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Rating Index Rating
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3.7
203 Reviews (203)
5 Stars
91
4 Stars
72
3 Stars
19
2 Stars
13
1 Stars
8
Conditions
3.7
Value
3.3
Layout
4.2
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.8
66.4%
Recommend this course
170 out of 203 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.4
11 Reviews (11)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.5
Value
2.5
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.5
Amenities
3.5
StaffFriendliness
3.6
54.5%
Recommend this course
6 out of 11 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
17 Reviews (17)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.0
Layout
4.1
Pace
3.8
Amenities
3.5
StaffFriendliness
4.0
64.7%
Recommend this course
11 out of 17 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
This executive par-3 course within the Vidanta resort impresses with well-kept grounds, creative water-feature layouts, and a smooth pace of play. Exceptionally friendly staff consistently go above and beyond to welcome golfers and ensure a seamless experience.

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

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Reviews

3.7
203 Reviews (203)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
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
Hot weather
Used cart

Excellent

As usual the course was very nice to play!

The only thing I would change is nicer sand in the bunkers as it can get fairly gravely and heavy.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Fun Par 3

very fun Par 3 with some challenging holes. A few over 225 yards which allows you to hit some woods too. rack rate pricing for tourists is ridiculous so find a deal on GolfNow otherwise not worth it

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great staff and course

Well worth playing for the price paying through golf now, lots of iguanas and other animals very fun and hard with bunkers

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
First Time Playing

Misleading.

No where on this site does it tell you this is a small par 3 course. It is very short with every hole being a par 3. Had we known this ahead, we never would have booked. It is very misleading.

Conditions Average
Value Poor
Layout Poor
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Another good day on Jack’s course!

Played from the black tees for the first time … it was a fun challenge compared to our usual blue tees!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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
Perfect weather
Used cart

Mostly Good

We are fans of this course, although this time out the greens had been aerated and were covered with sand. This is fine except that we were never made aware of the conditions.

The traps were more wet than not and were very coarse in nature. This could be improved.

The restaraunt is a bit pricey but it is what it is.

Bottom line is that this is a nice course and well worth playing if you can get the right deal like we did. It plays more like a regular course than the usual "executive" par 3's.

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

First Time at course

Very nice course. Don’t kid yourself, hard par 3. Lots of hazards and iguanas.

If you’re not staying at Vidanta employees no help. Poor directions. Poor reception after arriving via taxi.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great golf course

We’ve played this course about 10 times and have never been disappointed. Great staff, well maintained course and excellent restaurant.

We’ll be back again and again and again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 16
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Preis Leistung

Für Anfänger mit dicker Geldbörse geeignet.Ein reiner par 3 Platz. Für weniger Geld gibt es in Richtung Cancon bessere Plätze. Service Mangelhaft,mein Driver ist beim Transport gebrochen. Auf bitte eines Leihschlägers wollte der gute Mann 75€ haben.dazu noch.20 Euro für 30 bälle auf der Drivingrange..Transver wie bei den Anderen Golfplätzen nicht incl..usw.....

Ich empfehle hier Golplätze zu spielen,die keiner Hotelkette angehören

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 68
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0

Challenging par 3 course

Quick round while on vacation 2 hrs. Course is challenging especially with coastal winds. Hard to tell which way the wind is going because the jungle protects the course but your ball gets into the wind. Lots of water hazards. Greens in good shape.

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

Hidden gem

This course was fun to play and a good way to spend a couple hours. Staff was friendly and rental clubs were top notch.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Bunkers were filled with water, muddy rough

Was told that the course was playable, however it was way to wet. Parts of the rough was like mud, the bunkers were filled with water so all the balls that went there were lost. Other than that many good layouts.

Conditions Fair
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 50
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great intro round

This course is a great intro Mexico area... can help iron in those short iron distances...

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
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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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