I live in Phoenix and was thinking about taking the drive down there for 5-6 days. There are nice colonial homes you can rent right on the beach in La Choya. I really just want to lounge in a chair and fish. I've gotten mixed advice from Mexican friends and coworkers, a few restaurant suggestions, etc. I swear to god everyone here talks about it but I've never been. Can any anons offer advice on Puerto Penasco or Mexico travel in general? I just got my passport and figured it'd be a good first trip before I do anything bigger.
>>2786268 (OP)Don't speed over 25 km/h in Sonoyta, or the cops will hit you up for a bribe. The Caborca area is known for its violence. As a tourist you can only hope you aren't present when shit goes down. Rocky Point is kinda soulless desu. You're paying First World prices to stay there, but it's not a very pretty place. "Muh beach" is about all it has going for it.
>>2786268 (OP)Its about the same as san felipe on the other side, I would go a bit further to san carlos where the fishing is better
The baja side is safer and way more fun imo
There used to be a ferry but I think its closed since the pamademic
Being in mexico is fun as hell and for your first trip even a lame town will be fun
>>2787090San Felipe is much smaller than PP and kinda pricey.
The best part of that region is the southern state in Baja but that's way tf down there, it's a huge peninsula and a long long way.
>>2786689I hate that Mexico has all this cool shit just hours from the border but you may get hacked to pieces if you run into the wrong crowd.
>>2787154honestly it's not that bad as long as you don't hang out in bad areas or get involved with bad people and this filters a lot of normies it's actually kind of based
bad areas in Mexico can mean rural areas try to be back in town before it gets late
>>2787154Yeah, it's a country where you never know what's around the next bend. Staying in town and walking around on foot is much safer than driving into the boonies, but if you have an ice-cold demeanor that shows no fear, the Mexes respect that. From my past experience, I wouldn't befriend them any more than I'd befriend a rattlesnake. Once you start letting your guard down and showing vulnerability, that's when they're gonna start fucking with you.
>>2787142Both cities are pricey by Third World standards. San Felipe is very tranquil, I liked it. My room was 600 pesos a night and very pleasant.
The Guaymas area has plenty of rugged topography worth exploring, but the downtown streets are grimy and dilapidated. Most foreigners stay in San Carlos, which is like a distant suburb of Guaymas full of resorts (and more beautiful nature). A well-built 6'+ Mexican crazy guy pushed me on the sidewalk in broad daylight in downtown Guaymas after I ignored his request for money, then slapped me in the face with his T-shirt when I turned to confront him. He failed to knock the hat off my head. I continued walking and yelled insults from a safe distance, deciding not to start a brawl over his provocations. Shortly after I changed my mind and turned around to look for him, but he had disappeared and I never saw him in the streets again.
I have been to Puerto Peñasco aka Rocky Point. I think it'll be a good destination for your purpose. It is a safe area that caters to the US tourist dollar
There's your average paranoid American who thinks the second they step off the resort property they'll be kidnapped and killed. Which is completely false. Then there's the "enlightened" American tourist who thinks Mexico is completely safe, which is also false.
I have been to a lot of parts of Mexico, including many "unsafe" areas. In general, if you aren't looking for trouble, and handle yourself with confidence like you belong, you are very unlikely to be a victim of a serious crime. At worst usually, you'll just be overcharged (aka gringo tax) or a victim of petty theft if you aren't vigilant.
The level of poverty across the border can be jarring to the first time visitor, in particular when you cross back into the US there will be many beggars, stray animals, and run down buildings.
Mexico can be a beautiful place to visit, with great food and good people in general. Keep a nice balance of situational awareness without being paranoid and you should have a good visit.
>>2787424Sorry for the boomer pic rotation I'm retarded
Thanks for the advice anons. I'll look into Baja, it's just Penasco is a lot more convenient to get to from AZ. The actual beach proper in Penasco looks pretty soulless and crowded (as a lot of my friends and coworkers have told me), most people here in AZ just seem to like it because we're landlocked and it's our closest beach for weekend trips and stuff. I'll probably stay in the quieter La Choya a few miles north and drive down to Penasco to drink. People tell me I look angry all the time and I think I'm pretty good at walking with purpose/minding my own business so hopefully people don't bother me too much
>>2787427no one is going to bother you anon
have fun in mexico , its a huge adventure
>>2786689Listen to this anon. I'm more paranoid watching my speedometer in Sonoyta than I am of being a victim of violence anywhere in Mexico. Cartels and gangs have no reason to fuck with tourists. Guess who does? Traffic cops on the border who know they have a reputation amongst unseasoned gringos as the "scary mexican police." Do not speed. Not by a fucking km/h. Stop at all stop signs. Even the fake ones. If you do get pulled over, stay calm and ask for your ticket or to follow them back to the station. They'll drop it and let you off with a warning. Don't keep a lot of cash in your wallet.
>>2787658And dont pay the mordita , once they realize you know the game they give up pretty quick but you need to show them you are calm
>>2789184I booked a stay in June at a beach house in La Choya. I've got all my fishing and beach lounging gear ready. I'll take some pictures with my new camera and make a post about the trip next month.
>>2786268 (OP)>beautiful nature>but there is so many chem trails above your headno place on this earth is safe is it?
