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4.0
191 Reviews (191)
5 Stars
90
4 Stars
67
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
7
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.7
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.9
76.6%
Recommend this course
164 out of 191 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.3
8 Reviews (8)
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.4
Value
3.9
Layout
4.1
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.8
87.5%
Recommend this course
7 out of 8 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
20 Reviews (20)
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.6
Layout
4.4
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.7
70.0%
Recommend this course
14 out of 20 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Executive
Par 54
Length 2923 yards
Slope N/A
Rating N/A

Located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Vidanta Riviera Maya (formerly known as El Manglar Golf Club at Vidanta Riviera Maya and Nicklaus Par Three Experience at Vidanta Riviera Maya) is a par 3 Jack Nicklaus masterpiece. The contrast that exists with the colors of this course gives it a natural Caribbean beauty - its bunkers with radiating white sand, the lakes surrounded by natural stones, area part of the game, and the type of green used on this course’s greens blend your target with the outlying weeds, making it a challenge to make par.

The beauty, the nature and the timelessness of this golf course will not only challenge, but inspire you. Lakes accompany you throughout twelve of the course’s holes, the native vegetation of the Mayan Jungle is your natural enemy and spectator and will distract you. This is all part of the challenge to win and determines the time you spend in the game. Also the design of the greens reflects history since it is constructed with styles found half of century ago.

Donut hole description. The spectacular 17th hole is characterized by its great degree of difficulty. Besides having two bunkers, one at each end, it also has a bunker in the center of the green which makes it unique to its kind. Additionally, the green is in the middle of the lake which makes it very difficult to make the covered par.

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The Nicklaus Design Course at Vidanta Riviera Maya
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Course Details

Year Built 2003
Fairways Bermuda 419 Grass
Greens Tifdwarf Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Nicklaus (2003) Greg Letsche (2003)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS No
Pull-carts No
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Metal Spikes Allowed No
Walking Allowed No
Dress code Proper golfing attire required

Food & Beverage

Snacks, Restaurant

Lodging

Lodging Available

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Banquet Facilities, Showers, Lockers

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
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10 rounds of waived fees
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$120 in tee time credits
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Reviews

4.0
191 Reviews (191)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

It’s a par 3

120$ par 3 .. absolutely ridiculous

Course is beautiful.. but again 120$

Never again

Conditions Excellent
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Worth it and memorable

Playing all par 3 is a nice change of pace. The course was in perfect condition and dried fast despite heavy rains that morning. Each hole is interesting and challenging. The 276 yard hole is unique and scenic. Course was quiet when we played so we had no pace of play issues at all. Got a great rate with GolfNow.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
First Time Playing

Good for the kids or wife

We were staying on the resort which made it easy. The unfortunate part was that they were airating the back. and the front had just been done so the greens were just another bunker. We were given 20% the original price which was ridiculous. Taylor made sim golf set was included, which was nice. Don’t recommend playing barefoot as there are red ants all over. Good course for wife or kids.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging

My son and I played the tips. Greens were in excelllent condition. Practice your bunker shots as the greens are well protected. Bring Pesos if you want to buy something from the cart. No credit cards or USD accepted.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

great place to get your quick golf fix in on a trip

This is 18 holes all par 3. It is in the Vindata "complex" which consists of 5 resorts. However you dont need to be staying there to book a tee time. If you tell security youre playing golf they will allow the taxi/car to drive to a dropoff location. From there you will need to take a 10 minute golf cart ride to the club house (the place is huge). Hope you brought some golf balls becasue the cheapest 3 packs available to buy are $15 and I needed more than one with all the water on this course. Pretty cool design on most holes but there were several that were very... mehh.. Service in general was exceptional. OVerall a good place to go if youre not wanting to spend all day golfing. THere was almost no one on the course and we finished our round in under 3 hours.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
First Time Playing

Poor Conditions

This description of the trip to Vidanta should acknowledge that the green fees were $55 on a hot deal from Golf Now. Even at that low price, I was surprised at the overall condition of the course. Aeration had taken taken place a week ago so that left the course a bit beat up and slow. But there is no excuse for hard, wet packed bunkers and the general messiness of the course - no leaf blowers in use lately. Lovely staff and a good design means this could be a little gem but the lack of focus on course conditions was disappointing.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 10
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Golfers surprise

Found this course on my GolfNow app a couple of years ago and it has become a must do when we visit the Riviera Maya! First of all the staff is very helpful and friendly. They transport you to the course once you arrive at the resort. I DO WISH they could provide transportation from my resort. We always rent clubs and they are always a great set in wonderful condition. For the fee well worth it! The course itself is well layed out. It is challenging but doable! I will continue to make time to golf here each year because its always such a fun experience!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Par 3

This is a nice Par 3 course, except it was just punched and sanded on the greens and around the greens, so conditions were pretty bad for the day. However, the course itself is very nice.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great day of golf!

Really fun and challenging par 3 course.. Lots of water and sand with beautiful surroundings.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Jack’s design is a tough tract!

For a par 3 course, Vedanta plays tough! Used every club but my 3 hybrid and my all retriever (water was too green to see any balls. Loads of iguanas including one extra large male guarding the flag on the 9th. A great day!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Disappointing course did not live up to the hype

The grounds were poorly maintained. For being in such a tropical climate, the dead and dying “greens” were surprising. Staff was rude, and trying to get service out there was impossible. Definitely will not make the mistake of coming back here again.

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Poor
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Couples golf excellent

This par three chorus has holes ranging from 85 yards to 220 yards. It’s a great way to spend a morning or afternoon on vacation in Maya Riviera. Something like 14 of the 18 holes involve a water hazard so bring lots of golf balls. The Jack Nicklaus design ensures that there are sufficient number of demanding golf shots to keep even the season player challenged. I got a hot deal on GolfNow for $66 for 18 holes, a pretty good deal, considering the nearby Mayocoba course is something over $300. The staff are very friendly, and the on-site restaurant was excellent. The one downer about this course is the process of getting onto and out of the Vindata resort reservation. We took a taxi then had to transfer to a mini bus at their arrival station and ride out to the course, so it was a bit of a hassle. By the way here’s a word of caution for the 18th pole. The hole is laid out such that the Seabreeze affects the ball as soon as it arrives above the tree line. So it’s an extra one to two clubs to make the 170 yard carry to this island green.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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Golf Packages

Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo Stay & Play Package

FROM $317 (USD)
CANCUN, MX | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations at Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo and up to 5 rounds of golf at your choice of El Camaleon Golf Course, Riviera Cancun Golf Course, PGA Riviera Maya Golf Course, Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Course, and Gran Coyote Golf Course.

Iberostar Paraiso Beach Stay & Play Package

FROM $287 (USD)
CANCUN, MX | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations at Iberostar Paraiso Beach and up to 5 rounds of golf at your choice of El Camaleon Golf Course, Riviera Cancun Golf Course, PGA Riviera Maya Golf Course, Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Course, and Gran Coyote Golf Course.

Iberostar Selection Cancun Stay & Play Package

FROM $247 (USD)
CANCUN, MX | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations at Iberostar Selection Cancun and up to 5 rounds of golf at your choice of Iberostar Cancun Golf Course or Riviera Cancun Golf Course.

Iberostar Grand Paraiso Stay & Play Package

FROM $407 (USD)
CANCUN, MX | Enjoy up to 7 nights’ accommodations at Iberostar Grand Paraiso and up to 5 rounds of golf at your choice of El Camaleon Golf Course, Riviera Cancun Golf Course, PGA Riviera Maya Golf Course, Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Course, and Gran Coyote Golf Course.
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