Jack Nicklaus Signature · 2012 · 18 holes · Par 72 · 7,116 yds · Rating/Slope 71.3 / 128 · Sea level
Karibana is one of two Jack Nicklaus designs in Colombia — the other is Ruitoque in Santander, opened 1997, opened in 2012 as TPC Cartagena — a PGA-endorsed TPC venue at the time. The property sits between the Caribbean Sea and the Ciénaga de la Virgen wetland, roughly 30 minutes north of Cartagena’s walled old city. The course was later rebranded as Karibana Links after the TPC affiliation ended, but the Nicklaus design and the championship-tee yardage remain unchanged.
Stats
| Par | Yardage | Rating/Slope | Designer | Year | Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 7,116 | 71.3 / 128 | Jack Nicklaus | 2012 | Sea level |
The Course
The routing is a genuine links-inspired design: wide corridors, aggressive bunkering (more than 80 bunkers across 18 holes), elevated tees with ocean views on the seaside holes, and firm conditions that let the ball run. The trade winds off the Caribbean — 15 to 30 km/h from December through March — are the course’s most consistent defense, turning routine club selection into a real decision.
The front nine works inland, alongside the wetland edge, with the prevailing wind quartering across most holes. The back nine moves toward and along the coastline; on the seaside holes, the wind shifts more directly into and out of play depending on hole orientation, and elevated tee boxes give the player a clean look at the line. Bermuda grass on fairways and greens delivers the kind of firm bounce that rewards players who can shape the ball low and accept the run-out.
The Nicklaus Design Signature
Karibana carries the design fingerprints visible across the Nicklaus portfolio worldwide: generous tee-shot landing areas paired with strategic, not penal, bunker placement — the bunker tells you where not to be, but rarely eats a slightly off line. Greens are medium-sized with multiple pin positions; subtle internal contours make club-into-green decisions more demanding than the yardage alone suggests.
Where the design diverges from the typical inland Nicklaus course is the routing’s use of coastal landscape. Several holes use the Caribbean Sea as both backdrop and lateral hazard, and a handful of par-3s sit at elevation over coastal scrub. This is not a transplanted-Florida resort course — it’s a Caribbean-specific interpretation of the Nicklaus playbook, built for trade winds and warm-season turf.
History & Tournaments
Karibana hosted Korn Ferry Tour events in its early TPC years and was the venue for the 2019 Colombian Open. The 7,116-yard championship tees stretch long enough to hold up to tour-level play, and the Nicklaus bunkering ensures that missed lines get punished. After the TPC affiliation ended the course continued to host national professional events and remains the principal championship venue on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
How It Plays
At sea level, the ball flies normal distances — no altitude to factor in. The real variables are wind and Bermuda fairways that run firm. On a windy day, expect to play 1–2 extra clubs into the trade wind and to account for significant rollout downwind. Greens run firm and medium-fast.
Humidity is high year-round (80–90%) and afternoon heat regularly reaches 32°C. Early morning tee times are the norm — both for comfort and to avoid the stronger midday winds.
A typical scratch or low-handicap visitor playing from the back tees (7,116 yds) should expect to use the full bag — long irons and fairway woods into the wind on several par-4s, and the par-5s tempt aggression with reachable second shots when the trade wind cooperates. From the regular men’s tees (around 6,400 yds) the course plays as a strong test rather than an unforgiving one, with the bunkering doing most of the strategic work.
Practice Facilities & Amenities
The practice facilities include a full driving range, short-game area, and putting green — standard for a course built to tour specifications. Bermuda turf on the range matches course conditions, so warm-up reps translate directly to what the player will face on the first tee.
The clubhouse offers a restaurant, locker rooms, and pro shop. Rental clubs are available; advance arrangement is recommended for specific sets and grip preferences. Cart rental is standard. The property includes a beach club and on-site hotel options, which makes a 2–3 day stay-and-play practical without changing accommodations.
Golf Carts & Dress Code
Unlike most Colombian championship courses, Karibana does not use caddies. Play is on golf carts with GPS — each cart shows yardage to the front, middle, and back of the green, plus hazard distances. This is closer to the US resort model than the typical Colombian club, and it speeds up rounds noticeably.
Dress code is Colombian-club standard: collared shirt, no denim, golf shoes (soft spikes only). Shorts are permitted. The pro shop carries appropriate apparel if needed.
Location & Access
Karibana is ~30 minutes from Cartagena’s Old City by road and about 20 minutes from Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG). CTG receives direct international flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta, Toronto, Panama City, and Madrid — making Cartagena one of the most accessible international golf destinations in the region.
Access is resort/semi-private. Visiting play is arranged through reciprocal arrangements or IAGTO-affiliated operators.
When to Visit
The Caribbean coast has two distinct dry windows. December through March is the high-season dry stretch — cooler temperatures (still warm by most standards, but pleasant in the morning), strongest trade winds, and the lowest rainfall risk. July through August is the secondary dry period with similar conditions and typically lower hotel rates.
April–June and September–November are the rainier months, but rain on the Caribbean coast tends to come in short afternoon bursts rather than all-day stretches — early tee times often dodge weather entirely. The course stays open year-round.
Pairing Karibana with Cartagena
The natural rhythm is golf in the morning and Cartagena in the evening. After an early round at Karibana, return to the walled city for an afternoon nap or a lounge by the pool, then dinner in the colonial center. Cartagena’s gastronomy — from market ceviche to upscale Caribbean fine dining — is the unique trip ingredient that distinguishes Cartagena from a pure-resort golf destination.
A typical 3–5 day Cartagena golf trip pairs Karibana with one or two rounds at Club Campestre de Cartagena in the city, and a Rosario Islands day trip (30-minute boat from the marina) for a non-golf rest day. Extending to Barranquilla (2 hours east) adds Lagos de Caujaral with its signature Island Green hole 6.
Practical Notes
Carts with GPS are standard (no caddies at Karibana). The course pairs naturally with a Rosario Islands day trip or an afternoon in the walled city for gastronomy and colonial architecture. Best golf months are December–March and July–August — both dry windows on the Caribbean coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Karibana open to visiting golfers?
Yes. Access is resort/semi-private, and visiting play is arranged through reciprocal home-club arrangements or through IAGTO-affiliated tour operators. Advance arrangement is strongly recommended — walk-up play is not standard.
How long does a round take?
Plan for 4 to 4½ hours from first tee. The pace is steady but not rushed, particularly on calmer-wind days. Twosomes and singles are typically paired into threesomes or fourballs.
Does the course play differently from US Nicklaus designs?
The design language is unmistakably Nicklaus, but the conditions are not. Sea-level ball flight (no altitude bonus), Caribbean trade winds, Bermuda turf, and high humidity all alter the practical playing experience compared to a Nicklaus course in the southern US or Caribbean island setting. The course rewards low ball flight and shot shape over distance.
Are caddies available?
No. Karibana is the exception among Colombian championship courses — play is on golf carts with GPS rather than with caddies. The carts display front/middle/back yardages and hazard distances on every hole. This is one of the differences between Karibana’s resort model and the more traditional Colombian club courses.
What’s the best month to play Karibana?
December–March is the high-season dry window, with the strongest trade winds and the most consistent firm conditions — the course is at its most demanding (and visually best) in this period. July–August is the quieter secondary dry window with similar playing conditions and lower hotel rates in the walled city.
Plan your golf trip in Cartagena
We arrange the round, the stay, and everything between — for any course on the Caribbean coast, from Cartagena to Barranquilla.
Other courses within reach
Club Campestre de Cartagena · Club Lagos de Caujaral · Country Club de Barranquilla · All Cartagena-area courses