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Nogales to Rocky Point by Bus

Beachside resort La Princesa at Rocky Point

Take the Bus from Nogales to Rocky Point

Imagine relaxing on the beach, listening to the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore, soaking up the comforting warm sunshine and perhaps enjoying some cool liquid refreshment. Then after playing an invigorating game of volleyball in the warm beach sand, you get ready for a fantastic seafood dinner, or just a wild evening of raucous fun in a beachside cantina.

And all of this is just hours away from your home in Arizona, at the Mexican resort town of Rocky Point (also known as Puerto Peñasco), Mexico.

There are shuttle services that offer van trips from Tucson and Phoenix to Rocky Point. And if that is more convenient for you, enjoy your trip.

But if you are up for a little adventure on land before your adventure on the beach, think about taking a Mexican bus from Nogales to Puerto Peñasco. It’s economical, comfortable and offers great views of the Sonoran desert, towns and people as you make your way to the beachside resort.

There is only one place in Ambos Nogales that has daily direct bus trips from Nogales to Puerto Peñasco – the Albatros (pronounced al-bá-trose) bus lines in Nogales, Sonora.

Albatros has daily direct routes to Rocky Point that leave several times every day: 7:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. When I went in February of 2014 the tickets cost 270 pesos (about $20 at the time).

You can purchase a ticket online at the Albatros website, but I would not recommend it. I have found that many of the Mexican bus line websites seem a little shaky, and I do not know how well they can handle secure transactions.

If you decide to purchase online, be sure to print out all of the information, just in case their computer system is down when you arrive.

Get to Nogales

There are many ways to get to Nogales, Arizona, and if you are planning to take the bus to Nogales I would recommend taking Tufesa bus lines.

The Tufesa station is a three-block walk to the border crossing, or a short taxi ride. Tufesa also has buses that cross the border, although it is much easier from a customs headache perspective to cross the border on foot. More information about crossing the border in Nogales.

There is also long-term border parking available in Nogales. It will cost four or five dollars a day (or 12-hour period), but with at least one of the border lots, if you call in advance you may be able to finagle a discount price and a golf cart ride to the border.

Cross the Border

After you cross the border at the DeConcini Port of Entry, as you proceed to the end of the walkway you will find a number of taxistas. Or more likely, they will find you.

Whichever driver is next in line will take you to his taxi, and just ask to go to Albatros, or to the “central de camiones Albatros.” Don’t worry, if you forget the correct pronunciation the taxista will remind you how to say it.

If you want to get pesos first, you can ask the taxi driver to stop at a bank on the way. Try to avoid Banorte, because they charge something like six dollars for an ATM transaction; the others charge about half that. Or, if you are traveling light you can walk to the Banamex on Avenida Obregon to withdraw money before walking to a place where you can find a taxi.

At the time of this writing (March 2014) many of the main streets in the downtown Nogales, Sonora area have been torn up for construction, but the taxi driver will know alternate routes. I took the 7:30 a.m. bus and there was very little traffic in the early morning.

If you leave later in the day, be sure to allow extra time for possible road congestion. Also, buses that leave later in the day are often more full, as visitors who arrived in Nogales in the morning from other parts of Sonora take the bus home.

Another option would be to cross the border the night before and stay at a hotel that is close to the station (the Caribean is a short taxi ride to the bus station and the Marques de Cima is within walking distance), and walk or take a taxi to Albatros the next morning.

If you choose to spend the night in Nogales, Sonora, you can walk to the Albatros station that afternoon or evening to purchase your ticket for the next day, and there is an Oxxo convenience store (that sells beer and liquor) just past the bus station.

If you continue walking less than a block you will find a McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC just across the main intersection at Boulevar Greco. Behind the fast food joints is the Ley supermarket, where you can find a wider selection of snacks and beverages at better prices than the convenience store.

When you purchase your ticket, you will need to present a photo ID. Although the bus station will accept credit and debit cards for payment, you should have some cash with you, just in case the computer system is down. They will convert dollars to pesos, but you will not get as good of an exchange rate as you would by withdrawing cash from an ATM.

If you have time before the bus departs, you can walk to the Oxxo convenience store to stock up on water and snacks for the trip. All Aboard

The driver will announce when the bus is ready to depart. As you go outside to board the bus, take any luggage and other large items to the side of the bus, where a baggage handler will load them and give you a claim ticket.

Let him or her know that you are going to Peñasco (there are a few intermediate stops on the way) so that he puts the correct tag on your baggage. You may also want to give him a tip – five or ten pesos is always greatly appreciated.

Hand your ticket to the bus driver, who will be waiting at the door of the bus. He will return the ticket stub, which has your seat number printed on it. If there are not many people on board, you can usually pick and choose seats if you want to sit in another part of the bus.

Albatros claims that all of its buses have wireless internet on board, but the one I traveled on did not. You may want to ask the driver, it could be in my case that he had not just turned on the WiFi. At any rate, the bus is climate controlled and comfortable, and the driver will play movies during the ride, to give you a chance to practice your Spanish.

