San Carlos
San Carlos is a small coastal town on the Sea of Cortez in the Northern Mexico state of Sonora. Popular with retirees who migrate seasonally to escape cold Canadian and northern U.S. winters, the town is famous among scuba divers who come for the clear waters and the abundance of interesting dive sites. National Geographic magazine named San Carlos as one of the top 10 ocean views in the world. It is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.
Understand
Get in
By plane
The closest airport to San Carlos is in Guaymas (GYM IATA), but as of 2024 it serves only private aircraft. The best airport for commercial flights is Hermosillo (HMO IATA) (officially, but never called "General Ignacio Pesqueira García International Airport"). Hermosillo is served by AeroMexico, Delta, and Volaris via Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. From the U.S., Hermosillo is served by American Airlines via connections through Phoenix.
By car
San Carlos is an 8-hour drive south of the U.S. border (Nogales crossing). From the border crossing, drive south on federal highway MEX-15. After about 5 hours, you'll pass through the city of Hermosillo. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants, and gas stations here if you're planning a highway break. From Hermosillo, continue south on highway MEX-15 another 3 hours and you'll reach San Carlos. There are tolls along the way and tolls must be paid in cash, which means pesos, not dollars or any other foreign currency.
By bus
Tufesa operates first-class buses every 2 hours from Hermosillo to Guaymas. The 2-hour trip costs about M$200. Taxis from Guaymas to San Carlos will cost about M$100 for the 10-minute ride.
Get around
The marina area of San Carlos is easily walkable but you'll probably want a car to get around the area. Local buses are available. Outdated travel guides may refer to ferry service across the Sea of Cortez. Unfortunately, Baja Ferries discontinued its service to San Carlos several years ago.
By car
Rental cars are available in the Hermosillo airport from several international companies. Taxis are commonly used and your hotel front desk can call a radio taxi on request. You will also find taxis at sitios near the Plaza Los Jitos and near the Marina Terra Hotel. Taxis are usually available at the sitios between 08:00 and 20:00.
By bus
Local buses serve San Carlos and Guaymas. Buses run every 20 minutes from 06:15 to 19:00, and then hourly until 23:00. The bus route through San Carlos runs down Blvr. Beltrones, past Marina Terra to Marina San Carlos. Fares range from M$50 to M$100 for a ride to Guaymas.
By boat
San Carlos has two marinas and a large number of boats that can be hired for fishing trips, scuba diving, or sightseeing.
- 1 Marina San Carlos, Sector la Herradura, ☏ +52 622 226 1061. Large full-service marina with facilities for visiting boats. Captains available for hire for fishing and sightseeing tours. Large parking lot (M$50). Coffee shop, restrooms, laundry and other visitor services.
- 2 Marina Real, Marina del Rey Local 3, ☏ +52 622 227 0011. Daily 08:00 - 17:00. Nice full-service marina in a smaller, less busy part of town.
See
San Carlos is known for its spectacular natural landscapes of beaches, canyons and rugged rock formations straddling land and sea.
- Mount Tetakawi is the iconic peak, looming 200 meters above San Carlos. Many hiking trails criss-cross the park.
- Playa los Algodones (Cotton Beach) gets its name from its delicate white sand dunes.
- San Pedro Nolasco Island is a protected natural area known for its offshore dive sites and its colony of sea lions.
- Cañon de Nacapule is a deep ravine with a hiking trail that passes through tunnels and open vistas.
- Sahuaral is a forest of cacti up to 20 meters tall. Some of the cacti were young when the Jesuit missionaries passed through the area 500 years ago.
In town
- 1 Parroquia San Carlos Borromeo, Gabriel Estrada plaza comercial s/n, Caracol Turístico. Beautiful baroque-modern church with a fascinating angled wood dome and a very traditional looking facade. Peaceful gardens. Offers a Saturday vigil mass at 16:00 that is in English and oriented toward for the foreign visitors.
Do
- Snorkeling
- Golf
- Fish
- Kayak
- Windsurf
- Sail
- Whale watching
Diving
Scuba diving is a major reason why visitors travel to San Carlos. Several protected islands in nothern Sea of Cortez have off shore reefs that are home to myriad species of fish, seabirds, and aquatic mammals. San Pedro Nolasco Island is particularly well-known with more than a dozen dive sites along its shores. Various bays, islands, points, and wrecks provide abundant chances to see a rich diversity of aquatic life and spectacular underwater scenery.
- 1 El Mar Diving Center, Manlio F Beltrones L-263 Sector, Crestón, ☏ +52 622 226 0404. Daily 08:00 - 17:00. Large dive shop with friendly bilingual staff (Spanish-English). Instruction available. Wide range of equipment. Various dive trips available including wrecks.
- 2 Gary's Dive Shop, Km. 10 Blvd. M.F. Beltrones, ☏ +1 520 370 7187. Daily 08:00 - 17:00. Full-service dive shop with daily dive trips to popular sites including a trip to dive with sea lions.
- 3 Ocean Sports, Blvr. Gabriel Estrada, ☏ +52 622 226 0696. W-M 09:00 - 16:00, closed Tu. Small full-service dive shop with PADI instructors and guided trips to off-shore reefs and other dive sites.
Golf
The only publicly accessible course is San Carlos Golf Club. There may be other golf courses in Hermosillo.
- 4 San Carlos Golf Club, Interior Campo de Golf SN, ☏ +52 622 226 1102. Good place to get out on the browns and tee off.
