Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta
Vidanta’s golf at Nuevo Vallarta pairs an original Jack Nicklaus design, the par 70 Nayar course, with a 2016 Greg Norman Signature course that now hosts the PGA Tour Mexico Open. Tropical, scenic and minutes from Puerto Vallarta airport on Banderas Bay.
Photo: Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta via Google.
The verdict
The Vidanta resort at Nuevo Vallarta, on the Nayarit side of Banderas Bay, is one of Mexico’s most complete golf destinations. Its original course is a Jack Nicklaus design, the par 70 Nayar layout, reopened in renovated form in 2011, winding through tropical forest and water within sight of the Pacific.
In 2016 a Greg Norman Signature course joined it, a tournament standard layout that now hosts the PGA Tour’s Mexico Open at Vidanta, putting the resort firmly on the professional map. Between the two courses, plus a practice complex and Vidanta’s hotels and amenities, it is a destination built for a golf focused stay just fifteen minutes from Puerto Vallarta airport. The Nicklaus course suits resort golfers wanting a fair, scenic test; the Norman course raises the ceiling for the better player.
Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta at a glance
- Reopened
- 2011
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
- Type
- Resort tropical
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- About 6,668 yds
- Green fee
- Resort and public
Designer, par and yardage for the Nayar course verified June 2026 from Top 100 Golf Courses, Nicklaus Design and leading databases. The Nayar layout is a Jack Nicklaus design, reopened in renovated form in 2011, a par 70 of about 6,668 yards; the separate Greg Norman Signature course opened in 2016 and hosts the PGA Tour Mexico Open at Vidanta. Green fees vary by season and course, so always confirm current rates directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Nicklaus Nayar course threads through dense tropical vegetation and a string of lakes, the Pacific crosswinds adding bite to a routing that places a premium on position over power. Nicklaus framed the greens with the bunkering that has long been his signature, and the par 70 keeps the card tight.
The newer Greg Norman Signature course is the headline test, a 2016 design that earned a renovation award and now stages the Mexico Open at Vidanta. It is longer and more exacting, with the conditioning and shot demands of a PGA Tour venue, and it is the draw for golfers who want to play where the professionals compete.
Together the two courses give the resort a genuine 36 holes of contrast, the Nicklaus layout the more playable scenic round and the Norman course the championship challenge. Vidanta rewards a multi day stay that lets you take on both, with the bay and the Sierra Madre as the backdrop.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort and public access; tee times available to guests and visitors across both courses |
| Green fee | Resort and visitor green fees apply and vary by season and course; confirm current rates directly (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve through Vidanta golf or your trip planner; stay and play package rates are common |
| On the day | Carts standard in the tropical heat; the Norman course plays to tournament conditioning |
| Getting there | Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, about 15 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport |
| Best months | November to April for the dry season and the most reliable playing conditions |
Access and fees verified June 2026; rates change by season and course, so always confirm the current green fee and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is Vidanta’s own resort at Nuevo Vallarta, which puts both courses, the practice facility and a full range of hotels and dining on site. Many golfers book a stay and play package that bundles rounds with the room.
Beyond the resort, the wider Banderas Bay area from Nuevo Vallarta to Puerto Vallarta offers more hotels and more golf, making it an easy region to build a multi course Pacific coast trip around.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta.
Build a Puerto Vallarta golf trip
We arrange the Vidanta tee times across both courses, fold in a stay and play package and the best of the Banderas Bay coast. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta questions
Who designed the golf courses at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta?
The original Nayar course is a Jack Nicklaus design, reopened in renovated form in 2011, and a Greg Norman Signature course opened in 2016.
Which Vidanta course hosts the Mexico Open?
The Greg Norman Signature course, known as Vidanta Vallarta, hosts the PGA Tour’s Mexico Open at Vidanta.
What is the par and length of the Nicklaus course at Vidanta?
The Nicklaus Nayar course is a par 70 measuring about 6,668 yards, threading through tropical forest and water near the Pacific.
Can visitors play golf at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta?
Yes. Both courses offer resort and public access with tee times for guests and visitors. Confirm current green fees and availability directly before booking.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, par and yardage verified June 2026; course history and access verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.