Crossing The Border From The USA into Mexico At Lukeville AZ to Puerto Peñasco

Nov 28, 2015 - Rocky Point aka Puerto Penasco was our goal for a 4 day jaunt into Mexico. This is our first time driving across the southern USA border, and we have our Aussie Deacon with us as well, but we left the KTM's at home in Colorado. We pick up the action as we enter the southbound customs border crossing. Evidently, it is never a problem leaving the USA, only coming back, so have your passports up-to-date, and your dogs health certificate that is date within 10 days of your crossing by your vet. This is a one hour ride through what is called the "Hassle Free Zone" along Sonoran highway 8 to the top of the Sea of Cortez. Puerto Peñasco is a little fishing village that is popular with residences of Arizona. Clean beaches and friendly Mexicans. The condos are all owned, and some are rented out by a management company, Seaside Resorts. We will be staying at Sonoran Sky, but my sister favors Sonoran Sun. We couldn't find a condo owner that would permit Deacon to be there. The shrimp here are fresh, caught daily, and are large. You can take up to 50 pounds back across the border, but no plants or pork products. There is a large motorcycle rally (7000 bikes, mostly Harleys) that go down there in the fall. For those of us who like to ride off-road, you can rent an ATV for $30+/hour. Next time I'll bring a KTM to explore some sand dunes. You cannot ride on the beach, except on a horse. The place is empty after Thanksgiving and before Christmas, when the condo owners are back in the States. Booze is cheap in town. Mexicans will walk the beach trying to sell you something and in town, there are guys with buckets and rags wanting to wash your car for tips. It was a great time, and I learned more Spanish. I'll upload some beach and area videos after this one.
BTW, for you Adventure Tourers, you can enter Mexico here (or through Nogales, south of Tucson), then work your way west to Puerto Peñasco and on to Baja California, then come back up through Tijuana, south of San Diego

[@Gallardo6669]

Some people may say ur video is boring, but i love it. It shows the real situation at the border,first contact with the lovely mexicans and their culture and its 100% authentic. Thank you !!!

[@rudyrissone4298]

Why is coming back to Freedom such a nightmare?? Because we must be some AssHole country . .

[@greenbastard1871]

Wow. I visited Rocky Point in 1989. I remember dirt roads. Kids scrambling to wash our windows for pocket change. A case of Corona for $5. Bought 10 lbs of rock shrimp right off the boat for $3. Slept on the beach and traded American bottled water with vendors for food and clothes. One of the best trips of my life! Cant wait to relocate to Mexico next year.

[@taosmary]

I enjoyed your video as it gave me an accurate picture of what to expect as I prepare for my first driving trip to Rocky Point in about a week.

[@yerba2077]

This video is a true depiction of a real road trip with the wife lol

[@blackbirdink951]

I watched it and felt as if my wife was talking to me.

[@BigSmith5572]

My goodness sounded like my wife geez. Turn the radio up 🤣

[@paintup46]

@@blackbirdink951 Really? My wife is Mexican, she lets me do the driving and navigating.

[@juancarlosibarra3245]

Thanks for posting the video. I m 46, and I was in Rocky point once in 1978 or 79. Watching the video brought me beautiful memories of almost 40 years ago. Unfortunately I have never been able to return. In México, Corona regularly does not taste good. Pacifico and TECATE (the red one) are so much better...

[@telerover]

We ended up buying in San Carlos, further down the east side of the Sea of Cortez. Less touristy that rocky point. Try it. The road is great.

[@edwardtashian3581]

"Taqueria Durango" is on your left at 17:21....just a hole in the wall but we stopped there last weekend. Great sopes and tacos!!! 4 cheese enchiladas + rice and beans for 70 pesos. Worth a look-see.

[@lannvaz7696]

Hello! I loved the way you manage stop signs, beacuse here in Mexico nobody respects them also the speed limit nobody respects. by the way im mexican i hope you have enjoy your visit...

[@telerover]

Gracias for your kind words. Feiez Cinco de Mayo. I really enjoyed Mexico and want to act there, like I would expect a Mexican to act here in Colorado. I just spent two weeks in Baja on my dirt bike. A dream I had for 50 years. I loved the country, the scenery, but mostly I loved the people. I had fun learning a little more Espanol. I think if I am going to learn the language, I will have to live there for months at a time. I would like to rent a house, then we could explore more.

[@lannvaz7696]

+telerover Me parece perfecto que quieras aprender a hablar español o al menos la practiques, espero que aprendas rápido. Saludos desde Ciudad de México.

