There are some pros and cons to staying in this condominium resort. First, it's well removed from the hot spots of Mazatlan, so if you want something more secluded, it can be just that. However, if you want more restaraunts, excursions or shopping, you'll have to catch a cab and ride for 10-15 minutes minimum. Because it is a condo, they cater to the owners and offer few amenities that a traditional hotel would... like towels (they will only supply new ones every 4 days... and as other reviews have said - they are far from "new"). There is a washer/dryer in the 2 bedroom suite but finding the time to do laundry isn't fun on a short stay. Costa Bonita received 4 stars but keep in mind a 4 star hotel in America would be much nicer. Also, see if they will map out exactly where you will be staying. I paid for an ocean view and got stuck on the ground floor looking at the pool. The staff was decent for the most part. One server, Fidel was particularly good. You won't find much of a night life on site. They close everything down around 10pm. We found you could walk on the beach for 10-20 minutes and find a few bar/dining options open earlier and later. On a seperate note, my bank put a block on my account for "suspicious spending" the third time I used my debit card for dinner, so either alert your bank you're going to Mexico or have cash (keep plenty of $1, $5 & $10's handy) since apperently there may be a fraud risk by traveling abroad. Overall, Costa Bonita is reasonable for what it is and the beach and pool are immaculate. As a heads up, when you leave the airport, go straight to a taxi. They have a crew of people that will offer a shuttle to Costa Bonita - which Costa Bonita doesn't offer - the catch being you have to go to a time share meeting at another facility where they will then refund the money for the shuttle. The taxi should be around $25-30.

Costa Bonita was ok, but there were definite problems. Very clean and very helpful and friendly staff. However, a gym was listed as an amenity on site. What they neglected to say was that it costs $6.00 per person per day to use it. A rooftop BBQ and wonderful view and jacuzzi was listed. Again, it was off limits to all but owners. All the linens were old. Towels frayed and some worn through with holes. Very difficult to get full supply of promised linens. They kept running out. Blankets had small holes. No dressers in the 2 bedroom units we had -- and we moved twice in the course of 3 weeks so we had a good look at several units. No built in shelves in bedroom except one up very high in the closet. Restaurant was good and reasonable prices. Senor Leone's up the beach was not what was promised. Lobster tails -- 3 -- had in total between all 3 about enough lobster the size of my little finger. Beautiful beach. First week (1/28) cool and very windy, but sunny. Second week a bit better. Third week was great. So-called hiking and jogging trail was less than 100 yards if that, around the so-called lake (very pretty, but a man-made very small pond.)

Next year, we're going somewhere else and further south for warmth. They could be ok if they got new linens, supplied dressers, and didn't mislead about the gym, BBQ and jogging trails.

Went to Costa Bonita with a group of 10 women. We stayed in three condos. Overall, accommodations were good--beds are very hard however. The resort atmosphere is very casual and relaxed, being north of the busier Gold Zone area. Tennis courts and fitness center are good. If you go, get a massage from Salvador--well worth the $25 per hour. Resort staff were all very nice, helpful and fun.

Wow!!! My wife and I spent a couple of weeks in Mazatlan, and we can't stop talking about our special discovery ... Playa Bruja and Costa Bonita.

Costa Bonita is a beautiful resort complex on the beach north of the Golden Zone. It's close to Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay, yet costs a fraction of the price. The place has big resort amenities in a small and intimate environment. On-site gift shop, internet access, restaurant, bar, beach snack bar, pool, jacuzzi, tennis, gym, sauna, gas BBQ, volleyball, beach palapas, fish cleaning facilities. There is inexpensive maid service available. Always peaceful and quiet, yet only 10 minutes into the Golden Zone, via bus and taxi transportation.

Our ground floor unit came fully furnished. Queen beds, sofa bed in living room, full bathrooms, kitchen with full-size fridge, oven, stove, dishwasher, coffee maker, etc. Utensils and place settings for 6. Cable TV. Phone. There was an outdoor garden patio overlooking the pool, as well as a huge patio on top of building, perfect for barbecuing and entertaining, with breathtaking views of the ocean.

The beach was 3.5 miles of beautiful deserted sand at our doorstep. An easy walk up the beach to Playa Bruja was our favorite eatery, Mr. Lionso's Restaurant, which features 4 lobster tails and 6 giant prawns for 130 pesos (about 12 bucks), and margaritas, 2 for 1, cost 30 pesos (less than three dollars). Also right next door was Ginger's Bilingual Horses, for rides on the beach at approximately $10 an hour.

It may sound too good to be true, but seeing was beleiving. For us, it was
the perfect luxury vacation at a very affordable price!