What you need to know for your first visit to Rocky Point.
About Puerto Peñasco
Rocky Point is a beach town in Sonora, Mexico, about an hour south of the US-Mexico border. It is a popular tourist town, especially for Arizonans, and is sometimes called Arizona’s Beach. Rocky Point also sees visitors from many other US states as well as from all over Mexico.
Many road signs both north and south of the international border refer to “Rocky Point,” though the official name of the town is Puerto Peñasco. Rocky Point is within the Mexico Free Zone, or No Hassle Zone. The Free Zone is an area of Mexico where immigration forms and vehicle permits are not required. This allows Americans to drive and stay in Puerto Peñasco for up to 180 days without needing a Visa.
Here is everything Americans need to know for their first visit to Rocky Point!
Do I need to know Spanish to visit Rocky Point?
No, you do not need to know Spanish to visit Rocky Point! Because Puerto Peñasco is a popular tourist town, almost everyone speaks English well enough to get by with American visitors.
Rocky Point is still Mexico, though! Most of the street signs will be in Spanish, and sometimes menus at restaurants (though many restaurants have English menus as well). Google Translate is a great app to use while you’re visiting if you don’t know any Spanish. You can look up words on signs or even point your camera at a menu to translate it automatically.
Best time of year to visit Rocky Point
Rocky Point is part of the Sonoran Desert, the same desert that stretches up through Tucson and Phoenix. But because Rocky Point is on the ocean, you get more mild temperatures than most of Arizona. There isn’t a bad time to visit Rocky Point, but the seasons bring different vibes.
Summer is the most popular time to visit Rocky Point, but that’s more because of school breaks and less because of the weather. It is hot and humid in the summer, with daytime temperatures in the 80s-90s and humidity levels around 60%. The ocean is warm (around 80 degrees) and the beer is cold! There are a lot of parties, live music, and dancing in the summer time. The resorts are pretty packed with people lounging in the pool and drinking all day.
Fall is beautiful, just like it is in Arizona. Nighttime temperatures cool to the 50s-60s, and daytime temperatures are in the 70s-80s. Humidity levels around 40%. The ocean temperature is still warm in the fall — usually in the low 70s — so you can still swim or float comfortably. The resorts are less crowded, even on the weekends, and there is still plenty to do!
Winter is my favorite time of year to visit. It is in the 60s-70s during the day, and can get down to 50s or even 40s at night. The ocean is chilly (around 60 degrees), so most visitors stay on the beach or in boats. Winter is a great time to visit for fishing or exploring Rocky Point with fewer crowds.
Spring means spring breakers and is the start of the party season in Rocky Point. Temperatures start heating up to the 80s with nighttime lows in the low 60s. The ocean in Rocky Point is a bit chilly in the spring, which is refreshing during the warm days.
Driving to Rocky Point from Arizona
One of the best things about visiting Rocky Point is the easy trip from Arizona! From Phoenix and Tucson, the drive is less than 4 hours (3 hours in Arizona; 1 hour in Mexico). To visit Rocky Point, cross the border at Lukeville Point of Entry, on highway 85. This is in the Organ Pipe National Monument area, south of Ajo and Why, Arizona.
What you need to cross the border into Mexico
- US Passport*
- Mexican Auto Insurance
- Mexico Visitors Permit (FMM)**
- Face mask (current covid rule as of fall 2021)
If you are bringing a pet with you, have a copy of their vaccination records in your car. I have never been asked to show vaccination records for my dog, but I know others who have.
Make sure you do not bring anything illegal into Mexico. This includes firearms, ammo of any type, marijuana in any form, pepper spray, and knives over 8 inches.
*A note on whether you need a passport to visit Rocky Point: Yes, according to the Border Patrol website, you need a passport. However as a United States citizen, you cannot be denied re-entry into your country, even without a passport. But not having one can cause delays at the border going back into the US (and get you some gruff from the Border Agents). At a bare minimum, you need a US Drivers License.
**This is required per the Mexican government. If you make a claim to your Mexican auto insurance, you may be asked to provide it. If you do not have it, they can deny your claim. I have never been asked for my FMM while traveling in Mexico and do not know anyone who has. You need a valid US Passport to obtain an FMM, and you can apply for your FMM online before your trip.
