spokesperson for Puerto Peñasco’s tourism department told AZPM that every foreigner coming into the country must have a Forma Migratoria Múltiple people who regularly travel to Rocky Point were randomly asked for it by the authorities on the Mexican side,” she said in Spanish While tourists are already required to have it she says authorities are less likely to ask for it until May it is very likely that not everyone will be asked for it,” she said it is crucial to keep in mind that this document must be carried by all foreigners traveling to another country." She says the immigration authorities have agreed to hold off on complete enforcement during the rest of March and April but tourists should keep in mind that the document is required The FMM form is available on Mexico's immigration website and should be stamped by Mexican Customs authorities when crossing the border It is free for less than a week and costs $40 for more Spring begins for students at Arizona's universities soon University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University students will be on break the week of March 10 Some students travel to Mexico for the occasion, with a surge in visitors expected in hotspots like Cancun and Puerto Peñasco Embassy & Consulates in Mexico recently issued an advisory for travelers planning to visit Mexico during spring break warning in part that crime can occur anywhere in the country The embassy and the U.S. Department of State also urged Americans to avoid travel to the state of Tamaulipas and four cities within the state because of violent crime related to drug cartels Travelers driving to Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point, must also plan for longer than usual border waits at the Lukeville Port of Entry because of heightened security measures Is it safe to travel to Mexico right now?The answer depends on what part of Mexico you plan to visit Department of State had Level 4 travel advisories meaning "do not travel," for six Mexican states: A Level 4 warning means traveling there presents the highest risk of life-threatening danger and little to no ability for the U.S government to assist when an emergency occurs Embassy in Mexico issued an updated warning for Tamaulipas on Jan Embassy warned of "increasingly frequent gun battles" during late nights and early mornings in Reynosa and surrounding areas and said improvised explosive devices were found in and around dirt roads and secondary roads in Reynosa In February, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued an advisory for U.S travelers planning to visit Mexico for spring break It warned that crime can occur anywhere and to use caution in downtown areas of spring break hotspots like Cancun The advisory also reminded travelers that: Is it safe for Americans to go to Puerto Peñasco?Puerto Peñasco is a popular travel spot for Arizonans as the closest beach from metro Phoenix The coastal resort town and fishing village in Sonora has a reputation as a safe destination Sonora is under a Level 3 advisory by the State Department which means reconsider travel because of serious safety and security risks "Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks," according to the State Department citizens and (lawful permanent residents) have been victims of kidnapping Travelers should maintain a heightened level of awareness of their surroundings in all their travels in Sonora Security incidents may occur in any area of Sonora." What is the safest part of Mexico for tourists?The states of Campeche and Yucatan the latter including the famed archaeological site Chichén Itzá are the only places in Mexico at the lowest possible advisory from the State Department which means travelers should exercise normal precautions which means travelers should exercise increased caution Cheap flights from Phoenix: Where you can fly for under $150 in March 2025 Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today Tucson travelers heading to the sunny beaches of Puerto Peñasco now have another resource for sunscreen Walmart de México y Centroamérica has opened its first Walmart Supercenter in Rocky Point and takes up an estimated 5,700 square meters (61,000 square feet) of space It offers a long list of amenities for tourists and locals alike The center employs 129 people and has incorporated its own wastewater treatment plant into its operation in addition to photovoltaic panels in the parking lot Report a typo ARIZONA NEWS ADOT is adding AZ511 updates on the highway between Lukeville and Puerto Peñasco beginning the Thanksgiving holiday weekend BY DAVID VEENSTRA AZ511 updates are real-time highway updates while Puerto Peñasco is a population vacation destination for Arizonans “ADOT’s vision is safely connecting people and empowering the economy and this joint effort with our partners in Sonora is helping us expand that to peak times for travel to and from Puerto Peñasco,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said in a release Authorities said Sonoran officials will send information to ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center and then operators will enter the information into the AZ511 system “This is a perfect time to expand the critical traveler services offered by AZ511 as we always welcome increased drive visitation from Mexico during this time of year,” Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism Lisa Urias said in a release “Visitors from Mexico love coming to Arizona to visit family and shop during the holidays and AZ511 helps make the international travel experience as enjoyable and efficient as possible.” Follow @veenstra_david Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here Sponsored Content by Bright Wealth Management Get your morning recap of today's local news and read the full stories here: tucne.ws/morning Following weeks of confusion and online misinformation Mexican immigration officials in Sonora have agreed to wait until May before more strictly enforcing a long-standing tourist permit requirement for foreign tourists headed to Puerto Peñasco all foreign visitors to Puerto Peñasco will need to get a tourist permit known as an “FMM” form which is free for trips that last less than a week but requires a valid passport Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum shipped 10,000 National Guard officers to the border to defuse the threat and it's unclear whether he'll follow through False information circulating on social media posts prompted Puerto Peñasco officials to meet with Sonora-based staff from Mexico’s National Migration Institute spokeswoman for Puerto Peñasco’s tourism department INM officials “are going to support us by not asking for this form,” she said in Spanish on Thursday we want to extend the invitation to all foreign people in the U.S. INM now has a dedicated assistance team in its Sonoyta office to ensure a “seamless” process Puerto Peñasco municipal secretary Alejandro Verdugo said in a Thursday statement Federal immigration officials in Mexico insist nothing has changed and the requirement to get an FMM — which is not a visa — has always been in place allowing Mexico to keep track of how many foreign visitors are in the country “There is no change nor has there been any change to the immigration law,” said Adriana Ángeles writing in Spanish in a text message to the Arizona Daily Star “Every foreign person who enters Mexico must go to the immigration office to register their entry.” But regular travelers in Sonora and Baja California say enforcement of the FMM requirement has been heightened in recent months “We’ve been traveling down there for 35 years and it’s never been a problem but it is now being enforced,” said Tempe resident Kendra Carver she and her husband were allowed to “self-deport” from Baja California Sur after they stopped in an immigration office north of La Paz and admitted they did not have FMM forms The agent gave them 10 days to return to the U.S. but said their “self deportation” would be on their record and a second offense would have stiffer consequences they are doing the right thing enforcing immigration laws consistently regardless of (foreigners’) country of origin,” she said and especially Arizona residents need to be aware.” This year’s spring-break tourism season has been somewhat dampened in Puerto Peñasco as well as uncertainty over the requirements to visit “Arizona’s Beach,” also known as Rocky Point Many Americans are accustomed to visiting Rocky Point without a passport instead carrying a birth certificate or other ID to re-enter the U.S Some have been miffed by rumors of new enforcement of the FMM requirement said Rocky Point travel agent Denise Ackerly “I’ve had so many cancellations from people who don’t have passports or don’t want to deal with this hassle,” she said Tuesday “Spring break is probably half of what it should be My phone should be ringing off the hook and it’s not.” Rocky Point officials say obtaining an FMM is a simple process: Visitors can get their FMM after entering Sonoyta, Sonora, from Lukeville, Arizona, at the INM office just west of the road. Travelers could instead fill out the form online and print it at home but they must still stop at the INM office for their FMM to be stamped and to pay any required fees The FMM is only valid for one entry into Mexico Tourists should also prepare for a new 114% tax on all imported alcohol a change first reported by the Rocky Point Times Officials also emphasize Mexican car insurance and valid vehicle registration are required to drive in Mexico is still not required to travel to Rocky Point or anywhere within Sonora’s “free zone,” which stretches south to Empalme Vehicular travel outside the free zone requires the purchase of a TIP amid uncertainty over the requirements to visit “Arizona’s Beach,” also known as Rocky Point Many Americans are accustomed to visiting without a passport But a passport or passport card is required to get an FMM visitors’ pass Pictured above are beachgoers in Puerto Peñasco in 2022 Mexico’s stepped-up immigration enforcement comes as U.S President Donald Trump has pressured Mexico to further reduce drug and human trafficking through the U.S.-Mexico border or face steep tariffs on goods exported to the U.S Mexican Consul in Tucson Rafael Barceló said Mexico’s enforcement of its immigration laws is independent of U.S and travelers’ confusion has stemmed from the sporadic enforcement of the FMM in the past People should do now what they should have done in the past.” In early February, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to send an additional 10,000 National Guard troops to the northern border, in an effort to forestall Trump’s threatened tariffs. Nevertheless, after a one-month delay, on March 4 Trump implemented the 25% tariffs for three days before delaying the tariffs again for another month Rocky Point-based tour guide Ruben Cordova said he was surprised by Mexico’s heightened enforcement in February when he took a group of seven Americans and Canadians on a whale-watching trip in Guerrero Negro but this time he was stopped at an immigration checkpoint where an agent asked for everyone’s FMM Five of the tourists with Cordova did not have the form Arizona and has dual U.S.-Mexican citizenship The agent said he could technically deport the five undocumented tourists without their luggage confiscate Cordova’s vehicle and arrest him for “transporting illegals,” Cordova recounted “’You’re considered a coyote.’ That’s what he told me,” Cordova said since Cordova was unaware of the heightened enforcement ‘Why are you guys enforcing this now?’” Cordova said “We have orders from the top to start enforcing our laws more intensely now,” Cordova said the “border-zone” region has traditionally handled the FMM requirement with more flexibility and as of now and those who stay within 21 miles of the Arizona border chairman of the Greater Nogales-Santa Cruz County Port Authority Likewise, Arizona allows non-immigrant Mexican tourists and shoppers with border-crossing cards to travel 75 miles into the state as a means to facilitate tourism and commerce without having to acquire an I-94 form recording their entry into the U.S. But in the “border zone” of Baja California heightened enforcement appears to be affecting day-tourists attending medical or dental appointments in Mexico: Last week Mexican news outlets reported that on March 6 began requiring foreigners entering the town to first get an FMM card But with too few staff to issue the passes three-hour waits times and canceled medical appointments The delays even prompted a call from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official to determine what was going on, reported La Voz de la Frontera A CBP spokesman declined to comment on the situation to the Star A dental clinic in Los Algodones told the Star Friday that all foreign visitors to the border town are now being asked how long they’re staying and those staying longer than a week must get an FMM The process has been running more smoothly lately patient coordinator for Smile Crafters Algodones Dental Group The group’s U.S.