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Puerto Peñasco is a small city lying in the northwestern part of the state of Sonora, Mexico. Located on the shore of the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortés), the town is known for its shrimping and tourism industries. Puerto Peñasco is alternatively known among many of its English-speaking visitors as Rocky Point.
Geography
The city has population of 40,000 inhabitants. The municipality is quite large in geographical extent, and is very sparsely populated outside the city, with an area of 9,774.45 km² (3,773.94 sq mi). The municipality borders the other thinly-populated state municipalities of San Luis R.C., Sonora, Sonoyta, Sonora, and Caborca, Sonora, as well as Yuma County, Arizona in the United States.
The area features wide variations between high and low tides. With the shallowly sloping sea bed, this can lead to dramatic changes in the waterline twice a day. At the eastern beaches, this reveals a rocky reef with abundant sea life.
Demographics
Puerto Peñasco is a popular destination for tourists, particularly those that reside in the U.S. state of Arizona since it contains the nearest beaches. It is also a popular Spring Break destination with students from Arizona, New Mexico, and California. U.S. Border Patrol agents advise that a passport will be required to re-enter the United States.
Puerto Peñasco is also slated for upcoming marina and other boat-related developments as part of the country's 'Escalera Nautica' efforts, which call for a chain of 'tourist-class' marinas sprinkled up and down the Baja coast in an effort to promote nautical tourism.
Puerto Peñasco has two main beach areas. To the west of the Old Port area, there is a wide, flat area known as Sandy Beach. This is the home to several large hotel/resorts including Las Palomas, Sonoran Sea, Sun, Sky and Spa, and Bella Sirena. East of Puerto Peñasco, there is a long coast with several areas, known in parts as La Mirador, Playa del Oro, Las Conchas, and Playa Encanto, an area of beachfront and near-beach condos, homes and timeshares.
Places of Interest
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There are FANTASTIC BEACHES on Sandy Beach, perfect place for the kids to play.
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There are at least two SCUBA diving operations in Puerto Peñasco, although the waters near to shore tend to be quite shallow.
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The malecon in old Puerto
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Boat and Sailboat Tours
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The CEDO Nature Center in Las Conchas
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The CET MAR aquarium
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The golf courses
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The Pinacate Reserve
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Snorkel trips to Bird Island
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Concerts and various musical venues to enjoy!
Transportation
Puerto Peñasco has an New International airport 14 mi east of town. It is mainly used for small aircraft. The closest commercial airports are several hours away by car. They exist in Phoenix AZ; Hermosillo, Sonora; Tucson, Arizona; or Mexicali, Baja California. A major highway is completed to connect Puerto Penasco with San Luis Rio Colorado and Yuma, Arizona, offering a faster route from Tijuana/San Diego and Los Angeles. It is a smooth wide road, with beautiful vistas near ElGolfo.
There are charter flights available from Phoenix via Deer Valley Airport, and several Van companies offering complete service.
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