Bucket List for your future Rocky Point Mexico visits!
Seafood and other delights await you. Click Learn More to be taken to the Best Restaurants Puerto Penasco has to offer.
Shells lying on the beach - jack pot for hunting! Find your personal treasures
Playa Miramar-Home of Encanto Living and Luna Blanca Condominium Resort. Bring your shell book or use ours if staying in Encanto Living E703.
Puerto Penasco has some of the best sandy beaches in the world. Our Miramar Beach is among the best. The sandy beach slopes gently in to the Sea of Cortez.
The uncrowded and pristine beaches stretching 20 km (12 miles) from Playa Encanto to Playa Miramar, our beach. This beach offers one of the best places to enjoy a walk the along the Sea of Cortez to gather beautiful shells (does a Hermit Crab live in your treasured shell), dip your toes in the water, watch the sunset, or identify the birds. In Mexico all beaches are, by law, open to the public.
Need I say more. A few clouds in the sky at dusk makes for an ever changing sunset view. Reserve this time of day for sipping a cool drink on the deck overlooking the Sea of Cortez as the sunsets. Sunsets can be enjoyed from your condo, restaurant, and from the Malecon Plaza
Find your own treasures. The Old Port district is the largest shopping area, but Cholla Mall aka "Shacks Fifth Avenue" on "Rodeo Drive" is our choice for traditional souvenirs and more upper-scale items such as pottery, hand carvings, traditional dress, paintings, furniture, and handmade jewelry. Stroll the shops and have lunch at Mariachis & Tequila Restaurant (two story building with balconies in the middle of the block ).
Grab your family, friends and book your parasailing adventure today.
Check out Rock Point Parasailing (+1 480-712-4006) and Federicos Parasail (+52 638-104-4813)
Puerto Penasco can be one of the best places for whale watching. Whales migrate from Alaska down the west coast and into the Sea of Cortez. The best time to come is between early February and mid-May. These excursions can’t promise a whale siting, but they increase the odds. Try Del Mar Charters http://www.delmarcharters.com/ or EcoFun Tours https://www.ecofunrentals.com/.
Grand Motorcycle Fiesta by the Sea of Cortez in Puerto Peñasco. Nov 7th to Nov 11th 2019. Register at: https://rockypointrally.com/
The Old Port district is the largest curio and souvenir shopping area. Spend the day browsing, and try Mary's Seafood or have an ice cream at Thrifty. Grab a couple of pounds of shrimp for the grill later at one of the fish markets. There are some hidden local artist among the trinkets.
Piñata Regatta -Hobie Cat Races 12-13th October 2019
The Tiburones Baseball Team (translated "Sharks") is the most followed team in Rocky Point and consistently deliver exciting baseball. They play ball locally at the newly upgraded García Stadium next to the Plaza la Madre. And to top it off, A ticket costs around $5.
11 hotspots listed by eBird.com in and around Rocky Point, MX. Start by looking around Puerto Penasco. Puerto Peñasco lies near multiple estuaries that bird enthusiasts will love. Morua and La Pinta are two of the most visited. While in the gated community of Las Conchas, The Center for Desert and Ocean Studies can be a great place for birding. 517 Species have been reported in the State of Sonora. Puerto Penasco's Sea of Cortez, coves, bays, estuaries and wetlands are home many variety of resident and migratory birds including the Sea of Cortez endemic, the Yellow-footed Gull, American Oystercatcher, Surfbird, varioust Terns, Sanderling, Red Tropicbird, various Plovers, Storm-petrels, Black-vented Shearwater and Brown and Blue-footed Boobies, plus lots more. Bring your bird book.
The Sailfish Statue harolds the entry to the road leading to the Puerto Penasco’s main hotel zones on Sandy Beach. The statue replaces a historic promotional sign for the Playa Hermosa Hotel which consisted of 4-fishermen in front of 4-hanging sailfish that had been built over 50 years ago. At the time, the sign was quite famous but disappeared when Calle 13 was initially paved in the late 70s.
Three Golf course in Rocky Point are in excellent condition and offer a unique golf experience playing along side the waters of the Sea of Cortez. They are The Links Golf Course at Las Palomas, Laguna Del Mar Golf Club, and Vidanta Golf Puerto Peñasco at the Mayan Palace Resort. When stay just 5 minutes away at the Encanto Living and Luna Blanca Resort, you are entitled to member rates of $40. (Get your authorization letter from the 1st floor Office).
