Puerto Peñasco, better known to Americans as Rocky Point, originated as a small fishing village in the 1920's and gradually developed into one of the major shrimp production areas on the shores of Sonora Mexico. This town of approximately 50,000 people has very unique ocean conditions, which create extreme tide swings of up to 20 feet (or more) between high and low tide. This body of water, known as the Sea of Cortez, is so spectacular that Jacques Cousteau referred to it as the "World's Aquarium". With a pleasant 4-hour drive from Phoenix or Tucson Arizona (1 hour of driving in Mexico), you can be lounging on the beach! This is the closest beach to much of the southwest USA as well as places as far away as Denver or Salt Lake City. The pristine Sea of Cortez offers visitors the opportunity to see and enjoy dolphins, sea lions, whales, pelicans and a wide array of marine life, and of course our wide open beaches. Rocky Point beaches are cleaner than those of California and the water is substantially warmer- providing for a 7-8 month swim season!
Please
note that US passports are needed to re-enter the USA It is also advised that
you purchase Mexican car insurance for the time you will be traveling south of
the border. It is available at many locations in Ajo & Gila Bend, or
you can purchase it online before you travel. Rocky Point is in a FREE
ZONE, which means that you do not need to register your car. If you plan
to travel further south, make sure to check the requirements necessary for
your car.
