How, When And Where To Play Golf In Colombia?

Last updated on June 24th, 2023 at 02:57 pm

Dear readers

My name is Frank and I run a travel agency in Bogota, Colombia. Have fun while reading!

At the end of this guide you will find a list of many other helpful Colombia travel guides.

We are a travel agency based in Bogota, Colombia and happy to organize your custom-made trip to Colombia.

Content

Why Colombia is a golfer’s paradise

Colombia is located north of the equator and therefore has the same temperatures throughout the year. The outside temperatures depend on the altitude above sea level, especially depending on the area.

The capital Bogota, which is located at about 2,600 meters (8,500 Feet) above sea level, has accordingly an average annual temperature of about 14° Celsius (57 F°), with the range between 6° and 20° Celsius (43 – 68 F°).

Accordingly, Colombia can be offered throughout the year as a golf destination, nothing is in the way of your golf trip.

In Colombia, there are no 4 seasons as in the US or in Europe. However, there is a rainy and a dry season. However, this varies from region to region and is not constant in its expressiveness. In Bogota, it can rain at any time, whether it is the rainy season or not. In shallow regions such as Llanos, for example, it hardly rains during the dry season, but during the rainy season, there is so much precipitation that entire regions are flooded.

By the way, in our article about the golf courses in Colombia, you will find even more information such as height above sea level, par, types of grass, length and much more.

Varied golf trip to Colombia

Colombia is certainly a unique country in the world and not only offers altitudes from sea level to over 5,500 meters (18,050 Feet) above sea level but also has 2 coasts. The coast to the Pacific is largely uninhabited and left to nature, the Atlantic coast largely populated and contains tourist cities such as Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta.

These described constellations mean that Colombia is not only one of the 17 Megadiverse countries in the world, but also has the second-largest biodiversity on the planet after Brazil.

Golfers, therefore, benefit from the special conditions in Colombia and thus get a huge selection of golf destinations across the country, with a variety of climatic conditions and different heights and topographies.

We should immediately proclaim Colombia as the Golf Capital of the World, because the conditions are paradisiacal. On the list below you will find all golf courses and regions listed with the respective homepage. In it, you will find the important details of each club.

Colombian Golf Tours

Bogotá

It is worth the capital Bogota to be named first in the list. Golf is played in the 10-million metropolis between 2,600 (8,530 Feet) and just over 3,000 meters (9,840 Feet) above sea level. Bogota owns some of the best golf courses in Colombia, if not in Latin America.

On the one hand, there is the Golf Club San Andres, a par 72 course. British founded it in 1945 and the clubhouse still reflects their tradition and invites you to drink a whiskey after the game. The place impresses with its tall and numerous trees.

Although a public course, the golf course La Cima in La Calera is something very special. On over 3,000 meters (9,840 Feet), whoever tees off the ball with too much momentum will probably have to search for it in neighboring Venezuela.

Apart from the more than ten 18-hole golf courses in Bogota, Club El Rincon is probably the most famous in terms of quality and prestige and is designed as a spacious park with old, tall trees and many lakes. On the Par 72 course, you can lose the ball in one of the numerous waters or it lands in the bunker. Furthermore, you have to get used to the fast greens.

Villavicencio

The Golf Club Las Corocoras in Villavicencio is a typical regional club with an attached hotel.

Villavicencio is the capital of the department of Meta and therefore part of the Llanos. It could therefore be quite possible that the ambitious golfer on the way to the next tee sporadically crossed capybaras on the way. By the way, these promise delicious meat and are always on the menu in this region.

I highly recommend this. Other animals such as Anaconda, Puma, Jaguar or Orinoco Crocodile should not deter golfers in this region of the Llanos from concentration.

Popayán

The Club Campestre de Popayan is a very traditional and exclusive country club.

Popayan is similar to Cartagena, but with a pleasant climate. The city and the region are hard to beat for beauty. Popayan was also recognized by UNESCO in 2005 as the Cultural Capital of Gastronomy.

Golfing and good food, as far as I remember, includes the famous 19th hole to the two complementary activities.

Cali

In North of Popayan are several golf courses around Cali. The Club Campestre de Cali impresses with 18 holes, surrounded by the most beautiful nature and proximity to the Pacific.

The golfers of Cali are known worldwide for their fantastic body control, as all the inhabitants of the area are also excellent salsa dancers. There is still a lot to talk about Cali, but come by and discover it for yourself.

Armenia

Another beautiful country club invites you to play golf. The Club Campestre de Armenia is located in the heart of the Colombian coffee growing area. This region is simply breathtaking and offers many other activities in addition to golf.

Although the golf club is located right next to the airport, the aircraft noise is limited, as the flight frequencies are very deep. And if an airplane should just start at an important hole, stay calm. With a spicy coffee, grown in the immediate vicinity, the nerves can calm down quickly.

Medellín

No, Pablo Escobar’s family members are not golfers and in general, this issue should be treated with caution. The deep wounds of the past have not healed yet. The golf courses are outstanding though.

Medellín is not for nothing called the city of eternal spring. Do you want to feel young again? Come to Medellin for one or more rounds of golf and get to know the city and its interesting history, which are also representative of the whole country. In addition, you can also experience a lot in Medellín and eat well.

Bucaramanga

The name is similar to that of the villain in the James Bond movie, epitomized by Christopher Lee. However, this already exhausted the similarities. The capital of the department of Santander impresses with an excellent climate, various golf courses and spectacular nature.

The Ruitoque Golf Course is located on a hill just outside the city. You can either land with the helicopter directly on the roof of the hotel, or choose the normal route. Although the driveway at the foot of the mountain is similar to the Ford Knox security checkpoint, the staff of the golf club is very friendly. On and around the whole golf course there are inhabited villas, as often encountered in Spain.

Also the amazing country club in Bucaramanga is worth a visit. Why? Just check out our video and you will find out.

Caribbean Coast

Probably you will pick up the Caribbean golf courses in Barranquilla and Cartagena on a golf trip as a coronation to the end.

The contrast between the highest golf club in Colombia and the golf courses on the Caribbean coast could not be greater. At 30 degrees Celsius and direct views of the Caribbean Sea, these golfing games will be remembered for even longer. Here, too, there is always a wind blowing from the water, making the precise game even more difficult.

What you should know

Most golf courses in Colombia are very exclusive clubs, which are usually only open to members. However, as a specialized travel company, we have agreements with many of the listed golf clubs to enroll golfers in clubs for one round.

Since Colombia is not yet used to international tourism in many regions and golf tourism hardly exists yet, your presence with the club members will certainly be met with positive interest and you will be warmly welcomed.

In many golf clubs in Colombia, rental equipment is available for the round, but the quality and selection do not always meet international standards.

Many clubs still operate with caddies. These are mandatory and usually payable in cash at the end of the game.

Preparation for a golf trip to Colombia

Colombia is a touristy young country and foreign languages are not very common. The national language is Spanish and it is a great advantage if travelers speak at least a little of the local language.

Colombia is also a tropical country. Prior to arrival, the appropriate arrangements should be made. Read more in our Medical Advice blog.

Colombia Travel Guides

Here you will find travel guides for the most popular regions in Colombia, which we have put together during our extensive travels around the country.

Travel Guides to Colombia’s Small Towns

Here you will find travel guides for less popular destinations in Colombia. Some of these destinations are even real insider tips and not even known to the Colombians as travel destinations.