Rocky Point - Punta Penasco - Mexico February 28 - March 08, 2009

Big Thanks to my friend John M. for details info of Rocky Point

LIVE WIND Report for Rocky Point: http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/76061.html

Driving direction from Pismo Beach: Best to take 10 to Arizona and cross the border at Soynota.

Day 1 - Saturday - February 28, 2009: We arrived to Rocky Point around 2 p.m. Windguru.cz showed Cholla Bay was N8. Jonathan Port went out on his 15m Waroo, Kirk V. was on 16m Havoc, Steve Davies was on 12m Waroo, Kinsley was on 11.5 Kahoona. We had a blast kiting in Cholla bay. The tide was perfect. John M. , Carl and Patty showed up later on.

Day 2 - Sunday - March 1, 2009: We all went snorkeing in the morning at Tucson beach. The vis was not too clear. Then the wind kicked up. We all went out and had a blast at Cholla Bay again. We went out and had a great dinner at Flavio. The rest of the crew: Kevin, Tim, and Steve Nyswonger showed up later on around 8 p.m.

Day 3 - Monday - March 2, 2009: Wind forecast for Rocky Point was light for the rest of the week and really good for San Carlos so we packed up and left for San Carlos. We arrived to La Manga Bay around 3 p.m. after 7 hours driving. There was no wind so we all went snorkeling and camped out at La Manga Bay.

Day 4 - Tuesday - March 3, 2009: Great NW 14-16 kts wind kicked up today. We all kited up to La Managa DOS beach.

Day 5 - Wedsnesday - March 4, 2009: Another great kiting day. We kited at the Los Algodones beach as well as La Manga

Day 6 - Thursday - March 5, 2009: Don and Jeff: the local San Carlos riders showed up and joined us for another great day of kiting at La Manga Bay and Los Algodones beach.

Day 7 - Friday - March 6, 2009: No wind today. J.P. was the only guy out trying to ride the south wind. We played F.M. dominos all day long.

Day 8 - Saturday - March 7, 2009: We left San Carlos and arrived at Cholla Bay. Wind was about 14kts. Everybody had a blast kiting.

Our buddy John M. from Arizona has been kiting at Rocky Point - Punta Penasco since 1999. He was probably the first kiter there! The most reliable time is December through March, as it does take the same wind as the Ventana/Barriles spots with "el norte" winds. February is best month. Full 4/3 wetsuit and good chance of wind are expected for early march.
The wind season is from October to May, when the north wind kicks in with average of 20 knots of wind for 5 to 6 days, during the fall and the winter season. There is flat water on one side of bay where it is protected by 3 islands, or You can have some fun on the waves on the ocean side of the bay.
Rocky Point - Punta Penasco is a real easy place for Americans. Almost everyone speaks some English. Half of the town is American. It is famous for Spring Break!

  • Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced.
  • Surface Conditions: Super flat water in the bay, Wind Chop and Shore break.
  • Wind Conditions: Good for 7m to 12m on normal day, light wind day: 13m to 16m kites. Normal wind direction is NW - Starboard (blows from right to left)
  • Season: All Year around but the best months for kiteboarding are October through March. November: the water is still warm and the wind is 3 out of 7 days. February is colder but the wind blows everyday.
  • Water Temp: Shorties are recommended and 4/3 full suit during the winter months: December through March.
  • Air Temp: 17 - 30 C.
  • Nearest Town: Rocky Point - Punta Penasco
  • Wind & Weather:

We will have BEST's new Kahoona kite on this trip to test out: http://xtremebigair.com/stores/showdetl.cfm?&DID=18&Product_ID=1115&CATID=10
This web site gives you a good view of the beach and town of Rocky Point: http://holarockypoint.com/
We are planning to park the XtremeBigAir Motor home here, because you can kite right there too: Playa Bonita 147 Balboa Ave. Tel. 383-2199
Video of Tommy Thomas kiting at Rocky Point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGGtZa4A6KA
Some more pictures of Rocky Point kiting: http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=5082658
Definitely some of you want to be at Rocky Point for Spring Break:
Spring break: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxo91Czu3zI
San Diego (Southern California / Yuma)
1. Take the I-8 to Gila Bend. 2. You will just barely enter Gila Bend and take a left directly after the McDonalds onto Hwy. 85 3. Follow Hwy.85 straight through into Mexico. 90 more minutes. 4. You will have 2 turns to make into the town of Sonoyta. Just follow the signs overhead that point to Pto. Peñasco (that is Puerto Peñasco abbreviated). 5. You now have roughly 60 more miles until you get there.