[@NoahSuns]

Lann Vaz sorry to bother you but could you explain the people at 18:16 ? I went Mexico once when I was younger and was very confused by them

[@lannvaz7696]

TitterTime Hi! It's a common thing in Mexico, those people are asking for money to all who pass by. It is not mandatory but it is common to give them something

[@telerover]

Sometimes the red cross, rescate (ambulance) or firemen will collect for a cause and give you a sticker. Others are just selling you tortillas, oranges, and other foods. No Gracias, always works. If someone tries to clean your windshield, just wave your hands in front of your face and they will move on.

[@gustavonavalopez7946]

We used this video as a GPS,thanks a lot

[@andygould2575]

Brother I admire your patience with your wife! Mannnn!!!!!

[@deniseackerlyparadiseinpen228]

And the moral of this story, folks, is arrive and leave at non-peak times. Check-out is at 11am, and the border wait is long from probably 9am-4pm. Hang out and have an early dinner then hit the road. Going INTO Mexico, use Google maps to see live traffic (www.google.com/maps/@31.8832703,-112.8162421,16z/data=!5m1!1e1) and going BACK to Arizona, go to bwt.cbp.gov/ to see border wait times

[@BandRAdventures]

Thank you for the video!

[@cocoagirl6693]

Thank you so much for sharing -

[@louierperez]

thanks for sharing your trip to Mexico

[@mattp.3949]

That road looks like Route 8 that leads from the Lukeville-Sonoyta Arizona-Sonora border crossing to the resort town of Puerto Penasco, which is around 100 km south of the border on the Gulf of California coast. The road looks very well maintained despite not being a toll road (I heard that the Mexican toll roads 'Autopistas' are VERY expensive to travel on). Example: Federal Highway 15-D; with 652 kilometers (405 miles) of length, Highway 15-D's segment in Sonora, formerly known as Estación Don-Nogales, runs the length of the state of Sonora and includes access to most of the state's major population centers. It is maintained by Caminos y Puentes Federales, which charges cars 340 pesos to travel the whole length of the road, including its four bypasses of Nogales (12.5 kilometers (7.8 miles)), Magdalena de Kino (6.57 kilometers (4.08 miles), 25 pesos), Guaymas (21.5 km (13.4 mi), 31 pesos) and the Sonora state capital of Hermosillo (13.5 km (8.4 mi)). Highway 15 is free between Nogales and Magdalena and from Hermosillo to Guaymas, but between Guaymas and Ciudad Obregón, and from Ciudad Obregón to Los Mochis, Sinaloa, cars are tolled for intercity transit, and unlike with most of the country's toll roads (which are completely bypassed by non-toll highways), there are no non-toll alternatives to Highway 15-D through much of Sonora. I once traveled on Federal Highway 2-D (Federale Autopista 2D) in Baja California Norte from Tijuana to the Baja state capital of Mexicali and the cost was over 200 pesos. The drive on Federal Highway 1-D from Tijuana to Ensenada cost me 115 pesos.

[@TRUMP4PREZ]

Used to go there all the time, get drunk as all get, live like kings feedin on beach burritos an buyin more firewotks than we knew what to do with.

[@LuisCamposMusic]

I love this video, very polite. This is true Mexico.

[@temocardenas9662]

Thanks for sharing your video.

[@clifb.3521]

we're going soon. thanks for posting

[@kickinitwithkisha7072]

Great video. I'm going here for the 1st time in August glad I know what to expect now

[@Scubazz]

Great video of my favorite road trip!

[@georgeramos5842]

Cool Video it reminds of rural small towns in the U.S. from the 50s and 60s i am positive that one day it will be a thing of the past cuase of all the tourist going to Rocky Point and Puerto Penasco i like the scenery

[@carlosnvegas2426]

Thank you! We plan on making our 1st trip this July! RV resort on the beach Looking forward to good drinks, good people & good times! Carlos

[@telerover]

I hope you will actually be in an RV park and not boondocking. :)

[@AKUMARI0]

Nice too see Old town Sonoyta

[@lightzx0250]

Hi when i went to puerto penasco it was so FUN i stayed at the vina del mar hotel watching this gave me some Memories when you were on your way did you stop at this station with scorpion lollipops and a sign that says DONT FEED COYOTES bc i stopped there all the time even when i went with tia we stopped and she gave us hats on our way to rocky point. Hope you liked the visit. 😃⚓⚓⚓🏐🏐🏐🥅⚽🚣⛵🏝🏝

[@telerover]

Rocky Point was our first time in Mexico, but as time went by we bought a place in San Carlos, 7 hours south. So much better than Puerto Penasco, no resorts and a great beach. Dolfins swim by every morning.

