Play Golf in Cartagena, Colombia — Expert Guide

Updated: July 2026 · by Frank Spitzer

Play Golf in Cartagena, Colombia — Expert Guide

Cartagena has 3 premium courses including Karibana (Pete Dye) and TPC (Nicklaus). This guide covers all 3.

I am Frank Spitzer, founder of Pelecanus Travel (RNT 51402, IAGTO member, Bogotá-based since 2017). We arrange Cartagena golf and beach combined itineraries. Send me a message to start planning.

Golf Courses in Cartagena

Cartagena boasts two nationally significant golf courses. Their proximity to the sea offers stunning views and rich biodiversity within the clubs.

Types of Golf Clubs in Cartagena

These clubs are private, meaning they are exclusive to certain groups. Members are typically from a high social and economic bracket, able to afford membership fees.

Amenities include private golf lessons, a pro-shop, and golf cart rentals, among others.

Private Golf Courses in Cartagena

Club Karibana

Website: Karibana Club
Location: Km 12 Anillo Vial, via Barranquilla, Cartagena
Altitude: 2 meters above sea level (6.5 feet)
Average Temperature: 24 – 31 °C (75 – 88 °F)
Distance fro City Center: 25 minutes by car

• Number of Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Grass Type:
  • Fairways: Paspalum Sea Shore
  • Greens: Paspalum Platinum
• Length: 7.065 yards
• Designer: Nicklaus Design
• Caddies: No
• Golf Cart: Yes – with GPS
• Equipment Rental: Yes

Karibana Beach Club is a real estate project offering the comforts of a club. In addition to being part of the Conrad Cartagena by Hilton hotel, it features sea-view apartments and houses amidst native forest overlooking a unique golf course in Colombia. It also boasts 1 kilometer of private beach.

The golf course, set between a native forest and the beautiful Caribbean beach, is one of the best in Colombia. It hosted the first Cartagena de Indias at Karibana Championship (part of the Web.com Tour, now known as the Korn Ferry Tour) in 2015 and the Colombia Open in 2019.

The course is well-maintained with a computerized drainage system that irrigates nightly to ensure stable playing conditions and top national rankings.

Club Campestre de Cartagena

Website: Club Campestre
Location: Km 1 Vía Turbaco Sector Puente Honda
Altitude: At sea level
Average Temperature: 36 °C (96.8 °F)
Distance from City Center: 30 minutes by car

• Number of Holes: 18
• Par: 72
• Grass Type:
  • Fairways: Native Bermuda
  • Greens: Bermuda
• Length: 7.773 yards
• Designer: Rafael Villegas
• Caddies: Yes
• Golf Carts: Yes
• Equipment Rental: Yes

Founded in 1933, the Club Campestre de Cartagena offers social and sports activities in an exclusive setting outside the municipality.

It features an 18-hole golf course, hosting various tournaments such as the Ryder Cup, the International Children and Youth Tournament of Cartagena de Indias, the Fedegolf Cup, and its own amateur tournament.

Playing conditions depend on the weather. From December to April, the course becomes hard, the ball rolls a lot, the rough loses grass, and the ball can get stuck in cracks. From May to November, frequent rains soften the course, reducing ball roll.

According to the Colombian Golf Federation, the course record for a 54-hole tournament is 11 under par.

How to Play at a Private Golf Course in Cartagena?

• The easiest way to play golf in Colombia is to contact us directly. We are a Bogotá-based tour operator specializing in golf in Colombia.
• You can also play as a guest of a club member or through acquaintances who know a member.
• Some golf courses have affiliated hotels. As a guest, you can play there. There are also destinations where city hotels have agreements with surrounding golf courses.
• Some golfers try to arrange visits themselves by emailing or calling the clubs. In my experience, these attempts are rarely successful. Private golf clubs in Colombia do not accommodate individual golfers, seldom respond to emails, and communication by phone can be challenging without good Spanish skills.

Some clubs require proof of handicap. Ensure you have this information handy. If you want to participate in a tournament, the Colombian Golf Federation requires proof of handicap and club membership from your home country.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hotel for Golf in Cartagena

Cartagena is a major tourist destination in the country, attracting both foreign and local visitors. This popularity can lead to traffic and detours when exploring the city.

