'''Puerto Penasco''' is a beach city in the northwestern corner of the state of Sonora in Mexico on the shores of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), about 70 miles south of the border with Arizona.

Understand

  • Puerto Penasco is in the same time zone as Phoenix, Arizona, and observes the same rules for Daylight Saving Time as Arizona (that is to say, it is not observed.)
  • The border crossing at Lukeville, Arizona is open from 6am to midnight, daily, whereas the crossings at Tijuana, Nogales, or Ciudad Juarez may be open 24 hours.
  • The currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso. The exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Mexican Peso changes daily, but as of this writing, the local merchants will typically accept US Dollars at the rate of 1 Dollar for 10 Mexican Pesos. ATMs are available around town that will allow you to use your US-based bank card and receive Mexican Pesos, typically at a more favorable rate.
  • Talk

    Spanish is the official language of Mexico, but English is spoken by most of the vendors and in almost every restaurant in Puerto Penasco. Earnest attempts by visitors to speak Spanish are always appreciated.

    Get in

  • <listing name="Aeromexico" alt="Flights from LA to Puerto Penasco" directions="" address="" phone="1-800-237-6639 in the US" email="" fax="" url="http://www.aeromexico.com/usa/english/index.html" hours="" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Head Out to Rocky Point" alt="Shuttle Service" directions="" address="" phone="1-866-443-2368 toll free" email="headout@cox.net" fax="" url="http://www.headouttorockypoint.com/" hours="" price="$190 pp, round trip; less for larger groups">We will drive your small group in our comfortable 15 passenger vans from Phoenix airport to your hotel, condo, beach house or The Mayan Palace in Rocky Point, also known as Puerto Penasco. We would be happy to assist with your accommodation arrangements. We stop in Ajo, Az. (half way point) for a short break and an opportunity to buy groceries if needed.</listing>
  • It is an easy and safe one hour drive by car from the American/Mexican border at Lukeville, Az at the south end of Organ Pipe National Monument on Arizona Highway 85. If coming from Southern California, the drive is a bit shorter by crossing south of Yuma at San Luis Rio Colorado, but this route requires more driving in Mexico and on roads that are a bit narrower than the Lukeville entry point.
  • All drivers in Mexico are required to have Mexican auto insurance. US policies are not acceptable. Be sure to buy Mexican insurance at one of the many places along Highway 85 ''before'' you cross the border.
  • Bus-- shuttle bus is available from the border to Rocky Point for $25 on Motos Sonoita. They used to cross the border and continue on to Phoenix, but I believe that service has been discontinued.
  • Get around

  • '''Taxi''', If you did not drive in to Puerto Penasco (as most visitors do) you can get around town via very reasonably priced taxis.
  • Do

  • The Links at Las Palomas. olf. lvd. Costero 150, Sandy Beach, Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico 83550. or directions, see Las Palomas Beach and Golf Resort in the 'Sleep' section, below.. 011 52 638) 108 1072 from the US. ttp://www.lplgc.com/. 45. The Links at Las Palomas is a world-class 18-hole, par 72, championship golf course that offers a classic links-style golf experience. The Links offers a club house, a fully-stocked pro shop, a restaurant, a driving range, practice greens and cart rentals.
  • '''Boating, Fishing, Cruises''', Santiagos Ocean Services [http://www.santiagosoceanservices.com/] has boats for Fishing trips, Bird Island Eco tours, Snorkeling Excursions, Dolphin and Whale watching, Dinner or Margarita Sunset Cruises, and for some real excitement they offer Parasail Rides that will give you a birds eye view of Rocky Point.
  • '''Ultralight Flying Adventures''', $40 for a 15-minute flight over any part of Puerto Penasco that you'd like to see from the air.
  • '''Dancing''', Puerto Penasco has lots of nightlife, and there are many great places to go dancing: Manny_fs Beach Club, Pink Cadillac, Baja Cantina, The Reef Club, Playa Bonita Happy Hour at Puesta Del Sol, Margarita Villa, and Bumaya (with the famous Foam Party)
  • '''Beach''', Puerto Penasco has a beautiful 5-mile strip of white, sandy beach that stretches from the end of Calle 13 (near Cocodrillo) to "Sand Mountain" near Cholla Bay. The shallow shelf and the geography of the area create very large tides that bring the water to the sand during high tides, and expose acres of tide pools at low tide. Is is not uncommon to spot playing and feeding dolphins from your condo balcony.
  • '''Off road vehicle rentals''', There are lots of quad rental shops for easy access to the sand dunes outside of town near Cholla Bay.
  • Buy

  • '''Shopping''', The malecon (''mah-lay-CONE''), or "beach walk" in the Old Port part of town is alive with shops that sell everything from tourist souvenirs to fine art. While in Puerto Penasco, most visitors stay in one of the hundreds of privately owned condos that offer fully stocked kitchens. For this reason, the fish market at the malecon is a popular stop for the fresh catch of the day, especially during the shrimp season, September to March. There are also many good restaurants to be found along the malecon, some of which provide stunning sunset views of the Sea of Cortez.
  • Eat

