San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico is generally considered safe, but it is important to exercise caution while traveling. Stay informed about travel advisories, follow local laws and regulations, and use common sense to ensure your personal safety. U.S. government employees may travel to San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos, but travel to Alamos is only permitted by air and within city limits. The closest international airport with connections to the US is Hermosillo.
The U.S. State Department has issued advisories for traveling in San Carlos, advising travelers to stay on main roads during daylight hours, avoid mass events, and limit indoor activity to 25% of building capacity. Puerto Peñasco Sonora Mexico is considered safe, but it is not known as the most safe state of the Mexican states.
US citizens can travel by highway to San Carlos, Nuevo Guaymas, with no problems. Security in the area is frequently checked to alert US citizens of areas where they may be unsafe. Guaymas is now listed as number 3 on the USA government safety list, which is the “reconsider travel” category.
If driving, the highway from Nogales, Mexico to San Carlos is considered safe and pleasant. San Carlos is a nice town and community, but the state of Sonora is known for heavy drug-related crimes. Traveling to San Carlos is safe if you stay on major roads and limit your driving to daytime, like in the rest of Sonora.
For driving to Mexico, tips on checkpoints, tolls, Mexican insurance, driving maps, and drive times are available. Driving Highway 15 in Sonora is also considered safe.
📹 🇲🇽 The Most INCREDIBLE BEACH Town in MEXICO! | SAN CARLOS, SONORA | Mexico TRAVEL 2022
SAN CARLOS, SONORA – Welcome to Mexico! This video is Episode 15 of my 2022 Mexico Travel series and we are continuing …
Is San Carlos a safe city?
San Carlos has a higher crime rate than the national average across all American communities, with a 1 in 54 chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime. However, it is not among the highest-crime areas in America, with 18 crimes per 1, 000 residents. The chance of becoming a victim in San Carlos is not one of the safest in America, and relative to California, it has a crime rate higher than 50 of the state’s cities and towns of all sizes.
NeighborhoodScout found that San Carlos’s crime rate was near the average for all other communities of similar size, making it not much more or less dangerous than other US cities. Understanding whether violent crime or property crimes are the major contributors to the general crime rate in San Carlos is crucial for addressing the issue.
Is Sonora, Mexico safe in 2024?
Puerto Peñasco, a beach resort town in Sonora, is under a Level 3 advisory from the State Department due to widespread violent crime and kidnapping. Despite this, the town is considered a safe destination. The State Department advises motorists to use Federal Highway 8 via the Lukeville Port of Entry during daylight hours, as it was designated a “safety corridor” in 2016 by Arizona and Sonora officials. The highway features bilingual signs, security cameras, and locations for roadside assistance.
What is the safest part of Mexico for tourists?
Mexico is a top travel destination known for its warm weather, picturesque beaches, and numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites. It’s an ideal destination for families during Spring Break, offering activities like snorkeling, sunbathing, exploring Maya pyramids, and encountering dolphins. To ensure safety, consider the five safest destinations to visit in Mexico: Calakmul, Cancún, Mérida, San Francisco de Campeche, and Valladolid. Calakmul, located in Campeche state, is known for its tropical forests and Maya ruins.
Is San Carlos, Mexico safe to visit?
San Carlos, Mexico, is a safe and friendly destination with stunning sunsets and mountains. It is located 5 hours from the USA border and is easily accessible by bus or car. US citizens can travel by highway to San Carlos, Nuevo Guaymas, but security is monitored to alert them of unsafe areas. The tourist destination is not in the south of Sonora.
Is Sonora Mexico safe for tourists?
Sonora state in Mexico is facing a rethinking of travel due to the widespread presence of crime and kidnapping. The state is a hub for the international drug trade and human trafficking networks, and U. S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. The U. S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U. S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U. S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted.
State-specific restrictions are included in individual state advisories, including restrictions on travel between cities after dark, taxi hailing, and relying on dispatched vehicles. U. S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. They are also prohibited from driving from the U. S.-Mexico border to or from the interior of Mexico, except for daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D, and between Ciudad Juarez and interior cities.
How far is San Carlos, Mexico from the US border?
