This route guide Nogales to Mazatlan starts when you cross the border at Nogales, AZ to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. There is a reasonable amount of text to explain why you don’t get your vehicle papers or immigration permits at the border.
There are maps and suggestions of side trips if you aren’t in a hurry to get to the beach towns of San Carlos, Sonora (across from Guaymas) or Mazatlan, Sinaloa, another day’s drive. Not all hotels are in the resort areas. I’ve checked out the ones on the road so you can feel safe about choosing a hotel where you can get in and out early in the morning.
You need a permit for your vehicle (TIP) to travel south of Guaymas or east of Imuris. If not, there is a “Sonora Only” permit that costs less. But it still needs to be returned to authorities before you leave Mexico.
Don’t Miss Alamos
Most everyone knows about San Carlos, Sonora. With its deep blue waters, marina, deep-sea fishing, it is well-known. But if you want to see some colonial Mexico, don’t pass by Alamos, Sonora. This cobblestone street, block stone building fortress from the Spanish conquest is a treat for the beach-weary. My roadlogs tell you exactly where to turn and what to expect when you get there.
Mileage chart: Nogales, Sonora to Pto. Vallarta, Jalisco
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