About the Journey

The trip will take about six hours, but there is a bathroom on board. Something that is very important to remember is that like U.S. bus lines, Mexican bus lines do not allow drinking or rowdiness on the bus. So keep it under control and save your energy for the beach. Remember that you are a visitor in a foreign country – you will find that being polite and respectful to others on the bus will get very good responses.

After leaving the Nogales station the bus will make brief stops at the towns of Imuris, Magdalena de Kino and Santa Ana. About an hour after leaving Santa Ana the bus will stop for about 10 minutes in Caborca, where you can use the restroom (for five pesos) or purchase food or snacks. Just to be safe, if you plan to leave the bus in Caborca, first make sure that the driver knows that you have gotten off the bus.

An hour or so after leaving Caborca the bus will stop briefly at La Igriega (the “Y,” referring to the intersection of roads that meet in the town), and after that is two hours riding through the Sonoran desert.

Not long after leaving La Igriega, you will be able to see the Sea of Cortez in the distance on the left side of the bus. Along the way there are a couple of places between where there is road construction and the bus will leave the highway to follow a “desviacion,” or detour, but they are fairly brief.

Arrive in Rocky Point

As the bus pulls into the station in the town of Puerto Peñasco, you may be surprised to see that the actual town is just like any other dusty Sonoran pueblo. After getting your luggage and other personal belongings together you will need to take a taxi to the area of the beachside Rocky Point where you will be staying.

There is an ATM located inside the Puerto Peñasco bus station, just in case you want to withdraw more money. One main reason you may need to do this is that it is expensive to take a taxi in Rocky Point.

A taxi will charge up to $20 dollars to take you from the town to the beachside areas. This is not as bad if you are traveling in a group and split the fare, but be aware that this kind of price gouging is common.

However you choose to travel to Rocky Point on your own, depending on where you depart from, it will most likely involve several hours of driving or riding in a vehicle. I have found that taking the bus from Nogales to Rocky Point is not only an inexpensive and comfortable way to travel, but it can be an interesting cultural experience as well.

Have fun on the beach!

A February Trip to Rocky Point

Pleasure in Peñasco

Resort Life in Rocky Point

To be honest, although I had traveled extensively through Sonora and Mexico, I had never been to Rocky Point. I tend to go to places that are out of the way, rather than to locales that are frequented by tourists.

And I did not know what I was missing.

I made an off-season trip to Puerto Peñasco in February of 2014, and it was one of the more enjoyable things I had done for a long time. I stayed in the La Princesa de Peñasco resort, right on the coastal area known as Sandy Beach.

La Princesa is a luxury condominium complex that is managed by Sea Side Reservations, and every condo has an ocean view. The condos not only have a view of the Sea of Cortez, they have a balcony or patio where you can sit outside and enjoy the beautiful deep blue of the sea and some amazing sunrises and sunsets.

The units themselves are so comfortable that being there is more like staying in a home than in a hotel. With comfortable furniture and a full kitchen, the condominium feels more like your own beachside home.

The property is spectacular, with a manicured array of plants and tropical flowers, a huge shimmering main pool (and two others) along with a large Jacuzzi. There is also a complete fitness center in a community center building that also features a number of tables where groups can sit and look at the ocean through walls of windows.

As you exit from the community center you will see a volleyball court in soft, welcoming sand. Just beyond that are “palapas,” umbrella-shaped tropical shady spots made of reeds and grasses, under which you can relax in a reclining chair to read a book and enjoy a cool beverage while feeling the calming effects of the sea.

And for those who are concerned about security, the complex is like its own self-contained security zone. It is a gated property with security guards at the entrance and throughout the property. Guests must wear a wrist band to identify that they have permission to be on the property. And though it is a very secure place, it just feels like a quiet, comfortable place to be. And all of the Sea Side employees are very friendly, attentive and helpful.

La Princesa has a restaurant, although at the time I was there it was closed for renovation. No problem though, you can walk in either direction on the beach to find a beachside bar and restaurant where you can sit in a tropical environment and watch the waves lap at the shore while you are enjoying a drink. They also have a store that adjoins the lobby, where you can purchase snacks, toiletries, and of course, beer and liquor.

Sandy Beach is the luxury resort area of Puerto Peñasco, and the miles of beachfront are lined with beautiful, multi-story condominium complexes. Although there are miles of beautiful inviting beaches, the area is relatively secluded and insulated from some of the more raucous areas of Rocky Point (which are just a short drive away, if you happen to be in a raucous mood).

Sandy Beach is a beautiful, relaxing place for an invigorating run or a romantic stroll, especially in the morning or the evening when the sky is filled with the amazing colors of a sunrise or sunset. As you walk along the beach, in addition to watching fishing boats pass by in the distance you will be accompanied by seagulls and pelicans that are playfully enjoying the seaside. You may also occasionally encounter a Mexican vendor walking along the beach selling everything from hats to parachute kites, seashells and large, colorful flowers made from corn husks.