For full driving directions and safety information, check out my post about driving to Rocky Point safely.
Where to Stay in Rocky Point
Most Arizonans prefer to stay on Sandy Beach (La Playa de Arena). Other popular tourist destinations are Cholla Bay (La Choya) and Las Conchas. Most places do not take walk-in reservations, so book your stay ahead of time. You can book a room directly with the resort, or on popular websites like Expedia and Trip Advisor.
Best Resorts on Sandy Beach
Most of the resorts on Sandy Beach are owned condominium units that are rented out to tourists. Therefore, you’ll likely have a full kitchen and balcony in your room. Many Sandy Beach resorts have pools, lazy rivers, beach access, and pool-side bars.
The most popular places to stay on Sandy Beach are Las Palomas, Bella Sirena, Las Palmas, and Sonoran Sun.
Las Palomas
Las Palomas is an 800-condominium resort with a guard gate and 24-hour security. Las Palomas Resort has two phases (the third phase is under construction as of 2021). Both phases have similar amenities, including pools, lazy river, slide, large hot tub, and small gym. There is also an 18-hole championship golf course guests can play on for an additional fee. Guests at Las Palomas have access to the spa (located in Phase 2), extremely clean outdoor gas grills (between Phase 1 and Phase 2), restaurants (in both phases), and room service. Las Palomas has studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and penthouse condominiums.
Bella Sirena
Bella Sirena is a luxury resort on Sandy Beach with condominiums and villas behind a guarded gate. Amenities at Bella Sirena include pools, a swim-up bar, miniature golf, and a tennis court. There are also multiple restaurants on site. The rooms and villas are beautifully designed with granite countertops and exquisite stonework. Bella Sirena is a guard-gated community with 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom condominiums; a two-story, 3-bedroom penthouse; and 3-bedroom villas.
Las Palmas
Las Palmas is an older resort in Rocky Point, but still a favorite of Arizonans looking to stay on Sandy Beach. They have a few different pools, a large slide for the kids (or kids at heart), and a hot tub. Amenities also include a swim-up bar, clubhouse, game room, and spa. Las Palmas has 24-hour security and options for 1- to 4-bedrooms, either in a condominium or villa. Guests can book a specific building or villa for their stay.
Sonoran Sun
Sonoran Sun offers 1- to 4-bedroom condos, all with fantastic ocean views. Sonoran Sun has pools, a swim-up bar, hot tubs, one on-site restaurant, tennis courts, and charcoal grills.
Renting a Home in Cholla Bay
Cholla Bay is a community of homes up the coast from Sandy Beach. La Choya is one of the best places to see the dramatic tidal changes in the Sea of Cortez. Cholla Bay has many airbnb options to choose from, all privately owned. There are also restaurants and bars, including an Arizonan favorite: JJ’s Cantina.
Staying in Las Conchas
Las Conchas is a neighborhood south of Sandy Beach and the main town of Puerto Peñasco. The drive to Las Conchas requires a bit more navigation through town. Las Conchas itself does not have any amenities — it is just a neighborhood. For that reason, I don’t recommend it for first-time visitors to Rocky Point.
Getting Around Rocky Point
There are three main areas of Rocky Point: Sandy Beach, Centro, and Malecon. I highly recommend visiting all three areas!
Sandy Beach is the main tourist area of Rocky Point. Its most prominent feature is the array of tall high-rise resorts with beach-front pools. In addition to the resorts, Sandy Beach is also home to the popular Bandito’s Bar, owned by Roger Clyne (of the band Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers), which is a great spot for live music.
Sandy Beach offers everything you need for a weekend visit to Rocky Point. But there’s no reason not to venture out! From Sandy Beach, the main town is a short (~five minute) drive away. There are many restaurants, shops, discotecas, bars, and things to do in the town of Puerto Peñasco.
Centro is the main part of town, where you’ll find restaurants, bars, shops, fuel, and activities such as horseback riding and RZR rentals.
The Old Port, or Malecon, is an easy 15-minute drive from Sandy Beach or a short drive down Highway 8 from centro. The Malecon has gift shops, bars, and great seafood restaurants.
