The sensation that is reached when in 360 degrees of vision there is only sand is indescribable, even more intense when exploring you imagine how was the life of the first inhabitants who walked from the hill to the sea by the infinite soil of calcining sands that move with the wind.

To arrive by car at the visitors' explanatory center, walk up the dune to the top to catch a glimpse of the sea, then walk along paths of lava and ash to reach the steep edge of the craters that emerged from explosions and collapses of the earth in the middle of the desert is a worldwide experience because there is nothing like it. Sea, sand, volcanic zone, flora and fauna in a sensitive harmony making balance in the most radical extremes of climate, sometimes during the same day, are impacts that impress every visitor. But if you want to feel something more, the invitation is to spend the night in the darkness of the night with the brightness of the galaxy as a reference of how small we are and how great the universe is.

The first astronauts who went to the moon practiced in El Pinacate, in its dimensions distances are lost, the hours pass and time seems to be stopped in the ancient sahuaros that jealously guard the intruder. Expert guides, knowledgeable and with vocation of park rangers can take you, accompany you, take care of you and make your visit an experience of emotions and knowledge that will fill you with satisfaction.

The distances are great, the weather extreme, and the experience exciting.

From the heights to the depths. Desert, mountain and sea adventure. A land and sea adventure package for an entire vacation in San Carlos, Guaymas, on the coast of Sonora, 350 miles from the U.S. border.

Kayaking at sunrise or biking along the coastline in the sea breeze and bright sunshine can be the start of a weekend. Beyond, the mountains with their tropical nooks and crannies that hide the Aguaje mountain range full of secrets and life.

Climbing to the top of Tetakawi hill is an indescribable experience or spending a day fishing in the Sea of Cortez, trolling for marlin or dorado fish has no comparison, as the natural scenery of the coastline and the richness of the sea are unparalleled. If you are a diver or snorkeler, the underwater life of the world's aquarium has worldwide distinction and for a different underwater adventure, the artificial reef is full of life and becomes a novel experience that attracts visitors from other continents.

In this seaside town, with all the services and excellent gastronomic options, there are also unique local attractions such as the Dolphinarium and the Estero.

The City of the Portals, birthplace of María Félix. The magic of Alamos, a colonial town of mining origin, begins its history with its exciting chapters of silver wealth, the Mint, the capital of the Western State, the regional bishopric and its economic and political power.

Beautiful colonial town nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de Los Frailes and crossed by two streams, is from its origins, and officially labeled in 2005, Magical Town of Sonora. To describe it would be endless as are the emotions of those who visit it, enjoy it or take it as a starting point to travel through southern Sonora, from the foothills of the Sierra Madre to the seashore.

Unique spaces in its protected natural areas of the Cuchujaqui River and Sierra de Alamos preserve its biodiversity and landscape along with the climate that feels tropical in the summers when the jungle closes in and the roads narrow.

Costumbrista Museum, temple, Maria Felix's house, Municipal Palace, market, the old cemetery and dozens of preserved buildings harmonize the landscape of this town of narrow cobblestone streets where you can enjoy cultural events and festivals, sports rallies, biodiversity explorations, native cuisine and also first-world international fusion. Its rural, urban and boutique hotel accommodations and lodging, make the visitor always want to stay longer enjoying every minute and every space of this well-kept piece of the Sonora of more than three centuries ago, today functional and hospitable as one of the most significant tourist destinations in Sonora.

Towns with stories and legends in a natural world for adventure. In the extreme northeast of Sonora, right in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental, the panorama imposes itself with the contrasts of the high mountains and the valleys on the banks of the river. There, in the few spaces with agricultural vocation, the Jesuit missionaries founded in 1600 a series of mission towns and colonies that for more than four centuries remained intact, oblivious to modernity and autonomous in many respects.

The cattle ranching in the whole of Sonora is a very important part of the region.

Cattle ranching throughout the vastness of the land, rainfed agriculture and in irrigable spaces by the river have been, since the arrival of the Spaniards, the productive activities, in addition to subway and gambusinos mining, now exploited with modern techniques.

Villages that, each on the banks of its river, coincide in their customs, their origin, religiosity, cheerful atmosphere and friendly hospitality. The missionary temple, the plaza and the building or mansion of the municipal authority as a civic and cultural center in each town show evidence of the power structure that gave them origin.

