San Carlos and Guaymas, two cities a few miles apart, are popular vacation destinations for visitors from the US and Canada. Located on the coast of the Gulf of California in the state of Sonora, Guaymas is a centuries-old port city and San Carlos is a modern resort area with many activities and amenities for the travelers who flock there in the winter. While some foreigners live there year-round, the summers are hot, so San Carlos hotels and RV parks are busiest during the cooler months.

On a recent trip to the region, my husband Kelly and I noticed that although there are so many foreigners there, it’s still entirely possible to enjoy the flavor of Mexico. For example, one evening we had dinner at a restaurant right on the water. Magical! Another evening in San Carlos, we ate at a restaurant that was a training school for cooks and restaurant staff. It was great fun to watch the energetic and enthusiastic young Mexicans, and the food and service were excellent!

What’s the appeal of San Carlos and Guaymas?

For one thing, they are a short one-day drive from the border at Nogales, Arizona, itself one of the easiest entry points into Mexico. (You do the entry paperwork a ways south of the border.)

For another, there are many activities such as fishing, hiking, boating, and so forth.

And the winter weather is glorious! I gloated every time I looked out my window at the roses in bloom just before Christmas.

The large picture shows a bit of the San Carlos shoreline. Here’s a tranquil boating scene:

And the sunsets are glorious!

Guaymas offers you a chance to get the feeling of a regular Mexican city, as well as to do some shopping for things not available in San Carlos, if you are staying there.

Some time ago, we spent our first Mexican Christmas in Guaymas. Kelly and I parted for a couple of hours and bought each other a delightful and amusing set of gifts from the market and little shops.

All in all, a very nice region.

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