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Rating Index Rating
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3.8
197 Reviews (197)
5 Stars
90
4 Stars
69
3 Stars
17
2 Stars
13
1 Stars
8
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.4
Layout
4.1
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.6
69.6%
Recommend this course
166 out of 197 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.0
7 Reviews (7)
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
2.9
Value
2.3
Layout
3.4
Pace
3.7
Amenities
3.0
StaffFriendliness
3.4
42.9%
Recommend this course
3 out of 7 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
16 Reviews (16)
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
2
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.1
Layout
3.9
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.4
StaffFriendliness
4.1
62.5%
Recommend this course
10 out of 16 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

3.8
197 Reviews (197)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great little couse

Unexpectably difficult par three course. I used from gap wedge to driver. (276 yrd hole). Lots of water, bring more balls than you would expect to lose. Also swirling winds which the staff said are constant. Will play again.

New club house being built.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun course for golfnow price only...

Being a par 3 course, it has a really nice layout with some long par 3's. Not worth the rack rate of $105. Need a coupon or golfnow to make it worthwhile. It is in really good condition, with many iguanas rooming the course. Plenty of trouble on the course, but a fair track. Enjoy & have fun, & play for what it's worth...

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Awesome challenge

Agree with other reviews. This is a very nice course. It is as tough a par 3 course as you’ll see. Playing from the back tees you’ll be seriously challenged on many of the holes:4,5,9, 13,14, 18. Tough. Water carry on many of these. My wife and I loved it.

Fair price, great quality, super great staff. The hardest working people and most humble you’ll ever meet.

Highly recommended. We’ll be back for sure.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 96
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 250 Contributor
British Columbia Advisor
First Time Playing

Great Par 3

Probably the best par 3 course I've played. The condition of the course was near perfect, challenging pins and a great way to warm up to play some of the great full courses in the area.

I would play this course again and I would recommend to friends coming to the area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Nice Par 3

This was our first time playing on this course. It was a nice Par 3, and a good looking course. In my opinion, there was a lot of dessert/dirt area, where there could have been grass. Although, this area was easy to hit from, much easier than the sand, so overall it helped my game a bit. This course really tests your short game, so be ready! The staff was very friendly and they had a nice restaurant as well. I would definitely recommend.

Conditions Good
Value Good
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
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great par three

This course is a great option to playing a full round of golf. We played it as our first round for the vacation; a nice warm up, after all who doesn't need a little short game practice. It offered challenges from both the ladies tees and the back tees.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great Par 3 Nicklaus Course

You will enjoy the opportunity to play this Great Par 3 Nicklaus course located at the Vidanta Riviera Maya Resort. We come here every year for vacation and enjoy being able to play this unique layout. You may say " an all Par 3 Course", but I promise you it will definitely challenge you but still allow you to have fun!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Interesting Par 3

Course is very interesting, and challenging with greens in very good shape. Only complaint was food/beverage cart not around often enough, particularly in heat of day.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Could play this all day

Thanks to golf now I was able to get a good rate to play. Played as a single at 11:24 and went around in just over 2 hours, playing 2 balls on tee shots on most holes since there was no one to hold up. Don't let the thought of being a par 3 course fool you into thinking it will be a cupcake. #13 is 276 yards!

Greens were fast and found myself putting it well past the hole. Took lots of pictures of the unique holes, good shots and iguanas. Check for the twilight special for $45 includes golf cart and club rentals. Green break restaurant is great for breakfast before.

Could play it everyday...Thanks Jack

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 32
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course will challenge your short game and putting.

Excellent grill by first tee. Omelettes are a good portion so share! Excellent short game practice facility. 180 yards max on drive range. Used driver and 3 wood once. Loved the challenge of most holes. Staff excellent. One beverage cart, ask the girl for the promotion of the day. She is great.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun, challenging, and a great course Josh to work on your iron play.

Regular rates are a bit high for a very short course. My round took less than two hours. The layout, and the staff not to mention the twists and turns the Nicklaus put into this make it worth playing. .

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

Had to use my driver

When you normally think of a Par 3, I never think of holes being extremely long. On this course there were a couple of holes where you need to hit driver if you want to get there in one (276 yards). Plus the water carries along made it fun. We mixed in a couple of skin and putting games and it was one of the best courses I have played in a while. It rained for about 15 minutes but the pace of play stayed true. I found a deal on GolfNow that saved us about $70 apiece, so the price moderate. All in all if you have a time constraint but want to get in a fun course when your near Cancun, its worth the challenge.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 66
Handicap Don't know
Skill Beginner
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Tough 3 -par course

Very challenging 3-par course for all skill levels. Be prepared to lose a few balls in the jungle and/or in the several water hazards.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

Great Par 3 course

For a par 3 course it was in excellent condition and presented a fair challenge of golf skill.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

El Manglar

I paid $75 which included golf, cart and club rental. The clubs were newer model Titleists and in good shape. The course was very interesting to play with holes of varying lengths and difficulty. Several holes challenged you with risk vs. reward decisions which was great. Adding to the interest was a giant lizard next to one of the greens eyeing me for lunch which I firmly believe affected my missed birdie putt. On another hole there was a live crocodile exhibit. Club selection was difficult due to the wind. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience and well worth the money.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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Golf Packages

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.

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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