guaymas and san carlos mexico adventure...relax, snorkel, swim, sail in wonderful Guaymas-San Carlos, Mexico!

One of the primary attractions in the State of Sonora is the small but growing beach community of Guaymas-San Carlos. For desert-by-the-sea beauty, this area is hard to beat. Often overlooked by tourists as they head to the more commercialized Mexican Riviera, San Carlos offers visitors a chance to experience what many consider to be the true Mexico. This is a destination that combines "down-to-earth" small town charm with a wide variety of water sports and clean, unspoiled beaches.

Guaymas is a city of 130,000 people and is a bustling seaport. The city dates to 1701 when a short-lived mission settlement was established. Eleven km to the northwest of Guaymas is San Carlos (population 6,000), an emerging area that can best be described as Sonora's "best kept secret." Although this area cannot yet compete with Mexico's larger resorts, an 18 hole golf course, two marinas and a number of top-end hotels are located here, and yachting, fishing and diving are particularly popular water activities; the diving at nearby shipwrecks and rock outcroppings is some of Mexico's best.

The natural beauty of the Sonora Bay area of San Carlos may not be familiar to hoards of tourists, but it has been recognized by Hollywood. Several films (including 1998's Zorro) have been shot here, and movie buffs might enjoy strolling through the dilapidated set of the movie Catch-22, located not far from the Club Med. Visitors should also consider a half-day bay sightseeing excursion or a sunset cruise.