Transportation: If you are flying down to Rocky Point - Punta Penasco, try to use the Phoenix Airport in Arizona.
Air Service: Rocky Point - Punta Penasco is served by the commercial airport at
By Bus:
By Car: Rocky Point - Punta Penasco is approximately 2 hours south of the border at Nogales, AZ.
Rocky Point - Punta Penasco is strategically located within the free transit, unrestricted driving zone for vehicles coming from the US. If you are driving within the state of Sonora for 7 days or less, you dont need a permit for your personal vehicle, provided you can produce a valid drivers license or ID upon request.

With the high cost of fuel in the USA, you might be tempted to forego that family vacation this summer.  Did you know that fuel is considerably cheaper in Mexico than it is in the US? Pemex regular unleaded is about $2.60/gallon in Mexico and diesel is less than half the US price at $2.35/gallon. And while the dollar has been down against many currencies, it is relatively strong against the Mexican Peso.   Find current exchange rates here.

Passport Requirements:

In an effort to enhance security and efficiency at U.S. borders, the U.S. government will soon enforce new passport requirements for all travelers entering or re-entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, and other locations.  These new rules include US Citizens.
By Air:  All travelers will need to have a passport, including US citizens returning to the US by air on Jan 23, 2007.

By Land & Sea: A passport or other qualified travel document will be required at all land border ports-of-entry prior to June 1, 2009.  The final exact date has not been set.  Effective January 31, 2008, all travelers are required to have documented proof of citizenship such as a passport or birth certificate and photo ID and be prepared to show these documents when entering the USA.

If you do not have a passport, visit Get a Passport Now.  It has information on obtaining passports for citizens of the USA, Canada and Mexico. 

Passport Card Information Update-July 14, 2008 

Current Highway Conditions:  For the latest information on Arizona & Sonora Highway conditions, including construction, border crossing times and current events, see the AZ DOT 511 system web site.

The Sonora "Free Zone": The Sonora Free Zone program for vehicles has expanded!!  This means that those who plan to travel with vehicles in the state of Sonora north of Empalme/Guaymas no longer have to register and obtain a vehicle permit.  If you plan to travel to the Rocky Point - Punta Penasco-Guaymas area and no further into Mexico, this option applies. This also applies to trailers, boats, etc. Tourist cards are still required but for stays of 7 days or less you can get a no-fee tourist card.

Where is the Free Zone?  The Free Zone includes the area west of Mexico Highway 15 to the coast or the border with Baja. It also includes the area from Douglas-Agua Prieta via Mexico Highway 2 west though Cananea to Imuris and everything north of that highway to the US-Mexico border. The southern end of the free zone is at KM 98 on Mexico 15, just south of Empalme. Communities in the free zone include Agua Prieta, Naco, Cananea, Nogales, Puerto Penasco, Sonoyta, San Luis Colorado, Caborca, Imuris, Magdalena, Santa Ana, Hermosillo, Kino Bay, San Carlos, Guaymas and Empalme.

If you want to travel to the eastern part of Sonora, which includes the Route of the Rio Sonora, the lakes at Angostura and Novillo, and Moctezuma or to the southern part of Sonora including Obregon, Novojoa or Tobalabampo, you must have an Only Sonora (free) or the All Mexico (fee) vehicle permit. The catch is you can only get an Only Sonora permit at KM 21 south of Nogales or at KM 98, south of Empalme. There are no other issue points for the Only Sonora permit at this time.

