Golf in Nayarit: Where Championship Courses Meet the Pacific
Golf in Nayarit: Where Championship Courses Meet the Pacific
There are For those who see golf as more than a game, Nayarit offers something increasingly rare: the opportunity to play exceptional courses while surrounded by the natural beauty, culture and refined lifestyle of Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Stretching from Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay toward the northern Riviera Nayarit, the region brings together renowned course designers, dramatic coastal landscapes and an increasingly diverse collection of golf experiences.
From Jack Nicklaus Signature courses in Punta Mita to Greg Norman designs at Higuera, VidantaWorld and Mandarina, Robert von Hagge’s El Tigre and Tom Fazio’s newest design at Nauka, golfers can experience remarkably different courses throughout the region.
Here, a morning round can be followed by a long lunch overlooking the Pacific, an afternoon on the water, a spa treatment or dinner featuring the flavors of the region.
For travelers from the United States and Canada looking for an unforgettable winter golf escape and for those considering making the Pacific coast their home the appeal is easy to understand.
Punta Mita: Golf at the Edge of the Pacific
At the heart of the region is Punta Mita, a private residential and resort community on the northern end of Banderas Bay.
Punta Mita is home to two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, Pacífico and Bahía, each offering a distinct experience shaped by the surrounding landscape.
Pacífico Golf Course
The Pacífico Course is particularly memorable for its relationship with the ocean. Seven holes face or play alongside the Pacific, while the optional par-3 3B, famously known as the “Tail of the Whale,” takes the experience one step further.
The hole plays toward a natural island green located offshore in the Pacific and has become one of the most recognizable images in Mexican golf.
Pacífico is an 18-hole, par-72 course that plays to more than 7,000 yards, combining ocean views, tropical vegetation and strategically designed fairways.
Bahía Golf Course
The Bahía Course offers a different challenge. Also designed by Jack Nicklaus, it features five ocean holes and plays up to 7,035 yards, with undulating fairways, strategically placed bunkers and views across the surrounding landscape.
Together, Pacífico and Bahía offer variety for multiple rounds while remaining within the same private community.
But in Punta Mita, golf is only one part of the lifestyle.
With Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita and The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, residents and visitors can combine golf with exceptional hospitality, private beach clubs, dining, wellness and the relaxed rhythm of coastal living.
Higuera Golf Club: Where Jungle Meets the Pacific
Just beyond Punta Mita, in the Litibú and Higuera Blanca area, Higuera Golf Club offers another distinctly coastal golf experience.
Designed by Greg Norman, this 18-hole, par-72 course extends across approximately 7,022 yards and was created to work with the natural landscape rather than against it.
The course moves through different environments, including links-style terrain, tropical jungle and dramatic Pacific-facing areas. With ocean views, natural elevation changes and more than 130 bunkers, Higuera provides a very different experience from the resort environment of Punta Mita.
Its location also places it close to several residential communities in the northern Riviera Nayarit, making golf an important part of the lifestyle for homeowners in the area.
VidantaWorld: Three Distinct Golf Experiences
Further south in Nuevo Nayarit, VidantaWorld offers three very different ways to experience golf.
Vidanta Vallarta — Norman Signature Course
Designed by Greg Norman, the Vidanta Vallarta Course is an 18-hole, par-73 championship course measuring 7,287 yards.
The course features 55 bunkers, six lakes and expansive paspalum fairways. Its setting beside the Ameca River, with views toward the Sierra Madre, gives the course a distinctly tropical character.
It is also the home of the Mexico Open at VidantaWorld, connecting the destination with professional golf.
The Nayar Course
The Nayar Course offers another 18-hole championship experience at VidantaWorld.
The 6,668-yard, par-70 course combines seven lakes, 49 strategically positioned bunkers and the natural vegetation of the region.
Its layout accommodates a broad range of playing abilities while still presenting strategic challenges throughout the round.
The Lakes Course
For something shorter and more relaxed, The Lakes Course provides a different kind of golf experience.
This 10-hole, par-3 executive course is walkable and illuminated, making it possible to play into the evening.
Its shorter format is particularly appealing for a casual round, families and golfers who want to enjoy the game without committing to a full 18 holes.
