Sonora
Destinations
Hermosillo
Hermosillo is the capital of the state of Sonora and has a high standard of living. It is one of the most important cities for business in Mexico’s northeast and is the center of Sonora’s economy.
The city is also a great destination for education with a number of superior level institutions. It attracts students from the 84 municipalities in the state as well as students from other states in Mexico.
Meat is a fundamental part of the Sonoran diet, so it is no surprise that the most popular dish in most of the restaurants in the “Capital of the Sun” is carne asada. This delicious roasted meat plays a large role in the support of the cattle industry.
Some of the attractions in Hermosillo are the Emiliana de Zubeldía Museum, Abelardo L. Rodríguez Boulevard, as well as the Navarrete with beautiful walkways of leafy trees that shade the street. The Sauceda Ecological Park is an enormous park that has a water park that is completely full on summer days. The Ecological Center is home to several different species in the region. The Expo Forum has the infrastructure necessary to support all types of commercial, business, artistic and cultural events. In the Metrocenter Plaza you will find restaurants, a movie theater and a bowling alley. The “La Burbuja” or “The Bubble” Children’s Interactive Museum (within Sauceda Park) is a special place to take the kids. The University of Sonora Arts Center is a space dedicated to culture, displays of all types of artwork and the location of many cultural events. Other important attractions include: Zaragoza Plaza, the Asunción Cathedral, the Government Palace and Los Seris Museum. As for sports, the Héroe de Nacozari soccer stadium and the Héctor Espino baseball stadium are home to great sporting events.
Only 65 miles from Hermosillo is Kino Bay. Peacefully sunbathe, relax and eat delicious seafood in this beautiful bay.
Puerto Peñasco
Puerto Peñasco has become one of the major tourist attractions in Sonora. Its boom has generated excellent growth in the tourist industry with 52 hotels and motels, more than 70 restaurants and many tourist related businesses.
This port, also known as Rocky Point, is known for its sport fishing, beautiful beaches, and the calm, rich waters of the Sea of Cortez. Skiing, boating, sailing, diving and snorkeling are also very common activities here.
Within the municipality’s borders is one of the most imposing and beautiful natural wonders in the state and perhaps the country. There is an enormous crater full of small and large craters with many lava tubes. This beautiful Sonoran geography, in the Altar desert, is just a short distance from Puerto Peñasco.
Another attraction in this port is the Cer-Mar Aquarium. Diverse marine species can be observed here, like sea turtles, octopi, sea horses, and many varieties of fish and creatures that live in the depths of the marine world.
Guaymas
The city and port of Guaymas is the main tourist destination in the state, attracting national tourists as well as international tourists. The tourist beach area is located in the northeast portion of the port. San Carlos is the most popular area. Bacochibampo Bay and Miramar Beach also attract many tourists. The city has great tourist services reflected in their hotels, restaurants and tourist activity businesses.
The most famous festival in the port is Carnival. Carnival has been celebrated here every February since 1888. Some of the points of interest here include: San Fernando Church, Sagrado Corazón Church, Sonora Bank, Ayuntamiento, San Fernando Plaza, the Fisherman Structure (a symbol of the city), the Plaza of the Three Presidents constructed in honor of Adolfo de la Huerta, Plutarco Elías Calles and Abelardo Rodríguez, all presidents of Mexico and natives of Guaymas.
The major attractions in Guaymas are related to the sea. Its most popular beaches are Miramar and San Carlos where tourists can enjoy ecotourism, nautical tourism, hunting, fishing, diving and golfing among other activities.
Ciudad Obregón
Ciudad Obregón is in the Cajeme municipality and is one of the richest and most productive areas in Sonora due to its rich soil in the Valle de Yaqui.
A large number of Yaqui natives, the original settlers of this area, still live here. They are known for their strong character, temperament and for being excellent soldiers.
Some of the main attractions here are the Nainari Lagoon, the Dif Ostimuri Park, the Zoo, the Yaquis Museum, the Presa Álvaro Obregón (Oviáchic Dam), the Cócorit Mansion, the Golf Club and Sol, Huivulai and Cochórit beaches.
On foot or by car, visitors experience the pleasures of a city of ample and straight streets where everything is close by: hotel services, restaurants serving fresh and exquisite meats and seafood, commercial plazas, medical services with up-to-date technology, university campuses and hunting. Ciudad Obregón has one of the highest levels of education in the country.