If you plan to travel beyond the state of Sonora, you must obtain an All Mexico permit for the vehicle which is good for 6 months and is valid for travel in all other areas of Mexico. You will need a credit card to post a bond of about $20 to guarantee you will not sell the car in Mexico. Note: If you use cash, the bond is over $200. Moral is use a credit card!

The new vehicle permit station is south of Empalme, at KM 98. All Mexico and Only Sonora permits are available at this station.

Air Service: Rocky Point - Punta Penasco is served by the commercial airport at Guaymas (GYM), approximately 15 miles away. Guaymas is served by  America West (now US Air). An alternate routing may be made through the airport in Hermosillo (HMO), which is 75 miles away and then complete your journey by bus to Guaymas/Rocky Point - Punta Penasco. 

Bus Service:  

TUFESA Bus Lines has a new International Service to Hermosillo and Guaymas. Departing from Phoenix ($41) and from Tucson ($27) to Hermosillo and also to Guaymas departing from Phoenix ($50) and from Tucson ($34). Terminal locations and phone numbers are as follows:

Phoenix: 1614 N. 27th Ave & McDowell Rd.
Phone: (602) 415-9900/9902
We have a taxi service 24 hrs. With special fares.

Tucson: 5550 S. 12th Ave
Phone: (520) 670-1534
We are 5 mins from the airport.
www.tufesa.com.mx

TBC Bus Lines has service to Guaymas, departing from Phoenix ($40), Tucson ($30) or Nogales, Sonora ($20).  If you need to get a tourist card, be sure to tell the driver and they will stop at the 21 Km checkpoint.  If you forget, this card can also be obtained at the Immigration office in Guaymas. Terminal locations and phone numbers are as follows:
Phoenix: 1225 S. 7th St, 602-258-2445
Tucson:   1428 S. 6th Ave, 520-903-2801
Nogales:  Carr. International Km 4.5, 011-52-631-32880

Private Auto: Rocky Point - Punta Penasco is approximately 4 hours (250 miles) south of the border at Nogales, AZ. The route is Mexico Federal Highway 15, which is a four-lane road. This route will take you through Imuris, Magdalena, Santa Anna and Hermosillo. There are three toll booths enroute at Nogales, Magdalena and Hermosillo. The toll for an automobile is from $2-$6 at each booth, depending on currency rates. Current tolls are:
Nogales via Mariposa crossing: 37 pesos
Magadalena: 19 pesos
Hermosillo: 59 pesos
Note that trailers and towed vehicles incur an additional charge per axle. Toll booths will accept payment in US currency with change given in pesos.

There are two border crossing points in Nogales. The original point is downtown and can be reached by following 1-19 from Tucson to it's end or by going south on Business 19 if coming from the east on AZ Hwy 82. This crossing is open 24 hours per day. It is usually very busy and is not suitable if you are towing a boat. There is no toll charge using this entry port.

We prefer and recommend the newer Mariposa crossing on Hwy 189. If coming from Tucson, exit I-19 at Hwy 189 and go west. If coming from the east on Hwy 82, take North Business 19 and turn left at the second traffic light. The crossing is open daily from 6AM to 10PM, but is much less constricted. It is the way to go if towing anything bigger than a jet-ski or ATV.  

For detailed information on crossing the border at Naco or Agua Prieta, visit the Route of the Rio Sonora web site.

Current road conditions in Sonora are available online at the Arizona Department of Transportation web site at: www.az511.gov/Sonora/

Travel Advisory: A vehicle height restriction has been imposed on the Mariposa crossing. Vehicles over 2.49 meters or 8.5 feet high may only cross the border going into Mexico between 8 AM and 10PM, Monday through Saturday.  Vehicles over 8.5 feet high cannot use this crossing on Sunday. Plan accordingly if you are driving an RV or towing a large boat or trailer.

Border Crossing Times: During the months of December and January, traffic returning to the US from Mexico can be very heavy and result in long waiting times to cross the border in Nogales. Weekends and holidays can be very congested.  If your travel plans permit, try and avoid these periods.  If they cannot be avoided we do suggest you get an early start leaving Rocky Point - Punta Penasco. Border crossing times are available on line at http://nemo.customs.gov/process/bordertimes/bordertimes.asp.

