San Carlos (Sonora), Mexico
Quaint San Carlos is a Dream Destination
Perched on the Sea of Cortez, San Carlos came into being in the mid 1950s when Rafael Caballero purchased three former cattle ranches with the intent to develop a resort community on the land. The nearby port city of Guaymas had become a magnet for sport fishermen, and Mr. Caballero had plans to accommodate the throngs of tourists that were flooding the area. He hired city planners, attracted investors and began building. San Carlos was incorporated by the State Congress of Sonora 1963.
Today, San Carlos is a thriving beach town with a population of around 4,000 year-round residents and another 2,000 during the winter, when Snowbirds arrive in droves to enjoy the warm weather. Although the majority of San Carlos’ residents are American or Canadian, the town also serves as an exclusive Mexican bedroom community to Guaymas, just 10 miles to the south. Visitors can travel by air, land or water. San Carlos is served by the International Airport of Guaymas, is only a 5-hour drive from Tucson, Arizona and has ferry service to and from Baja, California.
• Conventions and Visitors Bureau http://www.go2sancarlos.com
• RV parking: Totonaka RV Park & Motel http://www.totonakarv.com
• Vacation home rentals: Sea Side San Carlos Mexico http://www.seasidemexico.com/sancarlos
• Hotel & motel reservations: San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico http://www.sancarlosmexico.com/hotels.html
San Carlos’ main attractions are its water and its beaches. Anglers can choose from bottom fishing, shore fishing and deep sea fishing. Divers and snorkelers can expect to encounter a wide range of aquatic species, including moray eels, whale sharks, manta rays and even sea lions. Sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, parasailing and water skiing are popular water activities. San Carlos is home to miles of sandy beaches that are all open to the public. Tourists and residents alike enjoy visiting these beaches to swim, collect sea shells, watch the sun set, picnic, play volleyball or just relax.
• Diving & snorkeling: Gary’s Dive Shop http://www.garysdivemexico.com
El Duque Dive Charters http://www.divecortez.com
El Mar Diving Center – Mexico http://elmar.com/Mexico/mexico.html
• Fishing: Fishing San Carlos Mexico http://www.fishingsancarlosmexico.com
Reel Loco Sport Fishing http://www.reellocosportfishing.com
Catch-22 Sport Fishing Adventures http://www.catch22mexicosportfishing.com
• Other water sports: Sonoran Sport Center http://www.sonoransportcenter.com
San Carlos Aquatic Adventures http://www.scaamexico.com
Eating in San Carlos is a treat. Sonoran beef is well-known for its range-fed flavor, and jumbo Guaymas shrimp are world-famous. Fresh seafood is a staple and several restaurants specialize in serving delicious and unique fish and shellfish dishes. Traditional Mexican home cooking is easy to find, as are casual restaurants serving quesadillas, burritos and other Mexican classics alongside American favorites like cheeseburgers and pizza. Hungry visitors have their pick of roadside taco stands, upscale dining rooms and everything in between.
• San Carlos restaurant guide: http://www.sancarlos-hotels.com/things/restaurants.htm