Flamingos Golf

The Robert Trent Jones Jr. design at Flamingos opened in 1978 and stands as one of the oldest courses on Mexico's Pacific Coast, predating the resort boom that would later transform the Riviera Nayarit corridor. Jones shaped the layout through a stretch of tropical lowland just inland from Banderas Bay, threading fairways between tall palms and native vegetation that give the course a lush, almost overgrown intimacy. It plays as a genuine test of ball-striking — not a resort pushover — with tree-lined corridors that demand accuracy off the tee and greens that reward a thoughtful short game.

The setting in Bahía de Banderas places you in one of Mexico's most dramatic coastal geographies, where the Sierra Madre foothills drop toward the Pacific and Puerto Vallarta's skyline is never far from view. The climate is warm year-round, with the dry season from November through April offering ideal morning tee times before the afternoon heat builds.

Flamingos occupies a different lane than the newer, splashier courses up the coast toward Punta Mita — it has the lived-in character of a course that's been part of the local golfing fabric for nearly 5 decades, drawing a loyal mix of residents, expats, and visitors who value substance over spectacle.