An alternate route to consider is to turn east on Mexico Highway 2 in Imuris and take that route east through Cananea to the Naco turn off. Follow that road north to the Naco border crossing, just south of Bisbee, AZ on the border.  This 2 lane road includes sections of narrow winding mountain roads and is subject to heavy Mexican bus and truck traffic.
Do not take this route at night or in an RV or towing a trailer or in inclement weather!  It is 85 miles from Imuris to Naco via this route.  Take your time and enjoy the scenery.  This route is appropriate if traveling east towards New Mexico.  For those going to Tucson and points north and west, it may actually save travel time by avoiding the border congestion in Nogales.  Take this route with caution, however.

Paperwork: To bring your automobile into Mexico, you must have the title and/or registration, a tourist visa and a valid US drivers license. You should have Mexican Insurance on your automobile as your US insurance is NOT VALID in Mexico. You can obtain insurance online here and can buy it for a specified time or on an annual basis if you expect to travel into Mexico frequently. See the insurance page for online Mexican insurance. See our detailed paperwork section below on this page for more on vehicle registration and tourist cards (visas).

Traveling with pets.  If your pet is going on the trip with you, visit your veterinarian and get the animal a checkup and health certificate before you go.  Take the rabies certificate for the animal with you as well.  Be very conscious of temperature conditions and insure your animal has sufficient water and protection from heat, especially during the summer months.  If you are flying, be aware that America West Airlines does not transport animals in the baggage compartment on their aircraft.

Services: Fuel including unleaded or diesel is available at numerous service stations along the route. You can buy any brand you like as long as it's PEMEX, the Mexican National Oil Company. These are full service so don't pump your own. They take pesos or dollars. There is usually a youngster around to clean your windshield and a small gratuity of 25-50 cents is in order. Restrooms (banos) are normally available and can also be found at the toll booths.

Another neat feature about this route are the Green Angel trucks. These are mobile motorist aid units who will stop and assist if you do have a breakdown. Their mission is to perform minor repairs to get you back on the road. The best way not to meet them is to have the vehicle serviced before you cross the border. But it's nice to know they are there.

Speed Limits: Observe the speed limit signs, which are in kilometers per hour. Pay particular attention in built up areas as it is not uncommon to have pedestrians or animals along the right of way. Driving at night is generally not recommended as domestic animals may wander off the open range and onto the highway. El Toro (the bull) is neat, until you wrap a ton of steer around your front end. Stick to the daylight hours for highway travel. And as in the US, please don't drink and drive. And please don't litter.

Some common signs and their meanings:

  • Peligrosa: Danger (They really mean it too)
  • Curva: Curve
  • Poblado Proxima: Population ahead
  • Llanteros: Tire Repair Shop
  • Izquierdo: Left
  • Derecho: Right
  • Alto: Stop
  • Cuotas: Toll
  • Caseta:  Toll Booth
  • Topes:  Speed Bumps (big ones!!)

National language: Spanish but English is understood in larger hotels and airline companies.
Currency: Mexican Peso. Money can be exchanged at at the airport, bank. Best way to get Peso is using ATM machines which is widely available.
Credit cards are accepted in all places: good hotels, shops and restaurants.
Vaccinations: For the entry in Mexico, there are no vaccinations required. Generally, there are no special vaccinations necessary.
Doctor: There really aren't hospitals in Rocky Point - Punta Penasco.
Medications: Of course you should always have medicine and a first aid kit with you. However you will find plenty pharmacies with a good choice of medicine in Rocky Point - Punta Penasco.
Climate- Year round: during the summer days, the air temperature is between 25C and 30C. We visited Rocky Point - Punta Penasco in early late February and the air temp was about 18C, a light jacket is needed at night and in the afternoon. Water temp: you need a 3mm full suit during the winter month.
TIP: is 15%
Internet: You will find internet access in internet cafe in Rocky Point - Punta Penasco, in tourist villages, in hotels.

Fun things to do:

Get Mexico Auto Insurance at EXIT 4th before Nogales: