1. Punta Espada — Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Jack Nicklaus calls Punta Espada his personal favourite course of all his 300+ designs. That settles the debate at the top of any Nicklaus Caribbean ranking. Eight holes play directly on the Caribbean Sea cliffs at Cap Cana — a sequence of ocean golf that has no peer in the region. Opened 2006. Par 72. $280–400 USD green fee.
Stay at Villa Espada inside Cap Cana for walking-distance access.
2. Las Iguanas — Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
The newest entry in Caribbean Nicklaus golf — and immediately among the most compelling. A Jack Nicklaus Signature Design that opened in November 2025, Las Iguanas delivers a completely different experience from Punta Espada: three concentrated ocean holes (12–14) plus a naturalistic interior layout through the resort's protected iguana nature reserve. The freshest Nicklaus design in the Caribbean by nearly 20 years.
3. Dorado Beach Sugarcane — Puerto Rico
The restored original Dorado Beach course, redesigned by Nicklaus and reopened in 2012, occupies third place. The Sugarcane course at the Dorado Beach Resort is a historically significant design set in the Ritz-Carlton resort community on Puerto Rico's north coast. Less ocean exposure than the Cap Cana courses, but strong architectural pedigree and an excellent resort setting.
4. Playa Dorada — Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Nicklaus's earlier Dominican Republic work at Playa Dorada on the north coast. A more traditional resort course than either Cap Cana design, Playa Dorada is a pleasant round for golfers visiting the Puerto Plata area but ranks well below Las Iguanas and Punta Espada in overall experience.
The Verdict — Cap Cana is Nicklaus Caribbean HQ
With two Nicklaus Signature courses inside the same resort, Cap Cana is unambiguously the premier destination for Nicklaus golf in the Caribbean. No other destination in the region offers two courses of this calibre within walking distance of each other.
A two-night minimum stay at Villa Espada allows you to play both. Most serious Nicklaus golf fans will want four nights minimum to do both courses justice — and possibly add a La Cana or Corales round for a complete eastern DR golf tour.