We have just returned from a 2 week stay at the Costa Bonita condominiums. We rented from a private owner and couldn't have wished for more. The condo was very clean and very well equipped. We knew about the position of the complex because of the research we did beforehand. The local buses do stop early but a short walk away is the tourist bus which runs later in the evening. As we tended to return after midnight, we used either a taxi or a pulmonia, cost about $8 which is negotiable. These are readily available from the Golden Zone. We even shared with other residents of Costa Bonita which halved the cost. The staff were excellent and couldn't have been more helpful. We shopped either at Gigantes or Walmart ( a 10 - 15 minute bus ride) and took a taxi back. Again, about $8 - $10. When returning, we used the shopping cart to transport our goods back in the elevator (no great hardship). The pool area and the beach was immaculate due to the staff cleaning all the time. We are an English couple in our early 50's and will not hesitate to return in the near future. We thoroughly enjoyed Mazatlan, a different but pleasureable experience for us both and would not be put off by any negative reports posted. However, we would agree that the restaurant could have provided a more variable menu. Overall, a great vacation!!!

We rented our condo from a private owner, not from the corporation that operates CB, and, after talking to other tourist/residents, I believe that we had a better all-around experience. Our unit was comfortable, clean, and well-appointed, and, in addition, the agent in charge of renting was pleasant and sensitive to our needs. The staff was unfailingly polite, pleasant, and helpful. Salvadore gives a massage "to die for"--excellent. Treat yourself to one of his sessions.

Because of the distance from Zona Dorada and El Centro, there were some difficulties. First of all, getting basic food stuff or anything more complex required a long ride to Gigante, the Gran Plaza, or Soriana on the bus or taxi. Hauling it back to the larder was a pain in the neck. Buses also stop running early in the evening so sampling the restaurants or partaking of any night life required more transportation issues. I got really tired of the distances. There is a paucity of restaurants in the area as well, and the restaurant in CB is nothing to write home about. Transportation to and from the airport is not easy, but we were given the name of a resident who chauffeurs guests back and forth as a small "business." If you want sun, sand, and surf you can't go wrong here, but it's a far cry from anything Mexican. It could be a resort in any part of the world, undistinguised by any local culture. Everything, and I mean everything, shuts down EARLY and even I, a vigorous 70-year-old craved some action.

Everything is relative, you may be satisfied just lying around the pool, which incidentally is clean and even one is heated. Not a bad choice overall, but know what you want and need before making reservations.

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.