Together, these three courses make VidantaWorld one of the region’s most diverse golf destinations.
El Tigre Golf & Country Club
In Nuevo Nayarit, El Tigre Golf & Country Club provides another championship-level experience.
Designed by Robert von Hagge, Smelek & Baril, the 18-hole, par-72 course stretches to 7,239 yards and incorporates water, sand and dramatic playing corridors throughout the layout.
Twelve lakes and distinctive beach-style bunkers create both visual interest and strategic challenges, while the surrounding residential community adds to the country-club atmosphere.
El Tigre is part of the Paradise Village community and offers a full club environment, including a clubhouse, restaurant, practice facilities and spa.
Flamingos Golf: A Riviera Nayarit Classic
Flamingos Golf is one of the region’s longstanding courses, having opened in 1970.
Located along the Puerto Vallarta–Punta Mita corridor, the 18-hole course measures approximately 6,853 yards and features gently rolling terrain, water hazards, bunkers and mature tropical vegetation.
Its established landscape gives Flamingos a character that differs from the newer resort courses farther north.
Its location is also convenient for golfers staying in Bucerías, Nuevo Nayarit and other communities along the southern Riviera Nayarit.
Nauka: A New Chapter for Riviera Nayarit Golf
One of the newest additions to the region’s golf landscape is Nauka Golf Club.
Designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio, the Nauka golf experience features an 18-hole championship course together with a nine-hole short course.
The setting is distinctly different from the established courses farther south. The course moves through tropical jungle and elevated terrain overlooking the Pacific, with natural bunkering, undulating greens and dramatic changes in elevation.
For the Riviera Nayarit golf community, Nauka represents the continued evolution of the region as a destination for high-end golf, outdoor living and residential development.
It also expands the geography of luxury golf farther north, giving golfers another reason to explore this emerging part of the Pacific coast.
Mandarina: A Different Approach to Golf
Farther north, Mandarina introduces another interpretation of golf on the Pacific coast.
The Mandarina Golf Club offers a shorter golf experience designed to complement the broader resort and outdoor lifestyle of the destination.
The course combines a nine-hole par-3 layout with its signature challenge, “The Kraken,” allowing golfers to enjoy a shorter format rather than committing to a traditional 18-hole championship round.
Set between the Pacific coastline and the Sierra de Vallejo mountains, the course combines dramatic natural scenery with a relaxed approach to the game.
Mandarina is another example of how the Riviera Nayarit golf offering continues to expand beyond the traditional resort model, offering different formats for different types of golfers.
Golf in Puerto Vallarta
The golf experience also extends south into Puerto Vallarta, making the greater Banderas Bay region even more appealing for golfers staying on either side of the bay.
Marina Vallarta Golf Club
Marina Vallarta Golf Club offers an 18-hole course in a tropical setting within Puerto Vallarta’s marina district.
Its mature landscape, water features and proximity to the marina make it a convenient option for golfers staying in Puerto Vallarta or exploring the southern end of Banderas Bay.
Vista Vallarta
Vista Vallarta adds two additional championship courses to the region.
The Nicklaus Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus, while the Weiskopf Course was designed by Tom Weiskopf. Both courses take advantage of the natural terrain and offer views across the surrounding mountains and Banderas Bay.
Together, these courses provide additional options for golfers who want to explore beyond the Riviera Nayarit side of the bay.
The Luxury of Having More to Do
One of the greatest advantages of choosing Nayarit for a golf getaway is that the experience does not end when you leave the 18th green.
A morning tee time can easily become an afternoon on the water.
Banderas Bay offers sailing, snorkeling, fishing and seasonal whale watching, while nearby Sayulita and San Pancho provide a more relaxed coastal atmosphere.
There are also exceptional restaurants, wellness experiences, art, local markets and opportunities to discover the traditions and landscapes that make this part of Mexico so distinctive.
For couples or groups traveling with non-golfers, this variety is particularly appealing.
Golf can be the centerpiece of the trip without defining the entire experience.
Why Nayarit Works for a Winter Golf Escape
For golfers from the United States and Canada, Nayarit offers another important advantage: accessibility.
