BajaNomad

Leaving manana for Sonora..got questions..

The Sculpin - 6-24-2007 at 01:29 PM

Leaving tomorrow for San Carlos and Guaymas and was looking at my insurance policy - the one I use for Baja. It says it's good for the Northwestern States of Mexico. Does this include Sonora?

Also, does anyone know where in Guaymas the best shopping for local, authentic pottery, blankets, tablecloths, etc.

Thanks

capt. mike - 6-24-2007 at 07:02 PM

there is a pretty good traditional open air but roofed marketplace downtown. aska round, it reminds me of the one in mazatlan

Bajafun777 - 6-24-2007 at 07:09 PM

Sculpin, the insurance you have is the same I used to go to Mazatlan and it is covered, so don't worry be happy. I used the toll road all the way down and you can use it and get to Guaymas and San Carlos by jumping off it when the signs tell you that those towns are next off the toll road. Capt. Mike is right the downtown area is the best spot to get your things your shopping for. Have a good trip and pop some cold ones for me and enjoy those great fish tacos. If you get misplaced trying to find it pull into one of the Premex stations and get directions they were always helpful on my trip. Later=============bajafun777

BAJACAT - 6-24-2007 at 07:13 PM

if you can!, Pictures of the sonora missions, don't know if you will be near some of these buildings.(Kino Bay)...
Have fun and be safe..

Just back from two weeks in Sonora

Hook - 6-24-2007 at 08:11 PM

I have cruised the downtown mercado in Guaymas and found it lacking in the items you mention. Havent figured out where to buy those items yet.

BTW, we took the route through Lukeville/Sonoita on the way down and back and I doubt I will ever take the route through Tucson/Nogales again, ESPECIALLY RETURNING, WHERE MY WAIT AT THE BORDER ON A FRIDAY AT 3PM WAS EXACTLY TWO CARS! NO SECONDARIO FOR AN UNSHAVEN, DIRTY GRINGO IN A TRUCK AND CAMPER THAT RESEMBLED THE CLAMPETTS. The wife and dog were up front with me so that certainly mitigated suspicion. There is some construction along the road as they ready a large part for TWO DIVIDED LANES IN EACH DIRECTION, but the short dirt desviaciones arent bad. You also save one toll going this way and it is more scenic and shorter.

This route leaves I-8 at Gila Bend.

If you're interested in good restaurants in Guaymas (naturally, I always am!), we ate at three seafood restaurants that were very good. La Corbacha and Los Arbolitos are on the left as you hit the outskirts of Guaymas. Almost next door to each other, look for the gigantic palapas. Most of the gringo locals prefer L.A. but we liked Corbacha better. Wife had some humongous shrimps in some kind of teriaki/oyster reduction that were incredible. Eight huge Guaymas shrimps with sides for about 79 pesos. I had pescado veracruzana which was probably long-lined dorado (what a hypocrite!) for about 59 pesos. Shots of Hornitos were 25 pesos. Also ate downtown by the waterfront at Los Barcos which was good and even cheaper. To the west of Los Barcos along the waterfront is the place to buy shrimp in bulk from the vendors. We generally buy ours from the Pescaderia that has the shrimp boats tied up to the back. Retail sales to the left of the building. (N 27.54'58.4, W 110.53' 26.9).

Have also heard that the restaurant at the Hotel Armida in Guaymas has excellent steaks and a bean soup that is to die for.

We really like Guaymas and find it a very easy town to negotiate as larger Mexican towns go. Beer distribudores are on the outskirts; very convenient. Cases of Tecates con retorno were running 120 pesos for 20. Caguamas are even cheaper but hard to drink them fast enough to stay cold.

Let me know if you want any info about San Carlos, too. We got it pretty dialed in this last time. In fact, we are land owners in the area now.

Your insurance is good for Sonora and Sinaloa.

Avoid Banamex for ATM; numerous reports of their machines eating cards in Guaymas and SC and difficulty getting refunds. Use HSBC when you can.

[Edited on 6-25-2007 by Hook]

[Edited on 6-25-2007 by Hook]

bajalou - 6-24-2007 at 09:03 PM

Quote:
Eight huge Guaymas shrimps with sides for about 790 pesos. I had pescado veracruzana which was probably long-lined dorado (what a hypocrite!) for about 590 pesos.


$79 USD for 6 shrimp and $59 USD for a fish dinner??????

Hook - 6-24-2007 at 09:06 PM

Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Eight huge Guaymas shrimps with sides for about 790 pesos. I had pescado veracruzana which was probably long-lined dorado (what a hypocrite!) for about 590 pesos.


$79 USD for 6 shrimp and $59 USD for a fish dinner??????


Decimal point correction problem, Lou. I was an English major. Will fix.........but I cant convert 8 shrimp into 6, though. :lol:

fdt - 6-24-2007 at 09:34 PM

Northwestern states:
Baja California
Baja California Sur
Sonora
Sinaloa
and Nayarit
and depending on who is looking
Durango & Chihuahua.

capt. mike - 6-25-2007 at 04:23 AM

Hook - always interested in dirt purchases San Carlos - can you tell us more??
i love that place.

Hook - 6-25-2007 at 08:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
Hook - always interested in dirt purchases San Carlos - can you tell us more??
i love that place.


Miguel, let me wait until it is a little more final. The agent for the owner has technically accepted our offer but has not been able to contact the property owner as of Saturday. That's a little worrisome. Our agent is staying on it.

It is bare dirt, though, with utilities to the property line. It's in the Ranchitos Campestres area which is east of the main drag by about a mile. Lot is 25 x 40 meters.

I hear Guaymas is a very private pilot friendly place to fly into, Mike. Bus from Guaymas to SC is still 10 pesos, I believe.

So, if I had to fly down one weekend to wrap up details, what would it cost for you to fly out to Oceanside airport and then fly me to Guaymas and back. U2U is fine, of course.

Oso - 6-25-2007 at 04:23 PM

Might be too late this time if you've already left, but AZDOT has just started a new website with Sonoran road conditions, will eventually have border wait times:

Http://www.az511.gov/Sonora