All around them, in all of them, the clean streets and daily order show healthy, neat and hard-working people. Each town is the center of an extraordinary and unique rural region, where the landscapes and the whims of nature offer the opportunity to find the spaces for adventure, recreation and contact with the land.

Rivers, waterfalls, lakes, walls, waterfalls, ranches, hills ranging from mesquite to oak and pine in the high peaks. An enviable and pristine biodiversity worthy of admiration and care make up the tourist treasures of the towns of the high sierra.

On the coast of Hermosillo The capital city of Sonora is the head of a large municipality that reaches more than 100 kilometers of coastline in front of Shark Island, the largest island in Mexico in the Sea of Cortez.

At only 100 km from the urban center, Bahía de Kino is a natural sun and beach destination with its very original beauty and its own unique attractions and options for visitor entertainment.

In addition to beach and offshore water sports such as fishing and diving, tourists can schedule a visit to San Nicolas and feel the vertigo of sliding down the dune on a sand board. Bahía de Kino has its fishing village and its typical beach gastronomic offer, in addition to lodging services and beach inns to spend the day.

The Seri or Comcáac Nation, the original people of this region, preserves and shares, from Kino Bay to its coastal towns such as Punta Chueca and Desemboque, its handicrafts and cultural heritage of dances, ceremonies, customs and tourist services such as transfers and guided tours to Shark Island, which is part of their nation and territory.

A visit to the Seris Museum in Bahia de Kino shows the history, origin and life of the Comcaac, this ethnic group with ancestral memories and unknown origin. Excellent gastronomy and lodging, camping, RV and glamping options are offered in the coastal region of Hermosillo. Consult your operator.

Plenty to do on land and sea Sun, endless beach, water sports, fishing, diving, golf and party atmosphere in a first-world international atmosphere make Puerto Peñasco the most visited and most international beach resort destination in Sonora.

A seaside town and port that now offers comfort and attractions, services and experiences to international tourists and continues to extend its recreational spaces to its southeastern beaches.

Great resorts like the Mayan and Las Palomas, integrated complexes like Encántame Towers point to a world-class future; its location near the protected natural reserves of the Gran Desierto de Altar, Alto Golfo and El Pinacate Biosphere, a World Heritage Site, offer the great opportunity to live one of the best experiences in the natural space of Sonora.

Go fishing, take a trip to San Jorge Island or simply walk and enjoy the beach, ride an ATV on the dune, go wind surfing, kayaking or paddle boarding, take an evening "Margarita sunset" cruise, go jet skiing or go for a ride on a jet sky, take a ride on a jet ski or go banana or paragliding and even fly in a microlight to feel the freedom, to finish off on the boardwalk and its bars set on the aisles full of souvenirs, souvenirs and handicrafts, only in Puerto Peñasco!

Of course, you can spend all day on the quiet balcony of the oceanfront apartment of your choice in the condo complexes that offer everything for a happy family stay and full vacation by the sea.

Bacanora Route, a round trip through the center of Sonora. Because of its position on the map, it has been named low but in itself, it is high, steep and full of natural values. The route is via El Novillo, Bacanora, Sahuaripa, Arivechi and other picturesque towns such as Tacupeto Valley and Güisamopa.

This route also takes us to Yécora, giving us the option of reaching Ónavas, Suaqui Grande, San Javier and passing through Tecoripa and La Colorada. It is a circuit that should be done in at least two days.

The historical chronicle of the towns on this route is very interesting and the natural attractions very diverse, in addition to the infinite mountain panorama that forces you to make stops along the way to enjoy the El Novillo and Cajón de Onapa dams and the distant towns almost all on the banks of its river.

Visiting Bacanora and its museum, partying in Sahuaripa on the banks of the river, climbing Tarachi, El Trigo, La Iglesia or reaching Nátora there on the Mulatos River along with the Aros is an exciting rural vacation. Continuing south through the valley that extends to Arivechi, going up to its hot springs, visiting the towns of El Valle de Tacupeto, then arriving at Suaqui Grande to round off the circuit returning to Hermosillo through La Colorada is quite an experience.