Mexbound. com offers detailed driving directions and maps to San Carlos, Sonora Mexico, 250 miles south of the U. S. border at Nogales, Arizona. The city is situated on the scenic Sea of Cortes, with a beautiful and inviting climate. It is strategically located within the Sonora Free Zone, an unrestricted driving zone for vehicles coming from the US. If driving within Sonora for 7 days or less, a valid driver’s license or ID is required.
To drive from Phoenix to San Carlos, take the I-10 east to Tucson, Arizona. Head south on Interstate 19 to Nogales, Arizona, and continue south on Highway 15. You will pass through several small towns, including Guaymas, which is 10 minutes away. The Guaymas airport is 10 minutes away, and the San Carlos sign will appear as you approach it.
From Tucson, it is approximately a 7 hour drive, while from Phoenix, it is approximately a 5 hour drive. Mexican insurance is recommended before leaving for San Carlos.
Is there violence in Guaymas Sonora?
The port city has experienced frequent violence, forcing children to hide under desks and shootings outside schools. More murder cases have been recorded in 2022 than in any other year since 2015, with officials blaming fighting between criminal groups. At least two others were killed in shootouts on Friday.
Is it safe to drive from Tucson to San Carlos, Mexico?
The highway from Nogales, Mexico to San Carlos is considered safe and pleasant for driving. For Arizona residents, the drive from Phoenix or Tucson down Mexico 15 through Nogales is safe and offers interesting landscapes. After Hermosillo, continue south on Mexico 15 to connect with Sonora 17 Highway West, staying west on Sonora 17 to San Carlos. The drive takes approximately 8 hours and requires a U. S. Passport and a Mexican Tourist Permit. Ground transportation in San Carlos is available, and speed limits should be observed.
What is the best time to visit San Carlos, Mexico?
San Carlos is ideal for warm-weather activities from early December to early March. Taxis at Hermosillo International Airport offer fares of 300 pesos ($30) for a short ride into town. Taxi stations are located in front of Marina Terra Hotel and Plaza Los Jitos. Bartering is common. Renting a car at the airport is available for 700 pesos a day ($70) with Budget Car Rental and Hertz having rental desks.
What is the crime rate in Sonora Mexico?
In 2022, crime prevalence in Sonora increased by 15. 31, reaching 24. 1 thousand people per 100, 000 inhabitants.
Does San Carlos have sharks?
Lemon sharks are inquisitive and smart animals that swim close to snorkelers and spearfishers. They are calm and curious, leaving you alone if there are no fish in the water. Sandrine and Maisch are excited to add a shark to their list of aquatic animals they’ve seen up close and personal. They also saw dolphins with babies and manatees, which is incredible for France, as they don’t have that in their country.
📹 🇲🇽 🚘 The Best Way To Drive To San Carlos Guaymas Sonora Mexico 🚗
We towed our small sailboat from Washington State to San Carlos last fall and spent the winter living on our little boat – smack dab in the middle of that marina. It was our first time in San Carlos and we absolutely loved it. Sailing out from the marina onto the Sea of Cortez in brilliant sunshine and consistent wind was a sailor’s dream. We left the boat and trailer there, and will return in the fall for another 180 days. Can’t wait.
🇺🇸 I hope you enjoyed San Carlos! Who knew that a beach location would end up being one of my Top 5 destinations in Mexico! The next article is from Guaymas, where we have Cahuamanta (which you can see in the intro of this article). Please take note of the message of this article around not devaluing someone else’s travel experience. I understand you want to recommend certain activities and excursions, but those things are not what I personally enjoy about travel. I went to San Carlos to visit rugged beaches, see the viewpoint, and get epic drone shots, not go to a water park. As I mentioned, you can check out Turismo con Pao and her links in the description of this article – if you’re interested in tours or information about visiting San Carlos for a vacation, get in touch with her! She’s brilliant and incredibly knowledgeable! 🇲🇽 ¡Espero que hayas disfrutado de San Carlos! ¡Quién diría que un lugar en la playa terminaría siendo uno de mis 5 mejores destinos en México! El siguiente article es de Guaymas, donde tenemos Cahuamanta (que pueden ver en la introducción de este article). Tome nota del mensaje de este article sobre no devaluar la experiencia de viaje de otra persona. Entiendo que quieras recomendar ciertas actividades y excursiones, pero eso no es lo que disfruto de viajar. Fui a San Carlos para visitar playas escarpadas, ver el mirador y obtener tomas épicas de drones, no para ir a un parque acuático. Como mencioné, puede consultar Turismo con Pao y sus enlaces en la descripción de este article.
