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February 12, 2026
When you talk about golf in Puerto Vallarta, you're talking about one of Mexico's most complete destinations for combining sport, nature, and lifestyle. With the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, the Sierra Madre mountains surrounding the courses, and first-class hotels, Jalisco's premier beach destination has become a paradise for national and international golfers.
It's not just perception. According to the Golfers' Choice 2026 ranking by GolfPass, a specialized platform that compiles reviews from real players, Puerto Vallarta's courses are among the best public golf courses in Mexico.
This recognition is in line with what travelers from around the world have been saying in recent years: Puerto Vallarta is a top destination for sports tourism in Mexico.
Puerto Vallarta and its metropolitan area are notable for their wide-ranging offerings, including luxury hotels, a lively and vibrant culinary scene, and pristine golf courses designed by golf legends.
Golfers in Puerto Vallarta will be pleasantly surprised by the green fairways that blend with the ocean or mountain views, which only adds to the appeal of this visual and sporting experience.
Combine this with the superb air travel options, balmy weather for the majority of the year, and the option to mix morning activities with afternoons at the beach or romantic dinners for two by the sea.
The plan is to play golf, but also to enjoy a vacation.
We invite you to discover the best golf courses in Golfers' Choice 2026 below.
At the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains, very close to the Puerto VallartaInternational Convention Center (CICPV), you'll find one of two championship golf courses at the Vista Vallarta Golf Club: the Weiskopf course.
This golf course was designed by the famous golfer and architect Tom Weiskopf. It has 18 holes and a par of 72. The course is known for its varied terrain, which makes it challenging for players, who must use strategy to navigate the layout, which includes dense jungles, deep ravines, and winding creeks. This is especially challenging in the second half of the course, where the terrain changes significantly.
Often mentioned as one of the most memorable on the course, the 15th hole is a sloping par 3 with protective bunkers around a multi-level green.
In the Golfers' Choice 2026 ranking, this course was ranked number three among the top 25 public courses in Mexico, reflecting high ratings from actual golfers who recognize the excellent maintenance of the course and the comprehensive club experience.
The Nicklaus Course, meanwhile, ranked fourth overall and is Vista Vallarta's other jewel. The course, which is located at the highest point on the property, was designed by Jack Nicklaus, one of the greatest golfers in history.
This course has 18 holes and a par of 72, and its wide fairways and exceptional views of Banderas Bay, Marina Vallarta, and the Sierra Madre mountains make it a great place to play.
The course's design features undulating greens, natural obstacles like streams and wooded areas, and several holes that demand precise decisions from the tee, offering a balance between challenge and scenic beauty. Its technical difficulty has made it highly valued by demanding golfers, even though it was designed for players of all levels.
Golfers' Choice 2026 ranked this venue as one of the top five public golf courses in Mexico, showcasing the excellence of its design and the exceptional playing experience it offers in a distinctive natural environment.
Vidanta Vallarta is a world-class golf course designed by Australian Greg Norman. This course is minutes away from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, located on the banks of the Ameca River and surrounded by tropical vegetation and views of the Sierra Madre mountains. Players of all skill levels will enjoy the combination of natural beauty and technically demanding design.
The Vidanta Vallarta course is a challenging 18-hole course with a par of almost 71 (7,287 yards from the longest tee.) It features natural hazards, wide fairways, deep bunkers, and well-protected greens. Its versatility is also well-known. Aggressive lines are an option for bold hitters, while more conservative players can choose precision.
The Vidanta Vallarta course has gained international recognition as the host of the PGA Tour's VidantaWorld Mexico Open, formerly known as the Mexico Open at Vidanta. This event has solidified its standing as one of Mexico's premier golf venues in recent years.
Vidanta Vallarta's status as a top-rated public course in Mexico is further solidified by its noteworthy ranking in GolfPass's Golfers' Choice 2026, making it a highly sought-after destination for both visitors and golf aficionados.
The renowned architect Joe Finger designed the historic 18-hole course at Marina Vallarta Golf Club. Situated in the center of the upscale Marina Vallarta neighborhood, this open-to-the-public course features a classic design that merges the tropical ambiance of the Mexican Pacific with lakes, palm trees, and wooded areas.
While the Vista Vallarta and Vidanta courses are often considered more demanding, Marina Vallarta Golf Club is a standout due to its accessibility and strategic location, just minutes from hotels, restaurants, and the international airport. It is also considered to be a friendly course for golfers of all skill levels. Local wildlife is also often present during play, adding a natural component to the experience.
In the Golfers' Choice 2026 ranking, Marina Vallarta Marina Vallarta Golf Club was ranked 18th among the top 25 public courses in Mexico, solidifying its reputation as a reliable choice within the Puerto Vallarta golf circuit.
The Golfers' Choice list is based on verified reviews from players who rate their experience at public courses. According to GolfPass, the ranking considers factors such as course conditions, value for money, design, and overall experience.
GolfPass' Golfers' Choice recognition differs from other rankings in that it reflects the direct voice of those who actually play the courses, rather than being based solely on the opinions of juries or critics.
GolfPass' Golfers' Choice was developed to provide a more precise assessment of a golf course's current overall rating. The older a review is, the less significant it is. Golfers who leave more reviews become trusted sources, and more recent reviews carry more weight.
The Golfers' Choice list is based on the criteria that regular golfers use to evaluate a course, including playability, enjoyment, value for money, and service, rather than on architectural prestige or history.
GolfPass's distinguished list of the top 25 public courses in Mexico also includes other courses in the Puerto Vallarta metropolitan area: In thirteenth place, El Tigre Golf & Country Club; in fifteenth place, Higuera Golf Club; and in seventeenth place, The Nayar Course at Vidanta.
The presence of seven regional courses on the Golfers' Choice 2026 list serves to reinforce what many travelers have long understood: Puerto Vallarta and its metropolitan area offer more than just sun and sand; they are also one of the best destinations for golf in Mexico.
If you're planning an active vacation, a trip with fellow golfers, or even a luxury sports getaway to Puerto Vallarta, an unforgettable experience is waiting for you. Book a round at one of these courses, and your travel itinerary will be transformed.
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