Fat Guy's Mexican Pool Bar Golf Trail

Cancun - Cabo San Lucas - Los Cabos

Note:  This page is currently undergoing upgrades

To me, the perfect pool bar conjures up images of palm trees, wispy azure skies, light fabric blowing in the breeze off a cabana frame, bare feet, swim trunks, a beat-up old visor and a pair of Oakleys, bikini-clad waitresses, frothy blender drinks, Bob Marley on the sound system, and a bar stool that's underwater.  So here's a tour of some of the best pool bars in the tropical coastal paradises of Mexico, along with a sporty course or two nearby.  These are days well spent.

Here's the thing about pool bars:  If they're cool enough to make a list such as this, they might be in far flung tropical locations, and chances are there's demand for the pool and/or the hotel they're connected to...  And if I recall from Econ 101, Demand = Higher Prices, for plane tickets, hotels rooms, drinks, and/or cover charges for the pool.  While I do try to mention some middle class spots below, most of the great pools in the world come with a price tag in some form or another, so forgive me if the economic structure of the pool party scene dictates this list be more upscale than some of my normal recommendations. 

Riviera Maya (Cancun), Mexico

The El Dorado Royale Hotel on Mexico’s Riviera Maya has 10 — count ’em, 10! — swim-up bars, enough for a damp pub crawl across the length of the resort. Pace yourself by noshing on bar snacks, which, like the drinks, are included in the room rate.

Per Golf Magazine, the highest-ranked layout on the Riviera Maya is Fairmont Mayakoba’s El Camaleon, an absolutely unique Greg Norman design that's hosted PGA tournaments, whose name “the Chameleon,” is an apt depiction of this ever-changing track. Unlike many modern courses, El Camaleon is hardly a bombers paradise. Many of its flattish fairways are bracketed by impenetrable mangroves, others are dotted with bunkers and trees and still others are slashed with lagoons and piercingly clear canals carved through limestone walls. The medium-sized greens are filled with wonderful, intricate contouring. El Camaleon definitely oozes an Old World feel, and its ever-evolving nature lives up to its name. Surprises start at the par-5 opener, which features a small cenote (a natural, often water-filled, cave-like sinkhole) jabbed right into the middle of the fairway. Mind you, it’s perfectly fair. The cenote can only be reached by a 315-yard drive from the 554-yard Boox tees. Greens fees run $200-$260.

If one perfect swim-up bar is plenty for you and you'd rather stay near the course, the Fairmont Mayakoba's Aqua Pool Bar has 14 underwater bar stools and a nearby water slide for the kids (or kids at heart).

Or hit the Occidental Riviera Maya's swim-up bar, complete with a waterfall curtain surrounding the bar.

Barcelo Maya Palace Deluxe, Riviera Maya.  A family-friendly resort, but there's an adults only pool in a secluded part of the property.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

The infinity pool at the Esperanza Resort near Cabo San Lucas seems to go on forever. If only the drinks at the swim-up bar did, too. If your stay includes a Tuesday or Saturday night, you can sit in on tequila tasting with a master tequilero.

Buck up for the pricey Diamante (Dunes Course).  Golf Digest says, "It took dozens of starts and stops before Diamante finally opened in 2010. It was worth the effort. Designed by Davis Love III and Paul Cowley, Diamante looks like no other course in Cabo. It is built right into majestic, barely disturbed dunes, with some greens set into giant sandhills. The 600-yard, uphill 14th, with its alley-like fairway threaded through the dunes, echoes the 11th at Waterville — it's just about 30 degrees warmer than its Irish counterpart. There may be one too many blind shots for some tastes, and it's not cheap at $275 in high season, but the price includes cart, caddie, and all food and beverage during the round."

Los Cabos, Mexico

For those of you looking for the finer side of life, book a flight to the One & Only Resort in Los Cabos.  Two beachside infinity pools, two thatched roof swim-up bars, and a children's pool.  It's not hard to imagine Daniel Craig's Bond strolling off the beach into this pool.

The golf is primo too. Play Palmilla GC's 27 Jack Nicklaus designed holes, a Top 100 Golf Resort.  The Mountain Nine features elevation changes, the Arroyo Nine has towering cacti and deep arroyos, and the Ocean Nine has breathtaking views of the Sea Of Cortez.

Know a great pool bar?  Send it to me at the Contact Fat Guy link below, and I'll add it to the list.

[Fat Guy Note:  I have not explored these courses/locations.  As always, proper research and reservations are required.]