Intro
Cartagena’s golf offering is compact but high-quality: the only Jack Nicklaus Signature course in Colombia (Karibana) and the city’s historic Campestre club. Two hours east along the coast, Barranquilla adds two more courses that belong on any serious Caribbean-coast itinerary — Lagos de Caujaral (Joe Lee, 2024 World Golf Award winner) and Country Club de Barranquilla (est. 1926, one of the oldest clubs in the country).
Caribbean-coast golf is sea-level golf: no altitude to recalibrate for, warm weather year-round (28–32°C), and trade winds that become the course’s main defense from December through March. The combination of golf with Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed walled city, the Rosario Islands, and Caribbean cuisine is one of the more complete golf-plus-travel combinations in the region.
Quick Stats
Cartagena Courses
Karibana Links →
Jack Nicklaus Signature, 2012 · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,116 yds · Rating/Slope 71.3 / 128
Colombia’s only Nicklaus Signature course. Former TPC Cartagena, Korn Ferry Tour host, and 2019 Colombian Open venue. Links-inspired design between the Caribbean and the Ciénaga de la Virgen. 30 minutes from the walled city.
Club Campestre de Cartagena →
Est. 1976 · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,521 yds
Cartagena’s traditional private country club. Classic parkland layout, tight tree-lined fairways, mature trees for shade. 20 minutes from the walled city and 15 minutes from Rafael Núñez airport.
Within 2 Hours — Barranquilla
The two Barranquilla courses are a 2-hour drive east from Cartagena along the Caribbean coast. The most efficient way to play both on a Cartagena-based trip is a single day trip with one morning round and one afternoon round — both clubs are within 30 minutes of each other.
Club Lagos de Caujaral →
Joe Lee, 1972 · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,710 yds · Rating/Slope 71.7 / 129
🏆 2024 World Golf Award — Best Course in Colombia. Iconic Island Green on hole 6. Extensive water throughout, on-site hotel available.
Country Club de Barranquilla →
Est. 1926 · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,906 yds · Rating/Slope 62.4 / 108
One of Colombia’s oldest golf clubs (founded 1926). Caribbean Sea views from several holes. Substantially modernized under a Jemsek Golf Design master plan — major greens renovation in 2018.
Climate & Best Time
The Caribbean coast has two dry seasons: December–March (the prime window, also peak tourism) and July–August (shorter secondary window). Trade winds are strongest December through March — ideal for true links-style play at Karibana, where wind is the course’s primary defense. The May–November wet season brings short but intense afternoon showers; early-morning rounds are the norm year-round regardless of season.
Getting There
Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) serves Cartagena with direct flights from Miami (3h), Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, New York, and Madrid. Barranquilla’s Ernesto Cortissoz (BAQ) has direct service from Miami. For a Cartagena-based trip, staying in or near the walled city and driving out to Karibana (30 min) or Barranquilla (2h) is the standard play.
Plan your Cartagena golf itinerary
Four courses, one walled city, and the Caribbean between rounds. We’ll handle access, transfers, and the stay.