Nobody in our small organization can remember where, but one of us read that Marina Vallarta was once considered Mexico’s best golf course.  Opened in 1989 and upgraded over the years, Marina Vallarta, a Joe Fingers par 71 design, is located about 10 minutes north of downtown in the “Marina” district, nearby numerous excellent resorts, the cruise ship port and the airport. 

Adjacent to Banderas Bay, Marina Vallarta has two distinct personalities.  Undeniably, it is a beautiful course offering bay, mountain and marina views with ocean front on number 13.  Amplified by these vistas is an exotic mixture of water features [they seem everywhere] and dramatic mature landscaping [i.e. big palm trees that matter] that is home to some interesting wildlife: herons, geese, iguanas and alligators.  Several alligators call the course boundaries their territory and it is common to play a shot with one or two as your gallery.  Course rules are generous in allowing free drops when gators are obstructing play.  

All this beauty comes with a price – Marina Vallarta is a tough course for all golfers, easily one of the more challenging  in the area.  The greens are well kept but small and unforgiving to perimeter shots.  The bunkers are thin and frequently wet making for difficult “outs” - stay particularly clear of the deep waste bunker on number 14.  The course plays long, longer when the Bay of Banderas breeze is up and water is everywhere.  Ten holes have water directly in play and many of these demand target-like shots to stay dry.  This prevalence of water suggests that the prudent golfer bring extra balls and mosquito repellent.   

Although a little rough here and there, as well as a stiff challenge, we recommend Marina Vallarta to those of you who like to play while avoiding the opportunity to become a treat for something lower on the food chain.