-based customers “used to come in very often without this paperwork Mexico City-based Ángeles of INM said she could not comment on the situation in Los Algodones and repeated that even in Nogales Some Rocky Point tourists have been put off this year by longer waits to re-enter Arizona following the February addition of a National Guard checkpoint where guardsmen have been searching every vehicle before it reaches the Lukeville port of entry Tourists report that wait times have improved since last month following Sonora tourism officials’ request that the National Guard speed up those searches Puerto Peñasco Mayor Óscar Castro also said Lukeville port director Peter Bachelier agreed to extend the port’s closing time from 8 p.m on other days when vehicles are still in line Tourism in Puerto Peñasco had been slowly recovering amid lingering worry since the January 2024 Lukeville port closure, said tour guide Cordova. But that recovery seems to have stalled in recent months, he said. The U.S. temporarily closed the port in 2024 as CBP said its officers assigned to port duties were needed in the field to assist in the processing of migrant arrivals “People still have in their brain that they’re gonna close (the port) again,” making them less likely to plan a visit here “It’s the uncertainty of what’s going to happen.” business this season is only down about 5% but restaurants and bars have reported a 15% to 20% drop compared to spring break in 2024 That could also be due to heightened competition as more bars and restaurants have opened in the last year Tourism has also been hampered by safety concerns following a number of incidents in which U.S citizens or residents have been attacked while traveling through volatile regions of Sonora But those travelers were not using the recommended route to reach Rocky Point from Arizona which is along Highway 8 from the Lukeville port of entry State Department says its employees may not travel through the triangular region west of the Mariposa U.S Tourism in Puerto Peñasco had been slowly recovering amid lingering worry since the January 2024 temporary Lukeville port closure But that recovery seems to have stalled since Trump’s inauguration “It’s the uncertainty of what’s going to happen.” Pictured above are beachgoers in Puerto Peñasco in 2022 Highway 2 has been the site of multiple violent incidents involving U.S on more than one occasion following the drivers’ failure to stop at an unauthorized “checkpoint,” manned by armed criminal groups The State Department recommends stopping at all checkpoints whether or not one is sure the stop is manned by legitimate law enforcement Allen said extended wait times when returning to Arizona can be avoided by leaving early in the day on busy Sundays seems to be the busiest time at the Sonoyta port Ackerly said she hopes Mexican officials will be clear and consistent with their expectations so tourists can focus on the joy of visiting Rocky Point she worries some might opt for a trip to San Diego instead “We’re competing with other places in the States where people can spend their vacation money,” she said and not choose somewhere that they think is easier.” Contact reporter Emily Bregel at ebregel@tucson.com There are two options to get the FMM visitors' pass 1. Travelers can fill out the FMM form online Print the paperwork at home and bring it to Mexico to get stamped at an National Migration Institute (INM) office The cost for a 180-day pass — valid only for one entry into Mexico Travelers have the option of completing their FMM form in person at the INM office after entering Mexico the INM office is a white building just to the west of the road Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community For Star subscribers: As Trump threatens Mexico with tariffs again the Mexican National Guard's border activities show little impact For Star subscribers: Migrant arrivals in Arizona and across the entire southern border have plummeted since 2023 A Tucson-area family is mourning the violent death of 31-year-old son It's been pretty tough down here," says a Rocky Point business owner as the U.S The burned out Spanish Trail motel on the southern edge of South Tucson again caught fire this weekend Ruben Gallego praised investments in Arizona’s busy ports of entry Sonora and federal authorities busted a synthetic drug lab and arrested nine suspects while on patrol north of Puerto Peñasco last weekend Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device The Lukeville border crossing is extending its hours on Fridays starting in March to help ease peak-season travel to Puerto Peñasco The government of Puerto Peñasco announced that the crossing into Mexico would extend its hours to 10 p.m The crossing will continue to close at 8 p.m Keith Allen with Encántame Resorts said the move is a step in the right direction He said the border crossing used to be open until midnight every day pre-COVID-19 “It’s been hard for a lot of people because we’re a drive-in destination and we’re known as Arizona’s beach,” Allen said “It’s been difficult for some people to get off work and get across the border by 8 o’clock.” Allen hopes that the longer hours will drive tourism this summer that border officials will extend the new hours to other days of the week and consider keeping them in place past October "Arizona's Beach" is about to be included in Arizona traffic updates Motorists heading to the popular beach town of Puerto Peñasco can learn about highway restrictions and traffic issues on Federal Highway 8 in Mexico under a new program from the Arizona Department of Transportation Traffic updates for driving between the Lukeville Port of Entry at the Mexican border and Puerto Peñasco will be available on ADOT's AZ511 system during holiday weekends The first updates will appear during the Thanksgiving holiday "This is a perfect time to expand the critical traveler services offered by AZ511 as we always welcome increased drive visitation from Mexico during this time of year," Lisa Urias "Visitors from Mexico love coming to Arizona to visit family and shop during the holidays and AZ511 helps make the international travel experience as enjoyable and efficient as possible." The pilot program offering Puerto Peñasco traffic updates is part of a collaboration between Arizona state leaders and officials in the Mexican state of Sonora Sonoran officials will contact ADOT's Traffic Operations Center when traffic information becomes available and operators will enter the information in the AZ511 system The traffic-update partnership is critical not only for Arizonans visiting Mexico but also Mexicans visiting Arizona Mexico is by far the largest source of Arizona's international visitors "ADOT’s vision is safely connecting people and empowering the economy and this joint effort with our partners in Sonora is helping us expand that to peak times for travel to and from Puerto Peñasco," ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said in a statement AZ511 is a service from ADOT that gives drivers information on Arizona highway conditions local street restrictions and road closures People can access AZ511 by visiting az511.gov by calling 511 within the state or by using the AZ511 app available for Apple and Android devices Driving to Rocky Point, Mexico? Here are passport, insurance and safety tips First reported by the Arizona Daily Star Read the full story on AZPM.org → Travelers headed toward the popular beach destination of Puerto Peñasco might see long wait times because of heightened security measures at the Lukeville Port of Entry After Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum deployed 10,000 National Guardsmen to reinforce the U.S.-Mexico border as part of the “Operativo Frontera Norte” mission troops stationed across the border began inspecting more and more vehicles crossing in and out of Mexico About 200 soldiers were sent to the border town of Sonoyta, part of a collective of 1,500 Guardsmen distributed across the state of Sonora Sheinbaum agreed to reinforce the border with additional military personnel to postpone President Donald Trump’s plans to impose duties on imports from Mexico Those troops have been tasked with preventing drug-trafficking from Mexico to the United States by conducting a variety of security operations including helping Mexican Customs officers at ports of entry Several people have shared their experiences with the changes at the land border crossing online in a Facebook group centered around the Mexico beach destination Some who have posted in "Rocky Point Friends" over the last few weeks said they waited for more than two hours to cross into Mexico Others caution that wait times vary significantly and that individual experiences depend on the time of day The Arizona Republic reached out to several members of the group for this story “Sometimes you'll experience some of those larger lines because the controlling processes in Mexico has been increased,” Rafael Barceló Durazo “But that's something I would say that's contingent on the time when you're crossing.” Durazo emphasized that the Mexican government has not changed its policies regulating American travelers in response to the Trump administration’s threat of tariffs on Mexican goods “There's been fake news on social media saying that President Sheinbaum announced that the U.S citizens should have a visa in order to get into Mexico as tourists The latest immigration numbers: Deportations; Border crossings; DACA; Visas and more including the rules around the "Forma Migratoria Múltiple," have remained the same The operational hours for the Port of Entry in Lukeville recently were extended after Dr Customs and Border Protection’s director of the port of Lukeville Travelers crossing into Mexico have also been asked to present their "Forma Migratoria Múltiple," an immigration document colloquially called a "tourist card." “It's just registering your entrance into Mexico," Durazo explained to prove that your passport was controlled when you got into Mexico." Visitors who plan to go further into Mexico than the border region and will be in the country for more than seven days should get the FMM The Instituto Nacional de Migración is responsible for issuing the "Forma Migratoria Múltiple." To acquire the FMM, individuals must fill out an application online or at the border crossing's local INM less than $30 in American currency as of the end of February 2025 Cordova takes visitors across destinations along the Gulf of California and further into the interior of Mexico Cordova took seven American tourists to the popular whale-watching town of Guerrero Negro in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur He encountered multiple military checkpoints on the way including one where Mexican officials told him that his clients did not have an entry stamp into Mexico "After talking to him for about 30 mins he basically told me that I was transporting illegals and that they can get deported pay a hefty find and possibly go to jail," Cordova wrote in a Facebook post Cordova now asks that all of his clients obtain proper documentation before going on any trips "I strongly suggest you get it just in case because you just never know," Cordova said Have any news tips or story ideas about the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona? Reach the reporter at rromeroruiz@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @raphaeldelag When oppressive Phoenix summers prove hard to handle some desert dwellers flock south to an escape with sugary white sand and crystal blue water a shorter distance than San Diego or Los Angeles A trip to Puerto Peñasco is easy to plan. But unlike a Southern California beach trip, you'll have to factor in border crossings on the way. Travelers must have proper documentation to legally cross the border and are advised to follow safety precautions Here's how to plan your Puerto Peñasco summer vacation The state of Sonora, Mexico, which includes Puerto Peñasco, remains under a Level 3 advisory from the U.S. Department of State This is because of violent crime and kidnapping in the state Puerto Peñasco has a reputation as a safe destination people must still use caution on their visits the State Department advises people not to use taxi services public buses or rideshare applications in Rocky Point because of a lack of secure dispatching procedures and the potential danger of kidnapping and violent crime Yes. A passport is required to cross any international border You can use a passport book or a passport card to enter Puerto Peñasco by car and return to the U.S Here's the difference between a passport book and a passport card: Passport books are good for all forms of international transportation They cost $130 plus a $35 application fee.Passport