Driving From Tucson To San Carlos, Mexico
Ocean Resort Town Near Guaymas is an Easy Day's Drive From Arizona
May 28, 2009
The tourist-friendly state of Sonora borders Arizona to the north and the Sea of Cortez to the west. Most of the western coastline consists of long stretches of empty (and often inaccessible) beaches, desert mountains and cliffs. Three primary coastal destinations are the deep water port of Guaymas and the resort communities of Puerto Peñasco and San Carlos.
The Tourist Destinations of San Carlos and Guaymas
Primarily a commercial center, the 300 year-old colonial city of Guaymas is a developing cruise ship destination with fine restaurants, shopping and a major fishing fleet. Twelve miles to the northwest, San Carlos is dominated by tourist-oriented resorts and activities, as well as expatriate and vacation homes.
Desert mountains, emerald water, white sand beaches and multiple bays, inlets and harbors make San Carlos a popular destination for sun-loving tourists. Outdoor enthusiasts find San Carlos ideal for hiking, mountain biking, birding and a wide variety of water sports including sailing, fishing, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking.
Driving from Tucson, Arizona, to San Carlos, Mexico: an Overview
Interstate Highway 19 (I-19) originates in south Tucson, at an intersection with I-10, and runs south 64 miles to the Mexican border, where it connects with Mexico 15. A 4-lane divided toll road, Mexico 15 continues south through the Sonoran state capital of Hermosillo and on to San Carlos and Guaymas, about 260 miles south of the border.
Although driving in Mexico is not exactly the same as driving in the U.S., tourists who are properly prepared will find good highways, friendly residents and a safe and easy drive to San Carlos.
Preparing for a Road Trip to San Carlos, Mexico
A valid passport and Mexican automobile insurance are essential, since a passport is required to obtain a tourist permit and U.S. car insurance is not valid in Mexico. In addition, you should have sufficient U.S. dollars to pay tolls and other expenses until you reach an ATM or bank in Hermosillo or San Carlos.
Driving from Tucson to and through the International Border
From the intersection of I-10 and I-19 at Tucson, drive 61 miles south on I-19 to Exit 4 (Arizona highway 189). Note that "mileage" markers and exit signs along I-19 are expressed in kilometers, not miles. By exiting onto highway 189, you avoid Nogales traffic and reach the International border in 3 miles.
U.S. border patrol agents and Arizona police, in an attempt to intercept illegal arms and money, conduct random checks of southbound vehicles on the U.S. side of the border. These are friendly in nature, and crossing delays are brief. After crossing, vacation-bound tourists can pass through the "nothing to declare" lanes on the Mexican side without stopping.
Six miles beyond the border, you encounter the first of three toll booths. Current toll here is 42 pesos, or about $3 U.S., and the toll can be paid with U.S. currency. Use nothing larger than a twenty and no U.S. coins. The current exchange rate at this booth is 12 pesos per dollar, or 240 pesos for a 20 dollar bill. Correct change for a 20 dollar bill is 198 pesos (240 pesos less 42 pesos toll). Carry a calculator and count your change.
From the First Toll Booth to the Migration Center at Kilometer 21
Just past the first toll booth is an "8 second" checkpoint. Tourists usually are quickly cleared, and in 7 miles, signs direct you into an area where you obtain your tourist permit (migratory form). Take your passport to the first building and request a permit, which can be for as long as 180 days. Complete the form, sign the back and take it to the Banjercito office to pay the fee ($20 U.S.) You can use VISA or Mastercard. Note that if you have a valid form from an earlier visit, you can skip this process, which can take an hour.
Auto permits are not required for visits to San Carlos or Guaymas, but as you leave the permit area your car triggers a random light. It either turns green, allowing you to continue south, or red, requiring a brief inspection.
Driving through Hermosillo to San Carlos
A second toll booth (19 pesos, $1.50 U.S.) is 43 miles from the Migration office, near Magdalena. From here, the highway rolls 109 miles to the last toll booth (59 pesos, $4.50 U.S.) outside Hermosillo. Follow the Guaymas signs through Hermosillo, which takes about 30 minutes. About 90 miles from the third toll booth the toll road bears left toward Ciudad Obregon. Take the libre (free) road to the right at this junction, and continue 2 miles to a fork, where Guaymas lies straight ahead and San Carlos is 5 miles to the right.
Other Things to Know While Driving to San Carlos
There are no rest stops on the highway, but abundant PEMEX gas stations have rest rooms (Baños). Usually these are free, but occasionally a small charge (2 or 3 pesos) is asked for toilet tissue or house cleaning.
The only stations in Mexico are PEMEX, and the price is the same at all. Currently, the price for regular unleaded (Magna) is 7.72 pesos per liter, or about $2.29 U.S. per gallon. To fill up, say "lleno" ("full", pronounced "yayno"). Most gas stations do not accept credit cards, but will accept U.S. currency.
Be careful crossing speed bumps (topes) in the small towns of Imuris and Santa Ana. Sometimes they are difficult to see, and they can damage a car that doesn't slow to a crawl.
When you stop at signaled intersections in Hermosillo, you may encounter young men who want to wash your windshield. Even if it doesn't need it, a few pesos will be appreciated by the budding entrepreneurs. Besides, they usually finish before you can turn them down.
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