Rocky Point News

Julieakin • October 12, 2012

Rocky Point News
The long hot Summer is over and we’re getting geared up for a wonderful fun filled season in Rocky Point (Pto Penasco).

This is the absolute best time of the year to plan your Rocky Point vacation and lots of exciting events are planned in the next few months. Popular shows and groups will be appearing at various venues with starting with Mark Mulligan and his group – the Parrot Mafia on October 23rd at the Princessa.

November 4-8 will be the tenth annual Rocky Point Rally. Every year this event gets larger and more popular. Each year as the big bikes thunder though town and on the malicon the excitement grows. Many local charities benefit from this run as well as the local merchants and hospitality groups.

In addition, Rocky Point has become a popular spot for weddings on our beautiful beaches as well as other gatherings.

Rocky Point
Puerto Peñasco, known in the U.S. as Rocky Point, is a newly-discovered paradise for tourists to Sonora. During the early 1930’s, it became known as a refuge of fishermen and people seeking adventure. Rocky Point is now home to a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf course (at Laguna del Mar) as well as the Mayan Palace Resort and Las Palomas Beach and Golf Resort. Location
Rocky Point is 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Arizona border and has the advantage of being located in the “Free Zone”. This means that visitors are able to enter the Mexican state of Sonora without having to complete time-consuming paper work and immigration procedures. No wonder tourists from Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and California claim Rocky Point as a favorite destination.

mapDriving is the most common means of transportation for visitors to traveling to Puerto Peñasco.

From Arizona: Cross the border at the Lukeville/Sonoyta border. Puerto Peñasco is 63 miles south on Mexican Hwy. 8. The border is open daily from 6 a.m. until midnight.

From California: Take US Hwy. 8 east from San Diego or US Hwy. 10 east from the Los Angeles area. You have the option of driving through to Arizona Hwy. 85 (Gila Bend) and heading south to the Lukeville/Sonoyta border or crossing the border at either Algodones (across from California) or San Luis Rio Colorado (across from Arizona, south of Yuma).

You can then drive Mexican Hwy. 2 east through the beautiful Desierto del Altar desert. This is also the northern entrance to the Pinacate Reserve. Although you are on a highway, there are not many stores nor gas stations between San Luis and Sonoyta, so make sure you are stocked up on supplies and water. The highway is maintained by the services of Angeles Verdes, Green Angels. The Green Angels organization provides vehicle assistance throughout the Mexican Highways and freeways, and the service is FREE. Dial 078 from any phone in Mexico if you need their assistance.

What You Need If you do drive your vehicle to Rocky Point, you must have Mexican auto insurance; it’s the law. You don’t need a car permit to drive to Puerto Peñasco, However if you plan on heading further south after your visit to Rocky Point, you will need a vehicle importation permit. Only Sonora is the name of the simplified vehicle registration program for travel only within the State of Sonora. The permit is good for a period of up to 180 days. This permit sticker is only given at the Nogales Port of Entry at Kilometer 21. Make sure to get the details on the Only Sonora Program and how to get a Vehicle Importation Permit. To continue further south, you may also need a current Mexican Tourist Permit. You can get it stamped at the Migración office next door.

Activities
The beauty of Rocky Point is definitely unique. Its solid rock formation of volcanic origin ( La Choya ) has become the symbol of locals. Rocky Point has an average temperature of 95°F (35° C) in the summer and 64°F (18°C) during the winter, making it the perfect spot to enjoy the sea, sun, beaches, bays and inlets.

There is no limit to activities in Rocky Point, whether one takes a walk on its beautiful beaches , where gentle waves invite swimmers, or you take advantage of fishing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving or simply reclining to enjoy a beautiful view. In addition, there is ample availability of restaurants , diners and night life .

After fishing , tourism is the most important economic activity for the city. Development to date includes 70 restaurants, 42 hotels and motels and 14 RV facilities.

