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4.2
71 Reviews (71)
5 Stars
48
4 Stars
18
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
3
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.1
Layout
3.7
Friendliness
3.7
Pace
5.0
Amenities
3.5
40.3%
Recommend this course
65 out of 71 reviews
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Average Rating
Avg Rating
0
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
0
Value
0
Layout
0
Friendliness
0
Pace
0
Amenities
0
0%
Recommend this course
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.0
Value
3.0
Layout
3.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
3.0
StaffFriendliness
3.0
0%
Recommend this course
1 reviews
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About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 7024 yards
Slope 139
Rating 74.8

El Camaleón is aptly named for its diverse layout and ever-changing landscape, which bends through tropical jungles, dense mangroves and oceanfront stretches of sand with holes bordered by massive limestone canals. The indigenous and environmentally inspired design aspects are evident from the opening fairway, by an imposing cenoté, an ancient underground cavern that was unearthed during the initial stages of course construction.

Created with the goal of producing a tournament-quality golf course while maintaining an enjoyable sense of 'playability' for players of all skill levels, this course was designed to enhance the most desirable natural features of its tropical forest and seaside settings.

The result is a golf course with a natural, stand-alone golfing experience unique to its own part of the world.

Course Details

Year Built 2006
Greens Papalum SeaIsle I Variety
Golf Season Year round
Architect Greg Norman (2006) Tad Burnett (2006)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fee
Clubs Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts No

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School Academy Yes - "Jim McLean Golf School"
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Visa, MC, AMEX
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed No
Dress code Collared Shirt, Bermuda Shorts ok.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant, Beverage Carts

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Locker Rooms

Accolades

Reviews

4.2
71 Reviews (71)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 19
19th Hole Scenic Views 12
Patio Dining 10
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 15
Bunkers 14
Narrow Fairways 10
This course/club is great for:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 17
A Bucket list/Top 100 Pick 16
Advanced Golfers 15
This Course's Location is:
At a Resort 22
Worth the Drive 12

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Previously Played

Beach greens

The course was underr construction. Workers on ever hole repairing the fairways and the moving greens etc. Wish they would have informed us when we booked. The greens are all sanded and I mean heavily sanded. Just hit it hard and pray for the best. Club house under construction too and the want $17 for a single shot. Was excited to play this course again and will come back in a few years when LIV gets the renovations completed.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

I would play this course more often if the rates become more reasonable…. The layout is pretty awesome and it’s a resort course so it won’t beat you up. It’s just that the rack rate for twilight is pretty steep unless you find a great deal. It’s not a destination course so they could charge less. But I think because they have a PGA event here, they can charge whatever they want. Great conditions, greens can get really fast in the afternoon. Rough not that penalizing, fairways carpet like. Outer edges, you’re on your own- it’s a jungle…

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Enjoyable Golf Course

Fifth time playing El Chamaleon. However, price is starting to get a little steep. This course is very enjoyable and relaxing to play, as it's a fairly flat course and your generally not pushed. Bring enough golf balls, as once your ball gets in the mangrove there's not much chance of retrieving it. Course was in excellent shape, as always. Staff is always very friendly.

Conditions Excellent
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course but…

Great PGA course but for the price $$$$ of greenfees it would be appreciate to have a free drink or at least a light lunch during the game or after.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Rattled

I booked online for a 7am round for my last round in Mexico and wasn't on the tee sheet. Showed up early to practice and was hoping to play with someone who had seen the course before. I got rushed out with no practice and no breakfast and did not have a good experience. Paid $50 us online to book and then had to pay full price when I was there. Hot happy which is why I'm writing this review. Don't have time to do this.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Awesome course. If you don’t mind the heat save a few bucks for the afternoon rounds and likely less people on the course. Beautiful views and perfect fast greens.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

This course is awesome. We played it the day after the PGA event and it was incredible. The only thing was that the green fees are a little steep.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

solid course, very wet but still drained pretty well. greens were smooth, long from the back tees especially with the wind

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Previously Played

Course conditions were terrible

Greens had probably been aerated and sanded last week. Should have informed guests when checking in. The starters didn't say anything before the round and then after my round they agreed that the putting is impossible right now. Rough was pretty deep too. Probably about 3". Lost a few balls just because I couldn't find the ball in the rough. No was should they have charged full price for the conditions. Worst conditions I've played anywhere. Played El tinto and Riviera Cancun just a couple days before and those were about average and had been expecting that El camaleon would be better. Played El camaleon 2 years ago around this same time if the year and it was so much better. Asked the golf shop for a discount after 9 holes and they acted like the greens were fine to play and would not provide a discount.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Awesome course

