Mexico adventures begin!

Well here we are!

In Mexico

So, for the first time we have crossed the Mexican border in our own car.

Many of our friends have done it over the years and gave us very clear instructions. Still, the sense of the unknown crept in after we took exit 4 off highway 19 at NogLes to the truck crossing because all of a sudden we see a sign "Bienvenido a Mexico" then the toll hwy 15.

It felt a little strange as we drove right through "declaration nada" and no sign of a kiosk for our tourist visa. We knew we could not get our car permit without our visa so were pleasantly relieved at km 20 that the tourist visas and car permit were all on the same property.

Interesting process. Line up with passport, fill put two parts of immigration form. They keep one, you take the other to the bank, pay your 390 pesos, get it stamped. Take that back to immigration. They keep this one, stamp yours and give it back. It is your "get out of Mexico free" card! We always get this card when we fly here but no charge, guess it is included in the air fare.

Pay $400 for car permit on Credit card, put sticker on windshield and keep permit card to turn in at border when you go home and get your $400 back.

This whole process took 50 minutes. Lots of chatter in the line up with folks from Kentucky who gave us great info on Copper Canyon and also a Mexican from San Diego with lots of suggestions for restaurants on our way to Bahia de Kino.

We left Tucson at 8 am and 6 degrees, 2 hours later in Mexico it is 22 degrees! But the locals are wearing winter jackets and boots!

Already into topes! Even on the divided highway, speed bumps, no not bumps but mountains!  Rash if you hit them fast, explains why there so so many auto suspension shops along the highways

Santa Ana at noon, Universidad de Sonora,  nice clean new town FreeZone.

Arrived in Kino Bay at 3.

Our place in Bahia de Kino is more than expected, Eco Kino Hotel, pool, chaise chairs etc but the sun is hiding! And the wind blowing so great opportunity for a beach walk before dinner
checked into Eco Hotel, contacted the Primeaus from Port Alberni who winter here then walked the beach, found lots of beach glass and two new types of shells, similar to whelks.

Dave helped some local fishermen push their boat in the water, big smiles and thumbs up.

A drive out to Nouveau Kino then fish tacos for dinner at Popeyes.

Dec 28, lovely visit with Thelma and Rick, a tour of their winter area and crab tostado lunch together

Dec 29 to San Carlos, checked out where Robin and Sandy stay then Lou and Wynn's stop.

We really liked this beach town, very clean and modern, Lots of accommodation possibilities.

Then we went to the other side of the Gulf of California to Guaymas, 15 minutes away. This is the more commercial centre, lots of box stores and an international airport.

Oberegon , lots of road construction and detours, big place

Navojoa has lots of hotels on the main drag, fresh uptown, could stay here on way through if the timing warranted. 

Late getting into Los Mochis and our GPS sent us to an empty lot for our hotel! A few circles around the neighbourhood, we found it on the opposite side of the blvd, four blocks away. Worth the search however, a lovely City Express, thanks hotel.com for the free night!

On our return trip in March, this is the base for our side trip to El Fuerte and Copper Canyon.