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4.1
168 Reviews (168)
5 Stars
80
4 Stars
60
3 Stars
14
2 Stars
10
1 Stars
4
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.8
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.3
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.7
82.2%
Recommend this course
148 out of 168 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.2
28 Reviews (28)
5 Stars
14
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.8
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.5
StaffFriendliness
4.2
82.1%
Recommend this course
23 out of 28 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.1
34 Reviews (34)
5 Stars
16
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
3.8
Value
3.7
Layout
4.3
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.5
StaffFriendliness
4.3
82.4%
Recommend this course
28 out of 34 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.

Book a Tee Time at
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
Clubs Yes
GPS No
Pull-carts No

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Caddies No
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

Reviews

4.1
168 Reviews (168)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
Incentivized Review
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful course layout

Wife and I just played this 3 par. Very fun and relaxing. Don't be fooled by a 3 par. This course is challenging, with a lot of water hazards and traps. Hint, bring plenty of balls...

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
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 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful and challenging 54 par

I didn’t notice when booking tee time it was all par 3, 54 par course anyway it is beautiful and challenging so we had a good time the course have a good layout, friendly staff and good installations

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Small but challenging

Such a great value finding this course on GolfNow.... rented clubs but not real impressed with the selection. The course was well laid out. All pat threes but don’t be fooled this course is very challenging with its sand and water hazards.
Totally enjoyed my experience and would definitely return.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful and challenging course

We have played this course 5 time over the past 5 months. It was pristine in November, and good in early March. This past week presented some challenges with very dry conditions and brown tee boxes and struggling greens. They closed the front 9 to aerate the greens today and were watering heavily. With the upcoming rainy season I expect it to be back in form soon. The beverage cart service has been spotty on our last couple outings, best to stock up when you start your round,, if that is important to you. it is a beautifully designed course and a pleasure to play, just struggling a little now. No doubt that conditions will improve soon.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Value at Hot Deal price

It's a very interesting layout with lots of variety. The course was near empty so we played 18 in about 2.5 hours.

Greens were fast and true and held well.

Would play again.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice layout

Course was not as manicured as I would have expected for the Vidanta resort, I guess that's reflected in the affordable price..
Was fun to play an 18 hole par 3 with my wife and young daughter.
Parking set up was poor and confusing upon entry as where to park, it was not marked. Parked in the rental car lot (it says rental cars only) but that's where the 3rd attendant told me to park, and then had to walk with our clubs over to wait for a shuttle. My wife said she wouldn't go there again for that reason.
The 278 yard hole was fun.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Very good course

Well worth the effort. Mr. Nicholas has created a challenge in a par three that isn’t available elsewhere.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Fun to play

This course is fun and challenging to play. Offers even a great golfer the opportunity to feel challenged. Definitely some very difficult holes. A wonderful golf experience. Well kept. Good service. Something a little different. For a par three course it is totally beyond expectations.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Continues to be a challenge

Course construction makes each hole a challenge to play. Wind conditions, layout of the greens, and pin position continue to make this an enjoyable and entertaining golf course to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Golf Now hot deal

Don’t usually golf on par 3 courses but this was my fifth time. This is one tough little course when the wind is blowing. If you are a hacker take lots of balls or by used from pro shop for $12 US per dozen. Rental clubs were titleist ap1.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great par 3. Greens could be a little nicer but didn’t take away from experience. Paid $45 on a hot deal. Staff was great.
Will golf here again

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 75
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Pleasant experience

Wonderful and imaginative Course makes you work to save par
Friendly staff plenty of wildlife around you as you play will definitely return my next trip back to this area.

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

Fun par 3

I have played this par 3 course several times. It’s a great value if you’re able to get a ‘hot deal’ ($38-$45). If paying full price ($105) it is a bit pricey. The only disadvantage of using GolfNow is that they do not allow outside taxi/transportation to drop you off at the course, but instead a lobby area. You wait 10-15 minutes for their shuttle to take you to the course.
The course is always in good shape. There’s a good variety of wedges, short, and mid iron tee shots, but mostly wedges and short irons. This is the busiest I have ever seen the course and we still got done in 2.5 hours.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Don’t be fooled

Don’t be fooled when you see par three course. This thing is anything but easy. Requires that you come off the box straight. Your judgment of distance is thrown off by the multilevel greens and the ominous bunkers. Water covered many of the holes and threatens your shot. Course is well-maintained and the low-lying jungle Rob’s or #BAL if you happen to go in it. Definitely on my list to come back

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

Great course

Great par 3 challenging and very enjoyable. Played with the wife. Lots of water and sand to add to the challenge. We loved this course and planned to golf again. If you want to challenge your par 3 play. This is the course

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

The Par Three Challenge

This par 3 course is in very good condition.
The greens are true and plus the greens will hold a good lob shot. I played this course 3 times and always enjoyed the course and the challenges it offers you. I LIKE IT.
The restaurant is also very good with a friendly staff to help you. Susanna is great.
DOWNSIDE— for the money you pay to play golf
ONE bottle of water- COME ON MAN

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Much Harder than Expected

Was on vacation at a neighboring resort and bought the GolfNow Hot Deal. Took a cab over with my wife and they charged a very resealable $10 rider fee for my wife. Played the back black tees. Course layout was very good which included a 276 yd par 3 along with several other 195 yd ones into the wind with water straight across the front and an island green. Hole distance average was 166 from the black tees so it’s not just short shots. The day I played the greens where very slow. Very hot & humid in early Sept. only complaint I had was from the Vandanda was the cab driver back to the Valentine which was only a mile or two charged me $18., going was $12 from my resort. Thanks

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

Challenging course

My overall experience was excellent. I really enjoyed playing this nicely manicured but challenging course. It does take some time to get to the clubhouse so yes as described in other reviews get there early. The course was empty so I had it all for myself, the service was very good. I would highly recommend playing it especially for the price that I got online. Happy golfing!

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

Fairmont Mayakoba Stay & Play Package

FROM $417 (USD)
CANCUN/RIVIERA MAYA, MX | Enjoy 4 nights’ accommodations at Fairmont Mayakoba Riviera Maya and 3 rounds of golf at Playa Paraiso Golf Club and El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Club.
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