Vacation Resorts: Art and Travel in Mexico

Golfing In Puerto Vallarta

Seemingly overnight, Puerto Vallarta has become a world-class golf destination, boasting seven outstanding golf resorts. Some of the world's greatest golf course architects have designed courses for this tropical paradise in the last decade, including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and Robert von Hagge, who with 11 courses south of the border has become Mexico's most esteemed golf course designer.

The newest golf resort in Puerto Vallarta is Robert von Hagge's El Tigre at Paradise Village. Enclosed on all sides by the Sierra Madre Mountains, El Tigre is a beautifully constructed 7,239 yard, par 72 golf destination. Originally constructed on a flat piece of land, the layout required extensive earth moving and the creation of nine on-course bodies of water. Just a stone?s throw from the Pacific Ocean and Paradise Village Beach Resort and Spa, El Tigre also boasts a luxuriant 45,000-square foot clubhouse equipped with restaurants, lounges, locker rooms, golf shop and a European Spa.

Jack Nicklaus' senior designer, Jim Lipe, devised the 6,700-yard Mayan Palace Golf Club, located next door to El Tigre. Mayan Palace is a fun, less-challenging course with a signature 180-yard par 3 that plays over a lake to an oceanfront green. According to players and locals, the grass and trees have already matured very well at Mayan Palace.

Just three minutes from Mayan Palace is the longtime favorite Los Flamingos Country Club, the oldest course in Puerto Vallarta. Providing a great golfing experience for players of all levels, Los Flamingos also features over 2,500 palm trees and lakes that serve as home to ducks, seagulls, egrets, and flamingos. As it is, technically speaking, the only public golf course in the area, Los Flamingos offers excellent vacation packages to prospective players and provides free shuttle transportation to its Nuevo Vallarta shore location. It has also been said that the grass at Los Flamingos is of a softer variety, similar to British links courses.

Marina Vallarta Golf Club is Puerto Vallarta golf at its best, complete with jungle foliage, lagoons, iguanas, tropical birds, and a challenging layout designed by Joe Finger. The course winds its way through countless palm trees and a number of holes feature views of Banderas Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Located within walking distance of the marina boardwalk, it integrates the area's beautiful natural landscape with a layout designed to test even the best golfers.

Ten minutes from the Puerto Vallarta marina, tucked in the city?s captivating foothills, lay the championship courses of Vista Vallarta. As host to the 2002 Anderson Consulting Match Play Championships and PGA World Cup tournament, the resort has received unanimous accolades since it opened just five years ago.

Tom Weiskopf's 18-hole layout at Vista Vallarta has extensive native jungle growth and a signature par 3 that seems to be carved out of the jungle hillside. The course masterfully blends elevations and natural features into an incredibly playable experience from start to finish. Jack Nicklaus? course measures 7,057 yards and features some incredibly long par-5s. The views of Banderas Bay and the Sierra Madre Mountains experienced here are unrivalled by any other golf resort. Despite proximity to Puerto Vallarta?s resorts and hotels, the Vista Vallarta courses feel entirely otherworldly.

Designed by Jack Nicklaus and built on one of the most gorgeous properties on Costa Vallarta, the Four Seasons Punta Mita golf resort features the only green on a natural island in the world. Entry to the green across a sandbar is only possible at low tide, otherwise an amphibious vehicle or boat are necessary for access. Eight spectacular holes border the ocean here with a photo opportunity at every turn.

Though golfing in Puerto Vallarta is not necessarily a cheap hobby (prices for 18-hole rounds generally cost between $60 and $180), many Puerto Vallarta hotels and resorts offer discount or all-inclusive vacation packages that allow interested players affordable access to any of the golf resorts detailed here.

This article was written by Justin Burch. Justin writes select pieces about travel in Mexico for the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort. - http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/PVRMX

MORE ARTICLES:

Spring Break Soccer Training and Spanish Language Camp in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Spring break soccer training and Spanish language camp will take place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Livin' La Vida Loca at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Mexico is in itself a paradise with its lot of places that offer nothing but the best comfortable life to anyone. Out of the several coastal resort-type offerings in the region, Puerto Vallarta is possibly the greatest epitome of wonderland.

