Entering Mexico (Entry Requirements)

This depends on which country in which your visit originates. If you are from the U.S. or Canada, you will need your passport or notarized birth certificate with state issued ID. Please note that effective January 2007 all Canadian citizens need a passport if going to Mexico via USA.

 You will also need a "tourist card" unless you are traveling for less than 72 hours within the border zone (usually no further than 20 miles south of the U.S. border except in Baja California and Sonora which have extended their zones). If you are from any other country, you will need to check with the Mexican Embassy or Consulate nearest you.

Driving to Guaymas-San Carlos

Only Sonora Program

Guaymas-San Carlos is located in the state of Sonora north of Mexico. The program ‘Only Sonora’ allows foreign travellers to enter their vehicles at no charge or special permits. The program applies to central Sonora, Guaymas-San Carlos, Hermosillo until the city of Empalme. You can drive to Guaymas-San Carlos, Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, Caborca, Father Kino Missions, Magdalena and Santa Ana without the time consuming process of obtaining a car permit.

Now, paperwork to obtain the decal for visiting the interior of the state of Sonora will be done at a new checkpoint located at kilometer 98 on Highway 15, just south of the Guaymas-bypass on the road between Ciudad Obregon and Empalme.
Sonora will temporarily continue to staff a booth at the 21  Km. checkpoint that will take paperwork from vehicles that are returning to the US.
Minimally, the elimination of this paperwork means a savings of 15 minutes. A permit is not required for travel to Rocky Point and other border cities, which are classified as "free-zones." If required for a permit you must show: proof of Canadian residency; a driver's license, proof of vehicle ownership.

For more information visit: www.gotosonora.com