An Unlimited Mexican Golf Portal to the Underworld

Not many destinations expanded their fan base in the Pandemic – perhaps Mexico is the only. In the dark depths of the “nonessential travel” days, road trips and Mexico were the only shows in town. Mexico was open before Hawaii, Canada’s still closed and most of the Caribbean trailed Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Cozumel, a lovely stretch of Mexico known as the Mexican Caribbean.

On a short list with a few countries in Southeast Asia, there isn’t a place in the world better at warm customer service than Mexico. Everyone that goes south of the border becomes best friends with a bartender or tortilla lady. In all facets of life, most around the world would benefit from tapping into the sincere generosity of the Mexican people. 

Imagine for a moment you’re limited to the food and drink of one nation for the rest of your life. Are you willing to part ways with fajitas, tacos, margaritas and micheladas? And like Champagne in Paris, tequila tastes better in Mexico and they have the best – we suggest a neat pour of the Tequila Realeza Mexicana Anejo, only available in Mexico.

And not only is the golf good in Mexico, they’re leading the charge for a more casual golf experience with an emphasis on tequila, Modelo, tacos and tunes. If you want to keep it quiet and grind it out – fine, but if you want to mix the party with golf that’s okay too. One of our favorite places in the Mexican Caribbean is a Greg Norman design, El Camaleón Golf Club at Mayakoba Resort. Viktor Hovland went around there at 20-under to win the Mayakoba Golf Classic last December. Most remember it for its No. 7 signature hole with a cenote in the middle of the fairway – a swimming pool size crevice connected to a deeper network of underground canals, and according to ancient Mayan beliefs, a portal to the underworld. But for me, it’s the tight, Shark-carved fairways cut from mangroves and wetlands that are its top-shelf traits. Greg Norman demands a bit of accuracy off the tee which is how the game is supposed to be played, right?

The Cancun International Airport is far and away the busiest airport in the Caribbean which means the biggest selection and best deals. There are multiple hotel options at Mayakoba Resort where El Camaleón is, and the Rosewood Mayakoba is offering an “Unlimited Golf” package for two: here.