Jack Nicklaus Signature · Cap Cana · Now Open
Las Iguanas Golf Club
Villa Guest Access
3 Oceanside Holes
3 Min from Villa
Las Iguanas is the highly anticipated second Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Cap Cana — and it is now open. Built with a $26 million investment, the 18-hole championship layout sits right next door to the legendary Punta Espada, offering a completely different Nicklaus experience through open parkland, natural wetlands, and a protected nature preserve.
Ten inland lakes shape the strategy on virtually every hole, while three dramatic oceanside holes (12 through 14) hug the rocky Caribbean shoreline. The course winds alongside caves, indigenous vegetation, and the native iguanas that gave it its name — creating a round that feels as much like a nature safari as a golf experience.
Where Punta Espada is cliff-edge drama on every swing, Las Iguanas is a more diverse, parkland-style test where wind, water, and wetlands dictate your approach. Together, the two courses give Villa Espada guests access to 36 holes of Jack Nicklaus genius without ever leaving Cap Cana.
The Villa Espada advantage: Las Iguanas is just a 3-minute golf cart ride from Villa Espada. Your butler arranges tee times on both Nicklaus courses — play Punta Espada at member rates in the morning and Las Iguanas in the afternoon, or mix and match across your entire stay.
No other villa in Cap Cana gives you direct fairway access to Punta Espada plus a 3-minute ride to Las Iguanas. Villa Espada is the only rental property positioned between both courses.
The signature sequence at Las Iguanas. Three consecutive holes hug the rocky Caribbean shoreline, with crashing waves and sea spray adding both beauty and challenge. Hole 12 is a medium par 4 where the approach plays toward the ocean, 13 is a dramatic par 3 with the sea as a backdrop, and 14 requires a precise tee shot along the cliff edge. Together they rival any three-hole stretch in the Caribbean.
Water comes into play on nearly every hole at Las Iguanas. The ten lakes create constant risk-reward decisions — aggressive lines shorten approaches but bring water into play, while conservative routes leave longer second shots to well-protected greens. The lakes also attract native birdlife, creating a round that feels more like a nature walk than a traditional golf experience.
Las Iguanas was built within and around a protected nature preserve. The course winds through caves, indigenous vegetation, and wetland habitats — and yes, the green iguanas that gave the course its name are resident spectators. Nicklaus's routing preserves the natural landscape rather than imposing on it, creating a round where every hole feels carved from the environment.
Playing both Punta Espada and Las Iguanas back to back reveals the range of Jack Nicklaus's design genius. Punta Espada is cliff-edge intensity on every swing — ocean everywhere, limestone headlands, relentless drama. Las Iguanas is strategic diversity — open parkland, water features, nature preserve, and a more varied set of shot requirements. Two completely different courses, one designer, both world-class.
Respect the water. With 10 lakes shaping the course, water hazards are the primary defense at Las Iguanas. The lakes are positioned to punish aggressive lines on approaches and tee shots alike. When in doubt, favor the dry side — there is almost always a bail-out area away from the water.
The parkland demands accuracy. Unlike Punta Espada's ocean-and-cliff drama, Las Iguanas is defined by tree-lined fairways and strategic bunkering. Accuracy off the tee is more important than distance on most holes. If you hit driver well, you'll have short irons into many greens. If your driver is off, consider a 3-wood or hybrid for safer positioning.
Read the wind on 12–14. The inland holes are relatively sheltered, but the oceanside stretch from 12 through 14 is fully exposed to the Caribbean trade winds. If you've been playing calm conditions for 11 holes, be prepared for a significant change. Your caddie will help with club selection for the coastal stretch.
Take your time on the nature holes. Las Iguanas is as much a nature experience as a golf round. The caves, iguanas, wetlands, and native vegetation are worth appreciating between shots. The pace of play is typically relaxed, and the setting rewards golfers who slow down and enjoy the surroundings.
Distance: Las Iguanas is a 3-minute golf cart ride from Villa Espada. Both courses are within the same Cap Cana resort community, so there's no need for a car or chauffeur — just hop in one of the villa's two 6-person golf carts and you're there.
Tee time booking: Your personal butler arranges all tee times for both Nicklaus courses. Play Punta Espada in the morning and Las Iguanas in the afternoon, or dedicate separate days to each course — the flexibility is yours. Most golf groups staying at Villa Espada play both courses at least once during their visit.
The 36-hole day: With both courses minutes apart and your villa between them, a 36-hole day is entirely practical. Play Punta Espada early morning, return to the villa for a chef-prepared lunch by the pool, then head out for an afternoon round at Las Iguanas. Your private chef can also prepare boxed lunches for the course if you prefer to play straight through.
Practice facilities: The Cap Cana practice range and short game area serve both courses. Your butler can arrange access before your round for warm-up, or you can spend an afternoon working on your game between rounds.
Las Iguanas is a brand-new Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole championship golf course in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic. Built with a $26 million investment, it features three oceanside holes (12–14), ten inland lakes, and a protected nature preserve. It is the second Nicklaus course at Cap Cana alongside Punta Espada, giving the community 36 holes of Nicklaus design.
Punta Espada is a cliff-edge ocean course with nine holes directly on the Atlantic. Las Iguanas is a parkland-style layout winding through wetlands, lakes, and a nature preserve. Las Iguanas has three oceanside holes and ten inland lakes, creating a more diverse and strategic round. Together they offer 36 holes of contrasting Nicklaus design — ocean drama vs. parkland strategy.
Yes. Villa Espada guests have access to Las Iguanas as part of the Cap Cana community. Your personal butler arranges tee times on both Nicklaus courses. Two 6-person golf carts are included for the 3-minute ride to Las Iguanas or the walk to Punta Espada's first tee.
The oceanside stretch of holes 12 through 14 is the undisputed highlight, with three consecutive holes hugging the rocky Caribbean shoreline. The inland holes are defined by 10 lakes that create strategic risk-reward decisions on nearly every approach. The course also winds through caves and indigenous vegetation inhabited by the green iguanas that gave it its name.
Absolutely. With Punta Espada at your doorstep and Las Iguanas just 3 minutes by golf cart, a 36-hole day is easy to organize. Many Villa Espada golf groups play Punta Espada in the morning, return to the villa for a chef-prepared lunch by the pool, then head to Las Iguanas for an afternoon round.
Stay at Villa Espada on Fairway 5 and access both Punta Espada and Las Iguanas — 36 holes of Nicklaus genius. Your butler books every tee time.