The Hilton Cancún Golf Club (Blvd. Kukulcán Km. 17, tel. 998/881-8016, www.hiltoncancun.comgolf, US$179, US$135 after 2 p.m.) is considered one of the finer courses in the Cancún region. This 18-hole par-72 course hugs Laguna Nichupté and boasts Paspalum Sea Isle turf and a great view of the Maya ruins El Rey from the 16th hole. Alligators also are rumored to be in one of the water hazards, so consider leaving those water-bound balls behind. Greens fees include a shared golf cart, a cooler with water, and balls to hit on the driving range. Equipment rental also is available.

The Cancún Golf Club at Pok-ta-Pok (Blvd. Kukulcán Km. 7.5, tel. 998/883-1230, www.cancungolfclub.com) is an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The course runs along the Caribbean and the Laguna Nichupté and features its own Maya ruin near the 12th hole, discovered when the course was built. Greens fees are US$175 and drop to US$125 after 1 p.m. Rates include a shared golf cart. Some Zona Hotelera hotels offer discounts—ask your concierge for details.

If you feel like a short round of golf but don’t want to shell out the big bucks, there are also two par-3 courses in the Zona Hotelera: Grand Meliá Golf Club (Blvd. Kukulcán Km. 16.5, tel. 998/881-1100, www.granmeliacancun.com, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. last tee-off, US$35 greens fees) and Oasis Cancún Golf Club (Blvd. Kukulcán Km. 16, tel. 998/885-0867, ext. 6277, 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. last tee-off, US$20 greens fees). Club rentals are available at both courses.

You’ll find the only Jack Nicklaus course around at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort (Hwy. 307 Km. 340, tel. 998/198-2010, ext. 8760, www.palaceresorts.com, US$260, US$160 after 2:30 p.m.), just 15 minutes south of the Zona Hotelera. It has three nine-hole courses—each par 36—that make up its impressive 9.9 kilometers (10,798 yards). Greens fees include a shared golf cart, snacks, drinks, and a round-trip transfer to the Golf Club. There’s also a driving range, a green-side bunker, and putting and chipping greens. Club rentals are available at the pro shop.