Head of the missions on the Yaqui River, Cócorit is a charming town that keeps alive the magic of its mix of cultures and moments of its historical evolution.

It is the old town of modern Ciudad Obregón, which evokes in its colonial atmosphere the atmosphere of the nineteenth century with the heritage of the original culture of the Yaqui ethnic group and the mission established in 1617 by the Jesuit missionaries. It is one of the eight Yaqui towns and one of the first colonies in Sonora.

With urban services and lodging in Cd. Obregón, the visitor can enjoy Cócorit and the entire banks of the Yaqui River that extends from the El Oviachic Dam and promenade to the west, through farm fields on the banks of the river and the irrigation channels of the famed Yaqui Valley, full of rural communities that share experiences of native cuisine, unique rural landscapes, centuries-old poplar groves, customs, folklore and crafts of the Yaqui ethnic group that to this day rigorously reserves its rituals and ceremonies.

Hornos, Bácum, Potam, Vícam and other towns are nearby and accessible on the route. In recent years, Cócorit has become the cultural space of the region and the manifestations of plastic arts decorate and make the environment more recreational.

From Hermosillo to the border It is 300 kilometers of scenic route that goes from town to town through one of the most significant regions of Sonora. Mountains and valleys open up on the horizon, revealing the farm fields that give depth to the panorama, giving way to the temple towers of each town as part of its own identity.

The river, with little flow in between seasons, is seen as a shining mirror at the bottom of the canyon in Mazocahui, and then spreads out to give way to producing valleys and cattle ranches with a chain of mountains on either side, parallel to the river and the road.

They are towns founded in the 17th century by Jesuit missionaries who accompanied the colonizers who raided these lands in search of mineral wealth. The legacy of evangelization is present in the customs and festivities of each town, as well as in their original social structure. Eminently cattle ranchers, these towns live from their natural resources among which are also agriculture and mining.

The experience of traveling along this route and visiting its towns takes us beyond its boundaries to see ranches, riverside spots, sporting and festive environments such as jaripeo, local baseball leagues and frequent road and mountain bike rides.

Patron saint festivals, civic dates and the religious calendar govern the rhythm of life, production, harvest and celebration. Bacanora maguey plantations, rural distilleries, wine cellar, operating mines and mountain corners are places to visit, including the hot springs of El Bacerán and Agua Caliente.

Summer environment is safe at river crossings over the highway at Cañón de Evans, Bacoachi, Tahuichopa, Chinapa and also under bridges when there is flow at Banámichi, San Pedro el Saucito and other stream crossings. All the temples are living museums that silently show the deep roots that gave origin to this harmonious chain of towns through which you can travel from the capital to the northern border of Sonora.

Caborca and Trincheras preserve testimonies of earlier times. In this archaeological route in the vicinity of the desert, the evidences present give account of gatherers, semi-nomadic settlers who left their traces in the rocks of the region.

The Cerro de las Trincheras shows the importance of a civilization that built stone walls on the hillside that the Spaniards confused with protective trenches that form terraces with different uses, from ceremonial to agricultural.

To visit the town of Trincheras is also to know its visitor center that exposes in its museography a detailed vision of the origins, the monumentality of the site and how was the life of its inhabitants. Following the same course, kilometers further to the west, on the outskirts of Caborca, the hills of La Proveedora in the Puerto Blanco ranch, concentrate the largest amount of petroglyphs in America.

With a great variety of motifs, from animals, human figures, fretwork and labyrinths, the engravings made on the millenary varnish of the stone are attributed to the same culture called trincheras and date from more than 13 thousand years ago. In these two sites, the visitor is attended by certified guides and experts in the subject and can admire the endemic flora of the Sonoran desert, along with the engraved stones. Visits are recommended at sunrise and sunset.

Following in the footsteps of Father Eusebio Kino along the Atar River. This region nestled in what Bolton called "The Confines of Christendom" offers a sensitive route for those who understand the evangelizing tasks that the Jesuits carried out in these remote areas far from the center of the country.

Populated by hardy natives, the lands bordering the Altar River yielded to the Christian faith and flourished organized in the missions established in 1670 by the Italian-born missionary father Eusebio Francisco Kino, who chose these lands for his missionary apostolate.

