Joe Lee · 1972 · 18 holes · Par 72 · 6,585 yds · Rating/Slope 71.8 / 135 · 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. The club was formed in 1968 and named after the cajuaro cactus tree native to the Atlantic coastline; the course followed four years later, with Lee routing 18 holes through the existing wooded property next to Lake Caujaral. The course was renovated by Joe T. Jemsek in 2011, modernizing greens and drainage while preserving Lee’s original routing.
Stats
| Par | Yardage | Rating/Slope | Designer | Year | Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 6,585 | 71.8 / 135 | Joe Lee (1972) / Joe T. Jemsek (2011 renovation) | 1972 | Sea level |
The Signature Hole — Island Green on 6
The course is best known internationally for its Island Green on hole 6, a par-3 with the entire green perched on a small island in the middle of a lake — an unmistakable echo of TPC Sawgrass’s 17th. It’s one of the few true island greens in South America, photographed constantly, and a legitimate shot-maker’s test regardless of trade wind. Miss the green and the ball is gone; commit to the carry and the green accepts a well-struck iron.
The 6th is the marquee, but it’s not the only hole where water comes into play — lakes and canals appear on more holes than not across the routing, true to the “Lagos” (lakes) in the club’s name.
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.
How It Plays
Sea level — normal ball flight, no altitude bonus. Bermuda fairways and greens run firm. The water is the defining playing variable: a tee shot leaking right or left rarely finds rough — it finds a lake or canal. Joe Lee’s routing rewards positional play and accurate iron play over raw distance.
Trade winds from the coast (15–25 km/h December through March) add lateral complexity on water-edge holes — particularly the 6th, where wind direction and club selection are coupled to a binary outcome (green or gone). The course is firm and brown-tinged in the dry months, lush and green during the wetter shoulder seasons.
Practice Facilities & Amenities
The club offers a driving range, short-game area, and putting green — standard top-tier practice for a course of this calibre. The clubhouse includes restaurant, locker rooms, and pro shop. Rental clubs are available; advance arrangement is recommended.
The club has historically operated on-site lodging in the form of a small hotel adjacent to the course — uncommon in the Colombian golf landscape and useful for visiting golfers who want a stay-and-play setup without commuting between Barranquilla and the course each day. Most visiting golfers, however, still stay in central Barranquilla or extend the trip with Cartagena (two hours west) and travel daily.
Caddies & Dress Code
Caddies are available and typical at Lagos de Caujaral — the traditional Colombian-club model. Golf carts are also available. Most visiting players take both: caddie for the wind and water reads (particularly on the 6th and the back-nine water holes), cart for the heat. Caddie fees are paid directly at the end of the round in addition to a customary tip.
Dress code is Colombian-club standard: collared shirt, no denim, golf shoes (soft spikes only). Shorts are permitted.
Location & Access
Lagos de Caujaral is located at Kilometer 9 of the Vía Puerto Colombia, just west of Barranquilla — roughly 20 minutes from the city centre and around 30 minutes from Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ). From Cartagena, the drive is approximately 2 hours along the coastal highway.
Access is private. Visiting play is arranged through reciprocal home-club arrangements or IAGTO-affiliated tour operators; walk-up play is not available.
When to Visit
The Caribbean coast has two distinct dry windows. December through March is the high-season dry stretch — cooler temperatures, strongest trade winds, and lowest rainfall risk. July through August is the secondary dry period with similar conditions and typically lower hotel rates. April–June and September–November bring more rain, but rain on the Caribbean coast tends to come in short afternoon bursts; early tee times often dodge weather entirely.
Pairing Lagos with Cartagena
The natural multi-course Caribbean itinerary pairs Lagos de Caujaral with Karibana and Club Campestre de Cartagena in Cartagena. The drive between the two cities is straightforward (2 hours along the autopista), and a 4–5 day stay-and-play typically includes 1–2 rounds at Lagos de Caujaral combined with 1–2 rounds at Karibana + 1 at Campestre. Barranquilla’s gastronomy (more authentically Caribbean than Cartagena’s polished colonial cuisine) is a quiet bonus for the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the Island Green at Lagos de Caujaral?
It’s the par-3 6th hole — the green is set on a small island in the middle of a lake, accessible only by a small footbridge. Miss the green and the ball is gone. It’s the most photographed hole on the property and one of the few true island greens in South American golf.
Is Lagos de Caujaral open to visitors?
Access is private. Visiting play is arranged through reciprocal home-club arrangements or IAGTO-affiliated tour operators. Advance arrangement is required.
Are caddies required?
Caddies are the traditional standard at Lagos de Caujaral but golf carts are available. Most visiting players use both — the local knowledge on water-hole carries and wind reads is genuinely valuable here.
How far is Lagos de Caujaral from Cartagena?
Approximately 2 hours by road on the coastal autopista. Practical for a day trip from Cartagena, but most multi-course visitors prefer a 4–5 day itinerary that allows for one or two nights in Barranquilla to play Lagos de Caujaral without the round-trip drive.
When is the best month to play?
December–March is the high-season dry window. July–August is the secondary dry window with lower hotel rates in Barranquilla.
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 · Club Campestre de Cartagena · Country Club de Barranquilla · All Cartagena-area courses