Comments on: Sonora is Safe

By: Kenneth

Kenneth — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 00:18:28 +0000

Sonora is the safest place in Mexico

By: crystal

crystal — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:55:43 +0000

sonora is a safe place i have lived in hermosillo for 2 and a half years there are alot of friendly people that are here to just give you a hand

By: Pamela Peterson

Pamela Peterson — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 04:59:43 +0000

I have been living in San Carlos for 4 years and love it, it is my little piece of paradise! I travel about every 4 to 6 weeks to Phoenix by myself (I am 67 years old), and I have never once felt in danger. Of course crime can happen anywhere but this area is quite safe. The road from SC to Nogales is a good road, lots of traffic, and many Arizona and US plated cars. The police in this area are very helpful so nothing to fear! There are many vacation homes here owned mainly by Americans and Canadians and they are vacant for much of the year and seldom are there any problems. So come on down and don’t fear! You will find that San Carlos will capture your heart due to it’s beautiful surroundings and warm friendly people!

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:43:22 +0000

Recent safety info: what does everyone think?

This Warden Message updates U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Mexico of the change to travel procedures for personnel at U.S. Consulate General Hermosillo. Due to the extreme threats of violence along Highway 15/Benito Juarez Autopista between Estacion Don and Guamuchil, Sinaloa, all official travel through this area is prohibited. All official travel by U.S. government employees to other locations in the state of Sinaloa must be conducted in armored vehicles. The single exception to the requirement to use armored vehicles when traveling in Sinaloa is within the city limits of Mazatlan, where U.S. government personnel are permitted to use non-armored vehicles for travel.
Due to increased security concerns in southern Sonora, all official travel south of Ciudad Obregon will be performed in armored GOVs and with police escorts. No personal travel of any kind is allowed for Consulate Hermosillo employees south of Navojoa, Sonora. U.S. government personnel traveling through Ciudad Obregon and Navojoa towards Alamos should exercise extreme caution. Travel to the mountainous areas in eastern Sonora is prohibited. In general terms, this applies to all travel east of the line drawn north to south from Nacozari de Garcia through Moctezuma, through Arivechi, through Rosaria and ending in Alamos.
Due to widespread violence across portions of the Nogales Consular District, including the city of Nogales, and because of the threat of known drug trafficking activity throughout northern Sonora, all official travel to/in the Nogales Consular District must be in armored GOVs. At this time, personal travel between the U.S. border at Nogales, AZ, to Hermosillo in personally owned vehicles is permitted for Consulate employees only on Mexican toll road Highway 15 during daylight hours.
Americans driving to Mexico are reminded that they must have a U.S. passport; a visa is required for travel to Mexico; Mexican automobile insurance is required; and that only Mexican pesos are accepted for payment at toll booths. Drivers are encouraged to follow the security precautions detailed in “A Safe Trip Abroad” which can be found at http://travel.state.gov/tips/safety/safety_1747.html. The Consulate recommends all Americans citizens residing in, visiting, or transiting through the consular district DRIVE ONLY DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS.
Please report any emergencies involving U.S. citizens in Mexico to the American Citizens Services Unit (ACS) at the U.S. Consulate General Hermosillo, located at Monterrey 141 Poniente, Colonia Esqueda, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico: telephone 662 289 23500; after hours emergency telephone, cell 662 256 0741; web page http://hermosillo.usconsulate.gov; fax 662 217 2571; email Hermoacs@state.gov. The U.S. Consular Agency in Mazatlan is located at Playa Gaviotas 202, Local 10, Zona Dorado, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico. Their numbers are 669 916 5889 during the day and for after hours emergencies, cell 669 918 0303.

By: Carl Bengtson

Carl Bengtson — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 02:08:16 +0000

I would like a current assessment of the traveling safety issue when driving from Nogales to San Carlos. We want to take that drive in November and would like a new post about this issue . I know crime can happen most everywhere and do not want to blow the Mexican situation out of proportion.
Thanks.

By: Cyd Yount

Cyd Yount — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 03:51:52 +0000

My first trip to Guaymas was in 1975 during certification dives for SCUBA. It was an incredible experience then, and continues to be an unbelieveably peaceful, friendly, safe place to venture anytime.
We now stay in San Carlos each year and have found the people to have a warmth about them that is only found here with smiles and an ability to make you feel at home. There is always a genuine smile and friendly helpful attitude. The locals are amazing and the atmosphere is relaxed and safe.
It is a sleepy little town with incredible diving, amazing food and margaritas, beautiful sunset cruises, very friendly dolphins and an overall experience that is enjoyed year after year. Thank you to everyone!

By: Lynn Matthews

Lynn Matthews — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:52:41 +0000

My husband and I moved to Banamichi in Northern Sonora three years ago from Colorado to pursue our dream of building a hotel. Today we own and operate Hotel Los Arcos de Sonora (www.losarcossonora.com) offering ten individually decorated rooms. We have invested considerable time and money here in Sonora and are committed to living here for many years. We love everything about Sonora, the people, the food, the culture and the fiestas. We found it safe the first time we visited years and ago and have no fears living here. We also offer motorcycle tours to Mexico through Turkey Creek Motorcycle Tours (www.turkeycreektours.com).

Sonora is a beautiful part of Mexico rich in history, tradition and hard working people who love their country and state. The people are kind and loving and always more than willing to lend a helping hand even when not asked.

By: Iscela

Iscela — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:55:16 +0000

Sonora is safe to visit, I’ve been living in Sonora for 2yrs now and I can tell you there is no danger if you are visiting… Come and enjoy all those beautiful beaches here…

By: Christian

Christian — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:45:34 +0000

I’m from El Paso and I remember going to San Carlos when I was a kid with my gramps. I have fond memories of that place. We took a bus from Juarez to Chihuahua city. We then went on a 14 hour train ride through La Sierra Tarahumara all the way to Los Mochis. From there we took a bus to Guaymas where if I remember correctly, is real close to San Carlos. I think we also stayed at the Fiesta hotel too. Anyways, I’m planning on going back pretty soon once I obtain all my documents to get my passport. This website has reassured me that it is safe to go and the package that you guys are offering to go there is pretty great. See you guys soon.

By: christine Atwell

christine Atwell — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:02:32 +0000

Has anyone traveled to Puerto Penasco recently, like since the new immigration law was passed in Arizona? I’m hearing it’s not safe there now as the Mexicans, understandably, are really angry about it and angry at Americans and getting more and more hostile. Is it safe to go to Puerto Penasco now or not? We have AZ license plates on our car, we could be a target – and we’re blonde Americans. We have a timeshare there and have a week there this month but not sure if we should go or not.

Thanks for your help,

Christine Atwell