The city is divided into three main areas: La Virgen and Turística, home to Karibana; Industrial and Bahía, where you’ll find the Cartagena Country Club; and Histórica and del Caribe Norte. Familiarizing yourself with these areas will help you choose the best place to stay during a golf trip.

Key tourist attractions like the historic center and hotel and beach zones are located in the Histórica and del Caribe Norte area, including sectors such as Bocagrande and El Laguito. These clubs are conveniently close to Cartagena’s main roads, easing transportation.

A travel agency can assist in planning your transport and help you pick a location with better mobility options. Notably, Club Karibana has its own hotel, offering great convenience. However, this course also partners with other hotels if you prefer different accommodations.

Dress Code for Golf in Cartagena

Cartagena’s warm climate, with periods of high temperatures, makes lightweight clothing a good choice. However, remember that golf clubs enforce a dress code aligned with higher sports authorities.

These guidelines recommend traditional golf attire. While shorts, dresses, and skirts are allowed due to the climate, it’s crucial to check their length and style for an optimal experience at the club. Also check out our guide to Cartagena travel guide.

2026 update: Cartagena golf — Karibana + TPC, plus the coastal circuit

Karibana Beach Golf Club (Manzanillo del Mar, ~35 km northeast of Cartagena centre) is the anchor of Cartagena golf. Opened 2012, it is Colombia’s only Jack Nicklaus signature course in the Caribbean region (Ruitoque in Santander is the other Nicklaus signature in Colombia, opened 1997). Karibana is a public championship course — no membership required, tee times bookable directly. Two important operating facts: Karibana does not use caddies, and carts (with GPS) are mandatory — a function of Caribbean heat and the Nicklaus routing with substantial separation between holes.

Adjacent at the same resort is TPC Cartagena at Karibana — another Nicklaus-designed layout in the same coastal complex. Beyond Karibana, the Barranquilla side of the coastal circuit adds Lagos de Caujaral and Country Club de Barranquilla (both private, letter-of-introduction access, ~2 h drive from Cartagena), plus Club Campestre de Cartagena in Turbaco (private, historically the local members’ course). Practical 2026: for a golf-first Cartagena trip, base at Karibana or nearby Manzanillo del Mar hotels; for a golf + walled city combo, base in the Ciudad Amurallada and drive out for morning tee times.

FAQ

Where is the best golf in Colombia?

Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and the Coffee Triangle all offer premium courses. Pelecanus has access to all major private clubs.

What is the cost of golf in Colombia?

Green fees: $50-150 USD. Including caddie + cart: $80-200/round. Packages 4-day golf trips $1,500-3,000/person all-inclusive.

Can I rent equipment in Colombia?

Yes — premium clubs offer rentals ($30-60/round). Pelecanus arranges premium equipment.

When is the best season?

Year-round, dry seasons (December-March, June-August) preferred. Avoid October-November (rain).

Do I need club membership?

No — Pelecanus has access to private clubs for guests. We coordinate visitor green fees.

How do I plan a golf trip?

Send a message via /en/about-us-contact/ or WhatsApp Frank at +57 321 214 6210.

References

• Colombian Golf Federation

About the Author

I’m Frank Spitzer — Swiss-born, Bogotá-resident since 2015, founder of Pelecanus. From first inquiry through return flight, you deal with me personally — not a handoff team. I’ve driven across 30 of Colombia’s 32 departments to inspect roads, hotels, guides and routes myself, and documented it in 400+ first-hand videos on the COLOMBIAFRANK YouTube channel. Before a destination goes into a trip, I’ve been there, often more than once, and I’ve slept in the bed I’d recommend. That field scouting sits on top of a 20-year background in finance, an MBA from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, and a First-Lieutenant commission in the Swiss Army. I work in German, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, which is why luxury, golf, eco and wildlife travellers from Switzerland, Germany, the US and Latin America trust us to build trips that feel custom — not catalogued. Pelecanus operates under Colombian RNT 51402 and is an active IAGTO member.

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