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.

A Fellow Blogger Does a Great Story of Banamichi and Aconchi

Please take the time to read this young couples story of their travel experience when they traveled through the Rio Sonora area in an old Airstream. They are really getting to experience the culture and the people of the area and the flavor, which is what caught my attention. He or she writes really well...much better than you will get from this blog, but it will get better; Just hang in there.

Airstreaming Mexico: (more comprehensive link)
Bringing the Heat. Agua Caliente and Chiltepin

"Life on the road is wonderful and I can feel my body grow stronger and my soul grow quieter with every breath I draw in." - a quote from the author of TurkeyDawg Blog

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Finding the right vehicle for our Mexican Adventure

We were in search of just the right vehicle for our transition into the "Mexican Culture".  Of course it has always been a hobby of mine to sniff out good deals on vehicles, but rarely have I been put in the circumstances that I had found myself in. We actually needed to buy a vehicle and have it there for use during an upcoming trip. My guests will be having a tight schedule and I cannot miss much time from work during high season, so that left me with using the Internet and the help of my great friends Ed & Trudi.....

  We needed to find an SUV type vehicle that meets the following criteria:

1. It needed to be reliable
2. It needed to be not too flashy
3. It also needed to fit 4 adults
4. plus luggage and 2 dogs
5. I really wanted a 4 x 4 
6. but fuel economy was important too, with 22 MPG targeted as a minimum ave.
7. It needed to be unique & cool
8. I really wanted A/C and a good sound system....
9. To make it really challenging, we needed to keep it under $5,000
10. Lastly, I wanted something that I could kinda customize over time, you know with Rhino Bar, winch system, jerry jugs, the whole "Off-Road" ready-to-go anywhere look.

I wanted something that could not only cross the Sonora River on the few times that the main road crosses it, but could handle crossing it during Monsoon Season. This vehicle should be able to allow us to cross over the river even on the old wagon routes or maybe on some routes that don't even exist yet.

   We would be able to take something like this all the way to "Five blues Lake" in Belize...that's a whole other story that I'll reserve for another day.

 We even wanted to explore some canyons and arroyos in the region.

  Well after I had exhausted my search in the Tucson area on Craigslist and Autotrader.com, I was feeling a little less than optimistic. Then Trudi emailed me and directed me to check Sierra Vista on C.L. and after about an hour, we got lucky.

  Called the real seller, (you won't believe how many are scammers on Craigslist) and talked to a nice old guy named Carl. Then after the initial conversation, I asked E & T to drive 20-30 miles to check it out and they happily agreed.

When I got the initial, post-test drive reviews from Trudi and Ed, I knew we had found the right vehicle and here she is. Just the right color for the desert and blending in. The A/C works, cruise, power windows and 4x4. It is a Mitsubishi Montero LS 1991 with about 92,000 miles. Everything works and Ed is going to have a mechanic buddy of his to give her a good once over and then meet us at the Tucson Airport.

Now if that isn't a couple of AWESOME friends, there is no such thing. You guys are GREAT.
 After finding that we had sealed the deal, I did some more research by reading the consumer reviews. There were so many extremely positive things said by so many current and previous owners. It seems to have a more loyal following than Jeeps, Land Rovers and Land Cruisers combined.

  And with the price being less than
one half of our budget, it leaves
plenty of money for repairs, accessories
and extra cool toys.......
Like some T-90's and Vintage Vespas

  A

Hotel in Banamichi

The streets of Banamichi.

Casa de Huespedes in Banamichi. In other words, a simple hotel.

Dax on Banamichi morning ride.

P  Photo by Bill Steen

Banamichi plaza band stand.

The old bus station in Banamichi, Sonora.

Nopales (prickly pear) on Banamichi street.

Banamichi fields.

Hidden Gems

 Hidden Travel Gems
Every traveler dreams of discovering that picture perfect spot free from other tourists and their associated influence on the local culture, prices, food, etc... There's no better feeling than going out on your own and telling your friends tales of exotic and unheard locales. While some of these locations might not be entirely hidden from travelers, they may be popular with local travelers or tourists from one specific part of the world, they are for the most part off of the typical tourist trail.

   The look and feel of an Historic Hacienda with all the timeless beauty that is Mexican Architecture.

     The comfort and style that will bring peaceful rest to the adventurous traveler that is willing to take "the road less traveled by".....

The Mexican Courtyard that is reminiscent of an oasis and celebrates a climate that is easily enjoyed all year long.

A cozy spot to relax and read a good book or have a glass of wine with a lover while enjoying a warm fire during the high desert chilly nights. Something you surely wouldn't experience in the sandy, humid beach side resorts.

 
A converted Mill that has been transformed into a full service spa to rejuvenate the body and soul.


  All of these elements I see potentially available in the Historic Ruta del Rio Sonora. All it takes is some imagination, motivation and willingness to invest in an area that is still a diamond in the rough.

  The materials and skilled labor is already here or near by. The buildings that warrant the investment are just waiting for the right set of people to come together to bring this area back to the beauty and grandeur that it was 300 years ago when it was the cradle and capital of New Spain, which today is made up of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and the Northern parts of Mexico.

   Those early Spanish Aristocrats had great taste in climate and natural beauty and chose this area to be the heart of their vast domain. Now we have the opportunity to embrace this paradise and preserve it for future generations without turning it into a major "Tourist" destination. I prefer a slow, sustainable process of renovation and enhancement that will not impact the sleepy little communities that embrace life on life's terms and creates the warmth and charm that is the best of Old Mexico, and is still a "Hidden Gem".