Vallarta Lifestyles

EL TIGRE GOLF COURSE, PARADISE VILLAGE

Robert Von Hagge's El Tigre at Paradise Village is the newest offering here in Puerto Vallarta. Surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains, El Tigre golf course is 7,239 yards, par 72. Built on a flat piece of land which was strongly remodelled including nine separate water bodies, a stone throw from the Pacific Ocean and the Paradise Village Beach Resort and Spa in Nuevo Vallarta.

Vallarta is already well known for its world-class golf options, and Paradise Village’s El Tigre has just raised the standard with its new upscale golf facilities and exclusive country club.

"Create the most exciting championship golf course in Mexico”, was the challenge given to the team of Von Hagge, Smelek and Baril, designers of over 200 of the world’s finest golf courses. The result… a 7,239 yard masterpiece.

The memorable experience begins upon arrival at the Club, as golfers pass through an impressive stone archway resembling a Mayan temple, beside which a real Bengal tiger lives securely in its habitat. Further in, the 45,000 sq. ft. clubhouse sits perched st the heart of the course, offering spectacular views in all directions.

FLAMINGOS GOLF

Some miles away from from Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta you'll also find Flamingos Golf. This 18-hole course is located in the countryside with lakes, jungle and countless birds. It was designed by architect Percy J. Clifford and offers tennis courts too.

LITIBU GOLF CLUB

Located 4 miles northeast from Punta Mita Four Season's golf club you'll find Litibú Golf Club, that opened March 7th, 2010. It's a Greg Norman design, a challenging 18 hole course where 7 are link-style, eight others are surrounded by virgin jungle and the final 3 follow the edge of the Pacific Ocean, with impressive panorama views. You'll find a Pro Shop, practice and driving range and you can rent carts, clubs and other equipment.

MARINA VALLARTA GOLF CLUB

Marina Vallarta Golf Club is the only one located within the urban area of Puerto Vallarta, at the heart of the Marina Vallarta area. Surrounded with lush jungle vegetation, natural lagoons, iguanas, tropical birds. The whole area is a luxurious residential development and villas and condos line the edges of the course.

The Marina area also offers top-notch resorts and hotels, such as Marriott, Westin, Meliá and Velas Vallarta, excellent choices for your stay in the city.

The 18 hole championship par-71 golf course was designed by Joe Finger in 1989, and was built just a few years after the Marina area started being developed by the Güitrón brothers as an exclusive addition to the more traditional Puerto Vallarta.

This golf course is very well located just 5 minutes from the International Airport, 10-15 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta and some 25 minutes from Nuevo Vallarta in the northern part of the bay.

The club offers an Hacienda style club house with a restaurant that offers drinks and food, plus a well stocked Pro Shop. Each November the golf club hosts one of the largest Pro AM tournaments.

NAYAR VIDANTA GOLF COURSE

Nicklaus Design's senior designer, Jim Lipe, recently finished a complete renovation of the Nayar Golf Course located in Nuevo Vallarta, just next door to El Tigre. This adds one more exciting option for the golfers in the area and tourist coming to Vallarta.

A challenging 6700 yard course that offers wide fairways and calles for precision when avoiding numerous lakes and bunkers along the way.

It's a fun, less-challenging course with a robust 580-yard, dogleg-left par-5 No. 13. Another scenic hole is a 180-yard par 3 that plays over a lake to an oceanfront green with a view of the Pacific Ocean and the Bay. Both professional and weekend players will enjoy putting their strategies and skills to the test on this 18 hole, par 71 course. Resort site.

There is an on site Jack Nicklaus Academy, the large driving range and short game practice area are open until 22:30.

The Golf Course is found close to the spectacular beaches of Nuevo Vallarta, approximately 15 minutes from Puerto Vallarta's International Airport.

NICKLAUS COURSE, VISTA VALLARTA

On the foothills of the lush Vallartan rainforests lay Vista Vallarta's two championship courses, just 10 minutes away from Puerto Vallarta's Marina. Both courses (Nicklaus and Weiskopf) opened in 2001 and have been universally acclaimed.

Opened April 2001 the first course at Vista Vallarta is a Signature Design by Jack Nicklaus. Since this course is located on the properties highest elevation, golfers are treated not only to world class golf but will enjoy breathtaking views of Puerto Vallarta, the Marina and Banderas Bay as well. Grassy hillsides, dense forest of Palm and giant Ficas trees, natural creeks and arroyos provide the perfect setting for this world class course by the world's greatest player.

PUNTA MITA GOLF CLUB

Located 28 miles north of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Punta Mita is set on a peninsula with more than 9 miles of pristine beaches on both the Pacific Ocean and the Banderas Bay. Punta Mita is a private and secured 1,500-acre gated resort and residential community that is home to magnificent luxury villas and condos for rent and sale, many of which are located along the golf courses.

There are two golf courses available here, the first being Punta Mita Pacifico that boasts the only natural ocean island par-3 hole in the world. The second and more recent addition is Punta Mita Bahía. Both courses are part of the private Punta Mita Club de Golf, exclusively for Punta Mita homeowners and guests.

