Joe Lee · 1972 · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,710 yds · Rating/Slope 71.7 / 129 · 2024 World Golf Award Best Course in Colombia
Club Lagos de Caujaral was designed by American architect Joe Lee in 1972 — the same designer behind the Doral Blue Monster renovation in Miami. As its name suggests, lakes (“lagos”) are the defining feature: water comes into play on more holes than not, and the routing makes creative use of the ponds, streams, and canals scattered across the Atlántico department terrain.
Stats
| Par | Yardage | Rating/Slope | Designer | Year | Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 6,710 | 71.7 / 129 | Joe Lee | 1972 | Sea level |
The Signature Hole
The course is best known internationally for its Island Green on hole 6, an unmistakable echo of TPC Sawgrass’s 17th — a par-3 where the entire green is surrounded by water. It’s a signature moment, photographed constantly, and a legitimate shot-maker’s test regardless of trade wind.
Awards & Reputation
Lagos de Caujaral was awarded 2024 World Golf Award — Best Course in Colombia, and has been a consistent top-ranked course by Golf Digest readers in the country. The course has hosted national professional events and is considered one of the most complete tests in Colombia — length, water, wind, and strategic decision-making all factor into every round.
The club also operates an on-site hotel, making it practical to stay at the course itself — unusual in the Colombian golf landscape.
How It Plays
Sea level, so normal ball flight. The two big variables are water (on almost every hole) and wind (trade winds from December through March blow 15–25 km/h, adding unpredictability to water carries). Position play off the tee beats power — laying back to a comfortable yardage is often smarter than flirting with the lakes from the tips.
Bermuda fairways run firm. Greens are among the best-conditioned in Colombia post-2024 tournament prep.
Location & Access — 2 Hours from Cartagena
Lagos de Caujaral is in Barranquilla, roughly 2 hours by road from Cartagena. For Cartagena-based golf trips, the most efficient play is to combine Caujaral with Country Club de Barranquilla on a single day — both clubs are within 30 minutes of each other in Barranquilla’s metropolitan area, so one early round and one lunch-time round makes both accessible in a single out-and-back from Cartagena.
Alternatively, the on-site hotel allows for a dedicated Barranquilla overnight built around golf. Barranquilla has its own international airport (Ernesto Cortissoz — BAQ) with direct flights from Miami and other US gateways.
The club is private. Visiting play is arranged through reciprocal arrangements or IAGTO-affiliated operators.
Practical Notes
Caddie mandatory. Carts available. If you’re traveling during February Carnival season, Barranquilla is one of the world’s largest carnival destinations — an experience worth pairing with the round. Best golf months are December–March and July–August, the dry seasons on the Caribbean coast.
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
Karibana Links · Club Campestre de Cartagena · Country Club de Barranquilla · All Cartagena-area courses