The State of Sonora has many attractions to offer due to its exceptional geographic location where sea, desert and mountains, combine to create a wonderful environment of beauty and contrast.
Due to its extraordinary location, Sonora has developed into a fascinating tourist destination. The cities are abundant in legends and history; go for a swim in the clear sea, relax on its stunning beaches or marvel at the imposing desert that merges with the rugged mountainous region.
During your vacation in Sonora, you will be able explore and admire its history and traditions, which to this day are kept intact in many of its villages. By following the " Mission Route" you will get to know the small towns which were witness to the evangelization process led by the Jesuit Priest, Eusebio Francisco Kino. The Rio Sonora Route is the best way to experience the ancient customs, culture and contemplate the colonial architecture of the region. Along the Yecora Route, visit villages located along the mountain range, it is an ideal destination for hunters. On the Sierra Alta Route, travel to the eastern part of the state to the highest point of the Sierra Madre Occidental. The Sierra Mar Route is the perfect destination for those who enjoy ecotourism, guaranteeing them unbeatable experiences and a direct contact with nature.
Because of the natural diversity found in Sonora, an enormous quantity of aquatic and recreational activities, ecotourism, hunting and adventures can be had, you can also, visit its numerous historic buildings and quaint villages.
Cerro de la Campana
A must on the list for all travelers, Cerro de la Campana has a natural elevation of 300 meters and at the top there is an observatory named 'El Caracol'. Here is the perfect spot to enjoy the breathtaking sunsets of Hermosillo. The hill is the hypothetical "keeper of the city" with its cobble stoned access to the top. It was one of the decisive factors when deciding where the city Hermosillo should be constructed.
Our Lady of Ascension Metropolitan Cathedral
Located in Hermosillo's Zaragoza Plaza, the "Our Lady of Ascension" Metropolitan Cathedral stands majestically, with a combination of Neoclassial and Baroque architecture; its two towers and dome finished with Caravacan crosses. The construction was started in 1877 and finished in 1908.
Sonora Museum
Take time to visit this interesting museum that displays, in its 18 halls, the historic development of the State of Sonora. Live the past through a history tour of the prehispanic cultures, the missions, the autochthonous resistance and modern history. Beside its permanent exhibition halls, this important museum, located in the building that was previously the old penitentiary of Hermosillo, has 4 halls where works from around the world are displayed.
The Sonora Ecological Center
Located in Hermosillo, the Ecological Center is fun and informative for both adults and children alike. It has an ecological reserve with an area of 217 acres where a great variety of flora and fauna, typical of the various regions of the state can be appreciated. Here, you will find birds, reptiles, deer, sheep, sea lions and exotic animals while you enjoy a pleasant environment and a relaxing day out.
Three Towns Square
In the city of Hermosillo you will find the "Three Town Square" an area that preserves the original faade of San Francisco Javier de Batuc church, built in 1758 by the priest Alejandro Rapicani and the site that evoked the legend about the disappearance of the towns Suaqui, Tepupa and Batuc.
Ethnic Cultures and Indigenous Museum
This museum has five great halls dedicated to Sonoran culture. Aspects of all the different ethnic groups are exhibited through the mediums of pictures, handcrafts and clothing. The museum is also known as Casa Hoeffer (Hoeffer House), since it was a property of the Doctor Alberto Hoeffer, who began the building's construction in 1904. Without any doubt, it is a great place to start uncovering the State of Sonora's history when you visit Hermosillo.
The Sauceda Recreational Park
An excellent, well equipped recreational park in Hermosillo. It features beautiful wide open expanses, to walk, or your children to safely play. It is renowned in Mexico as the best recreational park and features Sports areas, water slides, pools, grills, palapas, and an interactive museum know as ' La Burbuja ', where your kids can learn while playing and having lots of fun. All in all a great day out for all the family.
Plaza de Armas Ignacio Zaragoza
If you enjoy indulging in the traditional, typical images of a city, coupled with an amazing sunset, then visit Plaza de Armas. It is surrounded by representative buildings of the region, the main attraction being the antique bandstand from Florence, Italy.
Our Lady of Carmen Chapel
This is one of the oldest and most splendid buildings in Hermosillo's. Built from 1837 to 1841, at the expense of Don Pascual Inigo, who was a wealthy industrialist of the region. When he died; the property was donated by his wife, Trinidad de Anza, to the Franciscan Third Order. The Chapel has great importance for the population and has been witness to the history of Hermosillo.