Punta Mita - Pacifico Course: opened September 1, 1999, the Nicklaus-designed course is set within vistas of white-sand beaches and the surrounding Sierra Madre Mountains in the north zone. Spread over 81 hectares (200 acres), it takes full advantage of its location. Eight holes border either the Pacific Ocean or Banderas Bay. The green of one truly unique hole is located on a natural island in the ocean. The Punta Mita peninsula’s tropical landscape of palm trees and flowering trees add to the pleasure of playing this course, which is challenging for experienced golfers yet friendly for the beginner.

PUNTA MITA - BAHIA COURSE

This Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course was inaugurated November 16, 2009, golf legend and course designer Jack Nicklaus hit the ceremonial tee shot. It's the second course Nicklaus has designed for Punta Mita an 18-hole championship course that features breathtaking views of the emerald colored sea. Bahia boasts five holes that play along the ocean and an additional two with ocean views.

“You would be hard-pressed to ask for a more beautiful backdrop for a golf course than Punta Mita,” remarked course designer Jack Nicklaus.

Two of the most memorable holes of this new course are Nos. 15 and 17. The approach shot of the 462-yard, par-4 15th hole affords full views of the Banderas Bay and the Puerto Vallarta skyline. Its green has a tricky drop-off with a deep bunker on the left side. Hole 17, a 387-yard par 4, is a short dogleg left, which follows the contour of a cove and requires a carry over rocks and sand to a small waterfront green.

The Punta Mita Club de Golf features well-appointed men’s and women’s locker rooms, a Pro Shop and the Tail of the Whale restaurant and bar.

Four Seasons Punta Mita Golf

WEISKOPF COURSE, VISTA VALLARTA

The second golf course at Vista Vallarta, at the foothills of the lush rainforests, just 10 minutes away from the Marina Vallarta.

Opened November 1st, 2001. This signature Designed by Tom Weiskopf provides Vista Vallarta with a dramatic contrast from its first course. Built on the property's lower west end, golfers won't believe they have simply taken a different turn the club house. Here the terrain is extreme with dense jungles, deep ravines and swift creeks. Mr. Weiskopf has done a masterful job of blending the elevations and natural features into an incredibly playable experience... from the first tee to the green of the "driveable" 18th.

MOST DOCTORS HERE ARE BILINGUAL AND HAVE DONE STUDIES ABROAD IN THER SPECIALTY

Most amazing to visitors is that you can usually see a doctor the same day you call for an appointment, or if you need a specialist, no more than a day or two later. Most doctors here are bilingual and have done studies abroad in their specialty.

I think the most significant health news today in Mexico is about a very important movement that has begun right here in Jalisco by one of our full time residents. He was previously an aide to a US Senator before moving to Puerto Vallarta, where he owns and operates a small hotel. Being familiar with the ins and outs of legislation in Congress, he formed a group about two years ago to lobby the US Congress to do a pilot study with an eye to recognizing Medicare for Seniors in Mexico (where the largest population of North American expats in the world now live. His premise is that the US government could save up to 30% of medical costs to Medicare for people using the system in Mexico. To date he has lobbied more than 100 legislators. Click here to read more about this movement.

DENTISTRY ALSO RANKS VERY HIGHLY IN MEXICO, AND THE COST IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN UP NORTH

Vallarta just hosted a very well attended Global Medical Tourism Conference. Medical tourism has become a thriving business worldwide. And no place is more accessible to North America than Mexico.

Cosmetic surgery is a very popular elective, and much less costly here, and has attracted a large number of both women and men.

Dentistry also ranks very highly in Mexico, and the cost is significantly lower than up north, also with the very latest in techniques, from implants to zirconia crowns.

I have met countless people who have come to Mexico specifically for the significant savings and quality of care for cosmetic surgery or dental work, which are so much more affordable; for most people, these procedures are not covered by their medical insurance in Canada and the US.

Speaking of medical insurance, there are many specific policies for expats living abroad, and in many cases, a one year policy can cost what one might pay monthly up north for coverage. And reasonable deductibles, as well as endless options are available.

High quality healthcare in Puerto Vallarta is here to stay, as baby boomers age and continue to attract the best health practitioners to the area. That’s a major factor to add to the growing list of positive reasons to make a move to Puerto Vallarta for a great quality of life. On top of that, Rivera Cuale offers some of the finest and most convenient living conditions within the city and its great location encourages a healthful lifestyle.

HOSPITEN PUERTO VALLARTA HOSPITAL

All Doctors are US Board certified. The hospital is open 24 hours and offers emergency and urgent care. HOSPITEN Trauma Center offers U.S.-trained paramedic personnel in their ambulances. They also have air evacuation services to Guadalajara, Mexico and the United States.

HOSPITAL SAN JAVIER MARINA

This Puerto Vallarta hospital is equivalent to a level one trauma center. Their emergency room and ICU are staffed 24 hours a day and use the latest equipment and technology. Hospital San Javier Marina is considered the best medical institution in the city.