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Rating Index Rating
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3.9
192 Reviews (192)
5 Stars
90
4 Stars
67
3 Stars
16
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
7
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.7
Layout
4.3
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.3
Amenities
3.9
73.4%
Recommend this course
164 out of 192 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
9 Reviews (9)
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.2
Value
3.8
Layout
4.0
Pace
4.1
Amenities
3.8
StaffFriendliness
4.8
77.8%
Recommend this course
7 out of 9 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
21 Reviews (21)
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.5
Value
3.5
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.7
66.7%
Recommend this course
14 out of 21 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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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

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Reviews

3.9
192 Reviews (192)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Fun Course

Played early in the morning to avoid the heat, and we saw so much wildlife! The greens were tough to get used to because of sandy conditions. The check in process was pretty seemless, and they had our cart and rental clubs ready to go. The only gripe I had was that we only played 1-9 because the back was closed, and we paid for 18. We did ask for a refund, but didn't get it. Other than that, fun course.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great course

Beautiful course! Lots of water hazards though, lost 5 balls but I’m not a great player. Was fun with the family. Staff was very nice and helpful. Drink cart was on the course when we were needing drinks. Would definitely play here again!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 4
2.0
First Time Playing

Extremely slow play

Back 9 was closed so we had to play front twice. Greens had just been punched and sanded.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Viva Vidanta!

I absolutely love playing this course!! Don’t be fooled that it’s just a par3 course… it’s fun and challenging. The course grounds were in beautiful condition. But the highlight of our experience is always how friendly the staff is to us…. Eduardo. greeted us with a smile and helped us get hooked up with our rental clubs and cart…. Then when we left he made sure we were all set with a taxi to head back to our resort…..I’ll definitely be back time and time again!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
1.0
Previously Played

Terrible

No Ranger - nearly 4 hours for a par 3 course

No water or towels in the cart

No beverage cart for 10 holes. Par 3 course

No range balls to warm up

No service

No bueno

👎

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Unexpected Par 3

We were not expecting a Par 3 course but were impressed with the variety of each hole. Good practice for our short game. Great day for golf!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 31
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Terrible greens!! The rest is fine

They have lost most greens and it will take a long time to get them back to par. The rest of the course is fine. Kind of sad in a way because it’s no fun putting on terrible non playable greens. The person checking us in said something about the unusual weather affecting the greens. We played Cancún Country Club today and their greens were great. Don’t waste your money coming to Vidanta to play!!

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 31
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Previously Played

Terrible greens!!

They have lost most of the greens. It’s going to take a very long time to get the greens back. Not worth the rack rate. If you can get it at $50 or less play it…maybe; ).

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Lost the greens

Course would be great to play but the greens were REALLY bad....no grass growing at all. They said they would come back in 2 weeks....will be a miracle if they do.

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

Very tough par 3 course

Fun course. Lots of water and tight landing zones so bring extra golfballs. Greens were thick with sand so the ball didn’t break as expected. For the price it’s a good deal.

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

Great course

Vcery nice and well kept course. Pretty pricy but had a great time

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Play it again.

We played this course a few years ago and enjoyed it then. Thought a replay was in order.

Great course to elevate your short game. Some of the par 3’s are long and challenging. Great way to spend a few hours.

Food offering in restaurant very good post game.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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Golf Packages

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.

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 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.
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