David estoy increíblemente sorprendida y agradecida por tu vídeo,claramente reflejas en tu vídeo lo que es Guaymas y San Carlos,es admirable que con semejante calor hayas realizado el vídeo a pie,bravo lo lograstes,yo que vivo ahí no me he atravido a caminar todo ese recorrido,uff mucho calor,gracias por tu vídeo..saludos desde Guaymas
The painting of that actress that you saw and you said that reminded you of Elizabeth Taylor, is really a mexican actress of the same era as Elizabeth called Maria Felix and she was born in Alamos Sonora in 1914. A lot of people think that only the caribbean waters of Cancun and Tulum are cool but thats is completely bollocks!
San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico, is a captivating coastal retreat renowned for its splendid beaches, crystalline waters, and abundant marine life along the Sea of Cortez. Nestled within the rugged landscapes of the Baja California Peninsula, it entices visitors with a blend of water sports, including snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing, as well as opportunities to explore the surrounding natural reserves and enjoy a relaxed community atmosphere. Thanks, David Ostrowski!
That Lady in the is one of the most beautiful women the 50´s and 60´s her name was Maria Felix, and she was a STAR. She was one of the most beautiful, talented and exuberant star of the Golden Age of Mexican Movies, besides Dolores del Rio. Widely recognized even in Hollywood. She was born in Sonora, therefore she is part of our Mexican Cultural heritage. Just a bit of illustration for your audience, it doesn´t hurt! Thanks for promoting this wonderful unknown to the tourists places. Salud!
You did exactly what I would have wanted to do as a visitor to San Carlos. It’s more fun to go where you want and do what you want, with no tours or time schedules (or crowds). (Or water parks, ugh!) Beautiful turquoise water and amazing landscapes! Very much enjoyed the drone shots. Since you asked, it’s pronounced TOO-sahn, Arizona. 😄 Loved the close-ups of the gorgeous flowers. As always, your humor was fantastic! One of my favorite articles of yours! Excellent work, David! 😄💕
Hi, David! Another brilliant article, one more of your absolute best, and amazing drone work! What a stunning place with absolute jaw-dropping beauty that’s almost like being in a dream! I’m a lover of mountains, desert, and sea, and this is a place for me. Wowsers! People say I need to go to Cape Town, South Africa, but I find San Carlos far more beautiful and off the beaten path. The 10 hour drive from El Paso is calling to me. Tacos Gobernador Estilo Sinaloa were originally created for one of the Sinaloense state governors… haven’t had them but hear they’re amazing. Hope you’re doing okay with your injury… I’m sure you are, you’re such a Road Warrior!
Yes indeed, San Carlos has the best peaceful gorgeous views. Shhhhh. I also recommend you to go and visit Alamos Sonora a very colonial histórico town just not too far from Obregón. That the birth place of the legendary actress Maria Felix. It’s sort of hit-ten going up into La Sierra. (recommend to visit)
Well done, David! This is our first look at one of your articles and we are impressed with your enthusiasm, knowledge and endurance, especially on this trek of San Carlos. As one of your ex-pat retirees who make San Carlos their part time home, we thought you’d like to know that we are one of many Canadians in San Carlos who likely at this point outnumber ex-pats from the USA. And yes, we too have a boat but we’re not the rich and famous types that you alluded to. San Carlos is a place where everyone can enjoy some form of watercraft and a home. We look forward to your upcoming adventures.
Thanks for visiting and Showing San Carlos. Is such a small place but full of beautiful places. Is literatelly the Desert along with the Sea. You have all kinds of cactus and desert on your back and right infront of you the beautiful beach. By El Delfinario, also the Jungle by the Manga, El Caracol with white sand like the caribean. Piedras pintas with beautiful and colorful little rocks every where. And many more things. Also the Mural is not Elizabeth Tailor. I know you didn’d said it was you said it reminds you, but she is Maria Felix Mexican Icon Del Cine Dorado. Mexican actress. Thanks again. Hope you come back soon.
I would say gorgeous, stark and other planety like you say David, grandiose setting of the desert kind, excellent article David. The place is developed but not developed enough which makes it pleasant. Those boats, for the most part, belong to expats, as you say from California and Arizona and l would add a sprinkling of Canadians.. Most of those of those folks are back in the US and will come back in the Autum and Winter. On the other your tan shines through the article.
