Veo La Mar Guidebook

Daylight driving is recommended traveling from the border to Puerto Peñasco. Watch the speed limit and stop at “Alto” signs! This is particularly true going through Sonoyta just as you cross into Mexico. IMPORTANT - the speed limit signs in Mexico are in kilometers, 40kph = 25 mph, 20 kph = 12 mph. Once you clear Sonoyta the roads are pretty good and there are no stop signs or lights until you reach Puerto Penasco aka Rocky Point! The Sonoran Sea Resort is about 1 hour away once you pass through Sonoyta.

OFFICIALLY, all travelers 16 years and over require a passport book/card at all land border crossings INTO the US. And, Mexico law requires all US citizens to have a passport book to ENTER Mexico. UNOFFICIALLY, you can cross with a driver’s license and birth certificate INTO the US, but this can change. Without a passport/card the US border agent can delay you while they verify your citizenship. Currently, the Mexico border guards at Sonoyta do NOT routinely check for passports. This can also change at any time.

Children 15 years and younger only need a birth certificate (copy is fine) to enter into the US. If the child is accompanied by 1 parent or non-parents, the child should have a notarized letter from the other parent or signed by both parents stating: "I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult| with my permission."

On January 1, 2019, Mexico made it mandatory that ALL vehicles must have liability insurance issued by a Mexican insurance company. Beware, liability insurance does not pay for damages to your vehicle or theft. Liability only insurance is not recommended for vehicles that are worth more than a few thousand dollars in value. You can purchase Mexico car insurance just for the days you need it online or at one of the many places advertised as you travel towards the border. We have used Alejandro Portugal SEGUROS (http://alejandroportugal.com/) and Sanborn’s (https://www.sanborns.com/).

US Dollars are accepted everywhere, so there's no real need to get pesos for your visit. However, it is less expensive to pay with pesos especially if the vendor offers a low exchange rate. Bring small US bills to the beach as many vendors (jet ski, boats, drinks) won't have change. Be prepared with lots of 1's, 5's, and 10's. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at larger stores and restaurants. Some places will charge a 3% fee for credit cards. You may need to call your credit card bank before you go to let them know you are traveling to Mexico. Always leave tips in cash!

There is a chilled bottled water dispenser in the condo that is safe to drink. It has a 2.5 gallon jug and you can get refills from the front desk as needed. I recommend you ask for bottled water when you go out to restaurants. Bringing your own water bottle is never a bad idea!

It is best to reach the border before noon on busy days, i.e. Friday or holiday weekends. You can search for the Lukeville border on google maps and select the “Traffic View” to check on any possible delays. The Lukeville/Sonoyta Border Opens at 6am and closes at 8pm. The hours are extended to 10pm on select holidays. Mexican guards at the border may have you pull into the center for a quick search after you get a green light to proceed forward. Simply unlock your doors and trunk and wait outside the car. Take your wallets, purse, money, passports with you. This only takes a few minutes.

Please note no guns, weapons, or drugs are allowed in Mexico and marijuana is illegal to transport across the border! You are allowed to bring personal items (clothing, 2 cameras, sports equipment, 1 laptop, etc.) with you into Mexico. You can also bring new items with a value of up to $300 USD per person. Have your receipts available. If you have more than the allowed amount of merchandise and fail to declare voluntarily, your vehicle and all other items can be confiscated. You must also declare at the border if transporting more than $10,000 US cash, checks, money order, etc.

If you are pulled over by the police act respectfully and be prepared with pen and paper to write down the police car number, policeman's badge number, name, time, and location. If the officer does try to ticket you DO NOT pay him/her on the spot as this is a bribe! The normal procedure is the officer will take your license and have you follow them to the police station to get your license back after you pay your fine ($100 USD or $2000 pesos CASH for speeding). Infrequently there are checkpoints outside of Sonoyta. The police randomly have cars pull to the side of the road to check/search.