Here is a brief compendium of information about tourist travel in Mexico. We touch on the most important points, but haven\u2019t the space to tell you everything you might need to know. Be sure to get in touch with SeaSide Reservations if you have questions.<\/p>\n
All visitors driving their own vehicles into Mexico must have Mexican auto insurance. No exceptions. Liability is required; full coverage is recommended. You can obtain a policy right here through our website. Insurance is also available at agencies in many cities, including Tucson and Phoenix, as well as at towns nearer the border.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Rocky Point lies within what\u2019s called the Free Zone, which means visitors\u2019 personal vehicles don\u2019t require a visa. If they drive outside the state of Sonora, though, a vehicle permit is required. Cost is about 290 pesos (about 23 U.S. dollars at current exchange rate).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The Arizona-Mexico border at Lukeville-Sonoyta (via Arizona 85) is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily* (*Extended Friday<\/strong> hours till 10 p.m. March 7 – Oct 10, 2025) <\/span><\/i>Drive slowly as you cross the border into Mexico as Mexican customs officers will stop you to ask questions about your visit. You may be waived into one of the inspection lanes on the left-hand side where you will be asked to turn off the vehicle and roll down your windows. They may also have you open to your trunk and are authorized to inspect your belongings. As you drive south along Mexico Highway 8 to Rocky Point, you may also encounter a police check-point just north of the city. Again, they will ask you brief questions as to your overall travel plans.<\/p>\n Upon re-entering the U.S., adult citizens will need to present their passports or other forms of acceptable identification to U.S. customs officials. Birth certificates are acceptable for children 16 and under. For more information:\u00a0 Bureau of Customs and Border Protection at (520) 387-5671<\/b>.<\/p>\n As of February 2025, the Mexican National Guard is also conducting vehicle inspections just as you approach the Sonoyta-Lukeville border crossing. Officers are very respectful and may ask you to exit your vehicle and stand away from traffic as they do a quick check. Larger vehicles may be directed to an X-ray area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Holidays are particularly hectic for crossing back into the U.S. If possible, when planning your trip to Mexico, allocate an extra day before and a day after following a holiday period or 3-day weekend to avoid long waits at the border. You may also encounter longer delays over peak periods and holidays when entering Mexico.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Firearms, ammunition and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited in Mexico. If you\u2019re caught in possession of them, the penalties are severe. Interestingly, fireworks are also prohibited in Mexico, but nearly every street corner shop openly sells them.<\/p>\n Heading in the opposite direction, back to Arizona, items that you may not bring with you include a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, uncanned meats, live birds, Cuban cigars and alcohol in excess of one liter. When the customs officer asks you what you\u2019re bringing back, be candid about it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Most personal items and recreational gear can be taken into Mexico with no problem (duty free). There are \u201cofficial\u201d limits on things like cigarettes (two cartons, maximum) and cigars (50); the limit on alcohol is three liters. If you exceed these and other limits, you may be charged tax.<\/p>\n On your return journey north, one good-tasting aspect of goods you can return with to the U.S. is seafood: up to 50 pounds of fish and shrimp, all of which are usually sold on the waterfront in Rocky Point. If you\u2019re in possession of medical drugs that aren\u2019t over-the-counter, be sure you have your U.S. prescription for them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAngeles Verdes\u201d are government employees in green and white trucks who patrol the road between Rocky Point and the border to help out motorists in distress. They charge nothing for providing mechanical assistance, but motorists must pay for any required items such as fuel or auto parts needed. The Angels patrol between sunrise and sunset. To signal them, when you\u2019re pulled off to the side of the road, raise the hood of your vehicle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n American greenbacks are just as spendable in Rocky Point as they are in the U.S, although the peso is the official currency. Mexican businesses that list their prices in pesos usually do a slight \u201cmark up\u201d (above the official exchange rate for dollars) when selling goods to tourists.<\/p>\n Rocky Point banks usually have ATMs, but they dispense pesos only, even if they say they\u2019ll disgorge U.S. dollars.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n More than half a dozen hospitals and clinics are located in Rocky Point, and most will provide medical care for visitors, for a price. Most don\u2019t accept U.S. medical insurance. A notable exception is the Red Cross (Cruz Roja) on Blvd. Fremont, which is open 24\/7. Its services are free, although it gratefully accepts donations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n You may take two domestic pets (per vehicle) with you into Mexico, but you\u2019ll need copies of their current rabies vaccination certificates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Riding ATVs on public beaches in Rocky Point is prohibited, but they are allowed on many inland dunes areas, beaches located away from town and at three RV parks in and close to town (The Reef, Playa Bonita and Playa de Oro).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The three RV parks mentioned above also offer space, with water, electricity and shower\/laundry facilities, to tent campers, but dry camping is pretty much limited to beaches outside the city limits, to north and south.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you trailer your personal boat to Rocky Point, it does not require a permit to head out to sea. However, if even one person on the boat is fishing, everyone aboard must have a fishing license (obtainable from the Port Captain). Fishing from the shore does not require a license.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Some U.S. cell phone companies offer \u201cinternational plans\u201d so their phones will work in Mexico, but most others will not. \u201c1-800\u201d numbers that are no-cost within the U.S. can cost the user about $1 a minute if called from Mexico. Avoid the blue \u201cCall USA\u201d pay phones you may see. Using them costs an arm and a leg.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Temperatures in Rocky Point are balmy more often than not. Things may get a mite humid in July and August; rain is infrequent, and thus usually welcome. Sea breezes are usually delightful, although sometimes they pick up to ideal kite-flying velocity. Ordinarily we find that ocean temperatures are anywhere from one to four degrees higher than air temps..<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n January:<\/span> 54 degrees F. A visit and\/or vacation stay in Rocky Point can be one of the highlights of the year. Here is a brief compendium of information about tourist travel in Mexico. We touch on the most important points, but haven\u2019t the space to tell you everything you might need to know. Be sure to get in touch with SeaSide Reservations if you have questions. Vehicle Insurance All visitors driving their own vehicles into Mexico must have Mexican auto insurance. No exceptions. Liability is required; full coverage is recommended. You can obtain a policy right here through our website. Insurance is also available at agencies in many cities, including Tucson and Phoenix, as well as at towns nearer the border. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"search-result.php","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3704","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n
\nFebruary:<\/span> 55 degrees F.
\nMarch:<\/span> 58 degrees F.
\nApril:<\/span> 64 degrees F.
\nMay:<\/span> 70 degrees F.
\nJune:<\/span> 77 degrees F.
\nJuly:<\/span> 84 degrees F.
\nAugust:<\/span> 86 degrees F.
\nSeptember:<\/span> 82 degrees F.
\nOctober:<\/span> 74 degrees F.
\nNovember:<\/span> 62 degrees F.
\nDecember:<\/span> 55 degrees F.<\/p>\n
\nBut plan ahead, ensure you have booked adequate lodging, make sure you have all the personal and recreational items you\u2019ll need. As you\u2019re preparing your itinerary, don\u2019t hesitate to get in touch with the Rocky Point experts at SeaSide Reservations. We\u2019ll help make your trip a memorable and enjoyable one.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"