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Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point as it is also known, is a popular beach vacation destination in the Mexican state of Sonora. It lies right on the edge of the Altar Desert looking out towards the serene waters of the Gulf of California (commonly referred to as the Sea of Cortez).
Puerto Peñasco is the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway under the sun, and there’s no shortage of very good hotels, guesthouses, and vacation rentals available.
Let’s take a look at the city’s key neighborhoods and best hotels to help you plan your visit.
Central Puerto Peñasco for Attractions and Activities
Photo Credit: Chris Allan
Highlights: Playa Bonita, Playa Hermosa, Palamidas Casino, Acuario Peñasco
Puerto Peñasco’s city center is where most of the action takes place, and it’s packed with eateries, cafes, bars, and stores. There are plenty of hotels to choose from, most of which are located close to the beach. Condominiums tend to be the most popular type of accommodation, but you’ll also find traditional hotels, small guesthouses, and plenty of private villa rentals.
The beaches in Puerto Peñasco are where visitors and locals flock to relax, socialize, and seek out fun entertainment. Playa Hermosa is the largest stretch of beach, and its soft golden sands and proximity to large resort complexes make it a popular spot. Playa Mirador lies further south, and although its shoreline is a little rockier, it’s somewhat quieter and more peaceful than Hermosa. Playa Bonita is a small beach that lies close to Palamidas Casino, and it’s a clean, safe spot for sunbathing, swimming, and watching the sunset.
There are copious opportunities to try watersports in central Puerto Peñasco. Rent kayaks, paddleboards, or jet skis if you want to take to the waters yourself, or sit back and relax when you join a sunset cruise or a sailboat excursion. Those who want to socialize can look out for party boat cruises, or if you’re visiting with a large group, you could charter a private boat to host a party of your own. Fishing charters are also available if you want to see what fresh seafood you can catch in the rich waters of the Sea of Cortez.
If you love nature, take a boat tour to Bird Island which lies about an hour offshore and is packed with raucous colonies of sea birds, seals, and sea lions. Whale-watching tours are also popular between February and May when gray whales migrate to the area. Acuario Peñasco is another great little attraction for wildlife lovers. It houses rescued sea turtles and other marine animals, and it’s the perfect place to have a close encounter with these fascinating creatures.
When you stay in Puerto Peñasco, be sure to take a day trip out to El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve and Gran Desierto de Altar (Great Altar Desert), which is a protected natural area. The climate here is incredibly unforgiving, but plenty of flora and fauna thrive despite the soaring daytime temperatures and chilly nights. There are also fascinating remains of ancient human dwellings to be explored, as well as enormous volcanic craters.
Where to Stay in Central Puerto Peñasco
These are some of the best Puerto Peñasco hotels situated in the heart of the city:
- Peñasco Del Sol Hotel and Conference Center is a 4-star hotel that lies in the heart of Puerto Peñasco. Its cozy rooms have a luxurious finish and there’s an on-site gourmet restaurant to dine in. This is a pet-friendly hotel, and it lies right beside Bonita Beach, which makes exercising your pet a breeze.
- Hotel Playa Inn Rocky Point lies in the southern portion of central Puerto Peñasco for easy access to Old Port and Malecon. It’s a comfortable, welcoming hotel with a 3-star rating and good in-room amenities such as free WiFi, free toiletries, and flat-screen televisions. Guests have access to an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, and free parking.
Sandy Beach for Sunbathing and Swimming
Photo Credit: Joel Hensler
Highlights: Historic Choya Bay Arch, Campo de Golf Peñasco Rocky Point Adventures, Wrecked at the Reef
Sandy Beach is a large area that encompasses a five-mile stretch of coastline just west of Playa Hermosa. There are many sprawling resorts here, most of which are gated and have private direct access to the beach. If you’re looking for a classic beach vacation where you’ll have almost everything you need in one place, it makes sense to book a suite, condo, or villa in a Sandy Beach resort.
Just like in central Puerto Peñasco, Sandy Beach offers ample opportunities for watersports like jetskiing, kayaking, and snorkeling. Beach volleyball is also common.
The further west you venture, the quieter you can expect the shores of Sandy Beach to become as the resorts give way to unspoiled dunes. If you’re driving up this way, be sure to swing by the Historic Choya Bay Arch — a striking landmark on an otherwise barren landscape. Further west still and the beach evolves again as it gives way to an RV park. Visit Wrecked at the Reef for a few drinks and a bite to eat while admiring incredible ocean views. Then, if you have energy to burn, head to Rocky Point Adventures to try a range of activities like ziplining, ATV tours, and horseback riding.
There’s a small town west of Sandy Beach called La Choya, which is well worth a visit while in Puerto Peñasco. It’s smaller and less developed, so it’s maintained a more authentic and peaceful atmosphere than the city. It has some beautiful beaches that offer incredible views at sunset, plus many laidback seafood eateries serving up delicious dishes like fresh oysters and fish tacos.