The vast sand dune field of the Gran Desierto de Altar surround the Pinacate volcanic peaks. Together they are designated a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site managed by the Federal government of Mexico.
The Pinacate Peaks are a group of volcanic peaks and cinder cones located mostly in the Mexican state of Sonora along the international border adjacent to the U.S. state of Arizona, surrounded by the vast sand dune field of the Gran Desierto de Altar to the SE.
Shrimp-and-Scallop-Ceviche, the best of Puerto Penasco made with fresh shrimp and scallops caught last night and marinated in lemon, lime and orange juices and stir in cucumber, red onion and chiles tomatoes, avocado, chopped cilantro, and olive. Each vendor has their own special blend.
Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s independence day, but marks an important day in the country’s history. May 5th is the day the Mexican Army defeated France at The Battle of Puebla. Catering to tourists, many of the local restaurants and bars will have Cinco de Mayo specials and offer Mariachi bands or other live music. Margaritas are always in abundance with traditional blended or neat drink and to specialty flavored drinks including Mango, Strawberry and Tamarind.
Be pleasantly surprised at El Tapeo Wine and Tapas Bar sampling Baja Wines by the glass or open a bottle to share with friends. When they are showcasing a special winery, reservation are needed: 638-380-5017. Tucked out of the way into a corner of the Laos Mar Hotel (righthand side of entry).
Top #1 Deserts spot. Pastries & breakfast at the Candy Cake.
Cervantino International Festival is the most important cultural and artistic festival in the Spanish speaking world. 13-16th October 2019. For the 2nd year Puerto Peñasco is an extension city for the XLIV International Cervantino Festival, Mexico’s prestigious Art and Culture Festival. The free event is held in the Malecon which will host with festival goers. More than 1000 international, national, regional, and local talents; 26 main events; 40 alternate performances. Facilities:Five stages, Theater tent, Mimes, Callejoneadas (strolley musicians), Art Island. And don't forget the food.
Come spend a romantic vacation before the big event. There are a number of wedding planners in Puerto Penasco that will arrange for your ceremonies to be held on our pristine beach at our Encanto Living/Luna Blanca Resort or one nearby. You might decide to have them cater your reception in our large event room overlooking the pool and Sea of cortez, with drinks served poolside from the bar. There are lots of options in Rocky Point for your special day.
Southern Arizona Desert Racing (SADR) host a number of races throughout the year in the Sonoran Desert east of Rocky Point.
Probably the most interesting thing about Mexican jumping bean shrubs (Sebastiana pavoniana) are the remarkable "beans" that jerk and roll about with seemingly perpetual motion. The jumping bean is not a bean though, nor is it a seed. It is actually a small, thin-shelled section of a seed capsule containing the larva of a small gray moth called the jumping bean moth (Laspeyresia saltitans). Luckily, the jumping bean moth only likes jumping bean seeds and is of no economic importance as an agricultural pest. They will not be confiscated by the U.S. Border Patrol or the U.S. Agricultural Inspection Agency.
The Mayan Palace Golf and Tennis Club. For Mayan Palace Tennis courts availability and reservations, contact Mayan Concierge. Phone: +52 (638) 3830400
At Guano Pass Cove, snorkelers enjoy the fun with Sea lion pups playing with visitors above and below on the surface as they swoop in and darting away as if teasing the humans.
There are a nnumber of tour charter boats including Del Mar Charters, Pacific Charters, and Pancho Villa.
Claimed to be is the largest concentration of petroglyphs in the Americas. This rock art is embodied in many hills in the area of what was once the Copper Mine The Providencia. Characterized by having many figures of animals, mostly pronghorn and bighorn sheep (typical in the region). This rock art looks is scattered in other places close to Caborca: The Mójoqui, Whitelist, paddock Balderrama, Rancho La Cueva, Sierra del Alamo, Cerro El Nazareno, Antimony, Sierra Garbage, Sierra Chamois, Saint Felicitas and many other less known.
