Vidanta Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico | GolfPass
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Rating Index Rating
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3.9
183 Reviews 183 Reviews
5 Stars
86
4 Stars
64
3 Stars
15
2 Stars
11
1 Stars
7
Conditions
3.6
Value
3.7
Layout
4.4
Friendliness
4.5
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.9
71.0%
Recommend this course
157 out of 183 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.3
12 Reviews 12 Reviews
5 Stars
4
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
3
Conditions
2.9
Value
3.3
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.3
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.6
58.3%
Recommend this course
7 out of 12 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.6
15 Reviews 15 Reviews
5 Stars
6
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
3
Conditions
3.2
Value
3.5
Layout
4.5
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.1
StaffFriendliness
4.6
60.0%
Recommend this course
9 out of 15 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
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Reviews

3.9
183 Reviews (183)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
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 14
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 28
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!!

Show All
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 28
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
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
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.

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Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 23
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice Par 3 course

Challenging par 3 course, tucked pins on every other hole.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Rental clubs are about $65
If you don't get a hotdeal you will be overpaying.
Nice layout but overpriced.

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

Excellent Round

All was great for this round. No sixsomes in front of us like last time.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
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
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Sixsome

Well, my wife and I love this course and really enjoy playing it again and again.

Unfortunately, this visit was not the best as we ran into a sixsome on the 7th hole. Unknown to us, the twosome in front of didn't want to play through, so we were left waiting on each tee box not understanding what was taking so long.

We ended up skipping holes 9 and 10 to get past this mess. The bad part is that the course marshalls were letting this happen and not doing anything about it.

THIS WAS A CRYING SHAME THAT THE MARSHALLS ALLOWED THIS TO GO ON!

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Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Staff is terrible

Since I’m staying at a different hotel close by I requested shuttle service to and from which cost 750 peso for both ways so 375 each way. I did the mistake of paying the driver half and we agreed I would pay the other half on departure. He then later first claimed I never paid him, then claimed he never drove me once I called him out on his lies, then claimed to not speak any English. All 4 staff members where all in on it and I caught them since I claimed I never spoke Spanish..which I do. I brought this to the attention of upper management at the front entrance lobby. I don’t know if anything was done about it. I doubt it. 375 pesos is mere change but the staff will try to squeeze every penny outta ya any way they can. Liars and thieves. The hotel from what I know is separate from the golf course so not much can be done. Bargain to the lowest dollar with the staff to get the best rate is all I can say and ask for receipts n don’t pay a dime till you get one. Nice course. Mediocre conditions at best. Lots of potential but with staff like this it’s no wonder this course has been in decline for so long

Show All
Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Poor
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
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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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