Sonoran Spa Resort

Nestled along the shores of the tranquil Sea of Cortez and surrounded by rolling sand dunes and the sprawling Gran Desierto de Altar lies the northern resort town of Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. This lively Mexican town, also known as Rocky Point, blends the modern amenities of resort living with the charm of old Mexico. The ancient nomadic peoples that crossed the Bering Strait tens of thousands of years ago vastly explored the Sonoran Desert and the Sea of Cortez. Much later, the Hohokam Indians realized the incredible wealth and opportunity held by the abundant waters of this warm Sea. After the Spanish Conquest of Mexico, in the early 1500’s, missionaries were sent to settle the lands and convert the people. Father Kino, one of the most infamous of the missionaries, passed through Puerto Peñasco in the late 1600’s. After Mexican independence in 1821 and during the struggle for power that followed, Puerto Peñasco was deserted. In 1910, a new revolution took place in Mexico and Sonora’s “Pancho” Villa obtained notoriety and respect.

The more recent town of Puerto Peñasco traces its beginnings to a humble fishing village. The town began to grow in the late 1920s, when these fishermen discovered the vast bounty of shrimp beds and American-owned hotels began to appear. But, it wasn’t until the 1950s, when the road from Sonoyta was paved, that tourism really began to take hold. In 1952, Puerto Peñasco was recognized by the national government as a city and a local government was formed, headed by Victor Bustamante. The 1970’s saw massive development projects by the Mexican government and a large increase in size of the fishing fleet. Now, Puerto Peñasco boasts modern hotels, luxury rental homes, beachfront condominium developments, first-class restaurants, water and exploration activities, shopping, and exciting investment opportunities.

Mexico is an intriguing mosaic of ancient Indian heritage with a Spanish European colonial influence. Most of Mexico’s current traditions are based around the religious events and customs of the highly revered Catholic Church. However, many of these event as well as others offer a unique mix of native Indian influences and ideas. In Puerto Peñasco, 75% of people have emigrated, fairly recently, from other parts of Mexico and bring with them a rich and varied group of traditions and customs. Cinco de Mayo, Day of the Dead in November, the Christmas Posadas and Independence Day in September, are all wildly celebrated with colorful festivities, music and parades.