[@LiveFromToronto]

Wow that is a nice looking place to visit!

[@telerover]

yep, but now I'll be heading to Toronto in July!

[@RANDOG1951]

Headed down there in 1996 or 97. The road in Mexico, heading south seamed great for miles and then with a karosene pot smoking it turned to a very rough dirt road with large, very large ruts. After a block or two, back to a nice road. The bus drove past me like was standing still. Eventually, wed came across another karosene pot a road barrier and a little girl with her dad or perhaps grandpa asking for donations to the Red Cross. I'd never seen 12 x 12 cinder block homes with rope as fences before. I didn't know to buy fresh shrimp in this little fishing village. Maybe next time. I ended up on a beach after paying a guy in a shack five bucks. Pitched our tents and tried to enjoy new years. I large storm came along, collapsing my tent and around 3 am we broke camp and headed to Vegas.

[@randywestfall7984]

For the Sonoran Sky Resort, you took the scenic route.

[@johnfalkenstine8377]

Gas station at the beginning has the cleanest circle k in the world.

[@michaeljoneil]

This is 100% accurate; I've made that trip many times. You could have saved 5 min by taking a right turn off the main highway about a mile earlier...you would have driven at 55mph instead of through town. But well done for first trip! Oh, and gas is currently much cheaper in the US (Mexico prices are stable...when US prices are $4 per gal, Mexico is cheaper).

[@julianmartinezz6734]

Nice video 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@hectorcervantes5260]

wooow what a view!

[@sergioogg213]

Nice video , going next month for the first time , Hope is safe

[@agass4755]

thank you for this video. we are heading down in june and are a little nervous about the drive.

[@telerover]

don't be nervous. just look for ALTO (stop) signs and don't be the fastest (or the slowest) car on the road.

[@4JAAB]

angi gilchrist I'll be heading down there next month June. I am also super nervous about driving there. Did you see lots of plates from our states? oh man I'm nervous!!!

[@telerover]

Blanca Gutierrez not to worry. once you do it once you'll not worry anymore.

[@belle369]

Don’t worry everyone me and my family went down there in March from AZ for the first time. Driving in at first it seemed a little bit sketchy. People were all over, but if you follow the rules and don’t try to pass people or make people upset, you’re fine. Just drive straight to where you’re staying and you’ll be fine

[@tiridnjdidjfj9724]

Bro 13th street is always popping

[@thejmack24]

Loved your video LOL... I go to Rocky Point all the time, the way your camera was set up i felt like i was siting in the front seat lol... Thank for sharing.

[@randywestfall7984]

That traffic back up going into the US was not that bad. I have seen it backed up well into Sonoyta. That large grocery chain that you keep seeing is owned by Safeway.

[@nicholasbonner474]

They where wondering what to get to eat at the Circle K like is was something exotic...

[@marjorieamaral5737]

In Brazil, no one respects the stop signs either. lol. we when i move back, I'll be safer on my bicycle lol

[@1jasonover]

Rocky point rules!

[@ELViejito100]

My state! Sonora!

[@JohnSmith-jj1hp]

I commend you for having a copilot like that... wow there are several times I'm like stfu... and let me drive..

[@cashstore1]

That traffic jam is as bad as going to Sedona on a Saturday in July

[@Prescottmike]

W're going dow later this year. Looking to buy and move there. Any advise?

[@rigoramirez7563]

I Genuinely love this video. I've been so scarred of going to Rocky point because of the news and I'm Hispanic lol. Thank you so much. It looks easy to get there. Definitely planning a trip next month. Do you have a video crossing back. I hear it can take hours.

[@telerover]

Nowadays, we actually come down to San Carlos through Nogales as it has a much improved new 4 lane highway, but we always go along the coast through Lukeville on the way back, since the crossing is least busiest on the border Plus, recently, the caravans from S.A. do not congregate there (I think). Cross Tuesday-Thursday. We bought a place after this video and now have our Residente Permanente.

[@randywestfall7984]

Any one of those places in the Old Port area are good to eat at. Also the shrimp and fish to take back, get there early in the morning for the best and freshest.

[@ec100]

Do you think saying things makes it harder for oneself? I mean I know it's good to be honest but I think it's good if you are the one trying to sell it rather than buying it?

[@andrenewcomb3708]

Birds of a feather.

[@Mrs.RomansLV]

How much ours are from sonoryta to rocky point?