cards are cheaper — $30 plus a $35 application fee But they are only valid for land and sea entry to Canada They are not valid for international air travel.Do kids need passports to go to Mexico?All children must have a passport to travel internationally Passports for adults are valid for 10 years; passports for children 15 and younger are valid for five years To find out how to apply for passports for minors, go to travel.state.gov Driving is the most common way tourists get to Puerto Peñasco according to the city's convention and visitors bureau The State Department says drivers should only use Federal Highway 8 via the Lukeville Port of Entry to travel to Puerto Peñasco and to only drive during daylight hours. Highway 8 was designated a "safety corridor" by Arizona and Sonora officials in 2016 and has bilingual signs security cameras and locations where drivers can seek roadside assistance The Lukeville-Sonoyta crossing is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. To get there from central Phoenix, head west on Interstate 10 and take Exit 112 for State Route 85 south. Continue through Gila Bend, Ajo and Why to get to the Lukeville crossing. You can check border wait times at bwt.cbp.gov Posted speed limits along Highway 8 to Puerto Peñasco range from 40 to 90 kilometers per hour Drive especially carefully and mind your speed in Sonoyta Watch for stop signs (alto in Spanish) and expect to encounter people who want to wash your windshield or ask for donations that are said to bless your trip Just slow down and wave if you don't want to contribute You must buy Mexican car insurance for your Rocky Point trip auto insurance policies won't cover driving in Mexico offer Mexican car insurance that you can buy online in advance your travel dates and the type and amount of coverage You also can buy a Mexican car insurance policy in towns along the way to the Lukeville Port of Entry Rocky Point and Puerto Peñasco refer to the same place in Mexico Rocky Point is a common English translation of Puerto Peñasco, with "puerto" roughly translating to port and "peñasco" meaning boulder, crag or pointed rock in English, according to Google Translate and SpanishDict.com Puerto Peñasco is a fishing village in Sonora It's about 213 miles southwest of the Phoenix city center and 63 miles of the Lukeville Port of Entry on the U.S.-Mexico border Is it worth going to Puerto Peñasco?For many Arizonans Puerto Peñasco is a worthwhile destination because it's closest beach to Phoenix and it's less expensive than Southern California Travelers and travel agents cite the weather beaches and resorts as reasons why Rocky Point is worth visiting as well as its reputation as a safe place compared to other parts of Mexico and its small-town feel in contrast with resort destinations like Cancun The top rated attractions in Puerto Peñasco according to Tripadvisor include: El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve.Isla San Jorge.Cholla Bay.Cholla Mall.Playa Bonita Beach.Playa Encanto.Seashell Museum.Old Port.Mermaid's Market.Tequila Factory.What is the best month to go to Puerto Peñasco?It depends what you're looking for as people visit throughout the year for different reasons For budget-conscious travelers looking for the lowest lodging rates Tripadvisor users suggest visiting between December and February Spring and fall tend to be best for people seeking lighter crowds and the most pleasant weather. While summer is a popular time for tourism, weather can be similar to Phoenix with heat and monsoon storms Visitors can expect the hottest temperatures in the summer according to data from Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (Temperatures are given in Celsius in Mexico's data; Puerto Penasco's maximum July temperatures are around 40 degrees Celsius The beaches at Rocky Point are popular for swimming a joint tactical operation by the Mexican National Guard the Army and AMIC — the criminal investigative arm of the Sonora Attorney General’s office — noticed a “suspicious warehouse” near kilometer 52 of the highway between Sonoyta and Puerto Peñasco according to a news release from the Sonora AG’s office Several suspects fled as authorities approached The suspects were identified only by their first names All were originally from the Mexican states of Sinaloa or Durango according to a spokesman for the Sonora AG’s office Authorities found specialized equipment for the production of synthetic narcotics on the property as well as a 5.56x45-caliber rifle with two loaded magazines and a white 2023 GMC Sierra pickup truck The federal public prosecutor’s office in Sonoyta will continue the investigation The Sonora AG’s office “reaffirms its strong commitment to continue carrying out coordinated actions to maintain the safety and peace of Sonoran families,” the release said Sonora and federal authorities busted a synthetic drug lab and arrested nine suspects while patrolling the area north of Puerto Peñasco all foreign visitors to Puerto Peñasco will need to get a tourist permit known as an "FMM" form The man who was shot and killed lived in Tucson and was traveling to Puerto Peñasco with friends KECY) - The City of Somerton hosted the newly elected Mayor of Puerto Peñasco Officials discussed ways to promote tourism and tighten the binational relationship between Rocky Point and Yuma Representatives from Rocky Point announced the construction of a new port that will host cruise ships and increase imports and exports Both Yuma and Rocky Point share a love for off-roading which the two cities say they plan to collaborate on an event for that's something we try to promote is tourism we'll go to one of their events and they'll come to one of our events and we'll find some common ground…Welcome to the new mayor and we look forward to continue working with them," says Jerry Anaya The new mayor also mentioned plans for a high-speed train connecting Rocky Point to Gila Bend Manoah Tuiasosopo joined the KYMA team as a videographer in February 2024 you can send them to his email at manoah.tuiasosopo@kecytv.com KYMA KECY is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Jobs/Internships | Do Not Sell My Personal Information Mexico remains a perennial spring break destination with a surge in student visitors in March and April particularly in tourist hotspots like Cancun and Puerto Peñasco The question of whether travelers can feel safe while traveling there comes up nearly every year Here's what they advise if you plan to visit Mexico Do you need a Real ID to fly in 2025? What to know about new travel requirements The answer depends on what part of Mexico you plan to visit the State Department had Level 4 travel advisories ZacatecasColimaGuerreroMichoacanSinaloaTamaulipasWhen the State Department issues a Level 4 warning it means traveling there presents the highest risk of life-threatening danger and little to no ability for the U.S citing crime and kidnapping in four cities: Reynosa Embassy warned of "increasingly frequent gun battles" during late nights and early mornings in Reynosa and surrounding areas It also stated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found in and around dirt roads and secondary roads in Reynosa adding IEDs are "increasingly manufactured and used by criminal organizations in this region." Violence in Tamaulipas made national news in 2023 when four Americans traveling to Mexico for cosmetic surgery were kidnapped in the city of Matamoros Two were killed in the crossfire of rival groups; the others returned to the U.S. While these are the least risky places to travel to travelers must still be aware that there is some risk in any international travel Campeche and Yucatan are close to the state of Quintana Roo The State Department classifies Quintana Roo as a Level 2 The coastal resort town and fishing village in the Mexican state of Sonora has a reputation as a safe destination But travelers must still use caution on their visits Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com woman whose husband passed away after being electrocuted in a hotel hot tub in the Mexican beach town of Puerto Peñasco has filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against the resort operator seeking US $1 million in damages filed the lawsuit against vacation rental provider Casago International and travel company High Desert Travel The lawsuit holds them responsible for faulty electrical wiring in the Puerto Peñasco hot tub that caused the electrocution and death of Jorge Guillén The Arizona-based travel operators did not respond to a request for comment from the AP Zambrano’s claim says that the tragedy began when her husband Guillén and several other family members arrived at the Sonoran Sea Resort a complex of high-rise condos in Puerto Peñasco Zambrano and Guillén headed to the jacuzzi to watch the sunset over the sea When Guillén dipped his foot inside the hot tub The shock knocked him down and he fell into the tub the Mexican-American couple didn’t know an electric current was rippling through the hot tub water “It’s absolutely terrifying,” Tej Paranjpe an attorney at the Houston-based firm PMR Law Zambrano jumped in to rescue her drowning husband, but was jolted by the current and sucked in, too. Cellphone footage from the incident shows hysterical hotel guests gathering around the jacuzzi unable to help as they discover the invisible danger of the water The lawsuit says that the resort managers not only failed to prevent and warn guests about the hazards of the hot tub but also failed to react quickly enough to the emergency Ten minutes passed until hotel employees responded to the guests’ cries for help “There was not a single staff member that did anything while Jorge was getting continuously shocked again and again underwater,” Paranjpe said efforts to retrieve Guillén with poles and various metal tools only unleashed electric shocks on more people When the manager eventually retrieved Guillén from the bottom of the jacuzzi Zambrano was medevacked to Phoenix by helicopter and was discharged from the hospital on Friday The accident, which occurred on June 11 at around 8:30 pm, is currently being investigated by the Attorney General’s Office of Sonora. Puerto Peñasco and is a popular beach destination among U.S tourists due to its proximity to the Arizona border With reports from the Associated Press ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC A Tucson man was fatally shot Friday night while traveling through a volatile part of northwest Sonora, on the same highway where two Arizona women were killed in an August shooting and where a U.S State Department identified the man who was shot as Nicholas Douglas Quets was traveling from Nogales to Puerto Peñasco with friends A vehicle pulled up alongside the 31-year-old man’s pickup truck and opened fire in a “direct attack,” the Sonora Attorney General’s Office said in a news release an armed group had tried to stop his vehicle at a checkpoint The gunmen opened fire after the man’s vehicle did not stop Failure to stop at an “illicit checkpoint” also preceded the December late-night killing of a U.S the Arizona Daily Star reported at the time In a third incident, on Aug. 23 at 10:30 a.m., two Arizona women ages 72 and 82 were found fatally shot in their overturned vehicle, on a different segment of Federal Highway 2, as they traveled from Lukeville to their hometown of Caborca. One of the women was a U.S. citizen, and one was a lawful permanent resident, the Star reported Sonora law enforcement — including the state’s criminal investigative unit AMIC; the Mexican Navy; and air support — quickly launched a search operation in the Altar-Caborca desert region to find the culprits in the Oct but came under fire from criminal elements over the weekend the AG’s office said in a Monday news release Mexican security forces were traveling on a dirt road “when a sand-colored Jeep-type pickup truck noticing the presence of the security forces accelerated its speed and the occupants began to shoot,” the release said in Spanish Air support from an assisting Black Hawk helicopter helped locate the aggressors Four shooters were “neutralized,” the statement said and authorities also seized five AK47 rifles and an intense search is being maintained for more generators of violence who will have to answer for their actions,” the release said Locals warn against traveling through Sonora at night particularly in the region west of Highway 15 — which is considered a safe highway connecting Nogales Sonora and Hermosillo — and east of Highway 8 State Department recommends only traveling to Puerto Peñasco using Highway 8 which is accessed through the Lukeville port “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” a State Department spokesman said in an emailed statement “Out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones during this difficult time An existing travel advisory from the U.S State Department says travelers to Sonora should “reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.” “Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks,” the advisory says citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping Travelers should maintain a heightened level of awareness of their surroundings in all their travels in Sonora.” Gunmen attacked two women traveling from Arizona while they drove through northern Sonora on Friday according to the Sonora Attorney General’… Mexico is the Western Hemisphere's most dangerous country for journalists At least 141 Mexican journalists have been killed since 2000 an armed attack on three vehicles transporting Central and South American migrants to the U.S.-Mexico border resulted in … citizens are now advised to avoid taking any “alternative routes” to the Mexican beach destination while the Lukeville-Sonoyta port of en… Local media in Sonora reported that the victims had refused to stop at an illicit "checkpoint" set up by criminal groups on the highway a Marine veteran from Tucson who was shot an killed last week on a treacherous section of highway in Sonora Sonoran authorities arrested two people over the weekend in connection with the Oct Mexico's new president Claudia Sheinbaum has shared more details of her plan to expand passenger rail service alon… 18 after he failed to stop at an unauthorized checkpoint manned by armed men An El Paso man died after likely being electrocuted in a jacuzzi at a resort hotel in the Mexican beach town of Puerto Peñasco tourists on the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez) near the Arizona border the Sonora State Attorney General's Office said in a news release Summer: When do tarantulas come out in Texas, and are they dangerous? What to know The man who died was identified by Sonora authorities only as 43-year-old Jorge N The news release by the Sonora State Attorney General's Office didn't mention the victims' hometown, but Channel 9-KTSM reported that the man was from El Paso Travel: New Texas rest areas near Van Horn seek to improve I-10 road trips, safety Full names were not disclosed by authorities in keeping with rules in Mexico regarding the naming of victims The death is under investigation by Sonora state authorities Onlookers screamed in horror as CPR chest compressions were done on a person out of the jacuzzi on a disturbing video of the tragedy circulation on social media Similar jacuzzi and hot tub electrocutions have occurred in the past due to malfunctioning wiring that sends an electrical charge into the water A cause of death in the Puerto Peñasco case has not been officially determined When you write a Golf Advisor course review now through December 31 your review will be entered into Golf Advisor’s Rate to Escape: Maui Sweepstakes for a chance to win a five-star trip to Maui One Grand Prize winner and guest will travel in an AVIS rental car for six nights/ seven days of accommodations with the latest gear from OGIO to play on the finest fairways in Maui We’re also giving away 12 Golf Advisor Swag bags to lucky reviewers Mexico's best golf courses are spread throughout the country but most Americans are only interested in where to play in the tourist hotbeds of Puerto Vallarta Your fellow golfers can help point you in the right direction GolfPass releases a Top 25 Public Golf Courses in Mexico every January thanks to YOU We create our annual Golfers' Choice lists by curating the reviews submitted by everyday golfers We use GolfPass' Ratings Index logic that weights newer reviews and combine it with a course's subcategory averages Each course needed at least two reviews and at least some public access to qualify Mexico City is one of the largest cities in Latin America although many of the best public golf courses in Mexico are located elsewhere Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses are prominent in Cabo's desert golf scene and well represented in our top 25 We make our Golfers' Choice best-of lists user friendly Simply click on the photo of each course to learn more about the facility or to book a tee time (in most cases) Want to get involved with determining the top public golf courses in Mexico or any other future Golfers' Choice lists? Click here to review the next golf course you play Mexico golf courses reviewed in 2024: 31Reviews of Mexico golf courses in 2024: 1,347 Green fee: $150-$275What they're saying: "It was an excellent experience an easy (place) to play and enjoy (the) course with some challenges and difficulties but a good balance Green fee: $139-$205What they're saying: "Typical difficult early Jack Nicklaus design with long carries Beautiful well maintained layout along the ocean Proshop in the Mayan Palace about a mile away Heavy security with police and national guard check points along main road Private security along the beach housing area 30 minute drive to Puerto Penasco with some sand roads" - DEHESS Green fee: $179-$275What they're saying: "This is a challenging layout in the mountains but in the afternoon I got a great rate and the course was nearly empty I spent an hour practicing and 3 hours for my round I wish all golf was similarly timed!!" - billanhut Green fee: $50-$60 What they're saying: "Always enjoy playing a Nicklaus designed course As typical elevated greens and deep bunkering with water on every hole Bring two extra sleeves of balls!" - gregcrane00 Green fee: $175+What they're saying: "Great value golf if you are vacationing in Acapulco The golf course was excellent" - mikeacapulco Green fee: $289-$395What they're saying: "What a beautiful course My husband and I would love to golf again at Puerto Los Cabos staff was friendly and the views and surroundings were absolutely gorgeous Green fee: $179-$275What they're saying: "One of my favorite courses Not too long but deceptively difficult to avoid a double bogey (or two!) Well worth the trip up into the mountains!!" - billanhut Green fee: $169-$290What they're saying: "A must play before it goes fully private We were the first tee time available to (the) public after (a) members-only morning." - GolfPass Reviewer Green fee: $185-$297What they're saying: "Enjoyed the course Green were not fast when I played but ran true Green fee: $189-$325What they're saying: "We played this course yesterday and before that 6 years prior The course is beautiful and has some challenging holes Hole 3 on the Ocean course is probably my favorite all time hole for its beauty Palmilla has added wonderful comfort stations since we were here last and the staff is always friendly and accommodating!" - TSchween Green fee: $159-$185What they're saying: "This was my second round of golf in one week at this course The course was still challenging but well worth the price I will be back sooner than later to play it again." -saul2476440 Green fee: $125-$180What they're saying: "Everything was great All in all an excellent experience and I would recommend golfing here." - GolfPass Reviewer Green fee: $159-$185What they're saying: "Very fun Par 3 with some challenging holes A few over 225 yards which allows you to hit some woods too." - Millerpotsos Green fee: $235-$395What they're saying: "Solmar is a stunning property with endless breathtaking views and golf perfection The conditions are about as perfect as it gets The staff couldn't be nicer especially the Pro José and Adrian on the cart staff Solmar will be a can't miss and most likely multiple rounds." - IBJPJM Green fee: $169-$226What they're saying: "Had alot if fun and played this course twice in the last week Very player friendly and knowledgeable staff Caddie (was) totally worth the money." - GolfPass Reviewer Green fee: $185-$260What they're saying: "We really enjoyed the beautiful course Greeens were fast as lightning…but rolled great Looking forward to playing it again on our next visit to Cabo!" - rorylaney Green fee: $75-$115What they're saying: "We do not get the chance to play with caddies often El Cid is a course that still offer caddie services and they are great The overall staff service and caddie service always make the experience a really fun one and it is hard to beat what they offer with what they charge We stayed at one of their El Cid resorts on a Mazatlan Golf Package and we were able to play unlimited golf on three different layouts with a great All inclusive food and beverage hotel plan for a really good price We are definitely coming back." - AlonsoChih Green fee: $285-$310What they're saying: "Very nice jungle course Make sure you hit it in the fairway as it goes immediately to jungle Greens were fair and I enjoyed the course." - GolfPass Reviewer Green fee: $185-$295What they're saying: "The course is in great condition I highly recommend this course!" - GolfPass Reviewer Green fee: $139-$198What they're saying: "This is a great golf course There are crocodiles around the course and some times you have to just drop another ball but they are friendly and don't bother the golfers Green fee: $119-$185What they're saying: "I booked this course as an in between and to my surprise I found myself playing it again the following morning The place was humming with activity and even though it’s only nine holes it was extremely fun my girlfriend and I played it twice on both days The $30 food/drink fee was well worth the price as the food (was) amazing along with all the staff Hats off to the ladies on the grill." - golfvip Green fee: $155-$200What they're saying: "We loved this course although we both lost a lot of balls in the water The bunkers are terrible as there is virtually no sand in them but who cares on vacation: ever heard of a free drop :-) We got a special deal with Golf Now and even enjoyed the all inclusive experience that would normally have cost three times as much Free drinks and snacks during the round and a lovely 3 course à la carte cooked lunch after the round with good wine and spirits Green fee: $155-$200What they're saying: "This course is (the) best value for golf in all of (the) typical vacation spots All drinks/food (are) included and they come around often." - upanesh Green fee: $169-$285What they're saying: "The greens and views are immaculate did not have to wait on the tee box at all The staff are very appreciative." - tjones7 Green fee: $80-$120What they're saying: "It has been a wonderful experience to find this very unknown course It has a state of the art design and very high maintenance standard." - ljsaez MEXICO — Puerto Peñasco-based MG Developments has sold 80% of its lots within the $1 billion master-planned community it is developing at Playa Encanto Beach in Rocky Point These lots range from 6,000 to 8,200 square feet with prices ranging between $90,000 and $130,000 Do you have a concern in your community or a news tip Connect with us: share@abc15.com Facebook | Instagram | YouTube "You can own property in Mexico," Allen said reports to the federal government any foreigners that own property here in Mexico Read more of this story from the Business Journal. and a woman was injured after likely being electrocuted in a jacuzzi at a Puerto Peñasco resort hotel The incident occurred Tuesday when a man and a woman were apparently shocked by an electrical current while inside a jacuzzi at private condominiums Sonora authorities identified the deceased man as 43-year-old Jorge N. while the woman, Lizeth N., was reportedly transported to a U.S. hospital in critical condition. Full names were not disclosed in accordance with Mexican regulations. Channel 9-KTSM reported that the man was from El Paso The Sonora State Attorney General's Office is investigating the incident It is located on the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez) near the Arizona border How common is it to be electrocuted in pools or hot tubs?According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission there were 33 injuries and 33 deaths caused by electrocutions from swimming pools and hot tubs in the U.S or the presence of electrical devices near the water Specific statistics on the frequency of hot tub electrocutions are not widely reported it's important to ensure that hot tubs are installed and maintained according to safety guidelines including using ground-fault circuit interrupters and avoiding using electrical appliances near the hot tub An El Paso woman filed a lawsuit against a Mexican resort hotel days after she and her husband, who died in the incident, were electrocuted in a jacuzzi during their vacation in Puerto Peñasco Lizzette Zambrano filed the wrongful death lawsuit Friday alleging negligence of the several companies that operate manage and maintain the premises of the Sonoran Sea Resort tourists on the Gulf of California near the Arizona border Zambrano and her husband, Jorge Guillen, both of El Paso were on vacation when they were electrocuted in a jacuzzi Tuesday while Zambrano suffered critical injuries and was revived before being taken to a hospital She remains in critical condition at a