Driving in the town of Puerto Peñasco
Most people drive cars, scooters, RZRs, or ATVs to get around. There are no helmet laws in Rocky Point. However, there are a few motor vehicle laws to be aware of:
- Always make a full stop at stop signs
- Only pass in the left lane (do not pass in the right lane)
- You must have Mexican auto insurance
Streets are narrow and often do not have center (yellow) lanes or lane lines (white dashed). If you’re driving on what seems like a luxuriously wide one-lane road, it’s probably a two-lane road. Street parking is allowed in many parts of Puerto Peñasco, which makes the road feel even more narrow.
There are few parking lots and very little public parking. Most of the parking lots are owned by the neighboring business and are only for customers. If you’re planning to drive to town on Friday and Saturday nights, be prepared to practice your parallel parking. Or, be safe and take a taxi (any of the Sandy Beach resorts can call one for you).
On weekend nights, there are window washers who hang out in the parking lots and will wash your windows (or even your car) while you are shopping or eating. Tip them some pesos (coins) as you’re leaving; a couple of US quarters would be fine as well.
There are a lot of hidden stop (alto) signs in Puerto Peñasco. Drive slow and keep a lookout for them! Another reason to drive slow: people and dogs cross the street randomly. Also, there are a lot of speedbumps (topes).
Just as there are few roads with lane lines, there are also few intersections with designated left or right turn lanes. If you’re not completely over to the side when waiting to make your turn, cars will often squeeze right beside you.
The most important thing about driving in Rocky Point is to be confident: don’t do the “you go, no you go” thing at stop signs — go when it’s your turn. Drivers often creep into intersections (either at alto signs or when trying to turn onto the main road); don’t stop to let them in, just drive. They’ll go when there’s space.
Most of the roads are paved (how well they are paved depends), but there are some dirt roads. For this reason, a lot of people prefer to drive SUVs, trucks, or older vehicles they don’t mind getting a little beat up when in Rocky Point.
It’s intimidating at first to drive in a town you’re not familiar with — not to mention driving in a different country! But Rocky Point is easy to navigate and drive in once you get used to it.
Hanging out at the beach in Rocky Point
Sandy Beach is the most popular spot for Americans to relax by the ocean. All of the Sandy Beach resorts have great views and easy beach access. Outside the most popular resorts, vendors set up along the beach. There are vendors offering massages, handmade bracelets, bandanas, henna tattoos, sunglasses, hair braiding, and a variety of other products or services. They will ask almost everyone if they are interested in making a purchase; if you’re not, just say “no, thank you” or no, gracias. No one will harass you or push you.
Haggling is common with vendors in Mexico, both on and off the beach. It’s up to you how hard you want to negotiate for a pair of sunglasses or a nice sombrero. These hard-working people are out in the sun all day trying to make a living, so I don’t usually push too hard. Typically, I get at least 15% off the starting price. I’ve heard others who frequently negotiate down 40% from the starting price.
That said, you will likely pay more for products on the beach than in town. If you don’t mind waiting for that shell necklace, it will be cheaper to look for one next time you venture to centro or the malecon. However, some things are worth the convenience. There are some great banana boat rides and jetski rentals right on Sandy Beach.
If you are staying at a Sandy Beach resort on your visit to Rocky Point, there may be designated chairs and umbrellas set up for you to use on the beach. If not, you can bring your own! Easy-up tents, umbrellas, and other items are all permitted on Sandy Beach. On busy weekends and holidays, it is best to go down to the beach in the morning to set up your spot. Some people leave the frames of their easy-ups on the beach all weekend to secure their spot.
The dramatic tides on the Sea of Cortez
Before you leave items on the beach, you should know about the dramatic tides on Sandy Beach! Between high and low tides, water levels can change 15 feet or more. On Sandy Beach, the ocean looks like it’s pulled back at low tide, exposing acres of new beachfront.
During high tide, it can look like the ocean is right up against the resorts. During low tide, the waves are crashing into the beach 300-feet or more away from the resorts. The tide can come in quickly, so don’t leave items on the wet tidal area unattended.
When the tide is out, take some time to look for hermit crabs, small fish, shells, and starfish in the tidal pools! Most of the year, low tide is around sunrise and sunset. Those are popular times for a walk on the beach.
I hope this has been helpful if you’re planning to visit Rocky Point for the first time!