[@Bear2townUSA]

Great video. Many thanks!

[@ugsisr]

Yikes... You were a little new on this trip... Pays to at least know how to read the signs... Glad you enjoyed it

[@Jkstolz]

Oh no... this is what we are planning to do Friday and Saturday after thanksgiving 2016.. ugh

[@ValCronin]

So how did it go? Lol

[@michaeljoneil]

Oh, and you can negotiate the atv's for $20 per hour.

[@genxmurse7019]

Wow, that line looks like it will take 4 days to get back to the states! No driving to Mexico for me.

[@eutimiochavez415]

How come the y have a fence there(wall)

[@littlechump]

Do you get a car insurance for Mexico?

[@telerover]

Yes, I use bajabound.com insurance for my truck and motorcycle

[@littlechump]

@@telerover Thanks for the info!

[@randywestfall7984]

There are plenty of places to get gas in Rocky Point/Puerto Penasco. Also plenty of fresh food.

[@bomboncitodeazucar244]

Randy Westfall but things are so expensive in Mexico 90 pesos for a pound of fresh Shrimp No Thanks !!

[@AlbertoGarcia-oo1io]

@@bomboncitodeazucar244 seafood in northern Mexico is more expensive than southern Mexico

[@mazdaman1982]

Dam I really want to go now lol

[@blackbirdink951]

I've been told not to take my 2015 F150 out there. Did you happen to see many of those truks out there?

[@wibli]

I lived there for 3 years

[@aliciavaldez9624]

En peñasco we

[@eutimiochavez415]

Dam there a lot of traffic coming north to the us

[@temocardenas9662]

Does anyone knows how far can we drive into Mexico without a vehicle temporary permit??

[@Sheikh_Speare]

It's 25 km I believe, also known as the free zone. I believe, can't remember honestly, the entire state of Sonora and all of the Baja Peninsula is ok drive beyond the 25 km without the temporary permit.

[@U2bCadet]

What kind of camera did you use?

[@telerover]

Its a Coleman Conquest CX7WP a rebranded TCL SVC200.

[@denesheo676]

have you been back any time since then? did they ask for the passport any other time?

[@telerover]

we bought a place in San Carlos Nuevo guaymas. we have not been asked for a passport in the free Zone of Sonora or Baja by the Mexican customs, except when getting a 6 month visa. the USA side will always ask for your passport.

[@denesheo676]

telerover oh ok, so when traveling outside the free zone and getting the fmm they ask for the passport

[@alexcentury2166]

If only crossing into the US was this hassle-free.

[@ivanportillo2056]

Do you need a permit for you vehicle I'm planning to go

[@telerover]

Not if you stay in the free zone, which is northeast Sonora and all of Baja. You should get a 180 tourist visa.

[@DK-uq7bq]

Im looking to go to Rocky point from say Jan to March each year cheaply is it possible? I want to drive down stay and then come back to AZ. I mean like 500 a month? Ride around on my scooter? Thanks.

[@telerover]

Kent Smith only if you have an RV and are going to boondock. it might be possible in Guaymas or San Carlos. was 500 your rental budget or total expense? How's your spanish?

[@kumarkosgi3799]

telerover she

[@arwenbrimhall3737]

My daughter was there last weekend. On her way back the US border control agent was aggressive, abusive and profane. The Mexican side has always treated us well. My daughter said it was too bad I didn’t come because I am white and she is not. They don’t treat middle aged white women like that. 😿it’s so disheartening that my children, along with many others, have to worry about that. I wonder where border agents learn white supremacy 🤔

[@davidconde1521]

I'm pretty sure that gas pump attendant used to live in the US

[@axatheoriginalbiitch]

Is that your car or a rental one

[@telerover]

its ours. right now the pickup is in Ensenada, waiting for me to get done with a 9 day ride in Baja on my KTM dirt bike.

[@maifranco79]

how far is it from customs to rocky point?

[@andrem7th]

Did you bring peso? And did u have to buy car insurance?

[@telerover]

I had to buy Mexican auto insurance, on line, and printed it out before hand. I did not convert any dollars to peso s as I used my charge card and everyone took US dollars.