hospital in the U.S Court records do not list any attorneys for the three defendants Zambrano is seeking more than $1 million in damages for the fatal incident at the resort More: Love 'one for ages': Friends help El Paso couple after electrocution at Mexican resort Attorneys Tej Paranjpe and Michael Rodriguez of PMR Law and Charles Bush from Bush & Bush Law Group are representing Zambrano and the estate of her husband "There is no reason this should have happened," Paranjpe "Hotels and resorts have a duty to ensure guest safety At no point did resort staff think to engage an emergency shut-off A GoFundMe page was created by the couple's friends to help with medical and funeral expenses The page has raised nearly $47,000 in donations as of Friday Zambrano and Guillen were "excited about their arrival to their vacation destination sought to spend some time in the common pool area," the lawsuit states The couple went to a hot tube jacuzzi near the common pool area Guillen entered the jacuzzi and was immediately "exposed to an electrical current in the water," the lawsuit states Guillen keeled over into the tub and was taken under the surface of the water Zambrano saw her husband collapse in the jacuzzi and ran from the pool deck to try and grab him When Zambrano touched Guillen and the water Visitors at the resort ran to the jacuzzi and attempted to help the couple Zambrano was grabbed by another guest and pulled out of the jacuzzi The visitors at the scene used a "shepherd's cross and other items to attempt to get Jorge's body from the jacuzzi the metal from the objects carried the electrical current and began shocking the rescuers," the lawsuit states The lawsuit alleges it took resort staff 10 minutes to arrive at the scene and to assist in getting Guillen out of the jacuzzi did defendants seek to engage the emergency shutoff for the jacuzzi or attempt any rescue of either Jorge or Lizzette," the lawsuit states "Jorge was being electrocuted and drowned under water for 10 minutes." Lawsuit alleges negligence on behalf of the defendantsElectrical wiring in the jacuzzi was faulty and had not been fixed by any of the defendant's employees and no signs were posted alerting people to "the deadly hazard," the lawsuit states "The faulty jacuzzi on the defendants' premise constituted a dangerous condition," the lawsuit states "The dangerous condition on the premise posed an unreasonable risk of harm as it was not readily apparent to plaintiff (Zambrano) thus creating a situation where the presence of the dangerous condition could cause invitees to become injured and resulted in death." The defendants should have known the jacuzzi's dangers or should have in "the exercise of ordinary care" known the jacuzzi was defective "Defendants breached their duty of ordinary care by failing to adequately maintain the premise and the condition and/or failing to make the condition reasonably safe," the lawsuit states More: El Paso man dies in alleged hot tub electrocution in Mexico beach resort in Puerto Peñasco The lawsuit describes Guillen as an "industrious Guillen's "death has deprived Lizzette of the love and society of her husband Guillen's death has caused plaintiff (Zambrano) and his children to suffer the loss of his care The lawsuit is asking for the defendants to pay for the "pain and suffering It also demands monetary damages for the "mental anguish endured by Lizzette as a result of her injuries" and for medical The attorneys also request a restraining order preventing the "defendants from repairing or destroying any evidence from the jacuzzi involved in the incident." Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT Only 24 lots remain out of 142 at a master-planned community on Encanto Beach in Rocky Point BY ANGELA GONZALES/PHOENIX BUSINESS JOURNAL Puerto Peñasco-based MG Developments has sold 80% of its lots within the $1 billion master-planned community it is developing at Playa Encanto Beach in Rocky Point These lots ranging from 6,000 to 8,200 square feet “You can own property in Mexico,” Allen said “We just do it with a different process MG Developments will be offering floor plans for homes ranging between 2,500 and 4,000 square feet for single-story or two-story homes with sunset decks Buyers also have the option of selecting a custom homebuilder This story is posted in partnership with Phoenix Business Journal. Click to read the full story. MX — It was supposed to be paradise for Texas couple Lizette Zambrano and her husband Jorge but little did she know it would become hell -- ending in her coming home full of grief and without the love of her life Lizette Zambrano has spoken out for the first time about the tragedy that happened at the Mexican resort town of Puerto Peñasco when they were both electrocuted killing Jorge and seriously injuring Lizette “I feel that this could have been prevented,” Lizette Zambrano said tearfully Zambrano is now suing the resort for wrongful death due to what she alleges was faulty wiring sending a live current into the water I want somebody to take accountability for what happened to my husband and myself,” Zambrano said in the interview on “Good Morning America” on Friday morning “The last thing I remember him saying is Oh s--- And it's the same time that I felt the first electric shock and then it happened over and over and over and I didn't hear him again.” The suit alleges that bystanders attempts to rescue the couple were hampered stating “the metal from the objects carried the electrical current and began shocking the rescuers.” but they kept jumping out because the shocks were so strong,” Zambrano said Lizette Zambrano said she was pulled out of the hot tub with no pulse but was given CPR and medically evacuated to a hospital where she eventually regained consciousness Her lawsuit seeks $1 million in damages from Casago claiming “Jorge was being electrocuted and drowned under water for 10 minutes” and at no time prior to this did the defendants seek to engage the emergency shut off for the jacuzzi saying in a statement in part that “the Sonoran Sea is a condo resort and the homeowners association is responsible for all common areas including the maintenance of the swimming pool is not involved in any management or maintenance of the resort.” policies and procedures do they have in place And what's the point of those policies and procedures if they're not doing anything to enact them,” Zambrano's lawyer questioned ABC News has asked the homeowner's association for comment but has not heard back experts say if you think you are being shocked while in the water move away from the source and try to get out of the water immediately but without touching metal railings or ladders which may increase the shock An American tourist was killed and his wife hospitalized after being electrocuted in a hot tub in a Mexican beach town earlier this week an incident that prompted the family to sue the resort for wrongful death and negligence filed the lawsuit seeking $1 million in damages from the U.S.-based resort operators from her hometown of El Paso on Friday days after being medevaced from the hot tub at the resort town of Puerto Peñasco On top of failing to prevent and warn guests about the hazards of the hot tub the resort managers also failed to react quickly enough to the emergency her husband Guillen and several other family members arrived at the Sonoran Sea Resort Zambrano and Guillen headed to the jacuzzi to watch the sun set over the sea They didn’t know an electric current was rippling through the hot tub water attorney at the Houston-based firm PMR law The moment that Guillen dipped his foot inside the jacuzzi He tumbled into a direct electric circuit and quickly became trapped underwater Zambrano jumped in to rescue her drowning husband then was jolted by the current and sucked in Cellphone footage from the incident shows the beachfront pool deck descending into chaos as shrieking guests raced over then discovered the danger of the jacuzzi water While a guest managed to drag Zambrano out of the water efforts to retrieve Guillen with poles and various metal tools only unleashed electric shocks on more and more people until workers at the resort responded to vacationers’ cries for help The manager eventually succeeded in retrieving Guillen from the bottom of the jacuzzi Zambrano was flown by helicopter to Phoenix and was discharged from the hospital on Friday Mexican prosecutors in Sonora state reported that investigators were looking into “the origin of the electrical failure” and would conduct field visits in the coming days Hot tub electrocution due to faulty underwater lighting and flawed pumps remains rare but experts warn that vigilance is needed to ensure equipment is properly maintained Consumer Products Safety Commission reported 47 incidents involving injury or death in hot tubs Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter after an electrical malfunction in a hot tub at a Rocky Point resort Tuesday Sonora — The exhausted couple sat on the ground outside the Mexican immigration office in the DeConcini port of entry on Friday morni… All five who were injured have been treated and released from hospitals What are Mexico’s plans for the decarbonization of the global economy amid the worldwide call to combat climate change And how is the northern state of Sonora involved Mexico’s “main bet” in its attempts to transition to cleaner energy is the Plan Sonora renewable energy initiative Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo said Wednesday during a meeting in Mexico City with federal Energy Minister Luz Elena González Escobar Under Durazo, the state has been working closely with the federal government for several years to execute Plan Sonora, a comprehensive energy, development and economic growth plan that would bring the state (and Mexico) foreign investment and greater energy independence as well as, Durazo is betting, turn Sonora into a “Silicon Valley” for clean energy The centerpiece of the US $7 billion Plan Sonora is a massive solar park in Puerto Peñasco located on the northern coast of the Gulf of California just 100 kilometers from Sonora’s border with Arizona The aim is for the solar park to provide electricity to new industrial parks in Sonora and more than 160,000 homes At their meeting on Wednesday, Durazo and González agreed to keep pushing ahead with renewable energy initiatives in Sonora. Mexico, led by Sheinbaum, a climate scientist, since Oct. 1, is aiming for a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 In addition to assisting the energy transition in Mexico Plan Sonora has “a focus on the well-being” of the residents of Sonora He said that Plan Sonora is also attracting private investment to Sonora, citing Houston-based company Mexico Pacific Limited’s US $15 billion natural gas project in Puerto Libertad as one example A Chinese company, Ganfeng Lithium, has run into problems with the federal government over its plans to mine lithium in Sonora, but the two parties could come to an agreement in the near future. Mexico nationalized lithium in 2022 Sonora lawmaker Amairany Peña Escalante said this week that Plan Sonora is already making state capital Hermosillo and the port city of Guaymas more competitive. The Mexican Institute for Competitiveness recently ranked Hermosillo as Mexico’s most competitive city among cities with a population between 500,000 and 1 million Guaymas was ranked as the most competitive city among those with fewer than 250,000 residents Peña said that Sonora’s focus on renewable energy projects helped the cities come out on top in their population categories Plan Sonora is also expected to help strengthen bilateral relations between Mexico and the United States by encouraging nearshoring investment In a social media post on Wednesday González said that federal and Sonora authorities were continuing to work on projects that “will strengthen regional development and improve the quality of life of businesses and families.” With reports from Milenio and Reporte Indigo Two women traveling from Arizona were killed in an armed attack in northern Sonora on Friday according to the Sonora Attorney General’s office identified by Sonora officials only as Enedina entered Sonora through the Lukeville-Sonoyta port of entry and were attacked as they traveled toward Caborca bullet-ridden Nissan Pathfinder at 10:30 a.m State Department confirmed Monday that one of the victims was a U.S citizen and one was a lawful permanent resident The agency is “closely monitoring the situation,” a spokesperson said in a Monday email “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased officials did not confirm on Monday whether the women were current residents of Arizona but the Phoenix-based husband of one of the victims posted about the attack on social media last week On Friday Mexican security forces launched a search operation to find the perpetrators and National Guard officers located a