Best of Sonora Tourism
Top things to see, do and enjoy in Sonora, Mexico
There is lots to see and do in Sonora – something for everyone
Sonora is the second-largest state in Mexico with respect to size, and the third-largest in terms of population. It has a rich history and offers a diversity of natural environments and ecosystems, fascinating native cultures and loads of fun things to do, all of which make Sonora a fun and enriching tourism destination.
Where to Begin?
With such an immense area of land and variety of travel and tourism options, we recommend that you start at the top. Pick a main area of interest, be it resort travel, border tourism, indigenous culture or the beach – then review and dig down in the information on your favorite topic or two, to get some travel ideas. And if you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Relax and Enjoy a Coastal Resort City
Sonora has two major tourism resort cities – San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco (also known as Rocky Point).
Rocky Point is closer to the Arizona-Sonora international border and can therefore be accessed more quickly by car (or other vehicle). It is a tourist town, with shopping, bars, sunset cruises and other tourist-centric activities to enjoy within hours of the border.
San Carlos is an eight-hour drive from the border but you can also get there by flying to a regional airport in Hermosillo or Ciudad Obregon, renting a car and driving the rest of the way. San Carlos is known for its deep-sea fishing, wonderful cuisine, luxury hotels and beautiful, scenic beaches. And there are lots of other activities to enjoy there as well.
Experience a Cultural Event
There are many opportunities to observe and participate in Sonora cultural events, from parades and civic celebrations to indigenous religious festivals on events like the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. Check out our quarterly and monthly events calendars to see if you find a special event of interest to you.
Explore the Capital of Hermosillo
Hermosillo, with approximately 650,000 residents, is the cultural, business, governmental and educational center of Sonora. The city has several cultural events during the year, like the annual celebration of its founding, the Festival del Pitic. Enjoy a few days exploring the restaurants, museums, churches, parks and shopping districts of the Sonoran Capital. Read more about exploring Hermosillo.
Hit the Beach
Sonora has hundreds of miles of coastline along the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. Activities include boating, sport fishing, kayaking or just relaxing on the beach. Whether it is a more secluded beach area like Huatabampito or Desemboque, or a more commercialized area like Kino Bay, Rocky Point or San Carlos Bay, you can enjoy a relaxing beach vacation in Sonora. Read more about coastal Sonora.
Visit a Magical Pueblo
Sonora has two towns that have the national distinction of being designated Pueblos Mágicos, or magical towns. In order to receive this prestigious designation, a locale must show that it has charming tourism places to visit, good lodging and restaurants, and other characteristics that make it a special place to visit.
There are two Pueblos Mágicos in Sonora, and they are both very special places to visit. Magdalena de Kino, Sonora is a short drive from the border at Nogales, and Alamos, Sonora is located in the southern region of Sonora.
Visit a Border City
Sonora shares a common border with Arizona, and its border cities are not only very accessible but offer a variety of activities, products and services to enjoy. The main Arizona-Sonora border communities of Nogales, San Luis and Agua Prieta all have their individual flair, but also offer common experiences.
Find beautiful arts and crafts along with creative tourist curio products in border stores, and haggle to get the best price. Enjoy an authentic Mexican meal and get a taste of Mexico (although many claim it is not the “real” Mexico by walking around and seeing churches, statues and plazas. Shop border pharmacies to see if you can find your prescription medications at a discount. And visit a Mexican dentist or doctor to have dental and medical issues treated at a discount. Read more about the Sonora border.
Enjoy a Sonora Ecotourism Experience
Sonora’s variety of climates and ecosystems offer fabulous outdoor experiences for tourists to enjoy. From kayaking and fishing on the coast to hiking, mountain biking, cultural immersion, seeing ancient rock-art petroglyphs and other adventures, there are many options to explore.
The best way to experience Sonora ecotourism is to participate in a tour. See a list of Sonora ecotourism operators. Research the tour company to see if they have insurance and roadworthy vehicles, and whether they offer English-language tours. Read more about Sonora ecotourism.
Whatever you enjoy doing, be it enjoying history and culture, urban exploration or experiencing the natural environment, you can have a great tourism experience in Sonora, Mexico. Questions? Contact us.
