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!