Anyone driving into and around Puerto Peñasco these days will find the city in a continued state of transformation and detours. While the end result is set on meeting the local administration’s goal of improving various aspects of the city’s image – (Calle 13 and much of Blvd. Juarez for example, except for the remaining stretch) – in the meantime both residents and visitors alike find themselves navigating new routes to and fro.
Local officials once again ask the community of Puerto Peñasco and tourists who reach our shores to be patient and understanding as much of the work entails replacing outdated sewage lines before being able to put in new roads filled with hydraulic concrete, hence having to pull up asphalt on many of the only streets in town that had it in the first place.
Driving tips
Around town:
- To access Old Port – Yes, entry to the Old Port/Malecon is open and will require patience, good tires, and a bit more time from now through at least March 31st. Currently, when headed to Old Port, there is construction on Blvd. Juarez starting at “anchor”, which will eventually extend toward Terranova. For the Old Port, take detour (DESVIACIÓN) [Yellow line] next to movie theaters and along dock area before doubling back to main entrance of Old Port (next to pharmacy).
- Access to Latitude 31, Kaffeehaus, and Whale Hill (Casa de Capitan) is technically open on dirt road [Orange line] at beginning of construction area (Feb. 12). Plans are to begin paving this stretch with hydraulic concrete at beginning of March, which will then need time to cure before heavy vehicular traffic can transit here. However, options for parking from off the detour are planned so people can walk to some of these spots (We are still figuring out what additional information there may be for access to Whale Hill while concrete is “curing”).
- Turning onto Calle 13 from Blvd. Juarez – Remember once the Pescado was put in at the intersection of Blvd. Juarez and Calle 13, when coming from the South there is no longer a left turn off Juarez onto 13. Prior to construction on the short-cut by the movie theater, we used to recommend turning near Circle K and then right before reaching up with Calle 13 at stoplight. This is somewhat possible with good tires and on dirt roads, though a preferable method is – Turn right on Blvd. Kino (after train tracks) and then take first left onto Constitución (across from City Collections office [Centro de Recaudación], continue along Constitución to Ave. Miguel Hidalgo (approx. 3 blocks), turn left on Hidalgo (which turns into Calle 13).
Highways
- DO THIS! Seriously, do this!! When driving to Puerto Peñasco from Sonoyta on Highway 8, turn right at intersection for “Golfo de Santa Clara” toward Laguna del Mar. Turn left after train tracks (STOP SIGN) and take road toward Sandy Beach (passing the wind generator). You can easily double-back into town on either the “newer” road past the Convention Center or the boulevard in front of the condo area. If coming in on the Coastal Highway (from San Luis Rio Colorado) continue straight toward Sandy Beach.
In case you don’t take the turn-off to meet up with the Coastal Highway/Road to Sandy Beach – when coming in from the North:
- At the first large detour (DESVIACIÓN) signs coming into town, you can veer left (Blvd. Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez) or turn right (Blvd. Samuel Ocaña). If you choose to veer left, carefully maneuver potholes and turn right at 2nd stop sign – this will take you back to Blvd. Juarez (the completed section) and into town.
- If you choose to turn right, take the newly paved Blvd. Samuel Ocaña up to the large construction arrows, prompting you to turn left on a dirt street, then right on another dirt road at your first opportunity (running parallel to Ocaña) which will then meet up with the paved Av. Constitución. Turn left and continue into town (this will also intersect with No. Reelección [stoplight] giving you the option to turn right on road toward Playa Bonita / Sandy Beach).
- When driving South out of Puerto Peñasco along points toward Mayan Palace, please use extreme precaution with pot holes and road conditions. We strongly encourage traffic to/from Caborca or Hermosillo take the highway from Sonoyta south. This may entail double tracking up to Sonoyta in order to then head South, however time will be made up due to the condition of the highway.