Hey brother how are you!!! Hope you’re sitting pretty in a nice beach eating delicious seafood and drinking your choice of beer as we speak!!!, because I’m working my soul away! Just thought I’d drop a comment and help you out since you visited my hometown, yes that is correct I am from there so I am very well aware of that infernal heat and dry air 😂 But trust me you there is so much beauty and fun to be had there if, and only if, you get out of your comfort zone. Im glad you got to see the area. There is so much to see and appreciate if you somehow manage to open your eyes and see beauty for what it is. Thank you much brother for seeing some, of what there is to see. You scratched the surface, I just wish you had explored and experienced more. I’ll gladly show you more if I knew you. Good travels to you, and best of luck to you
Excellent! I love how you make your articles, they are so honest, funny and to the point. I absolutely enjoyed perusal your journey through my state. I would have loved to have accompanied you and have shared in person the moment. I appreciate you recommending my account, that is such a nice gesture. We hope to have you back soon David. God bless you!
Unfortunately David missed the best view in San Carlos…same bay as Playa Algadones…the Catch 22 Beach! The same beach where the movie was filmed. The best beach in Mexico! And you filmed the Sea of Cortez! The Baja is just directly West. Glad you were able to enjoy San Carlos! We have had a home here for 18 years. We are from Tucson, AZ. FYI I had to chuckle…the ‘c’ in Tucson is silent.
I went to San Carlos Bay for Spring Break 1983. My then-bf and I rented a condo out of the newspaper. The owners mailed us the key. We drove down with printed directions and stayed in the condo for a week. It was one of only 2 condos on the entire beach. We ate at a reatsuarant where they filled the tables. The two of us were sat at a table for 6 or 8 (can’t remember) along with other couples, and we all met and had dinner. I remember the town being tiny and friendly. The beach was vast, beautiful, and empty. Only 2 buiIdings. I wish I had more photos of the condo and area.
That beach in front of El Mar restaurant is never crowded. They have a wedding or 2 every weekend. Some with spectacular fireworks. The snorkeling is great. I saw a local diver come in with a bag full of octopuses (octopi?) for local restaurants. The best place in town for breakfast is Turquesa across the street from Charly’s Rock but still a good view of the bay. Tetikawa is the name of the beautiful twin peaks in the background. The giant sea birds are pelicans. There are two types of very large cactus, organ pipe with many arms and saguaro is the taller one.
Enjoyed this alot. First visited San Carlos Bay in l965 and several times thereafter. How it has changed! Sleepy and quiet with no development then. Did you manage to see the old Catch 22 film sight on the beach away from the city? We actually found it almost intact and the airstrip was still very new. Thanks!
Great article…albóndigas beach. 🤣 Had a good laugh at that one. I have to say I forget about the beaches in Sonora- you just reminded me I must visit since I am close by in California. I hate water parks and resorts in Mexico. I prefer to walk around, hang out at the beach, eat, explore on my own! Hope you are healing from whatever ailment you have. That’s no fun. 😒
I’m shook! Beautiful. Tucson Az is pronounced Tooson. It’s a Indigenous word. Also, the town of Algadones is on the border of Arizona and is a very big town for dental work. There are dozens of dentists offices there. Americans go to Algadones to get their dental work done for about 1/3 the price of doing it in the US. We do not have National health care for dental work and even private dental insurance doesn’t cover much more and teeth cleaning. So many of us Americans get it done in Mexico and the border is easy to walk through here with a passport. Hundreds go over everyday for dental work. Also to buy prescription drugs for 1/3 the price compared to the USA.
23:18 it is probably because of that, i grew up in obregon and of course went to san carlos in multiple occasions, now Im living in Tucson (too-son) arizona and used to work as a phlebotomist for a really big clinic here, had a lot of patients that actually lived in san carlos or guaymas and just drove for their appointments, labs, meds and back to Mexico, unlike other parts of the us or even mexico (southern states), northern México is not a foreign land or some no mans zone, its just another place to visit or move, theres another beach town called Puerto Peñasco (it even has an english name “Rocky Point”) 3 hours from tucson with a strong american “expat” community and a huge tourist destination for Mexican-Americans and “gringos” living in phoenix and tucson.
actually I prefer you explore the place instead of tours. The nice season is from October till April. then it gets too hot. you do need a car or motor cycle. Right across the ocean is the baja peninsula, you can actually see the lights at night. No we dont eat carne asada in Guaymas but seafood instead. Carne asada in Obregon or Hermosillo. Little stands usually dont have as good quality meat as restaurants. Great article again.