stolen 2023 Ford F-150 in Quitovac Experts are working to establish whether the weapons match evidence at the crime scene and the Sonora Attorney General’s office is continuing its investigation the state police and crime-scene investigators a spokesman for the state Attorney General’s office said Monday Officials have not said what motivated the attack. Parts of northern Sonora are experiencing high levels of violence due to territorial battles between rival criminal organizations. Increasingly brutal outbreaks of violence between the groups caused a mass exodus of residents from the border town of Sásabe In December, three U.S. residents, including a U.S. citizen, were fired on while traveling at 2 a.m One of the men was killed and the other two were wounded An existing travel advisory from the State Department says travelers to Sonora should “reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.” State Department employees are not permitted to drive in the area north of Altar east of Sonoyta and west of the Mariposa U.S an area that includes the highway where the shooting took place officials recommend using only Federal Highway 8 Get your morning recap of today's local news and read the full stories here: tucne.ws/morning Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. U.S. citizens are now advised to avoid taking any “alternative routes” to the Mexican beach destination while the Lukeville-Sonoyta port of en… Local media in Sonora reported that the victims had refused to stop at an illicit "checkpoint" set up by criminal groups on the highway, which… Residents of the besieged Mexican town of Sásabe say they feel abandoned by the government as they wait for the violent conflict between crimi… Thousands of migrants have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border onto Tohono O'odham Nation land since Saturday — a volume that's extremely rare in t… The man who was shot and killed lived in Tucson and was traveling to Puerto Peñasco with friends, his family said. Relatives of Nick Quets, a Marine veteran from Tucson who was shot an killed last week on a treacherous section of highway in Sonora, said Thu… A Tucson-area family is mourning the violent death of 31-year-old son, husband, brother and uncle Nick Quets, who was fatally shot on a Sonora… Nick Quets was shot and killed Oct. 18 after he failed to stop at an unauthorized checkpoint manned by armed men, authorities say. A second suspect in the October attack that killed American citizen Nick Quets in Sonora has been arrested, the Attorney General’s Office in S… Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. Court bars Mexican resort from altering hot tub where El Paso man was electrocutedby DAVID IBAVE | KFOX An El Paso district court ruled that the Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Peñasco prohibits altering and logbooks or electronic communications between resort employees was electrocuted while stepping in the hot tub Houston attorney Tej Paranjpe who is representing Zambrano released the following statement highlighting the importance of the ruling for the future of the case the order will remain in effect until July 2 and the trial is set for March 10 Lawyers said Zambrano is no longer in critical condition She is reportedly now out of the hospital and back in her home in El Paso Zambrano was shocked when she tried to help Guillen out of the water after he was electrocuted The lawsuit describes that other resort visitors were also shocked as they were trying to pull the couple out of the hot tub and alleges that resort staff took 10 minutes to respond and therefore Guillen was electrocuted and drowned for 10 minutes The lawsuit also claims the resort should've known of the faulty electrical wiring in the jacuzzi and put up warning signs alerting visitors of the danger Zambrano was taken by helicopter to a Phoenix-area hospital while Guillen was pronounced dead on the scene Zambrano is being represented by Houston Attorneys Tej Paranjpe and Michael Rodriguez of PMR Law and Charles Bush from Bush & Bush Law Group was honored by his classmates with a moment of silence AZ Business Magazine MG Developments has announced that it has sold 80% of the master-planned homes in the luxury home community, Encántame Estates on Encanto Beach in Rocky Point. The luxury living community is part of Encántame Resorts located just 15 minutes away from downtown Rocky Point With the prompt sale of 118 lots and only 24 lots remaining prospective homeowners are quickly securing their place in this exclusive community MORE NEWS: Ranking Arizona: Top 10 home builders for 2024 each residence within Encántame Estates can be modeled after three distinct floor plans for single-level and two-story homes ranging from 2 bed/2.5 bath to 4 bed/ 4.5 bath and an option to include a sunset deck Each home also offers direct beach access and modern luxurious amenities including custom interiors all set against a stunning backdrop of beach scenery. Encántame Estates is the perfect option for those looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of downtown Rocky Point and instead bask in the relaxing sounds of calm shores and peaceful ocean views In addition to providing a serene escape from city life the private community is designed to complement an active lifestyle 24-hour on-site security and underground utilities including city water and fiber optic internet there are three different floor plans available an owner can build a custom home home upon approval by an architectural review committee with no qualifying financing and as little as 30% down “Encántame Estates is coastal living at its finest,” said Keith Allen “This exclusive community of just 142 residences is designed for families and couples seeking a private safe and tranquil escape from the bustle of city life.” Encántame Estates is the 7th project of developer Miguel Guevara Princesa and Condominiums Pinacate are now completed Guevara has been a leader in quality construction on-time performance and continued customer satisfaction having built and operated Real Center Guadalajara since 2015 He also recently completed and delivered Real View Towers Guadalajara he completed the construction of two Cinepolis movie theater complexes in Rocky Point and Caborca with both opening in 2019. Encántame Resorts is a modern luxury condominium and estate development on Puerto Peñasco’s Playa Encanto Beach Puerto Peñasco has become a popular destination for families Puerto Peñasco welcomed 2.1 million travelers Copyright © 2025 AZ Big Media | All Rights Reserved | Site by Blufish Wind gusts of 30+ mph along with afternoon and evening blowing dust, could reduce visibility. Weather Maps RadarEl Paso couple injured husband electrocuted in hot tub incident at Mexican resortby David Ibave Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A couple from El Paso were victims of a deadly jacuzzi incident while at a Mexican resort was electrocuted while in a hot tub at the Resort Sonora Sea in Puerto Peñasco Video of the aftermath of the incident has been circulating on social media: RECOMMENDED:Crews fix water line break that swallowed cars, displaced residents in Central El Paso you can see what appears to be dozens of people huddled around a hot tub frantically running for help KFOX14/CBS4 is working to find out what caused the incident as well as an update on Zambrano's condition This is a developing story; check back for updates RECOMMENDED:Las Cruces mobile home fire injures one, displaces residents Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Mexico — An El Paso man died after apparently being electrocuted while in a hot tub at a private resort in the Mexican state of Sonora on Tuesday According to the El Paso Times were shocked by an electrical current while they were in a hot tub at Puerto Peñasco The woman was transported to a hospital in the U.S The General Prosecutor’s Office believes the electrocution was caused by possible failure in the jacuzzi’s wiring, KTSM reports According to a report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission approximately 47 shock-related pool and spa incidents involving injury or death occurred from 2002 to 2018 Authorities are currently investigating the incident Puerto Peñasco is often frequented by tourists and vacationers A man died after likely being electrocuted in a jacuzzi at a resort hotel in the Mexican beach town of Puerto Peñasco A man and a woman were apparently shocked by an electrical current Tuesday evening, June 11, while inside an outdoor jacuzzi next to a swimming pool at private condominiums in Puerto Peñasco Puerto Peñasco is a beach town in northwest Mexico frequented by U.S tourists located on the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez) near the Arizona border The man who died was identified by Sonora authorities only as 43-year-old Jorge N A cause of death has not been officially determined There were 33 injuries and 33 deaths caused by electrocutions from swimming pools and hot tubs in the U.S according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission an electric shock can come from a variety of places According to the CPSC, swimmers may feel a tingling sensation, experience muscle cramps, feel as if something is holding them in place or not be able to move at all. If you think you are being shocked in water, the CPSC says to move away from the source of the shock and get out of the water, exiting if possible without using a metal ladder, which may increase the risk of shock. If someone in the water is experiencing an electrical shock, immediately turn off all power and call emergency services. activities here range from whale-watching and canyon hiking to exploring intact colonial towns including two state-protected “pueblos mágicos.” Hit the beach at Puerto Peñasco Architectural Landmark JuanAriza1 / Shutterstock Mexico Tours Puerto Peñasco, aka Rocky Point, is the best-known destination in Sonora – in fact it’s so popular among landlocked US-border-state citizens that it’s colloquially known as Arizona Beach with crystalline water that’s perfect for paddle-boarding massages on the beach and fabulous bars such as Wrecked At The Reef The beach isn’t the only place where you’ll find a buzz Head inland to Sonora’s capital Hermosillo a lively city with colonial-era landmarks such as La Catedral early 20th-century structure built in a Neoclassical and Neo-Gothic design This is also a city of artists: look out for murals of Frida Kahlo and Mexican wrestlers in the streets see Sonoran art at the 54,000sqft (5,000sqm) Sonora Museum of Art (MUSAS) or check out the indigenous shows at Casa Hoeffer Jumbert / Shutterstock The relatively new music festival of Tecate Sonoro has quickly gained traction – the last headline act was the iconic Scottish indie band you’ll also see plenty of Mexican talent taking to the stage So if you want to get au fait with the local musicians to the Unesco-protected El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve The remarkable landscape features ever-shifting sand dunes volcanic craters and black and red lava fields plant and wildlife biodiversity thrives – look out for the endemic Sonoran pronghorn nicknamed “the desert ghost,” an antelope-like creature that’s only found in northwest Sonora and southwest Arizona Ball Park Brand / Unsplash Sonora’s distinctive food scene includes elaborate dogos (hot dogs) giant burros percherónes (burritos) and sobaqueras (paper-thin flour tortillas) The best place to try the latter is Tortillería San Ramón Cooked in front of you on a hot comal (a rounded steel dome) each tortilla is folded up and served with up to three stews and refried beans Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Take the kids to La Laguna del Náinari Natural Feature The lake of Laguna del Náinari may be a manmade feature it creates a natural-looking environment right in the middle of Obregón city you’ll find snack bars selling drinks out of coconuts as well as a pier stretching 66ft (20m) out over the water Look down and you might just spot one of the hundreds of terrapins that populate the lake Sonora has two pueblos mágicos – Mexican towns granted special status for cultural, historical, architectural or gastronomic reasons – which are Álamos and Magdalena de Kino in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental is one of the most intact colonial-era cities you’ll find in northern Mexico Its cobblestone paths will take you past Spanish-built mansions a reflection of its historic wealth as the country’s northernmost silver mining town Jorch R Orrantia / Shutterstock Lace up your hiking boots and head to the Nacapule Canyon, near San Carlos While it’s not as major of a destination as Chihuahua’s Copper Canyon following the narrow ravine path uphill for an hour until you reach a sweeping view across loose ground and through tunnels adds to the sense of adventure as does passing the giant prickly cacti and