The tour of the temples, which preserve the images, altarpieces and altars of more than three centuries, is impressive and full of mysticism. The route by road can also be done by the rural road, also visiting the Cuauhtémoc dam and following downstream from town to town until you reach Altar to continue to Pitiquito and Caborca, all founded as a chain of missions by Father Kino.

Small, festive, industrious and productive towns that by their location define very well their working hours and the time of year of their most traditional festivals. Surrounded by hills and plains carpeted with mesquites, saguaros, paloverdes and choyas, they receive the splendor of the tapestries of flowers in each spring turning the desert into the most flowery garden on the planet; in the summer, the weather is harsh and aggressive, but comes the time of the most intense downpour that fills the streams, greens the countryside and changes the color of the surrounding hills.

From Montezuma to the border through mining towns, land of Indians and dinosaurs. See the saddle and leather goods factory, visit the statue of El Moro de Cumpas and travel through old mine roads and also the most modern in Mexico; visit the historic center of Nacozari, the monument to Jesus Garcia and the great mansions of the Moctezuma Copper Co. and Mr Douglas.

Divide one of the world's largest smokestacks at the Esqueda Smelter and the Esqueda Smelter in Esqueda.

Diving one of the world's largest chimneys at the Esqueda Smelter and stopping at its plazas to go on the dinosaur trail is an interesting family experience with great and memorable historical events.

This region is the copper mining belt and corridors of the Geronimo Indian, the land of Captain de Anza, settler of San Francisco, CA. USA. With access to the Cuquiárachi and La Angostura dams following the Moctazuma and Fronteras rivers you reach Agua Prieta, bordering Douglas, Arizona, at the edge of the Old West.

Landscapes, ranches, century-old haciendas and proper places for camping, riding, and biking are found with your hosts and guides. Perfect weather and festive atmosphere always!

From the mountains to the sea In the extreme south of Sonora, the most diverse experiences are combined, ranging from the peaks of the mountains to the sea and from the pine and oak forests to the desert and pitayal.

In a journey of less than 160 kilometers, the visitor finds, depending on the season, the lush rainforest with its streams and wooded slopes of the high mountains of the Sierra Madre and the Sierra de Los Frailes, passing through the colorful amapas that bloom every January and gradually disperse to give way to the diverse cacti that surround the indigenous communities of the Mayo ethnic group in Masiaca.

From there, continue into the sunset through the largest pitayal forest in America that through dusty alleys leads us to the paradise by the sea, Las Bocas beach, Camahuiroa or the wonderful biological station Navopatia next to the mangrove, the island and the channel full of migratory birds and dolphins chacoteando in its clear waters.

Incidentally, the gastronomic experience in the ramadas tasting the stews with nopal, tamales and birria in Masiaca in the middle of the world of the Mayos, their culture and folklore or the seafood in the vacation beach palapa complete the experience with a drink of bachomojaqui mezcal, distilled by hand from a variety of regional agave.

Access through Hermosillo and Ciudad Obregón Traveling to one of the highest towns in Sonora is an adventure that shows you the diversity of this great state. These roads ascend from the desert and coastal valley to plateaus more than 2,400 meters above sea level.

On the way, taking either route, you travel through picturesque towns and around one of Sonora's largest dams. The winding roads that meander past the endless horizon of mountain ranges are the first attraction for those who haven't felt the distance, the altitude and the contrasting change of climate in a single drive, particularly in the lush, humid but chilly highland summer of July and August.

Unique sensations in the Sierra Madre that are not attributed to Sonora contrast with the hot, dry desert climate and panorama in the west of the same state. Yécora, originally a mission, as a destination has many attractions nestled in an atmosphere of nature rich in biodiversity and conducive to all kinds of adventures.

Magical and missionary San Francisco Javier brings thousands of pilgrims to Magdalena every October 4th and throughout the year. Its temple and plaza are also linked to its founder, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, whose crypt with his remains is part of the central set of its monumental plaza.

It was declared a Magical Town in 2012 and is, the land and resting place of the remains of Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta, candidate for the presidency of Mexico assassinated in 1994. Located 120 km from the border with the United States and with excellent weather all year round, Magdalena de Kino also has rural attractions for every visitor.

