New Rules for Travel to Sonora

“Only Sonora” is a vehicle permit program that allows Americans to enter their cars into Sonora by paying a federal temporary importation permit fee. Only Sonora operates from the 21-kilometer checkpoint, which is about 12 miles south of Nogales, Sonora. Tourists who plan to drive beyond the 21 checkpoint in an American vehicle are required to have a car permit and a personal visitor permit.
However, the inspection station will be relocated within a year from past February to the border zone of Empalme, which is about 350 miles south from the US border. This will allow US vehicles to travel without a permit around most of Sonora and without having to pay the $29 federal temporary importation permit fee unless they decide to travel beyond Empalme.
Sonoran Governor, Eduardo Bours, announced this relocation will improve tourism and support investments planned for Guaymas and San Carlos. As well, he outlined that this will not change the activities related to customs and immigration inspection done at 21-kilometer checkpoint. Mexican officers will keep monitoring the importation of goods and materials, as well as issuing tourist visas. However, vehicle permits will now be done at Empalme, Sonora.
The new relocation of the inspection facilities will benefit all of those Americans who like to travel to our beautiful Sonoran beaches, including Rocky Point, Kino Bay, and San Carlos!

  It may be possible then by entering at Nogales and heading East at the center of the Magdelena By-pass Road to Cucurpe and on to Sinoquipe, you may be able to visit the entire Ruta Rio Sonora and Banamichi without needing to pay for (or go through the process of obtaining)  a vehicle decal. This makes the entire state of Sonora far more accessible to tourists North of the Border. (see Map at this link), We took this route last time and were able to make great time down and enjoy the more scenic route by heading North via the Ruta del Rio Sonora on Hwy 89. 

   I will continue checking out various routes and get more details regarding when the "Ruta Rio Sonora" is officially included in the "Hassle Free" Tourist Zone.  Look for a post after the June 12-18th, 2010 trip, including Lat Lon coordinates and more photos.

  In the future I will be adding waypoints for GPS units that may be handy for many travellers that use these devices.