For people that have been coming to Puerto Vallarta for years, the quality golf courses are no secrect. But now that Vallarta is home to 15-20 courses designed by some of the best course designers in the world, Puerto Vallarta is slowly morphing into a golfers paradise.
Typically when you think of golf or golf trips in Mexico, your mind instantly goes to Cabo, as it should. Cabo is home to some of the most beautiful courses globally and is a must-visit destination for any avid golfer. But as of late, due to some incredible designs by world-class golf course designers, Puerto Vallarta is becoming known for more than its beautiful beaches, great hospitality, fantastic food scene, and entertaining nightlife. Puerto Vallarta also adds golf to its resume of already stunning tourist attractions. Let us introduce you to our favorite courses and iconic holes all within about a one-hour drive of each other in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Vista Vallarta Club de Golf – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Two 18-hole golf course
- A Jack Nicklaus Desiged Course (7,074 yards)
- A Tom Weiskopf Designed Course (6,993 yards)
- Opened in 2001
- Full-Service Clubhouse
- Restaurant
- Bar
- On-Course Food & Beverage Service
- Practice Range
- Practice Green
- TaylorMade and Callaway Rentals
- Fully-stocked Pro Shop
- Tournaments
- Corporate Outings
- Special Events
- Green Fee’s Low Season – $90 – $185
- Green Fee’s High Season – $120 – 220
We’re being a tad biased and starting with what is probably our favorite local course here in Vallarta. Don’t get us wrong; we love the ocean courses and ocean holes. But, the backdrop of the mountains, along with the jungle setting coupled with the supreme maintenance of gardens and flowers, not to mention the excellent course care, really sets Vista apart. Both courses are meticulously manicured and are super challenging. The Weiskopf brings a bit more water into play with some small lakes and ponds in the mix, and the Nicklaus features some challenging elevation. Both courses feature some narrow drives and some wide open and forgiving fairways. The pro shop features some excellent gear if you’d like to purchase a takeaway or some gifts, and the putting green and full driving range are taken care of. All in all, this makes for an excellent day of golf. Both Vista Vallarta and her sister course, Marina Vallarta, are members of Clubcorp and offer discounts to members.
https://www.clubcorp.com/clubs/vista-vallarta-club-de-golf
Marina Vallarta Club de Golf – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Full 18-hole golf course
- Designed by Joe Finger of Finger Dye Spann Inc. (6,701 yards)
- Opened in 1989
- Rating: 72.8/70.0/70.3
- Full-Service Clubhouse
- Restaurant
- Bar
- On-Course Food & Beverage Service
- Practice Range
- Practice Green
- TaylorMade Rentals ($52)
- Fully-stocked Pro Shop
- Tournaments
- Corporate Outings
- Special Events
- Green Fee’s Low Season – $58 – $142
- Green Fee’s High Season – $65 – $150
Marina Vallarta is Puerto Vallarta’s oldest golf course as it was designed and built-in 1989 by great American golf course architect Joe Finger. Mr. Finger most notably partnered with Pete Dye to create some of the highest-ranked courses in the world. Joe also famously partnered with the legend Byron Nelson to redesign the notorious eighth green at Augusta National, where The Masters are played annually. The course is located in the heart of Marina Vallarta and is surrounded by incredible shopping and restaurants. Marina Vallarta also features 3-ocean holes and 9-total holes that bring water into play. The course is challenging, but it is a lot of fun. It is difficult because you are faced with some narrow fairways that call for precise shots off the tee. This 18-hole track also challenges players with multiple greens protected by water. These greens are built with approximately 50% – 80% of the green touching water, leaving you trying to knock balls down, essentially on an island green. The course is not considerably long, so there are certainly opportunities out there to score. One of the most appealing features of Marina Vallarta is its proximity to downtown Vallarta. Marina Vallarta is located next to the airport, just a 20 to 25-min drive from downtown.
