Playa del Carmen

Greg Norman built this through mangroves, jungle and limestone cenotes, and it's hosted a PGA Tour event for years for good reason. The par-3 7th plays over a cenote in the middle of the fairway, and the closing stretch turns out to the Caribbean. Bring extra balls — the jungle eats anything pulled or pushed and you don't go looking.

Robert von Hagge laid this one out a few minutes north of town and it's the sneaky-good play of the trip. Cenotes are worked into the routing as actual hazards, not photo ops, and the conditioning is consistently better than the price suggests. If you only have two rounds, this should be one of them.

Robert Trent Jones II design at Bahia Principe, about 30 minutes south toward Tulum. It's flatter and more forgiving than Mayakoba or Grand Coral, which is exactly what some guys in the group will want by the third day. Howler monkeys in the trees on the back nine are a real thing — not a marketing gimmick.

The other von Hagge layout in the area, this one tucked into the Playacar development right in town. It's the most convenient round on the schedule — Uber distance from 5th Ave — and the price is fair for what you get. Tighter and more tree-lined than the resort tracks up the coast.

Formerly Iberostar Playa Paraiso, this P.B. Dye design is the one with the cenote in front of the green on 15 that nobody warns you about. Plenty of forced carries and elevation changes that are unusual for this stretch of coast. Solid third-round option if you want something different from the manicured Mayakoba feel.

Jack Nicklaus Signature 27 holes about 45 minutes north toward Cancun. It's a haul from Playa, but if you can fit it in it's one of the better-conditioned tracks in the region with wider corridors than the jungle courses. Worth the drive if you're chasing a Nicklaus design on the rotation.

Right on 5th Avenue with a rooftop pool and a separate beachfront property a few blocks away. This is the move if you want to walk out the door into the bars and ceviche spots rather than wait for a shuttle. Rooms are clean and modern, not a beige resort tower.

The Hyatt-branded property inside the Mayakoba resort complex, which means El Camaleón is a five-minute cart ride from your room. Less corporate than the Fairmont next door and the rooms feel actually designed. Right answer if golf is the priority and 5th Avenue can wait.

The splurge play at Mayakoba — private lagoon suites, your own boat dock at the room. Overkill for a guys' weekend unless the budget is genuinely unlimited, but if someone in the group wants to bring the wife later, this is the one they'll remember. Direct cart path to El Camaleón.

All-inclusive that's actually well done, with access to all the Xcaret parks (cenotes, ruins, the eco-park) included in the rate. Better than the typical all-in tower because the food and grounds are at a higher level. Good fit for a mixed group where not everyone is playing every round.

Adults-only boutique a block off 5th Avenue, half the price of the Thompson and most of the location. Small property, rooftop pool, no kids running around. The sensible mid-budget pick for a group of four to six.

If the group is six-plus, a private villa in the Playacar gated community runs cheaper per head than booking hotel rooms and gets you a pool and a kitchen. Walking distance to Playacar Golf Club and a short cab to 5th Ave. Search VRBO for 4-6BR properties inside Playacar Phase 1 or 2.

The serious dinner of the trip. Regional Mexican done at a real level — Yucatecan cochinita, mole, and a mezcal list that goes deep if you want to spend time with it. Make a reservation, sit downstairs, order the tasting if the group's into it.

Rooftop seafood spot on 5th Avenue with a view that's better than the food deserves, but the food is good enough. Ceviche, grilled octopus, mezcal cocktails. Right call for the first night when you want to look at the Caribbean while you eat.

Tacos al pastor off the trompo, cheap and unfussy, the spot every local will tell you to go to. Two locations in town; the original on 30th is the one. Order pastor, gringas, and a beer — total bill per person is what one cocktail costs on 5th Ave.

Dinner inside an actual limestone cave with stalactites overhead and candles everywhere. Yes, it's a gimmick. It's also a hell of a setting and the food (steaks, Mexican mains) is better than it has any business being. Worth doing once.

Modern Mexican on Calle 34 from a chef who came up in Mexico City. Tasting menu is the move if you want the kitchen to drive; otherwise the cochinita and the duck taco are the orders. Quieter than the 5th Avenue rooftops and the better food for it.

French bakery and breakfast spot on 5th Ave, run by an actual French family. Croissants, real coffee, eggs done properly — exactly what you need before a 7:40 tee time at Mayakoba. Get there before 9 or you're waiting.

Tapas, wine, mezcal — small plates and a good list, the spot when the group wants to graze instead of commit to a steakhouse-length dinner. The octopus and the bone marrow are the orders. Sit at the bar if you can.

Open until 4am, sirloin tacos on a flour tortilla with melted cheese — exactly the food you want after closing down 12th Street. Walk-up window, no reservation, no nonsense. Every group ends up here once.

Garden restaurant on 5th Avenue built around a real cenote in the back. Mexican mains, decent margaritas, and the setting does most of the work. Better for an early dinner before the strip gets loud.

Wood-fire steakhouse on 5th Ave for the night the group needs red meat and red wine instead of more ceviche. Tomahawk for the table, decent list, dark interior. Not Mexican, doesn't try to be, that's the point.