FAQ’S
Safety
Puerto Penasco is probably one of the safest places to travel in Mexico.
It is recommended to enter Puerto Penasco through the Lukeville/Sonoyta port of entry. You will only be driving in Mexico for 65 miles and the road is in good condition.
Make sure to observe speed limits, especially in the town of Sonoyta and the city of Puerto Penasco.
Driving at night is not recommended due to possible road hazards.
You may also wish to brush your teeth with bottled water.
If you have a sensitive stomach, we also suggest you don’t eat the raw lettuces or vegetables as these are usually washed with tap water.
Puerto Penasco is a very safe town and walking around the Malecon at night is fine however we don’t recommend you walk around other areas at night.
Yes, we recommend you drive during the day and use the Lukeville/Sonoyta border crossing. The stretch of highway just past the border to Puerto Peñasco was designated as a “safety corridor” in 2016.
Make sure to purchase Mexican car insurance and slow down as soon as you cross the border. The speed limit in Mexico is in kilometers, not miles and you will get pulled over if you go even one kilometer over.
Expect exceedingly long lines at the border going into Mexico on Fridays and coming back to the US on Sundays.
We don’t recommend you brush your teeth with tap water use bottled water instead.
Border
Yes, the border is open. The Lukeville, Az/Sonoyta border is open from 6am to 8pm daily.
A passport is preferred but as of the time of this writing if using the Lukeville, Az port of entry you don’t have a passport you can return to the US with your US birth certificate and your valid US driver’s license.
You should always verify this information with the Us Customs and Border Protection at the Lukeville port of entry (520) 387-5671
Rocky Point is about 65 miles from the border.
No, Puerto Penasco is located within Mexico’s “Free Zone” of “Hassle-Free Zone”. This means that in this area of the country temporary vehicle permits are not required.
Visit this link for all the info:
Taking your boat to Rocky Point
Weather
The best months for weather are May and October. The temperature is most ideal then.
May’s average high temperature is 87 and low is 62
October’s average high is 88 and low is 63.
Puerto Penasco’s weather is usually about 10 degrees cooler than Phoenix but with some humidity.
December through February are the cooler months in Puerto Penasco. These months average a high of 70 to 74 degrees.
July, August and September are the hottest months with high temperatures averaging about 95 degrees.
The ocean water is very warm from July to October averaging about 80 degrees. Perfect for swimming. It feels like bath water!
The months of December to April the water can get much cooler, about 63 degrees on average.
Please visit our weather page for year-round average temperatures.
Money
This really depends on where you stay but on average a beach resort for a 2-night weekend stay in a 1 bedroom condo will be between $390 to $600.
Please visit our hotels page for exact rates
You don’t really need to exchange dollars into pesos. All establishments accept and prefer US dollars and their rates will be posted in dollars. Same goes for the vendors on the beach. Make sure to bring small bills as often they don’t have change for the larger bills.
If you prefer to pay in pesos, you can do this but it’s best not to exchange money before arriving in Mexico.
More times than not, you will get a better exchange rate in Mexico. Money can be exchanged through ATMs or at local banks. Also, if you don’t have a foreign exchange fee on your credit card you will generally get the best exchange rate when paying by credit card
Even though hotel rates have increased significantly this year, Puerto Penasco is not expensive if compared to California and most other beach towns in the US.
The prices of activities are also about 20% to 30% lower than most US beach destinations.
Restaurants and groceries are also considerably less.
This depends on where you eat but most restaurants are well priced. The restaurants around the Malecon tend to be pricier but restaurants around town have good prices. Especially the ones not located on popular streets.
Yes, most establishments accept credit cards. You may want to check with your credit card company first to make sure you don’t have foreign transaction fees.
Street vendors only accept cash.
The least expensive time to go to Puerto Penasco is during the off-season months, December through February.
Food
There are many wonderful restaurants in Puerto Penasco, however we have put together a list of our 5 favorite restaurants here:
5 Must Try Restaurants
Please click here for our suggestions
Mexican Auto Insurance
Mexico car insurance is required by law to drive in the country. Your US policy does NOT cover you in Mexico. By Mexican law, liability insurance in Mexico must be provided by an admitted Mexican insurance company.
If you are involved in an auto accident and you are found at fault you will be held until you can demonstrate the ability to pay for the caused damage. In some cases, this can mean jail time.
By having Mexican insurance with the required liability limits you can demonstrate the ability to pay for the damages caused.
Your Mexican insurance policy will also provide you with legal assistance, which will provide you with legal representation and bail bond.
Purchase here
General Information
Puerto Penasco is one of Mexico’s more accessible beach resort destinations. It is less than a 4-hour drive from Phoenix and Tucson! Puerto Penasco is full of adventure activities. It offers miles of sandy beaches, fresh seafood markets, an array of water sports, shopping, upscale resorts, sightseeing tours, fishing and so much more all within driving distance from several US states.
Most visitors stay an average of 3 to 4 nights.
Most people dress very causal in Puerto Penasco.
Bring shorts, t-shirts, sandals, bathing suit and cover-up.
Bring slightly dressier shorts or dresses for evening dinners.
Visit one of the many sandy beaches
Take a sunset cruise
Explore the Malecon
Rent a jet ski
Ride the banana boat
Ride an ATV
Dine at one of the many local restaurants.
Enjoy a spicy mango on a stick from a street vendor
Listen to live music at one of the local bars
Take a sightseeing kayak tour
Try tequila tasting at Tequila Factory
Visit the Pinacate Biosphere
Visit Brid Island and swim with wild sea lions
Go on a whale watching Tour
Check out one of the beach side golf courses
Go souvenir shopping at Cholla Mall
Go ziplining
Get a beach massage
Go paddle boarding
Charter a fishing boat
Explore the tide pools
Go parasailing
Take an ultralight flight
Go horseback riding along the beach
Visit an oyster farm
Visit our things to do page for average pricing on activities.
Yes, Verizon, Spring, TMobile and AT&T work in Puerto Penasco. Make sure to call your provider and find out if there is an international plan to avoid roaming charges which can be very costly!
Puerto Penasco ocean water isn’t turquoise like the Caribbean but it’s a pretty shade of blue. The water is clean and so are the beaches. It’s not the most ideal place for snorkeling but the tide pools that form on the rocks by the shore at low tide can be fun for the kids.
Transportation
No, currently Uber service is not available in Rocky Point.
Taxis can be pricey in Rocky Point. From Sandy Beach resorts you will pay $20 to $25 one way to most locations within Puerto Penasco.
Currently no commercial airlines fly to Puerto Penasco.
Yes, if the rental car company allows it. There may be an additional surcharge to rent vehicles traveling to Mexico.
Visit our how to get to Puerto Penasco page for more information.
Yes, there are a couple shuttle companies from Phoenix to Puerto Penasco.
Visit our how to get to Puerto Penasco page for more information.
Covid
Currently no Covid test is required to travel to Puerto Penasco.
Visit our Covid page for current protocols
