El Cameleon Golf Course - Mayakoba
A chameleon journey between jungle, cenotes and Caribbean Sea
Like the chameleon from which it takes its name, this Riviera Maya course winds in two 9-hole loops through a changing landscape mixing dense tropical jungle and mangrove forests, embellished with numerous lagoons and artificial canals present on almost all the holes.
Mexico
- Number of holes: 18
- Architect: Greg Norman
- Year: 2007
- Type: coastal tropical
- PAR 72
- Slope 135
- Distance: 6400m
The course & its setting
Designed by the company of legendary golfer Greg Norman, the course includes several underground natural caverns (cenotes), one of which is located in the middle of the first fairway. This original design notably takes two par 3 holes to the edge of the Caribbean Sea, offering a spectacular and demanding setting.
The short and attractive holes, at distances of 105m (7th hole) and 141m (15th hole), are the true jewels of the course, played in the immediate vicinity of the beach. The constant sea breezes then challenge even the most seasoned golfers.
Setting & Location
The Mayakoba Golf Classic, organized by the Greg Norman Production Company, has been played here since 2007. In the first edition, Fred Funk won the title in a playoff, becoming the oldest winner of a PGA Tour tournament since 1975.
Architect Tom Doak, who played at El Camaleón in 2017, gave the course a rating of 6 out of 10 in its Confidential guide. He emphasizes that this luxury eco-resort course is a fine example of harmony between nature and golf, with tight fairways that require precision and strategy.
Location
Golf hotels
Fairmont Mayakoba Riviera Maya 5*
Nestled between tropical jungle, white-sand beaches and crystal-clear canals, Fairmont Mayakoba is a 5-star all-inclusive resort set in Playa del Carmen. The hotel offers elegant rooms with private terraces, some affording views over the surrounding lakes.
