Rocky Point, Mexico - Puerto Penasco - General Tips & Advice Reviews

So I took a quick trip to Puerto Panasco, Mexico aka Rocky Point, from Phoenix, AZ, a 3.5 hour trip. As soon as we got into Mexico, we got pulled over. After the cop took the driver's license of my friend's, he was gone for ten minutes. What's he going to do with an American license?! He comes back and asks the year of the car, so that he can write it on the ticket he is issuing for running a stop sign. To his credit, there really was a stop sign we both missed. After convincing him to not confiscate the drivers license that he was going to drop off at some unknown location for us to pick up later, we handed him a $20 bill and off we went.

We stayed in a $171/nite condo called Marina Pinacate. Super nice pool, although we didn't have time to check it out up close. I'd advise everyone to not pay too much less than what we did, although I haven't seen any other hotel rooms. I just can't imagine a $65/nite hotel there is going to be clean, with basic amenities working.

Went to the ocean, which was warm like bath water. There are lots of locals selling everything from hammocks (I got a long one for $25), turtle statues made of wood (seems like they love turtles there), cheap jewelry (got a necklace for $1), and food (ice cream, papaya, etc.)

We ate at two restaurants, both good, and reasonably priced. We ate fillet mignon, which wasn't really fillet, but good steak nonetheless. Of course, you can't drink the water there.

Lots and lots and lots of stores around the fish market for you to pick up souvenirs.

Let's talk about the nite scene for a moment...ummmm looks like something out of COPS. Pretty trashy, and not really my crowd. I'm 27, and I'd say the median age is probably more like 20. Lots of people out on the street, tons of cars blaring music, lots of drunk yelling. The bars are pretty dirty inside, nothing spectacular to see for sure. I've been to bars in other third world countries and they blow these away. I guess because it is a spring break destination, it's supposed to be run down.

One of the highlights of the trip was watching this man at the pharmacy nonchalantly order his viagra along with the morning paper. Too funny. Lots of places to buy drugs of your choice.

Getting over the border was no problem, since both of us were U.S. citizens I think.

I'm sure we'll go again one day, but just don't have too high of expectations when you go. And I wouldn't recommend going anywhere near spring break time!!

Sorry, no photos. I forgot to bring my camera:(