Celebrate Grandparents at Grand Velas Resort in Puerto Vallarta
Dolphin Encounters, Spanish Lessons, Mexican Folkloric Night and More As part of the Grandparents Package Available Until October 1st

Dream Destination Wedding in a Puerto Vallarta Villa
Every woman dreams of her wedding at some exotic destination with beautiful white sand beaches, pristine clear waters, magnificent Villa and surrounded by her close ones. If you thought this is just a dream then you could not be more wrong. You can have your wedding with great style and sophistication in a luxury Villa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

A Mexico Vacation Special To The Maroma Resort In The Mayan Riviera
Some very good reasons for booking a Mexico vacation special and choosing the best of luxury hotels the Maroma Resort in the Mayan Riviera

Hawaii Maps and Weather Round out Comprehensive Vacation Rental Site
Hawaiian Beach Rentals, an Oahu based company known for its local knowledge on the vacation rentals they provide, now provides a one stop shop for local information by adding current weather conditions and maps of Kauai and other Hawaiian locales to their site.

Puerto Vallarta Vacation Review
Just returning from a wonderful trip to Puerto Vallarta, I've decided that tropical vacations are good for the "soul". It's important to take the time to get a way from the everyday routine.

CasaHelga.com Offers Over 120 Luxury Villa Rentals in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - New Website Offers More Photos, Videos, Search by Availability
Our new and improved website allows vacationers interested in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to find a luxury villa suited exactly to their needs and available during the dates they specify. We've also added more photos and videos of the exclusive villa homes we represent.

Puerto Vallarta: The City of Festivals
After Puerto Vallarta found its way onto the international tourism map following the release of ?The Night of the Iguana,? the city became a meeting place for artists, musicians and anyone seeking a cosmopolitan destination amongst incredible natural beauty As a result, numerous festivals have developed in Puerto Vallarta, celebrating everything from independent film to haute cuisine

Iconic Mexican Performers Take Flight In Puerto Vallarta
Every weekend in Puerto Vallarta, a group of famous Mexican performers take flight From a central location on the Malec?n ? Puerto Vallarta?s beloved boardwalk ? the Papantla Flyers dazzle visitors with six performances each Saturday and Sunday

Mendocino Coast Hotel Pacific Mist Inn Whale Watchers Festival Vacation Rental Home Special
Mendocino Coast Hotel offers a new special during Whale Festival. Pacific Mist Inn and Cabins announced that throughout the month of March, they are offering a special for travelers to the Mendocino Coast, if a guest books any room or full cabin for two nights, the third night is for free.

California Beach Resorts: Ideal Vacation Rentals for You
Are you thinking of vacations in USA especially in California? California is considered as one of the most beautiful places, in the entire USA, to visit. This means that there is a good chance that you are interested in scheduling your next family vacation or romantic getaway there. So, don?t get worried about the funds, we ?California Beach Resorts? are always equipped to entertain you at very reasonable rates. We provide finest Collection of Unique, Exclusive, and Exquisite Luxury California beach home rentals , hideaways, Villas and Estates located all along the California Coast.

Discount Last Minute Puerto Vallarta Packages To The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
We managed a discount last minute Puerto Vallarta package to the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. In truth the discount was the bonus, because we fully intended to go there anyway, and pay the full price, but thanks to some work online, we got a huge discount. A quick thank you to The Vacation Bargain Finder, details of which can be found at http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/pages/Vacation-Bargain-Finder.html

More Vacations at Puerto Vallarta MX
Puerto Vallarta MX is definitely one of the places where people can stay and enjoy more vacations Puerto Vallarta MX is in the state of Jalisco and is one of Mexicoýs premier resort cities

Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Receives AAA Four Diamond Award
Casa Velas Hotel Boutique in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is again joining the ranks of AAA Four Diamond Award winners. Casa Velas is the only adults-only all-inclusive golf resort in Mexico to receive this AAA Four Diamond award.