Things to do in Rocky Point, Mexico

If you are looking for paradise, look no further than Puerto Penasco. Activities range from the relaxing to the exhilarating and everything in between. While Mexico is perhaps best known for the eastern beaches of Cancun and Cabo, the country’s western coast boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Often referred to as Rocky Point, Puerto Penasco is in the northwest of Sonora, Mexico, and joins Mexico with the California Peninsula, and it is only a day trip away from San Carlos. We offer some of the most beautiful luxury vacation home rentals in the world, and we’re the experts on each of the areas in which we offer these furnished houses, so if you’re looking for things to do in Rocky Point, Mexico, you’ve come to the right place.

Rocky Point activities are as varied as the people who make reservations with us to rent our vacation homes and condos. For the nature-lovers, take a look at the Pinacate biosphere reserve. An area rich in human and natural history, the Pinacate is made up of two distinct zones. Ancient volcanic activity has created a sea of hard black lava flows and extinct cones, all of which are covered with the cacti and other plants that the Sonoran Desert is famous for. Along with the volcanic zone, breathtaking dunes rise into the air and roll off toward the Sea of Cortez. This is the largest sand dune field in all of North America.

Take a drive and see some of the enormous craters in the reserve as well as the amazing dunes and wildlife. Catch some amazing views after you climb Santa Clara Peak. It is a 15-mile hike, though, so make sure you’re properly prepared for such a trek. With its recent designation as a World Biosphere Reserve, the area has become more well-known internationally. More of the eco-tourists who come to the reserve are from Europe and Asia than ever before.

If you’re wondering what to do in Rocky Point, Mexico, that offers something a bit more laid back (though there’s plenty for the adventure-seeker as well), look no further than Playa Bonita and Sandy Beach. With its fine sand, warm water, and a wide variety of vendors, this beach offers plenty. Enjoy a fresh mango dipped in chili and lime on a stick while your kids have their hair braided. Count on jet skis to rent, banana boats to give you a wild ride, or ultra-light flights, all right outside of your condo.

Surrounded by dunes, Rocky Point is a natural place to go off-roading. On the streets leading to the resorts on Sandy Beach, you will find four-wheelers to rent. Miles of great off-roading is within minutes of Rocky Point.

The Old Port is the oldest part of the city. It slopes downhill to the Malecon area. Here is a public space by the ocean full of shops, vendors, and local families on weekend nights. Mexican musicians can be found here in the open, playing for those who come to listen or dance. There are more than 40 stores, offering everything from tourist gifts and products to leather goods and clothing, and more than 20 restaurants, serving authentic Mexican cuisine along with American fare, so a simple walk through town can take hours, and you’ll never see everything there is to see simply by visiting for a day.

If staying on land seems a bit too boring but swimming doesn’t float your boat, why not charter a boat instead and go whale-watching? There’s plenty to see when out on the ocean, and you can even catch a shark when sailing on the reef. Once you’re back, what you catch is yours, so when you return to your luxury vacation home, be sure to enjoy a dinner only Rocky Point activities can provide.

Whale-watching trips happen from November until March. This is the time when fin and humpback whales come to give birth. Sunset cruises are a reliably fun year-round activity that shows the real beauty of Puerto Penasco. With open bars and live or DJ music provided, a sunset cruise is often a highlight of a visit to Rocky Point.

Rocky Point is the home to three golf courses. All are open to the public and combine a great day on the links with the incredible beauty found where the desert meets the ocean.

A stay at one of Sea Side Reservations’ resorts or rental homes on the beach offers a perfect family vacation. Memories can be made from things as simple as searching the tide pools at low tide, looking with your kids for baby shrimp or octopuses. Many rental homes are pet-friendly, and dog-lovers can always be found exploring the water’s edge with their best friends.