Belize golf is something that is more or less just starting
to catch on. One might think that with Belize’s
great weather and beautiful
array of landscapes, there would already be a vast array
of Belize golf courses to choose from. However, this is
not the case. Belize golf is relegated to one main course
really, but as the concept of golf in Belize takes flight,
we should see more and more courses springing up around
the country in the future. Until then, the pickings are
slim, and that’s just the way it is. One would have
to think that Jack Nicklaus surely has some plans for
the next great Belize golf course, and perhaps even Tiger
Woods will bring his golf course design company to this
small piece of paradise to explore the options.
There are only two golf courses in Belize that are currently in operation, and the one that deserves most mention is the par 72, USGA rated, 18-hole course on Caye Chapel. Caye Chapel is a private island found just 12 miles off the Belize coast. You can get here in about 10 minutes if you are flying from Belize City, and it’s about a 45-minute boat ride from Ambergris Caye. From the U.S. mainland, you can get here in just a few hours, so if you are stuck with the winter doldrums come February, it’s a quick trip to warm and sunny Caye Chapel. The exclusive and upscale Caye Chapel Island Resort offers up some very luxurious villas that you can stay in, and there are also a couple different suite options that might interest you.
On this small, resort island, besides the golf course
and the resort accommodations
are a nice swimming pool, a deep-water marina that can
handle up to 140-foot yachts, a private airstrip, and
an impressive clubhouse. Oh, and there’s also 2
miles of glorious beach to enjoy. The 25,000 square-foot
clubhouse offers up a nice restaurant and bar, as well
as conference facilities and a new fitness center. The
views it affords of the Belize
Barrier Reef and the blue, turquoise Caribbean Sea
are stunning. It’s pretty much about golf and relaxation
here, and the course, which measures more than 7,000 yards,
dominates most of Caye Chapel’s landscape. This
course pretty much is Belize golfing, and thankfully,
it should be all that any golfer could ever want. For
a somewhat high, but still very fair fee, you get a day
of unlimited golf here that includes club rental and a
golf cart. Unlimited golf! Does it get any better than
that? Plus, you’re smack dab in the middle of paradise,
so it’s almost hard to believe they don’t
charge much more than they do. If golf in Belize is not
part of your plan, you can still head to Caye Chapel to
enjoy the fitness center, beach, and swimming pool. It
is possible to enjoy Caye Chapel Belize golfing without
staying at one of the villas on the island. You’ll
just have to arrange a tour or boat ride in.
The other entry among the Belize golf courses is found on the mainland near the capital city of Belmopan. The Roaring River Golf Course offers a much simpler version of Belize golf, and though the course is a bit rough around the edges, it is a treat to play all the same. Unlike the Caye Chapel course, you won’t find a list of amenities here, just a fun and fair, 9-hole Executive course that measures out to some 2,000 yards. The elevated and bunkered greens certainly offer a challenge even for the most skilled of golfers, and along the way you’ll spot native birds and a good amount of iguanas. Look out for the water hazards, which are truly hazardous due to the crocodiles that live in some of them. Indigenous trees and jungle growth line the fairways here, and you can grab some refreshments before or after your round at the course’s sufficient clubhouse. Rental clubs, bags, balls, and score cards are all available for your convenience. There are also nature trails here where you can enjoy a bit of hiking, and the nearby Guanacaste Natural Park is surely worth visiting. It’s best to schedule a round of golf in Belize on a weekday if you plan to play the Roaring River Golf Course, as it can get busy on weekends. At Caye Chapel, you will rarely, if ever, have to deal with any kind of significant crowds. So there you have it. That is golf in Belize, and all things considered, it’s pretty good. So go ahead and plan to include a bit of Belize golf in your Belize vacation. A day on the golf course in Belize certainly tops a day at the office, that’s for sure.