drinking from the freshwater springs A paved platform slightly overhanging a cliff this spot has been voted as one of the world’s best ocean views The expanse before you is the twin-peaked Tetakawi behind the sapphire-blue ocean with wildlife moving in and out of the frame whale spouts and birds such as roseate spoonbills There are places to park along the road above the cliff and a couple of souvenir and drinks stalls Eco Fun Adventures sets off from Puerto Peñasco to Isla San Jorge One of the most wildlife-rich destinations in Northern Mexico you’ll have the chance to swim with its colony of 3,600 sea lions spot dolphins leaping beside the boat and look out for whales (including gray pilot and killer) between January and April The island’s name comes from its 20 species of migratory birds Mo Zyber / Shutterstock Mexico Trips and Tours Planning a visit to the beautiful country of Mexico If you’re keen to see as many of the incredible sites on this list as you can you’re best off booking a multi-day tour that shows you the very best this country has to offer drink and travel writer based out of Mexico but I also dabble in spewing my unsolicited opinions about teabags and pork pies Find more of my work at northernlauren.com See & Do The Most Magical Sites to Visit in Mexico Guides & Tips 14 Things You Should Never Say to a Mexican See & Do The Top 10 Things to See and Do in Tlaxcala See & Do How to Spend Christmas and New Years in Mexico City Guides & Tips A Guide To The Palacio De Bellas Artes See & Do The 10 Best Things to See and Do in Pachuca See & Do A View of Mexico City Through the Xochimilco Canals See & Do Mexico's Most Stunning Lakeside Towns and Villages See & Do 16 Must Visit Attractions in Guadelejara See & Do The Most Beautiful Plazas in Mexico City See & Do Must-Visit Attractions in the Copper Canyon See & Do Unique Indigenous Towns in Mexico US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd Experience the magic of October Country Fest at Esmeralda Beach Resort located in Puerto Peñasco Get ready for an extraordinary musical experience at the October Country Fest on October 4-6, 2024, at the breathtaking Esmeralda Beach Resort in Rocky Point This premier event promises three days of top-tier country music performances set against the stunning backdrop of the Sea of Cortez October Country Fest is proud to announce an impressive lineup of artists who are set to deliver unforgettable performances Opening the festival on both Friday and Saturday will be a local Rocky Point band The festival then really kicks off on Friday with the In Color Band known for their electrifying live shows that captivate audiences Following them is Lacey Rashea and the Young Guns bringing their unique blend of energy and talent to the stage Then we bring Tucson’s Drew Cooper to the stage. He is well known in the Rocky Point area with his soulful melodies that have garnered a dedicated following Chauncey Jones hits the stage bringing his Texas roots to the festival stage. The Josh Roy Band will be fresh off a summer tour and headlines Friday night showcasing his incredible talent You won’t want to miss his unique sound and songwriting talents as he brings the first night to a close are ready to entertain with their dynamic sound while the Buddy Martell Band promises to bring their signature flair. We then bring Nashville’s Kristen Merlin to the festival stage Kristen brings her incredible talent to the lineup ensuring a diverse array of musical experiences. She will be backed up by Buddy Martell and his band Next is the Western Fusion Band who blends classic and contemporary country sounds to perfection. Closing out Saturday night is Nathan Dean & The Damn Band. Nathan is coming off a 4-month summer tour and will be showcasing the party music that has made him a fan favorite nationwide we have a bunch of high-energy performers that will keep you dancing and laughing all afternoon and evening. We start it off with the fan-favorite Boondocks. Carl Usher and Shane Edwards have gained a large following in the Phoenix area and Rocky Point with their high energy show. Next up we have David Voss & Big Country. David Voss is a performer and who never disappoints Hillbilly Deluxe comes on next with the incredible vocals of Pedro Rocha and Jessica Arnold. Then we have another summer touring artist joining us Austin Lindstrom Austin is known for not holding back at his shows and always brings an incredible performance closing out the event will be the incredible Matt Farris. Like many of the other performers Matt has opened for numerous national artists and brings his show to wrap up a fun and busy three days in Mexico *Book a luxury condo at EsmeraldaBeachResort.com*Get your tickets at clnmusic.bammtickets.com*CLICK HERE to join our Facebook group Left: David Voss/Credit: David Voss – Right: Hillbilly Deluxe/Credit: New Boot Media “It’s almost time for Cowboy Lifestyle Network “To Bring Desert Country to the Beach” for the inaugural 2024 October Country Fest at Esmeralda Beach Resort in beautiful Puerto Penasco We have been working behind the scenes to ensure this is a great experience for everyone in attendance October 3 with a VIP Kickoff Jam at the Sky Lounge located at the Casa Blanca Golf Villas & Resort We will then be rocking out the beach for the next 3 days with fourteen of the best bands from Arizona two bands from Mexico and 2 special guests from Nashville We will have DJ Hazzard to keep us moving throughout the event Ticket prices will be increasing on September 1 so please get them now at the amazing price of $275 for 3 Day VIP $125 for 3 Day GA or $60 for a single day ticket don’t forget we have IVs on sale in advance for only $99.” Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an incredible country music celebration. Secure your tickets today before they sell out at clnmusic.bammtickets.com Join us at the beautiful Esmeralda Resort for a weekend full of music and unforgettable memories at October Country Fest Last Updated on 08/15/2024 by Megan deFabry but since 2017 my heart has called Texas home cherished relationships with family and friends I'm passionate about digital marketing and journalism especially the wide-open spaces of America's Western lifestyle I've been sharing this way of life through storytelling who I adopted from a shelter in New Braunfels reminding me to chase horizons and savor life's simple joys I graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs and a minor in Mass Communication My major taught me to decode consumer behavior while my minor sharpened my storytelling skills I've spent years mastering SEO and content strategy My work even caught the eye of Cowboy Lifestyle Network's CTO who recognized me for contributing to his research on Consumer Behavior in the Age of AI I've been honored to work at Cowboy Lifestyle Network and publishing articles that capture the cowboy spirit crafting strategies rooted in Western values I aim to tell stories that resonate and reflect the unsung heroes of the Western spirit Get pumped up for the 2025 Manny’s Country Fest at the official Trophy Bar.. Sin City is turning up the heat this summer and you won’t want to.. Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive discounts on your favorite brands Never see this message again. Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The vacation rental company being sued by an El Paso woman after she was shocked and her husband electrocuted in a Mexican resort's hot tub said they are not responsible is suing the vacation rental company Casago for over $1 million after her husband Jorge Guillen 43 was electrocuted while climbing into a hot tub at a Sonoran Sea Resort in Puerto Peñasco The lawsuit alleges Casago should've known of the faulty electrical wiring in the jacuzzi and put up warning signs alerting visitors of the danger KFOX14/CBS4 reached out to Casago regarding the lawsuit and they released the following statement saying the company is not responsible for any management or maintenance of common areas such as swimming pools and hot tubs at the resort Casago said the responsibility of maintaining and repairing the resort's common areas falls under the Sonoran Sea Homeowners Association The Sonoran Sea HOA was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit Casago laments the tragedy and vows to cooperate with authorities regarding the investigation an El Paso district court ruled that the resort prohibited altering and logbooks or electronic communications between resort employees to preserve evidence of the incident who is one of the lawyers representing Zambrano described the court's move as a "crucial first step," adding that regardless of who is at fault-- jacuzzi manufacturers the resort and/or its employees-- they want to determine what happened and why and prevent this type of tragedy from happening again Guillen was electrocuted as he was climbing in the resort's beachside hot tub and Zambrano was shocked after trying to rescue her husband from the water The lawsuit further describes that other resort visitors were also shocked as they were trying to pull the couple out of the hot tub The lawsuit alleges that the resort staff took 10 minutes to respond and therefore Guillen was electrocuted and drowned for 10 minutes while Zambrano was taken by helicopter to a Phoenix-area hospital in critical condition the attorneys representing Zambrano in the lawsuit announced she had been released from the hospital and was back in her El Paso home Aftermath video of the incident circulated social media and the incident made national headlines Guillen was set to graduate from Western Tech on June 14 The commencement ceremony honored Guillen with a moment of silence and is set to hand Guillen's graduation diploma to his family in December With over 6,000 miles of coastline across four distinct oceans and seas Mexico has more coastal variety than any country in Latin America azure Gulf of California and turquoise Caribbean afford scenic settings climates and inland attractions to keep prospective retirees on an endless journey of discovery This week we focus on three diverse locations touching two of these great bodies of water — Arizona’s beach getaway of Puerto Peñasco venerable and quintessentially Sinaloan Mazatlán and newcomer the Riviera Nayarit (admittedly more of a collection of smaller towns than a singular destination) From the desert north to the tropical south these three west coast locations each call to distinct cohorts seeking a Mexico living future Puerto Peñasco (also known as Rocky Point) carries a colorful history of bootlegging by 1920’s gangsters It slumbered along until the 1980’s when it was discovered by sea seeking Arizonans who found a Gulf of California beach just 60 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border Its population nearly doubled in the decade between 2000 and 2010 and today stands at 63,000 The tempo is driven by weekenders from Arizona and snowbirds hailing from Colorado It’s mostly beachfront high rise condo living with some gated single-home communities dominated by foreign buyers There’s a border-beach vibe and not much of Sonoran culture (head further south to Hermosillo a scientific celebration of Sonoran marine and desert ecosystems including museums and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the Island of the Gulf of California and the El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve) It’s affordable (you can find rentals under US $500 per month) There are also volunteer opportunities (American Legion Fall and Spring are idyllic with summers hot and winters seeing days in the 50 F (10 C) range Mazatlán in neighboring Sinaloa (south of Sonora) certainly has earned its place as a pioneering Pacific seaport and resort The initial wave brought motorists and the camper crowd International air started in the ’60s to ’70s and Mazatlán became a mainstay for west coast US visitors the Playa Mazatlán (owned for generations by a family from Newport Beach CA) and the legendary Carlos Anderson chain of bars/restaurants (Señor Frogs El Shrimp Bucket) helped me (and millions more) define Mexico vacation bliss and spring-break debauchery Puerto Vallarta and the Mexican Caribbean) have surged ahead of Mazatlán Mazatlán settled into a new reality of hosting more Mexican domestic visitors (thanks to a highway link from the highlands via neighboring Durango state) and winter charters from Canada and the U.S Foreigners choosing to move here are the big winners Mazatlán (population 500,000) is still traditionally Sinaloan Nearly everyone you meet here is a state native from Sinaloa (try to find that at other Mexican resorts; you won’t) Balancing a commercial fishing (shrimp) industry with tourism realities the city offers one of Mexico’s most genuine welcomes Prices for real estate and rentals trend cheaper than other mainstay resorts and the economy is less dollarized due to the predominance of Mexican