Puerto Vallarta International Airport provides convenient access to the southern Riviera Nayarit and Banderas Bay, while Tepic-Riviera Nayarit International Airport provides another gateway to the northern part of the region.
Combined with warm weather, exceptional resorts, Pacific beaches and an expanding collection of golf experiences, Nayarit offers an appealing setting for a winter escape.
More Than a Golf Destination
Nayarit has long been celebrated for its beaches, natural beauty, gastronomy and relaxed coastal lifestyle.
Golf adds another dimension to the destination.
From Jack Nicklaus Signature courses in Punta Mita to Greg Norman designs at Higuera, VidantaWorld and Mandarina, Robert von Hagge’s El Tigre and Tom Fazio’s newest design at Nauka, the region offers an impressive range of golf experiences along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
But the region’s golf story does not end with its championship courses.
For golfers who prefer smaller, more intimate settings, northern Riviera Nayarit also offers local courses that provide a different way to experience the landscape.
Las Huertas Golf Club — San Pancho
Las Huertas Golf Club offers a relaxed nine-hole experience surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and mature fruit trees.
The course features a combination of par-3, par-4 and par-5 holes and can be played twice from alternate tee positions for those looking to complete an 18-hole round.
Rather than a traditional resort golf environment, Las Huertas feels closely connected to the relaxed character of San Pancho, making it an appealing option for golfers who want to combine a casual round with time exploring the town and its surrounding coastal landscape.
Campo de Ensueño — El Monteón
Farther north, near El Monteón, Campo de Ensueño also known as Field of Dreams Golf Club offers another smaller-scale golf experience.
Located near Highway 200, the nine-hole course provides a more casual alternative to the region’s larger championship layouts.
Its compact format makes it possible to incorporate golf into a broader exploration of northern Riviera Nayarit, particularly for travelers visiting communities farther north along the Pacific coast.
Together, Las Huertas and Campo de Ensueño demonstrate the diversity of golf in Nayarit. While the region is increasingly recognized for internationally designed championship courses, it also offers smaller and more personal experiences where the natural landscape and local character become part of the game.
A Golf Region, Not Just a Golf Course
One of the defining characteristics of golf in Nayarit is the variety.
Within the broader region, golfers can experience:
Jack Nicklaus Signature courses overlooking the Pacific in Punta Mita.
Greg Norman designs at Higuera, VidantaWorld and Mandarina.
The championship challenge of El Tigre.
The mature tropical landscape of Flamingos.
The newest Tom Fazio design at Nauka.
Additional championship golf in Puerto Vallarta.
Shorter formats at The Lakes and Mandarina.
Smaller nine-hole experiences at Las Huertas in San Pancho and Campo de Ensueño near El Monteón.
This variety allows golfers to explore different designers, landscapes and styles of play throughout the same trip.
Rather than being defined by a single golf destination, Nayarit offers a broader golf corridor where the experience changes as the landscape moves from Banderas Bay and tropical lowlands to jungle, mountains and the open Pacific.
More Than a Golf Destination
Nayarit has long been celebrated for its beaches, natural beauty, gastronomy and relaxed coastal lifestyle.
Golf adds another dimension to the destination.
But what truly distinguishes Nayarit is what surrounds the courses.
Here, golf is part of a larger lifestyle one defined by the ocean, exceptional dining, wellness, outdoor adventure, culture and the simple luxury of spending more time outside.
For those who visit regularly, that lifestyle can become more than a vacation.
It can become home.
Discover the Punta Mita Lifestyle
At Coastal Living Properties, we believe that choosing a home in Punta Mita is about more than owning a beautiful property.
It is about becoming part of a lifestyle where the Pacific is your backdrop and exceptional experiences are part of everyday life.
For golf enthusiasts, the opportunity to play renowned courses throughout Punta Mita, Riviera Nayarit and the greater Banderas Bay región and return home to the privacy, comfort and natural beauty of Punta Mita makes the area particularly special.
Whether you are looking for a private residence within Punta Mita, a golf-oriented property nearby or an opportunity to explore the broader Pacific coast, understanding the region’s golf landscape is an important part of understanding its lifestyle.
The team at Coastal Living Properties would be delighted to help you explore the communities, residences and opportunities available along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
