Inside the Palacio Municipal in Alamos, Sonora
From taking a leisurely drive and enjoying traditional cuisine, to participating in outdoor activities like hiking and watersports, your visit to the Northern Mexico state of Sonora will be unforgettable.
Getting There
There are many ways to get to Sonora, Mexico. The state is located within driving proximity to Arizona, New Mexico and California and maintains its main highways in good condition.
You can take a direct commercial flight from Phoenix to the state capital of Hermosillo, or get connections from other aviation hubs to airports in Hermosillo, Guaymas or Ciudad Obregon. If you have a group that enjoys flying to unique destinations, you may also want to consider chartering a flight to one of the many airports in Sonora.
And like most Mexican states, Sonora has commercial bus service to most destinations, and there are charter bus companies in Arizona where you can charter a motorcoach for your travel group.
Crossing the Border
Crossing the international border from Arizona into Sonora is generally much easier than crossing back into the United States from Mexico. If you plan to travel beyond the border region you will need to have a valid passport, and depending on how long you plan to stay there may be Mexican travel documentation you will need to obtain after crossing the border. Read more.
Whether you choose to drive to Sonora, take a bus from Arizona or enjoy the companionship of other travelers on a tour, there are various ways to travel to and through Sonora. Read more about getting to Sonora.
Enjoying Sonora
And once you have passed south of the border and the 21-kilometer customs checkpoint that is located approximately 13 miles south of the border, the state of Sonora is to be experienced and enjoyed. As you see the surroundings, ambiance and friendly people of Sonora, you will quickly de-stress and feel relaxed in the laid-back and friendly atmosphere for which Mexico is famous.
When I visit a new place in Mexico, I will usually visit its churches, plazas, cemetery, city hall and casa de la cultura, the town’s cultural center where you can see art, performances and other items and events of cultural interest.
Find the OCV
Another place to locate and visit is the town’s Office of Conventions and Visitors (OCV), if it has one. This local tourism office can provide tourist information about local attractions, restaurants, hotels, historic places of interest and events. Read more about Sonora OCVs here. If the town does not have an OCV, sometimes the city hall will have a tourism office that can provide local tourism information.
And if none of those other sources is available, some of the most knowledgeable residents of a community are its taxi drivers. You could probably even agree with one on a price for a mini-tour of the place.
Places to Visit and Things to Do
The state of Sonora is huge, and it has a natural environment that includes coastline, deserts, mountains, wooded areas and semi-tropical terrain. It has eight distinctive indigenous groups, all with a rich history and cultural traditions.
Beach Resorts
If you want the typical Mexico tourism experience or an upscale resort experience, the cities of San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco (also known as Rocky Point) have luxury hotels and resorts, beautiful beaches, fabulous restaurants and some very fun bars and clubs. In addition, both cities offer a variety of outdoor and sports activities, such as deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and boat charters.
There are also smaller beach communities with beaches that are less touristy but still great places to relax and enjoy the beauty of the ocean from a pristine beach. They include Empalme, Guaymas, Kino Bay, Desemboque and Huatabampito.
Hermosillo
There are many places to see and experience in the state capital of Hermosillo. Plazas, beautiful church and government buildings, museums and other interesting and picturesque spots are within walking distance or a short ride in a taxi or on an urban Une bus. Stay in a comfortable hotel and enjoy an event, ride the tourist Trolebus, experience the nightlife or just take a strolling tour of this modern, cosmopolitan Mexican city. Read more about Hermosillo.
Regional Culture, Events and Attractions
Every region of Sonora has its own unique history, culture and natural environment. From Border Towns to the desert pueblos of Northern Sonora, the Sonoran Coast with the Gulf of California and Southern Sonora, you will find interesting places to explore and friendly people to meet.
There are many events to enjoy in Sonora, Mexico, any time of year. From local history and food to cultural and religious celebrations, you can find something unique and entertaining to enjoy. Read more about annual events in Sonora.
Whatever you choose to do, we hope that you have a safe and enjoyable visit to Sonora, Mexico. And as always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
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Sightseeing and Cultural Immersion