I am an avid golfer and travel around a lot to play. This was one of my favorite layouts. Conditions were perfect and the twosome I was paired with made for a great round. We did get a fore caddie which was not needed and wouldn't recommend getting. The course offers great amenities such as transfers, very nice rental clubs (I had PXG rentals) and an awesome clubhouse. I will say the experience was expensive but worth it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 146
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 100 Contributor
Missouri Advisor
First Time Playing

As good as advertised

Played this one a few weeks before the PGA event and it was in phenomenal condition. Great layout and fun holes. The par threes were shorter than I imagined which made them even more fun. The rough was THICK. Fairways impeccable. Clubhouse very cool design. Played by myself and wasn't held up at all. The ocean holes and cave bunker were memorable for sure.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
First Time Playing

This was an excellent and challenging course to play. I really enjoyed the layout of the course. Watch out for snakes, there was a 6 foot python on the cart path. I can’t wait to play it again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Fantastic experience, loved el Camaleon

I enjoyed playing three rounds of golf, one with my twelve year old daughter while staying at the Fairmount. The pace of play was good, and it was easy to book and change a tee time with the clubhouse staff. I used a caddie the first day, and this was a good choice as I got some good tips how to manage the quote penal rough. It is not the easiest course off the tea, and also seemed fairly long with errant shots finding the mangroeves or canals. What made the course special was that it had a laid back resort feel to it, and if you are looking to play a nature course, with abundant wildlife and lush green vegetation, it does not get much better. I look forward to come back again and get another chance of a good score..

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 241
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 25 Contributor
Florida Advisor
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

A marvellous day to remember in Mayakoba!

I got a round on this course as a birthday present and there could not be any better choice!
It is very impressive from the entry to the club, passing the pro shop, being in locker room where the names of all the PGA players are placed on each locker. Excellent welcome by the registration. We received a cart with already prepared rental clubs (Titleist), changed some of the clubs and the putter to more convenient one and went to the driving range. Same here - 1st class service provided. We played as twosome and the pace was excellent. The course was in pristine condition, nothing to complain, except the very strong wind making it really not easy to keep the ball on the fairway or even to hit it on the green on the two short Par 3 at the shore. Needed two clubs more than usually. The course is partly very challenging. Tee boxes and Fairways are in excellent condition, as well as the bunkers. Greens are rather fast and true. We’ve seen some chameleons (giving the name to the course) – first on the first hole already…
After the round having a drink at the clubhouse, it is a joy to have a view on the 18th hole.
As it was a birthday present, I have no idea how much was the round, but I must say, no matter how expensive it might have been – it was worth every single penny!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 52
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fabulous Course

Fantastic Track, The Condition of the course was Pristine. The Greens were Fast and glassy. But true. Great layout and framed beautifully . The Practice facilities were great , there is absolutely Nothing to dislike about this course. The Cart paths run low to the water line so you have to keep your head up for Crocodiles. Other than that it is a great day of golf. The Fairway are so pristine you can putt from 20 yards off the green. The Pro’s are so spoiled with course conditions. The Mayakoba Classic comes up in November.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing

Horrible experience

Course under maintenance and they didn’t inform until I showed up. Just aerated and only able to play front nine twice. Still charged full price. Like I said didn’t let me know till I showed up. Layout was awesome wish I could’ve played the back. Staff was friendly. Bar and food were very good also. In different tones would’ve been great but left feeling g ripped off. Always, always call and insist on conditions.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bucket list golf experience

From the moment you walk into the clubhouse you realize you are in for a very special experience.

From check in to drinks on the 19 th hole this course is an amazing experience

Friendly staff guides you to excellent practice facilities. Course is in tremendous shape

A must play experiment

Thank you Mayacoba

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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Golf Packages

Fairmont Mayakoba Stay & Play Package

FROM $417 (USD)
CANCUN/RIVIERA MAYA, MX | Enjoy 4 nights’ accommodations at Fairmont Mayakoba Riviera Maya and 3 rounds of golf at Playa Paraiso Golf Club and El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Club.
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