I’ve probably never seen any beach town I’ve visited because I’m in the water or on the beach all day. I will not criticize you for missing a water park. I have only discovered you now that you’ve had enough (classic me) but may I just say how much I’ll miss your outlook on the world when you’ve gone off to Poland to write your book and bring the world up to C2 English, innit? I’m old, so will be retiring to Mexico as an immigrant working toward residency because, while what I know of Mexico I love, as a US citizen, it’s pretty obvious I’m also going to need a real passport someday soon. From my cursory knowledge of where the gringos live I came on here looking for information on San Luis Potosí, thinking, yeah I could probably love that, and won’t be forced to speak to my countrymen all day. And fabulous You only reinforced my thinking. Thanks for your six years in Mexico and for taking us along. I’ll try and get you some more residuals. (I also adore CDMX but enormous cities are harder as you age.) Good luck in Poland.
The mural of the beautiful woman is a a Mexican international superstar well known in Europe, USA and latin america, from the so called golden age of Mexican cinema during the 1950’s . Her name was Maria Felix. Check out Puerto Peñasco if you have time. The other side of the ocean is….Baja California, that was the sea of Cortez .
I hope you go all over Baja California Peninsula, you’ll find small towns in the middle of nowhere and very beautiful lanscapes, the desert somehow it’s like this sonoran desert in San Carlos, if you go to Loreto, B.C.S. you are going to love it, specially if you take a boat tour through the islands of the “Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto”…. you also have to visit Guerrero Negro, Mulegé, San Ignacio, Santa Rosalía, Puerto San Carlos, B.C.S., La Paz, Todos Santos, El Triunfo, Cabo Pulmo, San José del Cabo y Cabo San Lucas…. And of course in the North, I hope you come to Tijuana, Ensenada, Tecate, Mexicali, Rosarito y San Quintín.
try driving from loreto to mulegue. which are just across the Sea of Cortez, this time of the year in La Paz you may find (i think) tour to scuba dive with the whale shark (harmless) maybe an eveing camping in the middle of nowhere will also leave you breathless with a starry night… In early marcg try whale perusal in San Ignacio (still Baja California Sur)… do it in a lagoon (San ignacio or Guerrero Negro)… where they whales have their babies and if you are super lucky you might get to touch them…. do not go whale perusal in open waters, which is just chasing them. nice article… hope you are enjoying my Mexico.
I visited San Carlos bay years ago 5 or 6 summers, I really like it… the beach 🏖 is beautiful, great food but specially in Cantinas Rosas and La Cobacha see food the best and really good stakes tacos 🌮… I remember the mountain ⛰ call Titi kaka means tetas de cabra 🐐 we stay in San Carlos resort all inclusive… I want visit again this beautiful place!
You know David, my family travels a lot like you. We arrive at a destination and then just check it out. We don’t cross off the tourist todo’s to say we’ve been there done that. Sometimes we stumble on interesting things and sometimes not but either way we saw things from an on the ground organic way as opposed to curated experience. Nothing wrong with either this is just how we roll.
Way too built up and commercial for my taste. It reminded me a bit of the Costa del Sol in Spain. I think there are fewer Americans visiting than some years before because now it is much more difficult to bring a car into Mexico, having to pay a deposit for example, and as far as I know there is no way to fly to Guaymas. Years ago it was easy and safe to drive down from Nogales in about four hours. Today, most American and Canadian tourists head down to Mazatlán, because of easy airport connections.
i was there when the wedding took place, problem was, all the decorations and plastic dishes ended up in the ocean afterwards, that was a shock. and guyamas kind of sucks, too many poor and drug addicted people. san carlos is nice when it’s not too hot, too many gringos already unfortunately, brings prices up
18:40 I saw in the landscape a magnificente view from the mountain, the sea, and the beautiness of the dessert mixed along with the sea and the sky as a whole, BUT it magnificent view is going to die soon 🙁 🙁 I also recognized some constructions which will block and spoil the view … the magnificent view will be dissapear any time soon 🙁 :;(