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Vidanta Riviera Maya
Rating Snapshot
About
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.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 54 | 2923 yards | ||
| Blue | 54 | 2438 yards | ||
| Red (W) | 54 | 2141 yards |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black M: 53.0/102 | 121 | 174 | 142 | 223 | 158 | 145 | 146 | 116 | 177 | 1402 | 160 | 129 | 103 | 276 | 195 | 175 | 156 | 132 | 195 | 1521 | 2923 |
| Blue M: 52.3/101 | 98 | 148 | 131 | 190 | 137 | 116 | 130 | 106 | 152 | 1208 | 145 | 104 | 77 | 214 | 158 | 141 | 124 | 108 | 159 | 1230 | 2438 |
| Red W: 54.1/104 | 93 | 137 | 105 | 163 | 132 | 106 | 119 | 85 | 145 | 1085 | 132 | 95 | 69 | 181 | 129 | 129 | 115 | 103 | 112 | 1065 | 2150 |
| Handicap | 17 | 11 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 15 | 5 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 4 | |||
| Par | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 27 | 54 |
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Reviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u314163626548 on 08/13/2025
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Photo submitted by Nightwalker on 01/18/2024
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Photo submitted by u000007421160 on 05/16/2022
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Photo submitted by u3424511 on 11/10/2021
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Photo submitted by Kurt4399554 on 07/04/2021
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Photo submitted by Kurt4399554 on 07/04/2021
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Photo submitted by Kurt4399554 on 07/04/2021
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Photo submitted by Kurt4399554 on 07/04/2021
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Photo submitted by Kurt4399554 on 07/04/2021
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Photo submitted by vasbinderd on 12/06/2020
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Biggest lizard I’ve ever seen! Photo submitted by Darbyd0g on 12/25/2019
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Photo submitted by u000007421160 on 05/20/2019
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17 green. Don't get on the wrong side of bunker Photo submitted by u000004034511 on 03/18/2017
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14 green. Tough hole, great view. Good luck. Photo submitted by u000004034511 on 03/18/2017
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#5 ...watch the wind Photo submitted by u000004034511 on 03/18/2017
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#13...276 yards! Why you need driver on a par 3 course Photo submitted by u000004034511 on 03/18/2017
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!
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.
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.
Lame Course
It was my fault for not researching the course prior to booking. Upon my arrival I discovered that it was a par 3 course. #'s 13 and 14 were the only enjoyable and challenging holes. Nice layout for a par 3 course but definitely not for me......
Challenging Par 3
I played here on a somewhat busy Monday morning. If you're not already a guest at the resort, it is very confusing to find where to park and then be picked up by a shuttle that takes you to an outdoor clubhouse. Allow about 30 minutes extra for this process and be prepared to leave your drivers license at the resort entrance while you play.
After all that, I had a very nice round. The bilingual staff was very friendly and helpful. Most of the greens were in decent shape. There were very large flat sand hazards which added to the challenge. (No rakes in any of the bunkers, for some reason). Nice layout, with some harder holes that require shot placement, including some tougher water holes. The pace was not too slow, but a Marshal could have helped. Iguanas don't bother you, but add to the charm. I would return here for sure.
Excellent
First time playing a par 3. Most enjoyable, surprisingly challenging and very helpful in understanding the whole game of golf.
Course was a real treat. Picturesque, great condition, lots of fun and unique hazards.
I would recommend this course to anyone.
Fun Par 3
Fun Par 3, decent greens, hassle to arrive though. park/ taxi to a tram that takes you to/from the course. Allow an extra 20 minutes
3 and 4 time playing
this is the first course we play when we are in the Myan area. about every year to two years. We love it here. if i want to challlange myself as i am not a long ball hitter i go off the black tees. other wise the Blue tee box suits me. If i am not hitting a straight ball i have left a few in the water. we found the greens short and fast compared to our greens in Canada. made some adjustments and kept most of the putting to one or two. cannot wait to go back and play it again
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