Livestock ranches with comfortable accommodations, orchards and outdoor adventure spaces and many attractions of those that give identity to Sonora as the sahuaros forest, the royal road to San Ignacio and Imuris, two missions established along with Magdalena in 1680, Nearby are also the mission of Cocóspera and Aribabi ranch, a private nature reserve protected on the hillside and valley north of the Sierra Azul.

The autumn festivities of San Francisco in Magdalena bring together pilgrims and visitors who, on foot, on horseback and by all means, come from all directions and make it one of the most significant festivals in Sonora. Yaqui, Pápagos, Mayos and other international ethnic groups offer penances, dances, tributes and musical performances throughout the town in honor of the saint.

The spring Kino Festival and other memorable civic festivals keep the atmosphere going year-round. This hospitable town shares traditional cuisine, beef famous for its quality and cooking, quince ates, chile colorado stews and the incomparable wheat flour tortillas.

Upstream and downstream towns. Authentic and unique paintings decorate the urban landscape of the pearl of the Mayo. Horse-drawn carts gather fresh vegetables from the fields and orchards along the riverbank for sale in the market.

In the picture is also a modern city that combines the traditions of the Mayan Indians with the agricultural and commercial development achieved in its little more than a hundred years of foundation.

Located on the banks of the Mayo River, it is the city that serves the largest number of rural communities in Sonora, the dispersion of its inhabitants reaches the entire municipality between agricultural fields and ranches located on the banks of the Mayo River where there are native populations that preserve original and religious traditions and customs that give rise to festivals, campaigns and pilgrimages such as the festivities of San Juan, those of Holy Week and other events of mystical significance to which visitors are always welcome.

The customs here are different from the rest of Sonora and are a product of the almost tropical climate and the deep rootedness to the land and its original inhabitants. The first city on the south-to-north route, it is the confluence point of the roads that cross southern Sonora and its natural diversity along the riverbank and its rural spaces gives rise to a myriad of experiences ranging from mountain explorations in colonial Alamos, to the warm sands of its dunes and beaches in the neighboring municipality of Huatabampo.

The visit to Navojoa invites you to visit the archaeological zone and site museum of Tehuelibampo with its testimonies engraved in stone that show the indigenous life of more than 2,500 years ago. Natural diversity, mestizo culture and religiosity are evident in the place and throughout the journey to know this sacred place of its inhabitants, ancestors of the Mayans.

On all the routes and roads of the Mayan River region, the bicycle as a sport and also as a means of transportation is part of the scenery. Handicrafts and crafts made of leather, reeds, palm and wicker are offered by residents.

To the north: San Pedro de la Cueva; to the south: from the dam curtain to Soyopa. The rural adventure is combined with different experiences at the ends of the El Novillo or Plutarco Elías Calles dam: in the north, a picturesque town on the banks of the mouth of the river at the dam, reached by a comfortable road with attractions along the way that can be via Ures or Pueblo de Álamos, Mátape, San Pedro de la Cueva or direct from Hermosillo to Mazatán without going around Ures.

Tour operators have access to hidden nooks and crannies along the way such as the dry waterfall, a limestone conformation that has remained for centuries evidencing times of abundant rain and tropical forests. There are also stops at cattle ranches and bacanora and regional cheese producers that can be visited.

San Pedro de la Cueva is the destination at this end of the dam and attractions combine on land and water, from climbing the cave hill to experiences in bass and tilapia fishing, and visiting the ruins of villages sacrificed for the sake of progress, flooded to reach the dam's water storage.

At the southern end of the dam, which is more than 60 km away by boat directly from San Pedro de la Cueva, the attractions are different; the curtain of the dam wedged between the hills and steep walls recreate in summer a tropical space different from the rest of Sonora.

Road access to the curtain and power generation facilities is off Mazatán on the road to Sahuaripa. The visit to El Novillo by the curtain takes us first to the town of La Estrella, established at the time of the dam's construction. Many stories are told of what happened in the 50's and 60's when the concrete mass rose to stop the river.

The scenery at El Novillo is most spectacular in the summer months. The rural experience is combined with the option of kayaking downriver to Soyopa, a town located 20 km downriver. This tour has its magic and is totally different in every season of the year. Consult your local guide or tour operators.

