Outdoor Writer Report post Posted September 15, 2007 My wife is a big packer too! It is us two and our 3 year old and she still fills up a full size SUV. Where do you do stay over night? Likewise for what my wife stuffs in our Durango. We also bring along non-perishable groceries, bottled water, etc. The trip from our front door to Mazatlan is right at 950 miles. We usually leave about 6:30 a.m. and drive as far as Navajoa, arriving about 5-6 p.m. There are two or three nice motels that charge about $45 per night, and one has an excellent restaurant where we eat dinner and breakfast. The next morning we fuel up and head to Mazatlan, arriving there about 1 p.m. On the return trip, we overnight in Hermosillo, then get home about 2 p.m. Our time shares are in two different resorts, both owned by the same company. One is Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan and the other is Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay. We own "red time" master suites in both. -TONY P.S. It appears the PB sites are temporarily down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daryl_s Report post Posted September 15, 2007 Kelbro's got the trip, I hope he has an awesome time. As far as permits, visas, etc go to my understanding you currently need a visa even if you're only going to San Carlos even though it is part of the zona libre(free zone). The zona libre only goes to Empalme(Just past Guaymas and before Ciudad Obregon). If you go farther than Empalme you will have to get the car permit.....I believe it cost me $20 for the Sonora Only permit. Passports are not required to re-enter the US by car until 2008. They were required for air travel but I heard that since the passport agencies are so far backed up that now if you have the receipt for your passport that they will accept it. I went down to Ciudad Obregon back in February when my sister-in-law was having her baby and I did not know that I needed a visa. When I tried to register my car in Empalme they would not let me because I didn't have the visa. Luckily since my wife was with me(she was born in Mexico) they let us register it in her name verifying her connection to me through our son's birth certificate. They have made things easier but they are constantly changing so just make sure you check with reliable sources before heading down. More D hit it right on the head with the whole tourism deal......Eduardo Bours who is the governor of Sonora has a big investment in hotels in Sonora and they have invested a lot of money in tourism advertisements and road improvements. Overall my experiences traveling to Mexico have been worry and trouble free. Stay on the toll roads, going through Hermosillo just pay close attention to the signs for Guaymas and it's a really easy drive. It's 250 miles from Nogales to San Carlos. I love going to Mexico and it kills me that I can't go but I'm glad that Kelbro's going to get to enjoy it. Someday I am going to have my own place down there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelbro Report post Posted September 16, 2007 Thanks Daryl. It was good meeting you and we are looking forward to the trip. A few grilled dorado and I'll call it a successful trip! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daryl_s Report post Posted September 17, 2007 Thanks Daryl. It was good meeting you and we are looking forward to the trip. A few grilled dorado and I'll call it a successful trip! It was nice meeting you too Kelley. Enjoy the trip!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
