Marvelous Mazatlan

We spent our first week in Mazatlan at Pueblo Bonito in a studio room. The room was well appointed, with an incredible tropical view of the Pacific Ocean and Bird Island from the balcony. The resort had a relaxing Mexican atmosphere with many on-site amenities. We particularly enjoyed the large heated saltwater pool and the secluded, well-landscaped hot tub.

The staff were excellent! They were very helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable. The activity coordinator, Eduardo, helped to make our stay even more enjoyable. He gave us hints on traveling by taxis, pulmonaros and buses throughout Mazatlan, short lessons in basic Spanish, and a walking tour of old Mazatlan that was informative as well as fun. The heart of the shopping district for the Golden Zone is about a 15-minute walk from the resort or a short trip by either the local bus or cab.

Best Things Nearby:
It was a very short 15 minute walk south to the Golden Zone and 15 minutes walk north to the marina. There was a bowling alley approximately 10 minutes north. Directly across the road was a small grocery store.

Best Things About the Resort:
The beach was incredible. The vendors were kept at bay behind white posts that marked the property line. Security did not let them cross onto the property unless they were asked by patrons. Therefore, you could enjoy a quiet time on the beach in a lounge chair under the palm leaf huts and not be harassed.

Resort Experience:
Although the rooms looked rustic, they were exceptionally clean. The landscaping, swimming pools, and hot tub were amazing. Tropical birds were kept in cages and flamingos roamed one area by the pool. Iguana were plentiful as they sun themselves on the rocks. Small pools of colorful fish made their way through lush foliage. The hot tub was nestled in behind vines, rocks, and bushes and there were two small waterfalls (streams of water) right in the hot tub.

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Wonderful view right on the beach with a charming Mexican atmosphere. Great place for lunch after shopping in the Golden Zone or to unwind and watch the sunset at diner. Very generous portions of food and an excellent selection of both North American and Mexican cuisines. There was something for everyone including dishes with seafood, chicken and beef. Pricing was really reasonable and we went several times, sampling different menu items. Everything we ordered was delicious and exceeded our expectations. The specialty platters for two were extraordinary. The service was wonderful with very attentive but not intrusive waiters. Mexican musicans and singers roamed the restaurant and were a welcomed addition to the ambiance.

The large trimaran was comfortable with plenty of seating. The crew was friendly and the price of the trip included all you can drink and a buffet lunch at Deer Island. For $35.00, the activities at Deer Island such as snorkelling and kayaking were included.

The snorkelling was the best on the northwest side of the island, but you had to stay close to the shore in the rocks in the shallow water (4-5 feet). I saw a very small eel, baby lobster, small octopus and plenty of fish. A group beside me also saw angelfish. My husband went kayaking and the current caught the boat and it turned over. He managed to swim it back to shore upside down, but it was rather disappointing that the crew did not even offer to assist. The buffet included chicken fajitas, refried beans and fruit.

Caution: The trimaran anchored off the island and you had to take a rowboat to get to shore. The trimaran had no ladder, so it was very difficult to get from the rowboat back into the boat. The deck of the boat was very slippery and once you managed to haul yourself up approximately 3 1/2 feet to the deck, it was dangerous. My husband fell on the deck and scraped his leg and arm. Luckily the camera was OK. There were senior citizens who also had difficulty and had to be hoisted by the crew to the deck.

I really enjoyed an unplanned visit by a dolphin as the boat was heading back to the harbour.