boundaries between the green, the sand, and pure fun. Places where the famous 19th hole isn’t toasted at the clubhouse, but enjoyed in entirely new ways.
We begin this journey in Montego Bay, Jamaica’s premier coastal destination, where the island’s colonial and cosmopolitan spirit welcomes every kind of traveler. Beyond its laid-back charm and breathtaking beaches, this town is also home to two of the most appealing golf courses in the Caribbean: Cinnamon Hill and White Witch. Both share a historic link as they are set on the hills of the former Rose Hall plantation, offering routes designed by Hagee and Baril that wind past aqueducts and colonial mansions, always with the sea in sight.
After the 18th hole, beaches, relaxation, and a touch of adventure await. In Montego Bay, there’s no real divide between nature and the sea. Only wide, comfortable beaches separate both ecosystems, making it one of the best places to enjoy untouched nature with every modern comfort. A perfect after-golf session would include a stroll among historic mansions, a few hours soaking up the sun on its mesmerizing beaches, and a spa session to recover your energy, combining a thermal circuit with a soothing sports massage. You won’t find a better place to experience it all than at one of the 5-star hotels in Montego Bay by Iberostar.
Cancún
It’s hard to believe that this slender strip of sand known as the Hotel Zone of Cancún hides so much to discover. Among its many attractions, perhaps the most remarkable is the Iberostar Selection Cancún Golf Club — a course that feels the Caribbean breeze and the calm of the Nichupté Lagoon. It has everything to captivate even the most demanding golfers: an 18-hole course designed by Isao Aoki, a variety of fairways and greens that challenge both amateurs and professionals, and a constant dialogue with the lush coastal vegetation that serves as both a challenge and a reward.
After the final putt, it’s time to swap the green for the blue. There’s nothing more tempting in the Hotel Zone than checking whether that crystal-clear, vividly colored water is real. Delfines, Zituk, and Ballenas are among the most remarkable beaches, thanks to their irresistible contrast between white sand and hypnotic waves. Then comes the city’s most iconic photo spot — in front of Cancún’s cheerful typographic sign — before diving into archaeology at the El Rey ruins and exploring the fascinating Mayan world in its charming museum, designed for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
Punta Cana
The renowned designer P.B. Dye didn’t settle for simply creating a course to experience Playa Bávaro (Punta Cana) in a new way. The Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites Golf Club is one of the most spectacular and challenging courses in the Caribbean, boasting a 126 slope rating and a World Class Championship designation. And, of course, there’s also the privilege of its location — a gentle climate, a breeze that challenges without disturbing, and a horizon where the sea and palm trees blend in perfect harmony.
Punta Cana and Playa Bávaro evoke tropical beaches and swaying coconut palms. Together, they create an unbeatable destination for travelers looking to capture the most authentic essence of the Caribbean in their holidays. But there’s much more. Across the Dominican Republic, this paradise is emerging as a top-tier culinary destination, where chefs masterfully blend European and local flavors into true delicacies. The jungle, meanwhile, adds a sense of adventure to any vacation through various expeditions, while Saona Island has become one of those once-in-a-lifetime day trips for anyone seeking untouched natural beauty.
Praia do Forte
After 15 holes dodging bunkers, dunes lining the fairways, and endless greens, the sea awaits. It’s not that this course, located in Praia do Forte, has three fewer tees than the others — it’s that its last three holes are played right along the beach. A clever finishing touch to a layout that, unsurprisingly, was also designed by P.B. Dye, and is now considered one of Brazil’s most sought-after golf destinations.
Praia do Forte is a true revelation. It’s one of the wildest and most captivating spots on Brazil’s coastline—a destination where nature embraces you completely, whether through the tropical rainforest or the charming sea turtles protected by the TAMAR project. But it’s also rich in history and culture, with remnants of the first Spanish and Portuguese settlements, such as the lovely Church of San Francisco de Asís and the impressive ruins of Garcia d’Ávila Castle, the first major Portuguese construction (1551) in what is now Brazil.
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts features 2 five-star all-inclusive resorts in Salvador de Bahía: the Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte and the Iberostar Bahía hotel.
Fuerteventura
A total of four golf hotels in Fuerteventura, each with different levels of difficulty, carpet the island’s stunning landscapes, making it the ideal destination both for beginners and for golfers looking to perfect their swing under the sun. Playitas, Fuerteventura Golf, Salinas de Antigua, and Jandía Golf are clubs that turn the island’s characteristic winds into a thrilling challenge, as mastering their gusts becomes a true lesson in skill among volcanic scenery.
Sand and wind are the two elements that shape this natural paradise. That’s why the beach and the sea are the perfect habitats for anyone looking to enjoy a few days of pure relaxation. It’s all about speed. If you’re into adrenaline, the gusts of Corralejo and the waves of El Cotillo attract surfers and kitesurfers alike. But if your idea of paradise is sunbathing on a peaceful coast with endless stretches of sand, the Jandía Peninsula awaits, offering landscapes as wild as they are irresistible.
