Puerto Peñasco

Puerto Peñasco has long been the only nearby beach for people from both Tucson and Phoeniz in Arizona. Either city is just about four hours drive away. It's close enough to make Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point as the English speakers sometimes call it, the most visited beach in the entire state of Sonora. The seaside town and port thrives off of fishing and tourism, but it is a place of profound beauty and an open and interested population. The fact that it is surrounded by important nature reserves, like the Alto Golfo de California and the el Pinacate reserve, just lends a bit of seriousness to the mission of the year round residents.

It's still a party town. People come for the wealth of attractions and services intended especially for international visitors. The RV parks compete with a good number of hotels and flat rentals that will all claim to be closest to the Playa Bonita or the Playa Hermosa beaches.  

The town itself sports some respectable shopping areas and malls. But it remains more than anything a spot to take off from: for the sea especially, but increasing for the desert too. Fishing trips are not at all uncommon, but the broader part of the visiting public will take off for the San Jorge lighthouse island, a day trip of unimaginable beauty, and sometimes wildlife too. Three  golf courses don't begin to summarize the number of activities and services on offer,

Albatros is the major bus line serving the better part of destinations in the state of Sonora. From the capital at Hermosillo, the trip takes just under six hours. You may be able to drive it a little faster, but then, you'd have to drive. Those arriving from the United States will likely cross the border at the Lukeville/Sonoyta station. If you plan to stay in and around Puerto Peñasco, you don't even need to import your car (but do have the papers in order before you arrive). The drive south from Sonoyta takes just a little more than one hour.