The petroglyphs are on ejido Rancho Puerto Blanco located 15 km north of Caborca on the road coming from Puerto Penasco. The hills are within this ejido (a designated of Mexican land tenancy, communal land farming area), whose owners are responsible for protecting and conserving the petroglyphs. Modest 100 peso fee.
Cholla Bay at very low tide . Take a heavy steel garden rake, 14" wide with 4" tines and a bucket or sack. They are everywhere. When your rake strikes something hard, it is either a live clam or an old clam shell. You don't need to dig deep as they are usually 1" below the sand surface.
Store then in salt water (they die otherwise). Clean your clams by soak 20 minutes in fresh water just before cooking. As the clams take in the freshwater, they push out the unwanted salt water and sand.
Or just purchase them at your favorite fish market or Oyster Farm.
Enjoy a walking exploration of Estero Morua, a hyper saline estuary, only found in the upper gulf. The Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts & Oceans ( CEDO ) offers tours. All tours begin and end at CEDO’s field station in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. Reservations can be made by phone at (520) 320-5437.
Rocky Point Tours, and others, offers kayaking through the estuary to discover the rich plant life, view animals and abundant bird species in their natural habitat and soak in the amazing views of this beautiful area.
Expect to see Willets, Gulls, Pelicans together. Look for Marbled Godwit, the second largest of the Sandpiper, in the grass. Also look for Long-billed Curlew, Whimbrel, American Oystercatcher, Snowy Egret, and Great Egrets. If you are like me bring a good bird book.
While there, sample the fried oysters and clams at the El Barco Oyster Farm. They are cultivated by the only all women’s oyster farming cooperative in Mexico!
La Pinta Estuary is located north east of Encanto Living and North of the Mayan palace. Access is via the road to Encanto Living or the Mayan Palace. Birding opportunities as well as some access to the nearby La Pinta estuary, an eBird hotspot are available. Adventuresome kayakers can access the mouth of the estuary from the sea of cortez side past the Mayan Palace. Be wary of tidal currents as they can sweep you out to sea. The mouth of the estuary is a great fishing location. You may be able to drive to Playa La Ultima staying to the left of the Mayan Golf cours along the edge of the Estuary.
No fishing license is required to fish from the shore. Depending on the tides and seasons, Shortfin Corvina, Yellowtail and Black Skipjack frequent the waters near the shore depending on the temperature of the water and can often be caught without live bait. From shore or beach fishing is also very fruitful during the right months of the year. You can find an abundance of rock bass and trigger fish. You are sure to catch something!! The best places to fish from shore will be ports or estuaries and the following locations are also mentioned:
Cholla Bay-Pinto Point
Cholla Bay-Pelican Point
Cholla Bay-Tucson Beach
Posadas is an important Mexican Christmas tradition and features prominently in holiday festivities. These community celebrations take place on each of the nine nights leading up to Christmas, from December 15 to 23th. Posadas are held in neighborhoods across Mexico. The celebration begins with a procession in which the participants hold candles and sing Christmas carols. Sometimes there will be individuals who play the parts of Mary and Joseph. The procession will make its way to a particular home (a different one each night), where a special song, "La Cancion Para Pedir Posada" is sung. Dinner follows which can consist of Tamales both sweet and savory, rice, Atole, Ponche, chocolate-cinnamon Champurrado and alcoholic drinks like Tequila. The children break open a Piñata that is y filled with candy while the parents visit with the friends and family. If you ever invited to participate in a family Posada, take them up on the invitation.
Virtually every restaurant will have Valentine's Day specials. Or pick up a special Valentine cake or pastry at Candy Cakes
ATVs are a great way to get out there on to the sand dunes of the Altar desert, for the adrenaline junkie looking to mix it up with the sand and tough terrain or the 4×4 enthusiast seeking another perspective local beauty. Age 16+
Sea turtles can cause quite a lot of excitement in Puerto Peñasco. In 2017 at the end of September, within a span of 24 hours, six sea turtles laid eggs on Sandy Beach. Surprisingly, over 800 sea turtle eggs (18 nests) were collected along the beaches of Puerto Peñasco and incubated , leading to about 400 baby turtles being released back into the Sea of Cortez 46 days later that year. In addition, 75 sea turtles are reported to have hatched from a nest along Playa Encanto. If you are lucky enough to see a nest, report it so they can be protected from predators.