https://www.clubcorp.com/clubs/marina-vallarta-club-de-golf
El Tigre – Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
- Full 18-hole golf course
- Designed by Robert Von Hagge & Rick Baril (7,239 yards)
- Grass: 419 Bermuda
- Opened in 2002
- Rating: 74.5/133
- Full-Service Clubhouse
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Full Spa
- PGA Professional
- On-Course Food & Beverage Service
- Practice Range
- Practice Green
- Titleist Rentals ($55)
- Fully-stocked Pro Shop
- Tournaments
- Corporate Outings
- Special Events
- Green Fee’s Low Season – $75 – $170
- Green Fee’s High Season – $110 – $210
El Tigre is another one of our local favorites for several reasons. Since 2002, El Tigre has played host to several amateur and professional events, including stops by the Candian, Latin America, Futures Tour, and some Division 1 NCAA tournaments. With its massive and dramatic Mayan Temple stone archway and beautiful 45,000 sq ft clubhouse and golf facility, you will be blown away by the details and amenities at this country club. The course itself does not disappoint. This 18-hole challenge boasts 12 lakes and five beach sand bunkers designed to test the skill of all players. She features getable par 4’s and some very fun par 3’s, including the excellent par-three sixth hole, which features an island green. El Tigre finishes with a fun par 3 17 that features an island tee box from the back tees and then brings you home with a very long and challenging par-5 18th.
Litibu Golf Course - Higuera Blanca
- Full 18-Hole Golf Course
- Designed by Greg Norman
- Grass: Paspalum Seadwarf
- Par 72
- Pro-shop
- Snack Bar
- Driving Range
- Practice Green
- Club Rentals
- Green Fee’s Low Season – $90 – $130
- Green Fee’s High Season – $140 – $210
This beautiful ocean course designed by Greg Norman debuted in 2009 and has been enjoyed by thousands of golfers since. Nestled between jungle like terrain on the East and a long beautiful stretch of the Pacific to the West, this course features excellent views all over. Two notable holes on the front 9 are the short par 3, 4th and 8th holes. The 4th is a beautiful par 3 with ocean views with a green that sits on a ridge above the beach. The 8th features a full peninsula green surrounded by water on 3-sides. The par 5, 18th is a beautiful signature hole which boasts amazing oceans views and a dropped green surrounded by the Pacific.
Pacifico Golf Course - Punta Mita Golf - Punta Mita
- Punta Mita Golf Features 2, 18-hole course (we’re focusing on Pacifico Course)
- Designed By Jack Nicklaus
- Par 72
- Yard: 7,014
- Grass: Fairways Bermuda T-419
- Grass Greens: Champion Dwarf Bermuda
- Pro-shop
- Restaurant
- Rentals
- Green Fee’s Low Season – $155-$190
- Green Fee’s High Season – $240 – $310
The Pacific Golf Course was designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus and was inaugurated in 1999. It’s bordered by white-sand beaches and the majestic mountains of the Sierra Madre that surround Rivera Maya. This course extends for 200 acres, making the most out of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The Pacifico consists of eight holes directly facing or playing alongside the Pacific Ocean. It also features the new and challenging hole 3B, also known as “Tail of the Whale”. This majestic hole happens to be the only green in the world that is located on a natural island, providing some absolutely mesmerizing ocean views. The surrounding palms and flower-covered trees accentuate the beauty and pleasure of playing this exquisite golf course, which both represent a challenge for experienced golfers and a great place for beginners to practice. In total, Pacific is an 18-hole course with an additional par-three hole. This Golf Course is highly praised by golfers and golfing magazines, and it inspired Conde Nast Traveler readers in 2006 and 2008 to select the Four Seasons Punta de Mita as the world’s #1 golf resort. The course may be played from 5,037 yards up to 7,014 yards with a choice of five sets of tees. The first tee time is 7:30 am, and tee times are available at 10-minute intervals. This private Punta de Mita Golf Club is open only to Punta de Mita property owners and their guests, and guests of Four Seasons and St. Regis Resorts.
