Getting to San Carlos
Water Sports in San Carlos
A getaway to San Carlos is more than just dipping your toes in the white sandy beaches and sipping tropical drinks along the gorgeous blue waters of the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. And, don’t get us wrong, that is strongly encouraged. But, there’s also plenty of adventures to be had in the area too, which is known for its large diving community.
Check Out the Marine Life while Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is a popular activity due to the plethora of marinelife, as well as the optimal diving conditions. The water temperatures can reach 85-90°F during the summer months but stays relatively warm all year in the shallow areas. The underwater visibility can exceed 100 feet and sometimes even up to 200 feet deep near San Pedro Nolasco Island. Other popular diving areas include Martini Cove, Double Point, Eagle Rock, Catalina Island, Frenchie’s Cove, and many more.
Take a Snorkeling Trip
Deep water diving not for you? Give snorkeling a try. Gary’s Dive Shop is a great local resource for snorkeling, and scuba diving as well. They have snorkeling expeditions to see sea lions up close on your way to Seal Island or on an adventure to explore the Aquarium Cove. There are chances to see mammals, birds, fish, and more. There are combination fishing and snorkeling excursions too if you want to spend even more time out on the water.
Take a Guided Kayak Tour
What better way to see the area than on a guided tour? You can see the migrating birds up close in the mangrove areas, where over 38 varieties have been spotted. You can also travel to the two nearby islands and see birds or dolphins. There are also tours for light tackle fishing, which are custom tours. Check out the San Carlos Aquatic Adventures to book your tour. There’s also opportunities for lessons if you’re not accustomed to using a kayak.
Hit the Water with Your Boat
Wanting to take your boat out and explore the area? Maybe do a little water skiing or tubing? Consider the vacation rentals at Marina Real, a condominium resort near the entrance of Playa Algodones. They give you all the luxurious amenities you need, plus the space to store your boat during your extended stay in San Carlos. Check out Casago if you’re looking for more vacation rentals in the area – they make searching easy and booking convenient.
Make sure to take full advantage of your trip and get out in the water. There’s so much marine life to see, plus the gorgeous waters and breathtaking scenery. Check out the mountainside, the sunsets, the beaches; Mother Nature is really showing off when it comes to San Carlos.
Other Travel Information
Explore more travel information
Frequently Asked Questions
Located on the western coast of Mexico, the best way to travel fast is to use the Hermosillo airport. Regular flights from Mexico City, La Paz, Monterrey, Phoenix, Guadalajara, Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Culiacan, Mexicali, and Chihuahua arrive at the airport. US Airways has daily non-stop flights from Phoenix, Arizona to Hermosillo Airport. Once you land, you can pick up a rental car or hire a taxi. You can also reach Guaymas bus station with a taxi, and travel to your rental home from there. Online travel sites and travel agents can be contacted in advance to book flights and give you the most accurate San Carlos travel information. You can use the preparatory phase of your trip to secure your travel and trip by booking vacation rentals.
Driving to the waterside community is easy and safe on the highway from Nogales, Arizona. The road is full of interesting landscapes that you can enjoy while traveling. The highway reaches Hermosillo where you will continue south onto Mexico Highway 15 that connects with Sonora 17 Highway West. Keep on it until you reach San Carlos. Stops along the way include drinks, food, gas, and restrooms. There are toll roads along the way, so be sure to have pesos with you. Follow the speed limits around Hermosillo and San Carlos to avoid any fees. Always carry your US passport, and be sure to get Mexican car insurance if you are driving.
Once you reach the community, you can get around by using a taxi, bus, rental car, or ferry. In town, taxis can be picked up in front of the Marina Terra Hotel or the Plaza los Jitos between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. You can ride around the town for anywhere between $3-$6 dollars. Modern buses go around the resort. The buses take off every 20 minutes from their starting place and operate between 6:15 a.m. and 7 p.m. Three late buses depart at 8, 9, and 11 p.m. The bus goes through Boulevard Beltrones, through Marina Terra, and towards the Marina San Carlos end.
Ferry boats are an easy way to reach mainland Mexico and return. Vehicles can also go on the ferries. San Carlos travel information can be acquired on site together with booking of vacation rentals for the perfect all-inclusive trip.
In San Carlos, summers are short, with temperatures in the 90s or above, and the skies partly cloudy. In contrast, the winters are warm and mostly clear. There are basically two seasons in San Carlos: the hot season, which lasts for 2.2 months, from March 22 to May 30, with an average daily high temperature above 94°F; and the cool season lasting for 3.1 months, from November 3 to February 6, with an average daily high temperature below 85°F.
The best time of year to visit San Carlos for warm-weather activities is from early December to early March.
As the sun dips below the horizon, travelers will have no shortage of bars, nightclubs and lounges to choose from. Enjoy drinks with friends, hit the dance floor and mingle at these San Carlos hotspots:
- Hammerhead’s – popular sports bar with big TVs, draft beer and happy hour specials
- Froggy’s – Live music, cheap margaritas and ale, Froggy’s is where the locals go to party
- Shots Bar and Restaurant – Located in the marina, features live entertainment on Friday and Saturdays and is a terrific bar to enjoy sunset cocktails
- Tequila’s Restaurant and Bar – Known for their delightful margaritas, Tequilas has a dance floor and features live music every weekend
San Carlos is a prime example of why the Sea of Cortez is known as “The Aquarium of the World”, from being biodiverse. This makes it ideal for sports fishing and scuba diving, and also a scientists’ natural laboratory. The ocean is a habitat for 40% of the earth’s mammal species, including over 900 fish species and the widest variety of dolphins and whales on earth.
Snorkeling, Kayaking, Scuba
The destination is rich in marine life, so take a day and view the coral reefs, dolphins, turtles and more. How about scuba diving? If you aren’t certified, there are local outfits that give lessons. La Posada Cove is an especially nice spot for going out for a snorkel or to take a kayak out for a paddle.
Whale watching, visiting sandy beaches, scuba diving in “The Aquarium of the World,” visiting El Soldado Estuary, and visiting Sonora Dolphinarium are some of the things to do around San Carlos.
Mountain climbing
You can hike to the top of the Tetakawi Mountain. It stands at 200 meters above sea level.
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