  • '''Cocodrilo''', 26 National Armada Ave (''also known as Calle 13''), ''+1 52 (638)'' 383-6376 , Very casual drinking and dining. $8-$15
  • '''Costa Brava''', Ave. Alcantar (''previously on the malecon (beach walk), now close to the Friendly Dolphin''), Fine dining in a white tablecoth ambiance.
  • '''Delfin Amigable (Friendly Dolphin)''', Ave. Alcantar #44 (''the main street out of the Old Port''), ''+1 52 (638)'' 383-2608. S-Th 10AM-11PM, F-Sa 11AM-11PM. Traditional Mexican dishes, and a very creative seafood menu. Casual dining, and appropriate for the whole family. $8-$22.
  • '''JJ's Cantina''', 12 Coahuila Ave., (Cholla Bay), ''+1 52 (638)'' 383-2270, A historic, casual restaurant and bar in Cholla Bay, popular with many of the local American and Canadian ex-pats.
  • '''La Casa del Capitan''', ''on top of "Whale Hill"'', The restaurant with the best view in town. Mexican and American dishes served indoors or outside on the large patio.
  • '''Perico Marinero''', (in the heart of the fish market), Casual dining.
  • La Maria Fine Bistro & Cuisine. as Palomas Beach & Golf Resort. lvd. Costero 150, Sandy Beach, Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico 83550. -866-360-2324 or +52-638-108-1000 in Mexico. eservations@lppmc.com. ttp://www.laspalomasresort.net/html/mexico-restaurants.asp. La Maria offers refined "cocina mexicana" and world fusion dishes. A perfect place for a special evening, or just stop in for a late-night dessert.

    Drink

    There are many casual night clubs in town, including Manny_fs Beach Club, Pink Cadillac, Baja Cantina, The Reef Club, Playa Bonita Happy Hour at Puesta Del Sol, Margarita Villa, and Bumaya (with the famous Foam Party). For a more quiet or romantic experience, try the bar at La Maria Fine Bistro & Cuisine inside the Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort.
  • La Maria Bar. n the Las Palomas Beach and Golf Resort. lvd. Costero 150, Sandy Beach, Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico 83550. 52-638-108-1000 (in Mexico). eservations@lppmc.com. ttp://www.laspalomasresort.net/html/mexico-restaurants.asp. aily from 12 pm ? 12 am. Indulge in a perfectly mixed martini or a fresh margarita in the cozy, intimate ambiance of La Maria or Citron Bar. Las Palomas' two bars are charming gathering spots for friends and colleagues to chat, to watch a sporting event, or enjoy a first date.

    Sleep

  • Las Palomas Golf and Seaside Resort. lvd. Costero 150, Sandy Beach, Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico 83550. rom Arizona, take AZ-85 to Lukeville, Az. Cross the border. As you begin to enter Puerto Penasco, turn right at the second traffic light onto the street named _gCalle 26_h or _gNo Reeleccion._h Continue straight on this street and after crossing the railroad tracks, the Las Palomas Sea Side Community_fs property begins where you will exit to the left around the traffic circle. A short distance farther, the street will curve to the right. Continue straight on this street along the sand dunes to a traffic circle where exiting to the left leads to the security gate of the main entrance of Las Palomas Resort.. oll Free USA 866-360-2324 or +52-638-108-1000 in Mexico. eservations@lppmc.com. ttp://www.laspalomasresort.net/. rice varies, depending on number of bedrooms. <blockquote>Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort is an virtual oasis in the desert with the splendor and tranquility of a seaside resort and the charm of old Mexico. Each condominium (1BR -5BR) in this full-service resort has a stunning ocean view. Las Palomas offers fine and casual dining, "infinity" pools, swim-up bar, lazy river, room service, full spa services, wireless Internet service (WiFi) and a 18-hole PGA gold course. Golf, wedding, and honeymoon vacations are available.
  • '''SeaSide Mexico Vacations''' [http://www.seasidemexico.com] Luxury Puerto Penasco rentals in the beachfront communities Playa Miramar, Playa Dorado, Playa La Jolla, Costa Diamante, Las Conchas, Playa Encanto, Cholla Bay, Sandy Beach, Las Palmas and El Mirador.
  • '''Sonoran Sun Resort''' [http://www.sonoransunreservations.com] is a luxury beachfront property with and ocean view condominiums in Rocky Point. Their are 224 units in this newly built resort. They have a full service spa, beachfront swimming pools, Jacuzzis and a restaurant.
  • Internet Connection

  • [http://www.wifirockypoint.com Puerto Penasco Wireless Internet service]