Kino Bay
Definitely, this is one of the best attractions just one hour away from Hermosillo; tranquil and relaxing with white sandy beaches, it is the ideal place for all water sports. Kino Bay is a picturesque place where a small fishing town merges with a newer development of white buildings and simple architecture.
Next to the Bay you will find the Seris Museum, which displays an interesting collection of handcrafts, attire, musical instruments and pictures of the Seris culture. Another interesting attraction of the area is Tetachora Hill, whose natural formation gives the area an unparalleled, unusual beauty. There are also marshes, bays and much more to discover in this stunning paradise on earth.
La Pintada
Take a 37-mile journey south from Hermosillo and you will come across this mountainous region, where the natives from this area sheltered from the Spaniards. Here you will find an excellent exhibition of cave paintings printed by the Seri and Pima cultures. La Pintada was known as 'Macizo Del Cerro Prieto', 'Sierra Libre' or 'Sierra Prieta; here there are also a lot of caves used to bury there dead and it was also was used in the past as a sanctuary.
More than 2000 cave paintings have been discovered in La Pintada, which apparently were related to hunting and fertility rituals, depicting animals and humans. In the main, colors like yellow, orange, black, white and ochre, from mineral origin and elaborated with iron oxide and ground limestone, were used. The animals are depicted with arrows in their bodies to symbolize the success of future hunts, among other animals many pictures are of donkeys and deer.
Tiburon Island
From Kino Bay, it is a 30 kilometer drive to Punta Chueca, a place where you can visit the imposing Tiburon Island. Separated from the Continent by the Infiernillo Strait and covering more than 1200 square kilometers, it is considered the biggest of the Republic and still inhabited by the Seri tribe.
Here, you will also find a great variety of resident and migratory birds, (observation points available) and a considerable amount of different reptiles. The astonishing natural beauty lends itself to a great environment for the pursuit of water sports, such as; diving, snorkeling and fishing. It is a protected zone and a true sanctuary of nature, where studying animals like the big horn sheep and white tail sheep, turns into an unforgettable experience.
Fundadores Seawalk
An Extraordinary place for enjoying the sensational sunsets of Puerto Penasco; here the Luis Donaldo Colosio Plaza and the representative sculpture of 'El Camaronero' (The Shrimp man) are located. The Fundadores Seawalk is surrounded by restaurants, bars and handicraft shops of the region, a great place to spend the day.
Aquarium CETMAR (Center for Technical Studies of the Ocean)
A center of marine studies, located in Puerto Penasco, with access to the general public where you can learn everything about the many different species that live in the ocean around this area, such as manta ray, turtles, octopus, numerous varieties of fish and other marine life.
The Pinacate Biosphere Reserve and The Great Altar Desert
A protected area, spanning 714,557 hectares of exotic natural beauty, which includes part of the municipalities of Puerto Penasco, Plutarco Elias Calles and San Luis Rio Colorado. Approximately three quarters of the reserve is covered by moving sand dunes and the rest is composed with the volcanic rock of El Pinacate, El Elegante, El Cerro Colorado and Mc.Dougal craters. Due to the similarity of this engaging area with the moon's surface, it has been used in the past by NASA as training ground.
Puerto Peñasco Beaches
The amazing Sea of Cortez embellishes Puerto Peñasco with its numerous golden sandy beaches, among them "Sandy Beach" with a tranquil swell and surrounded by modern tourist buildings, or the more crowded Playa Hermosa, perfect for aquatic sports, also available are hotels and trailer parks. In Playa Mirador, besides swim in its clear Pacific waters, you will have the opportunity to indulge in the festive atmosphere of local restaurants, bars and nightclubs around the port; Las Conchas Beach is an exclusive residential zone which main attraction is the clarity of its waters and fine sand.
Puerto Peñasco Beaches are the perfect setting to indulge in water sports such as fishing, sailing, diving, and snorkeling; undoubtedly a location full of emotion and adventure for those who visit it.
Intercultural Center of Desert and Ocean Studies
This didactic center, located in the Las Conchas community, in Puerto Penasco, displays a great collection of marine mammal and bird bones, the highlight being an enormous whale skeleton. Venturing into the impeccable maintained gardens you will find an extensive variety of plant species from the desert region.
San Jorge Bay and Island
Located between Caborca and Puerto Penasco, with an area of 130 squared kilometers, you will find 'San Jorge Bay and Island' a Federal Reserve area, which houses an abundance of charming birds and the chance to observe the sea lion population. It is considered as the biggest one nationwide and provides the opportunity to go diving, snorkeling and sport fishing.