Pacifico Golf Course rules the land and sea at Punta Mita in the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
PUNTA MITA, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico -- Even with eight holes on the ocean, the "Tail of the Whale" hole steals the show on the Pacifico Golf Course at Punta Mita, a luxurious resort and real estate development 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta.
The ridiculously gorgeous extra par-3 hole, called 3b, put Punta Mita on the map in 1999. Tees perched on the edge of the beach point directly at a natural black rock formation in the middle of the ocean 194 yards away. Hitting land, whether it's the green or bunker, surrounded by rock and water provides endless thrills and bragging rights to those who succeed. A raised cart path allows access to the green at low tide for a putt at birdie.
The hole introduces an epic golf adventure on the shore. Complimentary smoothies at the turn provide a nice cool-down before the round heats up on the back nine. Pacifico Golf Course's 18th hole rivals almost any finishing ocean hole in the world. Pacifico plays near perfecto.