Nature watching
- Estero el Soldado (Soldier's Estuary), Blvr. Bacochibampo. Protected natural area rich in verdant green set against a reddish-brown background and sparkling blue waters of a sheltered coastal lagoon. The estuary is a quiet nesting area for aquatic sea birds and birdwatchers can be rewarded with frequent glimpses of herons, gulls, pelicans and other feathered mariners. Kayaking is permitted in the quiet shallow waters.
Pickleball
Pickleball is the world's fastest growing sport and it's very popular among the Canadian and American expat community in San Carlos.
- 5 San Carlos Pickleball, Av. C y Calle VII. Daily 08:00 - 22:00. The courts are maintained by a private club that charges dues to use the facilities. Lessons are offered and the club hosts occasional tournaments and special events.
Buy
Pearls are harvested in the waters near San Carlos. Local shops in San Carlos and in Guaymas offer locally harvested pearls.
Eat
- 1 Mariscos el Rey, Tierra y Orion, Blvd. Manlio Fabio Beltrones, Ranchito Campestre, ☏ +52 644 272 0028. Daily 08:00 - 20:00. Family friendly seafood restaurant that is part of a small regional chain. Serves an eclectic mix of traditional Mexican dishes and traditional American dishes. At breakfast you can get huevos rancheros and chilaquiles, or pancakes and omelletes. Large shrimp cocktails. M$300 (M$100 at breakfast).
- 2 Charly's Rock, Blvd. Manlio Fabio Beltrones Km 9.5 Sur, El Creston, ☏ +52 622 226 0888. Daily 09:00 - 21:00. Nautical theme open-air palapa style beachfront bar and seafood restaurant. The best seats are at the rail looking out at the sea as fishing boats glide in and out of the harbor and seagulls fly overhead. Once your food arrives, don't get up or the seagulls will swoop in and snatch it. They like the cooking just as much as the tourists!
- 3 Piccolo, Blvd. Manlio Fabio Beltrones 337, Ranchito Campestre, ☏ +52 622 226 0503. M W-Sa 14:00 - 22:00, Su 07:00 - 21:00, closed Tu. Popular Italian-inspired cuisine. The ossobucco is recommended. Sunday brunch buffet is a San Carlos institution. M$300.
- 4 Chihuahua's, Blvd. Manlio Fabio Beltrones, Sol, ☏ +52 622 226 1253. Daily 11:00 - 19:00. Big family friendly restaurant serving Mexican seafood along with a smattering of American and Italian dishes. The best choices are the various Mexican-style shrimp dishes, from huge butterflied coconut shrimp to the zesty Camarones Oaxaca with a garlicky cheese sauce. At breakfast, the shrimp and bacon omelletes are the bomb. M$300.
- 5 Jax Snax, Plaza Comercial Creston, Blvd. Manlio Fabio Beltrones S/N-Lote 10, El Crestón, ☏ +52 622 226 0270. Daily 07:30 - 22:00. Popular fast-food place serving burgers, milkshakes, pizza, sandwiches, and fries. Many people like the Hawaiian burger at Jax Snax but some still prefer the ones at Big Kahuna Burger.
- 6 Hammerheads, Blvd. Manlio Fabio Beltrones, ☏ +52 622 226 0152. W-M 11:00 - 23:00, closed Tu. Nautical themed casual restaurant serving seafood and American style burgers, fries, pizza, sandwiches, salads, etc. Outdoor dining deck with excellent views.
Drink
Along the beach are dozens of seaside bars and grills serving cold drinks and antojitos (light snacks).
- 1 Marvida Taproom, Muelle Iguana, Blvr. Gabriel Estrada Edificio “A, Marina, ☏ +52 622 124 1624. Th-Tu 12:00 - 22:00, closed W. Casual craft brewery taproom with 4 light bodied ales on tap and a menu of basic bar food. Tacos are the kitchen's strong point. M$150.
Sleep
- 1 Los Jitos, Blvd Tetakawi, Avenida los Seris Km 11, Country Club, ☏ +52 622 226 0093. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with spacious minimally furnished rooms that have balconies. Rooftop pool. Attracts a younger party crowd. M$1000.
- 2 Marinaterra, Blvr. Gabriel Estrada s/n, Sector La Herradura, ☏ +52 622 225 2020. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with large minimally furnished rooms with balconies and marina views. Attractive grounds with swimming pool. M$2000.
- 3 Casa Magdalena, Cam. de los Mayos 400, Country Club, ☏ +52 622 181 1977. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Beautiful property with landscaped courtyard, swimming pool, palapa with hammock, and jacuzzi. Large comfortable rooms. M$2600.
- 4 Hotel Hacienda Tetakawi, Caracol Turístico, Blvd. Manlio Fabio Beltrones s/n-Km 9.5, ☏ +52 622 226 0220. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with large rooms and dated furnishings. Pet friendly. Swimming pool on-site. Close to town and across the street from the beach.
- 5 Sea of Cortez Beach Club, Paseo Mar Bermejo Parcela 7, ☏ +52 622 227 0374. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Large oceanfront resort hotel with activities, large well-appointed rooms, swimming pool, waterfront with beach chairs, outdoor grills, restaurants and bars. Outdoor dance floor on the beach.
- 6 Sawari Hotel, Blvd. Manlio Fabio Beltrones 1212, ☏ +52 622 226 1818. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Large, new high-end resort hotel. Spacious, clean, well-furnished rooms. Secured off-street parking. On-site restaurants and bars, including an open-air palapa bar. Swimming pool area has a large jacuzzi. Family friendly with kids play area. M$3600.