Become an Expatriate-Retire to Sonora, Mexico Close to Home: San Carlos, Puerto Penasco, Rocky Point, Kino Bay, Alamos): Become a Sonora Explorer

Buenas Dias, My name is George> In Spanish it would be Jorge.
This Tour should be especially helpful to Tourists or those considering retiring to Sonora or any location in Mexico. Some information and experiences are close to the same for Expats throughout the Mexico.

We are exploring different places to retire in Mexico. In this volume we visit the State of Sonora in the Northwestern part of the country. Sonora is the second largest state in Mexico, second only to Mexico DF. Americans, Canadians and other Expats tend to gravitate to Sonora because of the close proximity to the US.

There are four major retirement areas in Sonora. They are, Bahia Kino or Kino Bay, San Carlos, Alamos and Puerto Penasco or Rocky Point. Each community has it's own appeal. Fishing is a major attraction in all four areas with Alamos the only community not on the Sea of Cortez. However, there is fresh water fishing in a nearby river and Alamos is only 34 miles from the coast at Navojoa.

The warm waters of the Sea of Cortez appeals to Scuba enthusiasts and people that like other water sports.

These are all great retirement areas and they are all close to the US border. As a matter of fact, Tucson, AZ is only There are also large airports in or nearly all these communities.


Retire! We would advise everyone to be a tourist first and maybe visit some of the communities. If you decide to move to an area, consider renting first until you know the various neighborhoods where Americans  or other Expats reside. 

My wife and I lived in Ensenada, Baja California Mexico for seven years. However, prior to moving there we vacationed there for several years learning our way around. An area can become more or less appealing once you know your way around. That's why it's important to be an explorer first. 

First be a Sonora Explorer and then become a Sonora resident.

Close to Home?

I'm really referring to being close to the US/Mexican Border by motor vehicle. 
Here are some mileage figures from Tucson, AZ to Rocky Point and the other three acknowledged Retirement / Vacation Destinations.

If you can drive to your destination in Mexico without having to spend the night on the Road, then you are Close to Home. That's my definition of close to home.

 
Tucson, AZ to San Carlos, Mexico = 6 hrs 27 min (325.0 mi 
Tucson, AZ to Kino Bay = 6 hrs 6 min (304.9 mi) via México 15 S 
Tucson, AZ to Alamos Sonora, Mexico = 9 hrs 36 min (475.2 mi) via México 15
Tucson, AZ to Rocky Point  3 h 39 min (211.1 mi) via AZ-86 W and México 8 
Phoenix to Rocky Point, 3 h 28 min (212.7 mi) via AZ-85 S and México 8.
Arizona's Beach? Half of the population has easy access to Rocky Point, Puerto Penasco. The distance between Tucson & Rocky Point can be considered the same. You would need to see a map to understand the “Why” of the distance.

When driving from Tucson to Rocky Point, the route is different than the other 3 destinations. When going to any of the top 3, you must go through Nogales, AZ. 
And the Capital City of Hermosillo. However, going to Rocky Point takes you a completely different way.

Why give the mileage from Tucson to these various destinations? That's a legitimate question. Many more Americans either know where Tucson is located than Nogales, Arizona or Nogales Mexico.

Driving time and mileage to the International Border from Tucson is 1 hr 3 min (66.4 mi) via I-19. Subtract those figures from the three above and you have the true mileage to those destinations from the International Border.

How's your Spanish? Did you know that the majority of  911 Operators in Mexico do not speak English? So what can yo do in case of an Emergency?
Here's the answer: ExPat 911 to the Rescue.
Read all about it. It's not free but in times of Emergencies in Mexico, it's priceless for Tourists and many Expats. Follow this link to ExPat 911.