Visiting Rocky Point and Cholla Bay Mexico

A vist to Puerto Penasco and Cholla Bay offers the exotic charms of a foreign locale within easy travelling distance of many U.S. locations.  There is much more to see and do there than immediately meets the eye, so knowing a little about the sights and pleasures of the area will makre your Rocky Point adventure even more enjoyable and exciting. 

The People are friendly and many speak English, so communication is generally not a problem.  In fact, quite a few Americans have retired here or moved to open businesses, so you're likely to feel  "at home" in this wonderful Country if your like us. 

The beatuiful beaches, which stretch for 100 kilometers along the surrounding coastline, have long been a major attraction for tourists.  The warm, sunny climate and the abundance of ocean wildlife add to the appeal of this seaside retreat.  Swimming, snorkeling SCUBA diving, water skiing, parasailing, and other water sports can be enjoyed virtually all year long, not to mention the wonderful fishing.

Had enough sun and surf?  There's lots more to do!  Shopping in the Old Port area of Rocky Point offers sights, sounds and bargains to be savored.  You'll find everything from open-air stands to upscale boutiques featuring fine art, local craftsmanship, clothing, and furnishings from rustic to elegant.  Stroll the Malecon, the closest street to the water, and browse the shops while pelicans soar above the the shore of rocks for which the locale is named.  Then wander up through the narrow streets and discover the welter of shopping opportunities that pepper the area. 

You will have lots of retaurants and eateries to choose from.  These range in style from cantinas that cater mainly to the native clientele, to dining establishments so Americanized they actually import some of the ingredients from the States.  Prices generally are extremely modest compared to what Americans are used to paying.  Most places have bi-lingual menus and prices in pesos and dollars.  Step inside a check out the atmosphere, decor and availavle views.  Somewhere in town is the perfect little spot for your next meal. 

Puerto Penasco is also a great jumping off point for other nearby attractions.  North of town is the eccentric, largely American community of Cholla Bay which is famous world wide for  Xochitls restaurant and JJ's Cantina!  South of town, numerous beachfront areas are worth a visit.  En route to Las Conchas, stop in and visit the local Aquarium, a small but ingeniously devised exhibit that's a treat for adults and children alike.  Not far from there is CEDO, the intercultural Center for the study of Deserts and Oceans, a kind of natural history museum open to the public and offering a variety of tours, lectures, exhibits, and nature walks.  For the more adventurous, the bizarre, volcano-formed cones and craters of the Sierra del Pinacate, or the ocean wilderness of Bird Island, are within day-trip distance of town. 

This short article by no means exhausts the possibilities available to tourists visiting Puerto Penasco, but it provides a idea of the breadth of attractions that can be enjoyed.  Lots of Americans have never considered this charming Mexican getaway by the sea.  It's our contention that the Rocky Point vicinity has attractions equivalent to those of Southern California, but of a wholly different flavor.  Enjoy your new experience!

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