And while you could enjoy life there any time of the year, there are definitely advantages in making and off-season visit. The weather is still nice – it was in the mid 70’s while I was there, perfect for lying in the sun on the beach and getting that springtime sun tan started, and the breeze coming off of the sea is absolutely refreshing. It really felt perfect, not too hot or too cold.

In addition, there are fewer tourists there than in other times of the year, so you can enjoy the relative solitude on the beach and in the resort area itself. There are still people there, but the beach is so large that you will only occasionally see other people who are also enjoying the beach.

And best of all, the price is right. Sea Side Reservations advertises that it will give you the best prices of any resort in Rocky Point, and they are right. In addition to La Princesa de Peñasco, Sea Side also manages a number of other well-appointed luxury resorts along Sandy Beach, in other parts of Rocky Point, and in other Mexican coastal areas, all of which are excellent, without exception.

To learn more about luxury options in Puerto Peñasco and make reservations for your visit to paradise, I recommend that you visit their website.

I really enjoyed my visit to Sandy Beach. I took lots of great pictures, thoroughly enjoyed exercising while exploring the coastline, and experienced complete relaxation. In fact, I am now thinking about when I can next visit Rocky Point. Or perhaps visit a Sea Side Reservations resort in San Carlos.

Or both!

A Bus Trip to Southern Sonora

A plaza dedicated to President Obregon in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora

A Bus Trip to Southern Sonora

There’s typically not a lot of tourism activity in Sonora during the summer months, especially the late summer. That may be why the TAP (Transportes Autobuses Pacifico) bus line offered a half-price sale between major Sonora destinations in August.

I knew that it would be hot and humid in Southern Sonora, but I was ready for a trip, and with cut-rate transportation (and discounted summer lodging rates) I decided to go.

There were some specific destinations I wanted to visit on this trip. Two of the places I’d visited before, Ciudad Obregon and Alamos, and two others where I had not been before – Huatabampo and the beach at Huatabampito.

I crossed the border on foot at the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales. There are bus lines (like Tufesa and TBC) that offer transportation from US cities like Tucson and Phoenix (as well as Nogales, Arizona), but since I was traveling on TAP I decided to walk across the border and take a taxi to the bus station in Nogales, Sonora.

A traveler’s tip – if you are traveling on foot with a suitcase or large bag, rather than trying to squeeze through the border turnstile you can push the button located on the wall to the right of the turnstiles and a Mexican customs official will buzz open the door located between the turnstiles.

If you don’t have a Mexican visa, you’ll need to stop at the office that issues travel documents to get one. If you are going to stay for five days or fewer, the visa is free. Otherwise, the process involves walking to a nearby bank to pay for the visa (you may want to withdraw some pesos from the ATM during the visit), and returning to the issuing office to complete the paperwork, so it’s best to get your visa in advance. They’re valid for six months.

After passing through Mexican customs, walk straight ahead for about 30 yards and you’ll see (and hear) the taxi drivers, asking if you need a taxi. The ride to the TAP bus station (central de camiones TAP) takes 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic, and typically costs 60-70 pesos (about $5).

TAP has a new terminal on Avenue Obregon, next door to a new Tufesa terminal. Both are modern and comfortable, and you’ll want to check departure times and prices online as part of your online planning.

There are other bus lines and terminals in Nogales as well, but these two are probably the best options for getting where you want to go, with one exception – if you plan to go to Caborca or Rocky Point, the Albatross bus line located at the TBS terminal a short distance past TAP/Tufesa has direct buses every two hours. TBC also has direct buses to Alamos.

After purchasing my ticket (about $15), passing through the customs check and waiting a short time in the terminal’s waiting area (another tip – use the restroom at the bus station – even though the buses have one or two restrooms, they’ll be cleaner at the terminal) the bus departed on time.

While I’m thinking about it, here are three more bus traveler’s tips:

1. Bring a carry-on bag for snacks, camera, and other essentials you’ll need during the trip. Check your larger pieces of luggage at the side of the bus before boarding – the bus line employee who checks your luggage will want to know your destination, so that he can put the correct tag on your bag. Make sure to get the stub of the claim ticket, you’ll need it to claim your luggage at your destination.

2. Bring a bottle of water and food/snacks for the trip. The bus may make some brief stops along the way, but the snacks will cost more and the food may not be to your liking.

3. Keep your change handy – most bus stations now have coin-operated turnstiles to enter their restrooms. The turnstiles typically cost 4 pesos, and they make change from larger peso denominations. There may be someone outside the restroom handing out pieces of toilet paper, but don’t count on it – better to bring a small supply of your own.

The trip to Ciudad Obregon took about eight hours from Nogales, making brief stops in Santa Ana, Hermosillo, Guaymas and Empalme. The bus was also stopped by soldiers along the way for a brief inspection. The trip also included bus journeys to Navojoa, Alamos and Huatabampo, Sonora.

Links

Nogales to Rocky Point by Bus

A February Trip to Rocky Point

A Bus Trip to Southern Sonora

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