Riviera Maya

Mexico's Riviera Maya is one of the world's most coveted winter destinations for beaches, golf and all-inclusive resorts. Located in the state of Quintana Roo, this stretch of Caribbean Sea coastline features warm and often calm waters and is conveniently located to the south of Cancun International Airport and features a wide variety of accommodations.

All of the resorts, of which there are many with golf courses are easily accessible from Highway 307. Anchoring the golf resort options is the large, eco-resort development of Mayakoba, home to luxury resorts including Fairmont and Rosewood, as well as El Camaleon Golf Club, host of a PGA Tour event each winter.

Unlike the mountainous west coast of Mexico, the Riviera Maya is generally flat, so the courses lack the dramatic elevation changes of many Cabo San Lucas layouts. But the beaches here are world class and the golf, while not exactly cheap and generally $100-200 for 18 holes, will still be more affordable than Cabo's top shelf but provide similar excellent service.

Notable cities along Riviera Maya include Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, as well as the island of Cozumel, home to a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and great scuba and snorkeling.