Puerto Peñasco/Rocky Point?
October 9, 2014 9:42 AM Subscribe
Looks like the last question about Puerto Peñasco/Rocky Point, Mexico, is about 10 years old. What's it like these days? Is it still possible to have a chill beach vacation there or has it gone full Spring Break?
Oh wait - I just remembered. A group of young bros moved into the house next to ours, but they were so few that it was mostly entertainment to watch them bro-down, rather than an annoyance. Any more and I would have been annoyed.
posted by functionequalsform at 10:54 AM on October 9, 2014
posted by functionequalsform at 10:54 AM on October 9, 2014
Here's what the state department has to say about Baja California:
Baja California: Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada and Mexicali are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Baja California - Exercise caution in the northern state of Baja California, particularly at night. Criminal activity along highways and at beaches is a continuing security concern. In 2013, homicide rates in Tijuana and Rosarito increased 48 percent and 67 percent compared to the previous year, according to the Baja State Secretariat for Public Security, and both cities experienced further increases in homicide rates during the first half of 2014. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured, have occurred during daylight hours.
Baja California (Sur): Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Southern Baja California - No advisory is in effect.
Based upon what happened in southern Mexico, I'd think twice and then think again. I mean, this was near Acapulco!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 12:51 PM on October 9, 2014
Baja California: Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada and Mexicali are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Baja California - Exercise caution in the northern state of Baja California, particularly at night. Criminal activity along highways and at beaches is a continuing security concern. In 2013, homicide rates in Tijuana and Rosarito increased 48 percent and 67 percent compared to the previous year, according to the Baja State Secretariat for Public Security, and both cities experienced further increases in homicide rates during the first half of 2014. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured, have occurred during daylight hours.
Baja California (Sur): Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Southern Baja California - No advisory is in effect.
Based upon what happened in southern Mexico, I'd think twice and then think again. I mean, this was near Acapulco!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 12:51 PM on October 9, 2014
Response by poster: Yes, I'm aware of the security issues.
posted by elizeh at 1:46 PM on October 9, 2014
posted by elizeh at 1:46 PM on October 9, 2014
Best answer: I go to Rocky Point about once a year- I was there last year for spring break. Most of the spring break shenanigans take place on the waterfront down by the fish market, since all the expensive tourist bars are there. If you rent a house or stay in a resort, it won't feel like spring break very much. Outside of the two weeks when U of A and ASU have their spring breaks, the town is usually pretty empty. October is actually my favorite month to go- the weather is cool and the ocean's still warm, not much jellyfish or stingray danger, and hotel/rental home rates are great.
As for safety concerns, I personally feel very safe visiting Rocky Point as a tourist. I've never had anything bad happen to me there and I've been visiting every year since 1997 or so. Even my parents, who are pretty paranoid about cartel activity, still vacation at the resorts (we've had good experiences with Las Palomas). I have friends with family vacation homes who visit once a month or so and they also feel safe driving to Rocky Point and staying there.
However, you should read the state department's warnings and maybe google a bit to check on the current situation in the area before deciding to go or not. Basically, if you do go just be smart- avoid the city center at night, don't go off the highway on your way from Sonoyta to Rocky Point, respect local law enforcement, etc.
If you drive to Rocky Point and have some extra time on your hands, the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve is amazing and totally worth the trip! Huge craters, endemic species, weird cacti... I love visiting there. CEDO, an education center for the Gulf of California, is pretty cool too.
posted by mollywas at 2:01 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
As for safety concerns, I personally feel very safe visiting Rocky Point as a tourist. I've never had anything bad happen to me there and I've been visiting every year since 1997 or so. Even my parents, who are pretty paranoid about cartel activity, still vacation at the resorts (we've had good experiences with Las Palomas). I have friends with family vacation homes who visit once a month or so and they also feel safe driving to Rocky Point and staying there.
However, you should read the state department's warnings and maybe google a bit to check on the current situation in the area before deciding to go or not. Basically, if you do go just be smart- avoid the city center at night, don't go off the highway on your way from Sonoyta to Rocky Point, respect local law enforcement, etc.
If you drive to Rocky Point and have some extra time on your hands, the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve is amazing and totally worth the trip! Huge craters, endemic species, weird cacti... I love visiting there. CEDO, an education center for the Gulf of California, is pretty cool too.
posted by mollywas at 2:01 PM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
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It was EMPTY. Empty, empty, empty. I imagine it was because our visit was off-season, but perhaps Mexico has scared off a certain number of tourists?
We rented an enormous villa right on the water. It fit about 20 people, including a toddler, and it was very chill. We didn't do anything but drink margaritas, read books, and stare at the water. It was still somewhat too chilly to actually swim, although a few of us tried.
We did venture off the compound a few times to check out some beach bars and restaurants. Again, EMPTY. The establishments looked to be designed for the spring break crowd, and the staff was just biding their time. It was great and so relaxing.
So, yes. You can definitely have a chill vacation there, but keep it off-season.
posted by functionequalsform at 10:51 AM on October 9, 2014 [1 favorite]