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Golf courses on the Riviera Maya are working to preserve natural habitats, ancient Mayan ruins, wildlife and waterways.

Stretched along 86 miles of surf-splashed Caribbean coast south of Cancun, the resort mecca of Riviera Maya is one of Mexico's most popular golf destinations. Carved out of lush tropical jungle and meandering through labyrinths of lagoons and canals, the courses on the Riviera Maya are becoming known for their scenic beauty and efforts to preserve the fragile forest environment, waterways and wildlife habitats. Golf legends like Jack Nicklaus and Aussie great Greg Norman have designed eco-friendly courses here, along with world-famous architects Rees Jones and P.B. Dye.

The first golf course in Mexico to earn the designation of Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary from Audubon International, Cozumel Country Club (www.cozumelcountryclub.com.mx; 52-987-872-9570) is an eco-friendly showplace in a reforested mangrove swamp. The coveted certification involves meeting criteria for environmental planning; wildlife, habitat and pest management; water quality; and conservation. Special corridors called ecovias were built beneath the roadways, and wooden bridges were constructed to help keep native blue crabs, iguanas and other species safe from crossing people. About half the holes involve water hazards, where creatures with long tails and big teeth are known to appear.

"The average golfer on a certified course will notice more birds, butterflies and other wildlife, and likely, higher roughs, with wide buffers of native grasses and other natural flora around water features," says Joellen Zeh, an Audubon International staff ecologist. "We have had a steady increase in interest from established golf clubs and those in design. Golfers are appreciative of what the clubs are doing to expand wildlife habitat and protect the environment."

Another Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary of protected habitat, the El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Club (www.mayakobagolf.com; 52-984-206-3088) is the host of the PGA Tour Mayakoba Golf Classic. (Golfers staying at the AAA Five-Diamond Fairmont Mayakoba can access El Camaleón via a small lancha-or thatch-roofed boat-which ferries them to the first tee.)

Laid out by Greg Norman, 7,067 yards of fairway ramble through three distinct landscapes: mangrove forest, limestone canals and stunning oceanfront. Herons stalk around the reeds, cormorants dive like black daggers into the water, and after fishing expeditions, anhingas spread their wings to dry in the sun. During construction, a huge cenote (sinkhole containing groundwater) was discovered and left untouched on the first fairway.

Cenotes have also been preserved at the Robert von Hagge designed Playacar Spa & Golf Club (www.palaceresorts.com; 52-984-873-4960), one of the first clubs built on the coast. The course features narrow fairways that wind through native vegetation. Keep an eye out for preserved Mayan ruin sites near the tee box of the second hole. You may also see one of the resident 3-foot iguanas.

Playacar Spa & Golf Club is one of several Palace Resorts vacation developments on the coast where sustainable endeavors include protecting sea turtle eggs, planting indigenous flora, recycling and local community involvement. Another is Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort (www.palaceresorts.com; 52-998-881-6000), where 27 holes of golf on the Jungle, Lake and Dunes courses were designed by Jack Nicklaus, who took into account the native vegetation and natural wetlands that are home to hundreds of birds, iguanas, coatimundis and the occasional crocodile.

Respecting the dramatic dunes, Nicklaus deftly arranged the courses, elevated greens and tee boxes, and directed forced carries over the numerous water hazards. "When I first look at designing a hole," he says, "I consider what Mother Nature has already created on that property. I don't believe in forcing an idea on a piece of land, but rather, I blend my ideas with the environment and let it help me shape the design."

The newest Palace Resort property is Riviera Cancun Golf Resort (www.palaceresorts.com; 800-635-1836). The 7,060-yard Nicklaus Signature course has a daunting difficulty rating of 76.2 and slope of 146. Ocean breezes come into play, as do grassy dune areas, mangroves and lakes.

"We integrated lakes, wetlands, dunes, ocean and native palm hammock holes into the layout and allowed for habitat preservation," says Mark Meijer, the senior architect. "For unimpeded water flow and wildlife 'highways,' we incorporated continuous wetlands through and around golf holes and installed underground pipes for water and animals to pass through. It was amazing during construction to see the birds, fish, crocodiles, ducks, etc. that inhabit the areas adjacent to the course. Our environmental team, Eco Red, did a fantastic job, too. Thousands of species were saved and later planted into the surrounding preserves."