vacationers Sinaloa is on the short list of narco hotbeds; however incidents impacting Mazatlán (in general) and foreigners in particular are extremely rare miles of flat and sandy Pacific beaches for water sports a fine resort marina and a genuine Mexican colonial historic zone Downtown boasts lovely 18th and 19th century structures once abandoned and now mostly restored and beautifully illuminated at night City center plazas and the remarkable Teatro Ángela Peralta are centers for socialization and Mexico’s second-best beach city calendar of cultural events (that title goes to Acapulco modern dance and popular music surrounds the city’s famed Carnaval celebration — one of the world’s best Continuing south into the state of Nayarit the vegetation gets greener and the Pacific bluer Nayarit is striving to craft an identity (Nuevo Nayarit) distinct from Puerto Vallarta The Wixárika and Cora Indigenous peoples play historic artistic and contemporary roles in coastal and inland settings The entire state has but 1.2 million residents (ranking in 29th place) It’s taken decades to complete a modern toll highway between state capital Tepic and the impacts on Nayarit will be profound Stretching north from Puerto Vallarta airport in neighboring Jalisco a string of coastal communities was branded in the early 2000s using a “riviera” moniker It reflects a sprawling assortment of settings both within Banderas Bay and further north along a wild and underdeveloped coast of fishing villages with a luxury resort persona There are no real cities here (even bustling Bucerías Other settlements are much smaller (Nuevo Nayarit Lo de Marcos and Rincón de Guayabitos don’t break 5,000 residents) if your thing is getting away from the resort crowds in a paradisical tropical setting You also have the PV box stores and medical services in Bucerías/PV and the new bypass highway to get around the dozen traffic lights that impede your movement into neighboring Puerto Vallarta You’ll have a choice to make when living here — either stay within the Bay of Banderas (conveniences two marinas and gated communities) or venture north and find your village in the sun your family and friends will love you for picking this scenic and serene place There are more AAA Five Diamond resorts here (11) than almost any other state in Mexico (except Quintana Roo with 12) The golf course assortment is Pacific Mexico’s finest Might one of these three locations be the right fit Take a hard look at your lifestyle intentions You’re bound to discover if coastal living (desert or tropical) can be your new home solution A full breakdown of our rating system can be found here You can see more of our Where to Live in Mexico 2024 series here, including ratings for Yucatán, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, the Baja California peninsula and Jalisco Author Greg Custer lives in Mexico. He’s worked for over 40 years in international tourism, educating travel advisors around the world about Mexico and other Latin American destinations. He helps folks explore Mexico for living at www.mexicoforliving.com. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A $1m lawsuit over the death of a Texas man, who died earlier this month after being electrocuted in a resort hot tub in Mexico, has moved forward. Last week, Lizzette Zambrano, 35, sued two Arizona-based companies, vacation rental provider Casago International and travel company High Desert Travel, as well as the Sonoran Sea Resort, arguing they were responsible for the violent death of her husband, Jorge Guillen, 43, at a resort in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. Since then, the resort has received a temporary restraining order in a Texas court mandating that it preserve the tub as is for investigation. “Preserving this evidence is important to the prosecution of Ms. Zambrano’s case, and a crucial first step in this litigation, to hopefully preventing this type of tragedy from ever happening again,” the woman’s attorney, Tej Paranjpe, told The Independent. “Whether the fault lies with the manufacturer, contractors, the resort and its employees, or some combination, we will be relentless in determining exactly what happened and why.” On the evening of 11 June, Guillen was shocked with an “electric discharge” in the hot tub, according to the suit. Bystanders and Zambrano attempted to retrieve him, but were deterred by current running through the water, the suit alleges. It would be ten minutes before resort staff were able to pull Guillen out of the water, by which point he had died. Zambrano, meanwhile, was medevaced to a hospital and in critical condition, after being shocked while trying to retrieve her husband. “There is no reason this should have happened,” Paranjpe previously told KFOX. “Hotels and resorts have a duty to ensure guest safety. At no point did resort staff think to engage an emergency shut-off, not to mention warn guests of a faulty, dangerous amenity." The Independent has contacted the resort, High Desert Travel, and Casago for comment. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies A Texas man died after being electrocuted in a jacuzzi at a resort hotel in the Mexican beach town of Puerto Peñasco. The news release didn't mention where the victims' were from, but a local TV news station reported that the man was from El Paso There were 33 injuries and 33 deaths caused by electrocutions from swimming pools and hot tubs in the U.S USA TODAY reporter Emily DeLetter contributed to this article 2024Forensic analysis will be conducted to determine the origin of the apparent electrical failure Mexico -- Two American tourists from Texas were electrocuted in a jacuzzi at a resort in Mexico Authorities are now studying the difficult video that captured the tragic incident as well as the desperate attempt to help them Dramatic video showing the moments two Americans are believed to have been electrocuted in a hot tub at a Mexico resort Bystanders screamed for help as one person was seen being pulled to safety you can also see someone else administering CPR The Sonora attorney general says it's investigating the incident they used only the victims' first names Sources told ABC News they were a couple from El Paso "The tragic incident unfolding Tuesday evening at the Sonoran Sea Resort near Puerto Peñasco," officials said The attorney general added that forensic analysis will be conducted to determine the origin of the electrical failure ABC News has reached out to the resort for comment multiple times and has not heard back.Experts say if you feel an electric current in a pool or hot tub you should get out of the water immediately without touching any metal fixtures or ladders The Puerto Peñasco solar energy plant will come online in April state officials announced during a visit of foreign diplomats to the nearly finished plant on Thursday Representatives of 80 countries and 25 international organizations traveled to Sonora to take part in the visit which was led by Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard “Mexico is making a really great effort because it didn’t consider [the shift to renewable energy] would be so fast,” Ebrard told the diplomats He said the global energy price rises caused by Russia’s war on Ukraine had pushed Mexico and the United States to invest heavily in accelerating the region’s renewable energy transition The Puerto Peñasco plant was built by Mexico’s state electricity company with an investment of US $1.6 billion it will be the largest solar power plant in Latin America with a generating capacity of 100,000 megawatts — enough to power half a million homes One of its main benefits will be to supply power to Baja California which is not currently connected to the national electricity grid The first 129 megawatts of the project will be operational by April 29 strategic planning director of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) “Today’s message is that Sonora will be the leading solar energy producer of Latin America,” Ebrard said “The second message is that it will be the main generator of new electromobility technologies in the country in the coming months.” Sonora state governor Alfonso Durazo, who also took part in the visit, explained that the Puerto Peñasco plant would form part of the Sonora Clean Energy Plan This plan also seeks to mine Sonora’s large lithium reserves for use in electric car batteries and to make the state a hub for electric vehicle manufacturing Ebrard said that the plan represented a “new model of development” that would lead the way in transforming Mexico’s energy model President López Obrador has committed to generating at least 35% of the energy used in Mexico in 2023 from sustainable sources. He has also pledged to double the country’s renewable energy capacity by 2030 with a projected investment of $48 billion AMLO has also invested in subsidizing Pemex With reports from Associated Press and El Economista Phoenix road trippers yearn to explore inspiring settings do fun things and not feel like they're on fire when they're outside in summer travelers are planning road trips in greater volumes AAA forecasted about 71 million people will travel for the Fourth of July weekend including 60.6 million who plan to travel by car the automobile group's highest number on record So the timing is right to launch azcentral.com's Best Arizona Road Trip Bracket We need your help to determine the best Arizona road trip We've created a bracket matching up eight of the most beloved road trips that are a reasonable drive from Phoenix Each new bracket will be announced on Tuesday marking the start of a new round of voting Here are the contenders for best Arizona road trips and how to vote It's no secret the Grand Canyon is one of the nation's greatest natural wonders and there are many ways to explore it astride a mule or by floating the Colorado River The Hopi Point overlook offers some of the state's best sunset views The hike from Bright Angel Trail more than 4,300 feet down to the Canyon bottom is full of dramatic canyon views "Arizona's beach," as Puerto Peñasco is informally known, is a fishing port on the Sea of Cortez in Sonora, Mexico. Although travelers need a passport and Mexican car insurance to drive there is the closest beach trip from metro Phoenix Sandy Beach, Playa Hermosa and Playa Bonita are where people can find beach resorts, opportunities for activities like swimming and snorkeling and restaurants serving fresh seafood. Nearby Encanto Beach, where Encantame Towers is located tends to be less crowded and is also popular with Arizonans A roughly 2½-hour drive from Phoenix puts you in the heart of Arizona's high country: the historic railroad city of Flagstaff The elevation of just under 7,000 feet above sea level Pictures don't do justice to the red rock landscapes and its notable landmarks like Cathedral Rock Bell Rock and the Chapel of the Holy Cross; they must be seen to be fully appreciated Tuzigoot National Monument and Dead Horse Ranch State Park also draw visitors to Cottonwood A 5½-hour drive (or a one-hour flight or an eight-hour bus ride) will get Phoenicians to San Diego La Jolla Cove and Mission Beach are among the top spots for swimming sunsets and spotting wildlife like sea lions and dolphins This Gila County city about 90 miles northeast of Phoenix is sometimes considered "the heart of Arizona" for being near the state's geographic center It's definitely the heart of Mogollon Rim Country a region abundant in pine forests and lakes where outdoor lovers can go hiking believed to be the largest natural bridge in the world composed of travertine limestone is protected by a state park is about 20 minutes north of Payson The White Mountains in eastern Arizona would appeal to metro Phoenix residents for the milder summers alone But the region is also a hub for just about every outdoor activity Pinetop-Lakeside, consisting of the neighboring towns of Pinetop and Lakeside, gives visitors their choice of 65 lakes and streams for watersports like kayaking and fishing. Hunting grounds and motorized trails are also prominent. There's also White Mountain Family Fun Park for those whose favorite outdoor activities are mini golf and go-karting Greer, about 40 miles east, has scenic hiking opportunities, cozy cabins and the historic Molly Butler Lodge The surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests have several campgrounds and endless recreation options the former mining town in the Mule Mountains is a charming spot with stories to tell Travelers can immerse themselves in mining history by visiting the Copper Queen Mine, where they'll put on headlamps and helmets as if they were miners for a day. Bisbee's downtown bustles with boutiques, art galleries and restaurants; ghost tours guide visitors through the city's haunted history; and the staircases built into the town's hills inspired October's Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.