Where to Stay in Sandy Beach
Check-in at one of these popular hotels and resorts in Sandy Beach:
- Princesa de Peñasco Resort is one of Puerto Peñasco’s biggest and most popular hotel complexes. It boasts three large pools, several restaurants and bars, and a friendly, professional team to help you with anything you need. There’s a mix of condos and beachfront villas available, with the latter being ideal for large family trips.
- Las Palmas is a seafront resort that contains luxury condominiums, penthouses, and villas. It’s a gated resort with 24-hour security for complete peace of mind, which makes it a safe and relatively quiet base for families. There are lots of excellent on-site amenities, including a kids’ pool, a games room, a gym, two swim-up bars, hot tubs, and a spa.
- Sonoran Sky Resort offers spacious apartments that are equipped with full kitchens, dining areas, separate bedrooms, and terraces with sea views. It has a private beach area, an outdoor swimming pool with a water slide, a poolside bar, and an additional kids’ pool and playground to keep the little ones entertained. The resort provides free WiFi throughout, and its front desk operates 24/7 for total convenience.
- Sonoran Sea Resort is packed with fantastic amenities to cover all your needs. It has three pools, two hot tubs, a swim-up bar, and a waterslide for kids. Guests can make use of the on-site tennis court, basketball court, pickleball court, and fitness center. The resort also has a concierge service on offer that makes it a breeze to arrange additional services like personal chef reservations, flower deliveries, and watersport equipment rentals.
- Sonoran Spa Resort blends the convenience of a luxury hotel with the flexibility and privacy of condominiums. It has an onsite full-service spa situated in its lobby, a pool, a hot tub, a restaurant, and a gym. A concierge team is on hand to help arrange activities like jet skiing, golfing, hiking, and ATV excursions. Plus, there’s 24-hour security and parking within the gated complex.
- Playa Bonita Resort offers bright, cozy hotel rooms with satellite TV and balconies, some of which provide sea views. For additional space, upgrade to a larger room with a living area or book a two-bedroom suite with a kitchen. Onsite amenities include two outdoor pools, a hot tub, a convenience store, and a restaurant and bar with a terrace overlooking the sea.
- Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort is a luxurious property that offers spacious suites with spectacular ocean views. It has the only Links golf course in this region of Mexico, which makes it a great base for golf enthusiasts. The complex also has a luxury spa, a kids’ club, multiple pools, including a lazy river, and a huge range of restaurants and bars.
- Bella Sirena Resort is a luxurious complex with charming old-world architecture that draws inspiration from classic Mexican and Tuscan villas. There are excellent amenities to enjoy such as a fitness center, a spa, a poolside lounge bar and grill, and direct access to the beach where fun watersports await.
El Puerto for Seafood and Beachfront Bars
Photo Credit: Chris Allan
Highlights: Old Port, Malecon, art galleries
El Puerto is the oldest part of town and is the neighborhood that surrounds the historic Old Port. It’s here where fishing boats would bring in their hauls back when Puerto Peñasco was little more than a safe harbor and camp for traveling fishermen.
Today, fishing still takes place here and it’s one of the best places in town to pick up fresh seafood to prepare back at your condo or villa. If you don’t have cooking facilities, head to one of the nearby seafood restaurants to dine on some of the freshest fish you’ll ever eat.
The Old Port is just one attraction along El Puerto’s Malecon, which is a waterfront esplanade lined with shops, eateries, bars, and markets. The Malecon is a busy area where you’ll find lots of great places to eat and pick up souvenirs. It has an interesting statue celebrating the city’s fishing heritage and a colorful Peñasco sign reminiscent of California’s Hollywood sign.
Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to sit down and admire the ocean views. Visit in the late afternoon to catch the sunset when the Sea of Cortez is bathed in golden light. Be sure to venture away from the Malecon itself and explore the wider area of El Puerto where there are restaurants, bars, art galleries, and boutiques.
Accommodation in El Puerto is relatively limited. There’s a handful of budget hotels to choose from, as well as some private vacation rentals. You’ll find better options in the nearby Benito Juárez area which lies directly east of El Puerto and benefits from Playa Mirador, a long stretch of beach.
Where to Stay in El Puerto
This is where to stay in the El Puerto area:
- Hospedaje Mulege is an affordable, unpretentious hotel that lies close to the lively bars and restaurants of Old Port and Malecon. There are just seven rooms in the charming whitewashed property, and each includes cable TV, a minifridge, and access to WiFi. Room service is available and a free breakfast is served each morning in the dining room. The hotel also provides complimentary parking for all guests.
- Hotel Viña Del Mar is an informal hotel with comfortable, unfussy rooms and suites. All rooms are equipped with free WiFi, air-conditioning, and cable TV, and the larger suites have kitchenettes and either balconies or hot tubs. There’s an in-house restaurant with views of the sea, a bar and disco, an outdoor pool and hot tub, and free parking.
Plan Your Visit to Puerto Peñasco
Puerto Peñasco is a charming seaside city that makes a brilliant base for a classic beach break. Now you’ve got the lay of the land, you can get started booking the best accommodation for your budget and tastes.
