Take a whirl South of the Border to Rocky Point

If you’re in the Southwest, you’re near to Mexico. Don’t overlook the wonderful locations you can visit by taking a short drive South of the Border. Take for example, Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Americans have nicknamed this place Rocky Point, and they’ve been visiting there for years.

Just a few hours from Tucson, or Phoenix and you’re in the sun and sand, surrounded by rocks and the deep blue sea. Don’t speed, the drive is interesting if a little desolate. Your odometer most likely has a gauge for kilometers as well as miles, so you won’t have a problem determining the correct speed.

The beach seems to have few rules, people drive their campers to the water’s edge and set up housekeeping. A campfire, fish from your tent, drink a few brews, no problem. This is a paradise for those that abhor the rules and restrictions of the structured society in the U.S.

There are several motorhome parks within walking distance of the water, and you’re welcome to stay a day, a week or…forever for a nominal fee. For those of us that prefer a bit more standard shelter, there are a variety of hotels and motels close by in Rocky Point.

The area is small, more of a village than a city, but it’s growing. Streets can be paved, pothole ridden or reasonably smooth, and just as easily hard-packed sand.

The local police are quite friendly. We stopped next to a police car and asked directions. Instead of simply pointing the way, they drove the five miles or so to our destination just to make sure we found it ok.

And in the recent past, Rocky Point has acquired some new accommodations. For those of you who are used the all the amenities, a half-dozen high-rise resorts are on their way to the sky. Some just built, others still growing as we speak, luxury is here to stay.

We found that the horror stories we’d always heard about traveling to Mexico were somewhat exaggerated. At the border, we purchased inexpensive insurance that would cover us in the event there was an unfortunate accident. There was a reasonable $500 deductible and the only rules were that you have to file a police report and file the claim before leaving Mexico. By reasonable, I mean the insurance for a weekend was a bit over $30.

When arriving in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), you will most likely pass the port. This small area is packed with shops just bursting with trinkets, tee shirts and fun. Browse to your heart’s content, there are only a few rules for what you can take back to the states and what you must leave.

Don’t try to return with more than one bottle of booze per adult, and leave the fresh food there. Don’t take seafood, fruits, veggies, or anything of that sort. We were informed that eggs should be hard-boiled, and I found tamales from a roadside vendor was ok. Plants are another no-no, and that includes items such as those great cholla-skeleton furniture items you might find.

None of this is a major problem, however, as the border guards are perfectly willing to explain what’s acceptable and what’s not. Then, just be certain to declare anything you have that might not be allowed, and they’ll tell you if you can take it or not.

So, for a tank of gas, $140 for two nights at a modest motel, some insurance and food, we had a blast of a weekend. This quelled our fears of the great unknown South of the Border, and believe me we’ll be back to Rocky Point!

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