Golf: A reason to travel to Cuba in 2026

Playing golf in Cuba has become an exclusive tourism product that attracts high-spending travelers and solidifies Varadero as a top destination for this pastime.

This was confirmed by Mary Chisholm, who recently shared her impressions after enjoying several days on the greens of this Cuban resort. “Honestly, it is in the best shape I have ever seen, and the staff is incredibly friendly.”

The Varadero Golf Club, inaugurated in 1999 and designed by Canadian architect Les Furber, is the only 18-hole, par-72 professional course on the island. It stretches along a 3.5-kilometer coastal strip and combines three playing styles that challenge both beginners and professionals. The unique feature of its saltwater lakes, directly connected to the sea, adds a challenge rarely found anywhere else in the world.

“For all golfers, the golf course is just two minutes away (from the Hotel Las Américas). It’s a quick walk, you can rent golf clubs if you didn’t bring your own, and you can even take a lesson there,” Ms. Chisholm added, who traveled from Halifax, Canada.

For decades, the Canadian market has been the course’s most loyal clientele. More than 90% of the rounds played are by tourists from Canada, who have made the course a winter retreat.

This bond is strengthened each year with the Cuba-Canada Golf Cup, held in April, a symbol of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, which Mary Chisholm joined.

Tournament Calendar confirms golf’s popularity

The 2026 tournament calendar confirms golf’s strength as an event tourism product. The Meliá Las Américas Golf Cup in May, the Golf Weeks in June and September, and the Meliá Cuba Golf Cup in October are events that attract players from various countries. In addition, initiatives like the Girls’ Golf Weekend have opened up opportunities for women’s participation, integrating sport and wellness with activities such as masterclasses, mini-tournaments, and sunset yoga sessions.

Although Varadero is the flagship destination, Cuba is seeking to diversify its offerings. Among the foreign investment projects is a project in Cienfuegos as an option for exclusive, high-end travel.