ABOUT SAN CARLOS

There are some great websites serving our community. Both www.sancarlosmexico.com and www.vivasancarlos.com offer forums, classified ads, special links for affinity groups in diving, fishing and sailing, and information about travel, lodging and dining options.

For another source covering community events, check out "What's up in San Carlos".

"TRAINS, PLANES AND AUTOMOBILES": GETTING HERE FROM ALMOST ANYWHERE

European-style coaches have replaced intercity train service for most of Mexico, but getting here from anywhere in the world isn't a problem!

Travel by car is easy. From Tucson, it's a tad over an hour on I-19 to Nogales, where you'll cross the border. Be sure to purchase Mexican auto insurance for the trip, and pick up your FMT (tourist visa) at the KM21 stop. Then, it's about four hours on MEX-15, a four-lane toll road to San Carlos. Lots of Pemex gas stations along the way!

US Airways offers service between Phoenix AZ (PHX) and Guaymas (GYM), a small international airport about 10 miles from San Carlos. Airport shuttle service will have you here in minutes after you clear customs.

Aereo Calafia is a new option for coming to San Carlos from the Baja and other locations in Mexico.

A less expensive and more flexible option is first-class bus service. Two Mexican lines, Tufesa and TBC, have terminals in Phoenix and Tucson with a number of scheduled departures for Guaymas every day.

Check out "Getting Here" for updated contact information and details.

Although both Hertz and Budget have offices here, it can be expensive to rent a car in Mexico. If you want to rent a car during your stay, reserve on line for the best rate. You can also fly into Tucson or Phoenix and rent a car from nearly any of the major agencies for the trip south. When you make your reservation, be sure to tell them you'll be driving south of the border.

WHERE TO STAY

There is a great range of accommodations in San Carlos to suit any budget. Click on this link for current information about hotels and RV parks in San Carlos.

FUN ON THE WATER

For sailing, fishing, diving, kayaking, snorkeling or just splashing around at the beach, San Carlos is tough to beat!

There are lots of reasons that the Sea of Cortez is known as one of the great cruising destinations in the world: great sailing year-round, unspoiled anchorages.... You can get introduced to our sailing paradise before you buy that boat! For instruction, charter service, kite boarding and more, contact Sonoran Sport Center.

Fishing in this part of the Sea of Cortez is fantastic! There are two seasons: warm water in the summer for billfish and mahi mahi ("dorado" in Spanish) and cool in the winter for yellowtail and rockfish. Regardless of the season, you'll have a ball! For sportfishing charters, check out:
Catch 22 Sportfishing
Dakota Charters
Hattie Annie Charters
Jon Jen Charters

Snorkling and diving in the Sea of Cortez must be experienced to be appreciated! A great selection of dive schools and charter operators are here to show you the way.

MARINE SERVICES

We're fortunate to have great resources available for nearly all your boating needsl.

San Carlos has two marinas, both with work yards and skilled craftsman. Our office is on Marina San Carlos. On the other side of our signature twin-peaked Tetakawi you'll find Marina Real.

In addition to dry storage and yard work, Marina Seca also offers overland transport for boats to and from the US and Canada.

We are very excited about the new marina facility in Guaymas! They've installed a beautiful, paved work yard with 50-ton Travelift, a new dock, with much more planned. For a peek into what's on the drawing board for the harbor in Guaymas, click on this link.

For our multihull friends, Marina Seca Guaymas offers the best choice for haul-outs and storage.

There's a well stocked chandlery here, and we can provide additional referrals for certified surveyors, riggers and skilled mechanics...you name it and you'll find it here!