If you decide to fish, everyone on board the boat must have a fishing license even if they are not fishing. Authorities will check for permits. However, you do not need a permit if you are fishing from the shore. Permits can be obtained Mon-Fri, 8 am – 3 pm in Rocky Point or at the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix.

Ecotourism
Rocky Point offers unique landscapes for the eco-tourist. During low tide, sea level fluctuates up to 6 meters leaving exposed an assortment of sea life , sea shells, starfish and crabs.

Only 52 kilometers (32 miles) northwest of Rocky Point in the Altar Desert is “ The Pinacate ,” which has been recognized as a biosphere reserve . This unique desert, considered one of the most unique volcanic zones in the world, reveals thousand year-old gigantic craters which are more than a kilometer in diameter and 120 meters (400 ft.) deep, which are important to our ancient history and culture. Nature lovers will discover an amazing and varied animal and plant life. Daily self guided tours are available from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Visitors must register at the office as they enter the reserve. The reserve is located in the ejido Nayarit, half way between Rocky Point and Sonoyta.

In addition to all of the activities found in this marvelous destination in Sonora, there are plenty of events to choose from while visiting in Rocky Point.

ATV’s
ATV’s are not permitted on city beaches. Please follow the rules when driving ATV’s in Rocky Point.

  • Wear helmet
  • Only 2 persons per ATV
  • No riding after dark
  • Driver’s must be 16 years of age
  • Do not race, jump, do wheelies, etc
  • Do not drink and drive

DO NOT DRIVE ATV’S IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

  • Main Blvd. Benito Juarez,
  • Blvd Fremont
  • Old Port.

You will be fined if riding in these areas. Fines are to be paid only at the police station.

Mile-by-mile road log Click here to upload mile-by-mile driving instructions and a map from Ajo to Rocky Point in a PDF format. The file also includes a larger, black and white, version of the map at the top of this page.

Informative links about Rocky Point

Upcoming calendar of events in Rocky Point. http://www.cometorockypoint.com/events.html

Sonora’s Tourism website – An excellent site that is filled with plenty of information.

Pancho Villa Boat Charters in Rocky Point – Water sport activities, fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, sunset cruise. http://www.panchovillarockypoint.com/

Penasco del Sol hotel – Beachfront resort in Rocky Point.

The post Rocky Point News appeared first on Budget Insurance - Tucson, AZ.

FMM Permit for Rocky Point / Puerto Penasco

May 9, 2025
To update you on what is happening at the Lukeville/Sonoyta border crossing for our insureds traveling to Rocky Point: Depending on the officer, Mexican authorities (Guardia Nacional) are enforcing the FMM and passport requirements, but not consistently. Some travelers have reported crossing as usual without passports, and officers simply waived them through. Others have reported obtaining FMMs at the border, with all travelers carrying passports. If travelers are transparent and declare any alcohol they’re bringing into Mexico, they are being charged a 114% tax. However, some people reported having alcohol but were waived through by officers and did not pay the tax. It appears enforcement depends on the officer, and tourists are currently taking their chances. It comes down to each traveler’s level of confidence and risk tolerance, as enforcement is not yet consistent. Our company’s recommendation is to follow the law: Process the FMM online Print the form Stop at the INM (Immigration) office at the border to get it stamped Reminder: The FMM tourist permit is only for foreign citizens, not for individuals with dual citizenship. Here is the link to obtain the FMM online (in case travelers ask where to process it before crossing the border): https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html The INM Immigration Office is located in the Aduana building. For your reference, the Gastrak/Sanborn’s location in Lukeville and the Aduana building (just to the left after crossing the border) are highlighted. Additional reminders for this border crossing: All vehicles must have a current, original, valid registration OR the original title/notarized copy. Digital copies or images are not accepted. If the vehicle is not owned by the driver (e.g., a company vehicle, borrowed from family or friends), a notarized letter of permission from the owner is required to take the vehicle into Mexico. Border Hours: U.S. and Mexican authorities have agreed that the Lukeville–Sonoyta border crossing to Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco) is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with extended hours on Fridays (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) from March 7 to October 10, 2025.
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