[@telerover]

now that we spend months at a time in mexico, we convert as much dollars as we can into pesos at the border at a bank. then down here we can use ATMs and convert up to 5000 pesos ( $250) as needed

[@laguerita6370]

telerover did they ever ask you for your tourist visa ? I thought when leaving the travel free zone there is always another checkpoint

[@telerover]

aneschka drescher if at a federal checkpoint and they ask you to pull aside you may have to show a visa. A 180 day tourist visa is about $30 us. If you get in an accident without one you could go to jail. they are currently asking for pet health certificates because of a virus from Florida

[@laguerita6370]

telerover oh okay thank you

[@rudyrissone4298]

Is that It? ? Not like that going to Canada. . And coming back to US is a nightmare.

[@telerover]

They don't hardly monitor anyone going INTO Mexico. Going out is a different story.

[@CVenza]

drinking and driving is wrong anywhere!

[@patrickbranin7065]

There is one way to avoid all that traffic; don't bother coming back...

[@alejandromuro6162]

So is Rocky Point where Arizonans go to the beach? Doesn't look all that bad, might drop down if I'm ever in Sonora.

[@telerover]

it is an easy trek for people from Tucson and Phoenix to get to. I now have a place in San Carlos, 5 hours south of Nogales. I do not like resort areas.

[@andrenewcomb3708]

MY family. You gotta' love them. Or you won't be a good boy. Decades they would go to Rocky Point in their RV and I would be at home in dumpsters for recyclables. I was in the Rio Grande Valley working fields and a decade later I found a tourist magazine and there was a photo of my brother on a beach on South Padre Island . . . I was in a jail getting my head kicked for wanting to report police crimes to a City Manager about missing belongings (by police) and being drugged repeatedly by local restaurants. Decades. Boston, Bay area, cross country, Arizona, etc.. My family. You gotta' love them.

[@andrenewcomb3708]

She sells sea shells by the si-shore.

[@andrenewcomb3708]

"If you hit someone, it's your fault." If someone hits you, it's also your fault.

[@DK-uq7bq]

Spanish? Pokito!!!! I was thinking 500 or so for rental budget. Dont want to be in a bad place just go down and live for three months see the ocean and come home in the winter. Maybe its not doable? I see these videos of people going down is it safe? I have no clue? Not looking for trouble just a good time by the ocean.

[@telerover]

contact Karen Stewart at seaside-realty.net/meet_our_agents.php TOLL FREE 1 888 586 7388 Call us! USA 520 225 0098 | Mx. 226 21 88 I think there is small condos available in San Carlos. nothing is very far from the beach. mostly Canadians and Americanos here, but sign up for lessons here. the Mexicanos will love you for trying to speak Spanish and will help you. the Policia will not hassle you in San Carlos.

[@nattat9737]

I was there last week l feel I could have had a more luxurious vacation in the US with the money I spent there much safer and closer we got jet ski paid $120 and could not drive it because after 5 minutes there was waves my son who is 17 didn’t feel comfortable they did not want to give any of the money back we just left they have a bad attitude and want to rip you off

[@pvbeach9543]

She kinda of nagging 😂🤣😂

[@eutimiochavez415]

Why done u talk norm to see these people they know English

[@richardfritz8695]

México look dangerus 😮

[@kendramendoza8166]

Hhahah it is dangerous for stupid people so never come here bby

[@justme-bb4qt]

@@kendramendoza8166 Savage 🤣

[@justme-bb4qt]

Seriously, there is more chances to be killed in Phoenix by road rage than randomly getting killed in rocky point

[@mikecrook8434]

The entire video was delightful fun to watch, but my listening experience was compromised because of your dull companion's backseat driving reminders about one thing or another, which was goddam annoying. You should have taken your dog with you and told her you'd pick her up at a suitable airport the upcoming week if she wanted to fly out.

[@Cornfed_Off-road]

Why would anyone want to go to Mexico?

[@pumasgoya]

to get away from you.

[@rbholmes29]

@@pumasgoya many people have different views on that but the adverse or different culture of a new country is very appealling to me. I am a Canadian and love the simple life, a new country to explore, and a new language to get immersed in. Travelling is a great way to learn and grow. Now if i could just learn the Spanish language better, that would be a bonus!!

[@rudedawg397]

Fuel up before you cross the border, get your snacks before you cross the border, you went the wrong way, if people want to get lost they should watch this boring video...why do you make a video if you don't know what your doing or where your going. Leave the videos to people that know what there doing and where their going. This video doesn't help you to get around, it's for people that know how to travel though this area so they can laugh at people that are making video's like this, that really don't know what they are doing. You are doing a dis-service to the Mexico people by doing this stupid stuff like this. Rocky point is a really cool place and you make seem bland, It's a great place don't watch videos like this and make up your mind.. Rocky Point is great. Just avoid people this that make videos that are so boring. Viva Mexico!