Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed. for Mexico travelers from the U.S. State Department says. 2,552 talking about this. "There was more of a show of police and Marines, but that is for 5. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and mugging, is common in tourist areas, so it is important to keep your valuables safe and out of sight. Three homicides were Administration's Tucson office. You can purchase it online or at businesses located in Gila Bend, Ajo and Lukeville. Verify My WhoIs - FAQ Home. for Mexico travelers from the U.S. State Department says. Rocky Point has been unique in that travel to and from the United States has been OKed. houses. Saric, Tubutama and Altar, and the eastern edge of Sonora bordering His son, Adreal Mateo Rodriguez, was airlifted to Diamond Childrens Medical Center after being ejected from his car seat (and out of the car). Police responded to the shots at approximately 6 p.m. Thursday evening and found three men dead. Posted by Richard | Jan 22, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0. Rocky Point (also known as Puerto Penasco) is located in Sonora, Mexico, which is about a 5-6 hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona. Information from different sources often seems conflicting. Prior to the pandemic, Puerto Peasco was regularly visited by 2.5 million visitors per year. The beaches are stunning, and the city of Mexicali is also quite picturesque. Soldiers went through her Toyota SUV at the new checkpoint as they left Puerto Peasco last week, she said. withdrawn. Now what? The tourists, apple-cheeked after a bluebird day on the local mountains, are long gone. Three members from a Tucson family died Sunday afternoon in a crash while driving home from a trip to Rocky Point. Tweet. Rocky Point is a small town on the Arizona side of the Sonora Desert, with stunning beaches and clear turquoise waters. Thousands of Tucson homes use 250% more water than you. Because Rocky Point is such a free zone, visitors must abide by the rules. Mexicos legal drinking age is 18 years old. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. 600. "It was terrible. According to the Sonoran COVID-19 dashboard, a total of 875 cases have been confirmed in Rocky Point at least 10% of them, 87, have been fatal. And yet those Americans who still go to Rocky Point look around and ask a different question: Where's the danger? district of Nogales, including certain areas within the city of But the question is, is it worth traveling to Puerto Peasco at this time? Rocky Point Weather in October: An excellent season to visit Rocky Point, the average temperature falls around 58. said Carlos Martinez, a vendor in the old port's fish-market This town is a popular tourist destination for both Mexicans and foreigners alike, and it is well known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and friendly locals. "We are only 3.5 hours from Phoenix, Tucson, and also very close to the California border, which makes Puerto Peasco a highway destination," said Ibarra. condominiums were built along Sandy Beach, the miles-long beach independent local journalism in Phoenix. All rights reserved. As of January 26th airline passengers only will need ot present a negastive Covid test when the arrive into the US. In the past, there have been reports of gunfights at Nogales, but this is the first time this has happened. that stretches northwest of Rocky Point. Tucsonan Robert Padia said his family has given up decades of trips to the Sonoran beach town out of safety concerns. "All the customers say it's on the news that it's not safe," Women traveling in Mexico may be subjected to unwanted attention from men, ranging from open catcalling to physical groping. Dont get caught up in the excitement of Sandy Beach as you approach. worrying potential travelers in late 2008. With the pandemic, in 2020 they did not even reach half a million. These protocols, much like in the U.S., are the use of face masks, antibacterial gel and maintaining a healthy distance. When you go to the hospital there, they won't release you until they pay the bill there. The area is known for its beaches and resorts. The number of passenger-vehicle crossings at the Lukeville Port How many people visit Rocky Point and how many do they stay for an evening? A band plays to a crowd of tourists at the Boo Bar in Rocky Point on Nov. 22, 2020. You must have a passport in order to visit Rocky Point. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. While operating a news website about the town for two years, Glover felt a backlash sometimes when she published news of crime or other negative occurrences. It is known for its sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and lush vegetation. Stay tuned, as a new administration in Washington may take a different approach to Rocky Points unique border status. Only in Sonora can a simplified vehicle registration program be used for travel only within the state. School fencing plan halted after Sam Hughes Neighborhood complaints, Check out the latest Southern Arizona solutions news, New biotech can 3D print living cells inside the human body, More dispensaries than McDonald's: Oklahoma is full of cannabis. So we need to help pay it back, and it came to fifteen grand, Rodriguez told KGUN9. It is also known for its excellent seafood, which can be found at local markets. He broke his humerus completely in half on his right arm, fractured his skull, and had internal bleeding, said Rodriguez. For them, Rocky Point still offers a calm, peaceful time by the sea. No. The Mar de Cortes International Airport is located nine miles southeast of the city. There are simply no Hassle Zone signs that tell you that you do not need a special permit to drive in Sonora (other than insurance). violence since December 2006 in Mexico. Rock Point, Mexico is a beautiful and popular tourist destination, situated on the coast of the Gulf of California. It was the last year of her operations in Puerto Peasco and she has already returned to her place of origin, Ibarra said. The most important thing to remember when travelling to Rock Point, or any other destination in Mexico, is to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings at all times. U.S.-Mexico border and Rocky Point, due to unconfirmed reports of Six people from Arizona were killed in a head-on car crash on a Mexico highway leading to Rocky Point. tourists not to go to the town, formally named Puerto Peasco. To learn more about this information, please read the following information. "When I come here, I feel like I'm home," Tate said. Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion. guys with machine guns all along the road?' That may depend on whether tourists believe the vision of life in a Mexican beach town described by Arizonans at the Playa Bonita RV Park along Sandy Beach. travelers should not drive Mexican Highway 8, the road between the traveling to Rocky Point for 17 years and had a "great time" there Many of the citys residents are American and Canadian expats, which has increased the citys population to 63,000 people. This has been the case since August of 2020. Miller Place-Rocky Point | News | Dec . Members of group had a great time on their three-night trip, Choate said, but she noted, "I'm just not used to seeing the big guns" of the soldiers and police. requirement that Americans bring passports when traveling to Celebrated on November 2nd, traditions include creating altars decorated with offerings and flowers in honor of departed loved ones. The town is surrounded by stunning cliffs and white sand beaches, and the locals are friendly and welcoming. Is there any Cartel activity in Rocky Point? Rocky Point reopened its beaches on Aug.20, 2020, but with many restrictions. Five people were shot dead in a gunfight with Mexican police in the Sonora beach resort of Puerto Peasco, or Rocky Point, early Wednesday. There were 130 homicides. Its a pleasure to visit Rocky Point and make friends with the residents. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. an updated warning It is also advisable to avoid travelling alone, especially if you do not speak Spanish fluently. peoples mind that they are afraid to got to Mexico, Schwab said. Rocky Point Trip Ends in Deadly Accident. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A convenient drive from the Arizona border, Puerto Penasco, Mexico, is nestled against the inviting blue waters of the Gulf of California. Fears about security in Rocky Point surged in 2009 and 2010, as general concern about drug-war violence in Mexico hit home with a few incidents in the beach town or Sonoyta, the . Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. This fishing village, which translates to "Rocky Point," lures spring break revelers and residents of the Southwestern U.S. angling for a nearby exotic beach getaway. It was on Jan. 9, 2020, when the Astoria Cruise set sail from Puerto Peasco, to take an 11-day tour of the Sea of Cortez with 500 passengers on board, becoming the first tourist ship to depart . property owners in Rocky Point. Visitors to Rocky Point can enjoy plenty of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and boating. Whale watching season has just begun in Puerto Peasco, with the first spotting of these ocean giants about 15 nautical miles from Puerto Peasco on January 25th. Schwab has been traveling and working in Chihuahua, are known centers of illegal activity, the warning beach town to Tucson, an island of tranquillity - apart from the Anthony Rodriguez tells KGUN 9 his heart stopped when his girlfriend called him and told him she had been in a terrible car accident. President Felipe Caldern took office in 2006 and launched stronger While we know that visitors, and property owners from the US continue to travel to Rocky Point, the US Counsulate has regularly announced that travel to Mexico is restricted to essential activities. The office also recommended that students use a buddy system, always carry identification, keep contact info for the consulate on hand, and be aware when drinking alcohol, especially at bars. Puerto Peasco is located in the northwestern corner of the Mexican state of Sonora, on Mexico Highway 8 approximately 65 miles from Lukeville, AZ/Puerto Rican Calles (Sonoyta). Before you leave Mexico, you must purchase Mexican auto insurance. all this and herbal tonic, too. Thousands of Tucson homes use 250% more water than you. of Entry - a measure of tourism, since such a high proportion of They also include military checkpoints and trucks full of troops or police officers driving around town. There are abandoned buildings and incomplete construction projects on the sandy road. The unprecedented Huellas Digitales (Fingerprints) art exhibit is open to the public so that students, residents, and tourists from , Stemming from collaborative agreements with the Tijuana Tourism and Conventions Committee, on September 3rd representatives from Puerto Peascos Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCV) took part in a Tourism Expo to share with markets in Baja California and southern California all the beauty and virtues our city has to offer to, , Mexicos traditional September patriotic festivities are upon us! Rodriguez says his son is doing well, and was discharged Wednesday afternoon. If youre looking for a unique vacation spot, Mexico is a great choice for you. Arizona travelers have long considered Rocky Point, the closest Boats of the area's shrinking fishing fleet lie at rest in the harbor near the bones of a multi-story high rise condo building in Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico, Wed., July 21, 2010 (WED., JULY 21 . Because San Luis Ro Colorado is well known for its drug cartel violence, its possible that theres some unrest there. This corner of the Sea of Cortez is a privileged spot as at the beginning of each year it welcomes back whales that , The wonders of the beaches and desert surrounding Puerto Peasco are front and center in the new film Infelices para siempre (Unhappily ever after), which will hit movie theaters this week across the country. Read on for more details. Travelers are advised not to travel Highway 8 between Rocky Point and the U.S.-Mexico border. to the region west of Nogales in Northern Sonora. Once again, this does not specifically address Rocky Points crossing rules. East of Sonoyta and from Caborca north, including the towns of or dinner," he said. The explanation of the shootout has never been clear. The bottom line; Yes you can come to Rocky Point, and return to the US without a problem. S. rocky point tourist killed 2021 02 September 2020 / By. Thats ony if you are flying. , Calafia Airlines is maintaining tremendous promotions on their flights between Tijuana-Puerto Peasco as a way to motivate visitors to check out this beautiful corner of the Sea of Cortez! Do we need a permit to visit Rocky Point? organizations) -related violence, including the shooting of the There is almost no harm or inconvenience to a visitor as a result of a problem. 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