A city with great attributes and natural beauty. Cabins on the mountainside, beautiful views of its cattle ranches and a historic center typical of a 19th century mining town are part of the presentation of Cananea to its visitors who have much to enjoy in this region with great natural, cultural and service attributes.

With history and deep roots, and a great international influence in its cultural and social aspects, Cananea has attractions for those who can stay for a long time: the famous Cananea Jail converted into the Museum of the Workers' Struggle, the House of William Cornell Green, now headquarters of the National Institute of Optical and Electronic Astrophysics, its original shopping center El Ronquillo, Cananea Vieja, Mesa Sur and original neighborhoods that contrast with the Tamosura Park and its modern services of cinema, hotel, bowling, and shopping plaza.

On the outskirts of the urban area, Cananea has cattle ranches with lodging and natural attractions, mountain ranges with panoramic views and campgrounds, as well as cabins. To visit Cananea is also to visit the facilities of Grupo Mexico's Animal Management Unit (UMA), which exhibits species in rescue programs such as the Gouldian turkey, gray wolf, jaguar and brown bear, as well as birds and other small mammals. Already being in the outskirts, you must schedule a visit to the Uvas de Altura vineyard that produces excellent wines of the 4S brand.

The experience of climbing the Sierra La Mariquita mountain range and visiting the Astronomical Observatory, or the option of climbing to the ranger's cabin in the Sierra de Los Ajos Protected Natural Reserve and entering into its natural streams or taking a guided tour of the Buenavista del Cobre mine facilities can be other great experiences, some of which require paperwork and only on certain dates. Cananea has three mountain ranges, three river basins and is only 50 km from the border with the United States in the North American Old West.

City and agricultural valley Nestled in the center of a green mosaic of many shades, in which irrigation canals meander glittering, stands a new, dynamic and productive city that gives Mexico international fame for its agricultural production and commercial development derived from the countryside.

In Ciudad Obregón, the cultures of the Yaqui ethnic group and the settlers, who contribute high technology and knowledge to make this region the agricultural emporium that has been called the granary of Mexico, coincide and grow in harmony.

Of geometric outline, wide streets, wooded and clean, the city has its own attractions such as the recreational and family space of the Náinari Lagoon and the many rural destinations in the valley that reach the beaches on the coast with the Sea of Cortez.

Ciudad Obregón is the commercial center of the southern part of the state of Sonora and with its international airport and highway and railroad hub, it is the international connection point for travelers from all over the region.

Baseball stadium and Los Yaquis team, fishing sports clubs at El Oviachic dam, golf course and many rural spots to visit, including agricultural fields to the west and cattle ranches to the east with successful seasons for adventure tourism and also hunting organizers with excellent service and facilities for dove hunting and other species.

There is much to comment on the gastronomy, but in short, it is the experience of experts who combine the original cuisine of the tribe, the abundance of the sea and the wealth of beef and pork that Sonora is famous for.

Geographic and business center Here is where the culture of carne asada, large tortillas, coyotas and bacanora come together to welcome visitors who for many reasons come to the capital city of the state of Sonora.

With simple and hardworking people, the city lives in a productive dynamism because here also converge the interests of all the activities that make this state important in northwestern Mexico, the second largest in Mexico, the second largest in the world.

With simple and hardworking people, the city lives in a productive dynamism because here also converge the interests of all the activities that make important this state in northwestern Mexico, the second largest in the republic.

A center of agricultural, livestock, industrial and mining businesses, government, education and advanced medicine, Hermosillo is the destination with the highest number of flights in the region and the most commercial activity and services. Just 360 km from the U.S. border at Nogales, it is also home to major manufacturing industries and the Ford automobile assembly plant and many of its supplier plants.

To visit Hermosillo is also to attend the Expogan in early May, baseball in the September to February season, and the Fiestas del Pitic in late May. It is also to enjoy the beach 90 km away in Bahia de Kino and a whole adventure in the world of the Seri ethnic group, or to take from here the routes that connect the entire state, from the sea and the coast, to the high mountains and their diversity of climate and landscape.

A multifaceted city that shares with visitors the nostalgia of its historic center, captured in the murals of the government palace and displayed in the exhibitions of its Regional Museum of History and Popular Cultures. Festive, cheerful, sincere and hospitable, Hermosillo invites you to get to know the capital city and, from here, the entire great state of Sonora.