Acres of sandy waste areas and deep, grassy swales challenge players on one the P.B. Dye-designed Iberostar Playa Paraiso complex (www.iberostar.com; 888-923-2722). Unlike many of the peninsula's courses, Playa Paraiso is characterized by elevation changes, undulations, swales and mounds. Golf balls bounce off hand-built stone walls, sink into deep bunkers and disappear into bottomless cenotes. The golf club is within sight of a replica of a giant Mayan pyramid, a landmark in the five-resort Iberostar Playa Paraiso complex.

"We worked with local environmental-ists to preserve as much of the native area and foliage as possible," Dye says. "Then, by introducing salt and drought tolerant paspalum grass, we were able to reduce the necessity for expensive reverse osmosis water (the process of turning salt water into fresh water)."

Scheduled to open this spring, Capella Bahia Maroma (www.capellabahiamaroma.com; 877-247-6688) will include the only private course on the Yucatan Peninsula. A Rees Jones design, it will feature platoons of palms, mangroves and striking ocean views, with the ninth and 17th holes finishing at the water's edge, and the 18th fairway running parallel to the ocean. The milelong beach-a nesting place for four species of sea turtles-will remain untouched.

"We route the golf course to fit the land," Jones says. "As we preserve the natural areas for their beauty and the enhancement of the course, we are also minimizing the acreage that has to be intensively maintained and watered. Our task is to protect the environment while still getting the job done."

ANCIENT THERAPIES FOR SOME POST-GOLF RELAXATION, HEAD TO A NEARBY SPA AND GET A TREATMENT BASED ON MAYAN RITUALS.

When the Mayans ruled from soaring pyramids on the Yucatan Peninsula, their shamans worshipped the sun, water, stars and planets. The influences of the mysterious rituals and the natural ingredients from the jungle and sea are still used today in Riviera Maya's spas.

KINAN SPA AT MAROMA RESORT AND SPA
Laid out in a tropical garden according to Mayan astrological alignment that is said to create positive energy flow, this secluded, rustic yet luxurious resort is a favorite among celebrities. Guests receive treatments in private gardens and practice yoga in an open-air palapatopped studio, high above the rainforest.
Be sure to try the temazcal, which is the Mayan version of a sweat lodge. www.orient-express.com

WILLOW STREAM SPA AT FAIRMONT MAYAKOBA
Relax on the rooftop at the 37,000-square-foot spa in a mineral pool, Swiss shower or lounge chair under a shaded arbor. Among dozens of traditional and exotic treatments is the Cha Chac Rain Ritual in the room of Chac, the Mayan rain god. A healing body mask of cornmeal, clay and oats is applied, followed by exfoliation, burning of copal incense, a warm rainwater rinse and a massage with sage oil. www.fairmont.com/mayakoba

THALASSO CENTER & SPA AT ZOËTRY PARAISO DE LA BONITA
Located at a small, exclusive resort, this spa-the first Tha-lasso therapy center in North America-is a temple of comfort and healing through water. Guests can float in an outdoor saltwater pool, enjoy the gentle rocking of the underwater Janzu massage and warm up in the temazcal, where herb-infused water is poured over heated stones to produce steam. www.paraisodelabonita.com

MAYA TULUM
Tucked away between the Mayan ruins of Tulum and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, this is a highly regarded spa and yoga retreat.

Try the Maya Kaaten Kuxtal, an anti-stress treatment that uses agave extracts, citrus, aloe vera, cacao and honey to cleanse and exfoliate.

A marine mud mask is then followed by a lymphatic drainage massage. www.mayatulum.com

THE SPA AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL RIVIERA MAYA
Private seafront palapas are the favored venues for spa treatments.
Guests are offered the Na Lu'um massage, a Mayan-inspired technique that focuses on the blocked energy paths and negative ch'ulel (energy) of the abdomen to relieve digestive ailments and back pain. www.mandarinoriental.com

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