Hermosillo Activities Guide

The missions
During the 17th century, Eusebio Kino undertook the difficult task of converting the state of Sonora and the adjoining territories to Christianity. The first mission established among the Pima Indians was near Cucurpe, 238 km from Hermosillo. This was followed by Cocóspera, Caborica, Tubutama, Pitiquito, Caborca and Buquivaba, among others. There are remains of the old churches in all of these places.

Arts and Crafts
Seri handicrafts, produced in the village of Kino Viejo, located 107 km outside Hermosillo, are legendary. Make sure you visit the Museum of the Seri with its fascinating collection of handicrafts.

Beaches
A few miles outside Hermosillo you can sunbathe on the beaches at Bahía de Kino and Bahía de San Carlos. The gentle waves of El Mirador, Playa de Oro and Playa Bonita in Puerto Peñasco are ideal for swimming.

Bahía Kino
Divided into two parts (Kino Nuevo and Kino Viejo), this beach is a weekend destination for the inhabitants of Hermosillo, a city only 107 km away. Apart from the fine sand, gently sloping beaches, normal-sized waves, and blue-green waters, this spot is interesting for the Seri handicrafts sold there and the view of Tiburón island, which is best seen from Punta Chueca.

Puerto Peñasco
Located between the Altar desert and the Gulf of California and about 543 km from Hermosillo, Puerto Peñasco is a developing tourist center with pleasant beaches with gentle waves, good services, and warm, transparent water, ideal for water sports. The best beaches are El Mirador, de Oro and Bonita.

Cuisine
In Hermosillo, you can try the delicious Chivichangas made with wheat flour tortillas, the Camarones Costa Brava, shrimps prepared with Chihuahua cheese and bacon, cocido and the famous mochomos. For dessert, we suggest the delicious Coyotas.

Ecotourism
Topahue Nature Reserve lies 40 km outside Hermosillo, on the way to Ures. It has a pleasant wooded area, outdoor grills and a man-made waterfall.

Cajón del Diablo
This region, 110 km southwest of Hermosillo, has been a protected Wildlife Reserve since 1937. It became a protected area because excessive hunting threatened to drive such animals as deer wild boars, game hen and doves into extinction. The vegetation in this area is typical of that of arid areas in Mexico and the climate is extreme.

Centro Ecológico
This Center is just south of Hermosillo and is inhabited by white-tailed deer and Cimarron sheep. Visiting this place is an invitation to reflect on the importance of preserving the planet's flora and fauna.

El Pinacate
Although El Pinacate is 500 km from Hermosillo going towards Mexicali, this Biosphere Reserve is notable for its volcanic cones and the xerophilous vegetation of the Altar desert consisting of cacti and underbrush. This desert is inhabited by pumas, sheep, deer, falcons, and turtles.

Isla Tiburón
In 1963, 120,800 hectares of this island situated opposite Bahía Kino were declared a Biosphere Reserve in order to provide protection for its birds, including eagles, falcons, bobo birds and blue-footed birds, as well as its animals, such as deer Cimarron sheep and desert turtles.

Fishing
Sport fishing enthusiasts can catch carp, tilapia and sea bass in the lagoons of El Novillo and El Oviachic. Bahía de San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco abound with marlin, sailfish, dorado, Spanish mackerel and yellowjack.

Golf
Hermosillo City has two golf courses, together with a relatively near one in the port of Guaymas.

Club Campestre de Hermosillo
This small, quality golf course designed by Larry Hughes has 9 holes par 72 and a 6234 yard course.

Club de Golf Los Lagos
Designed by the renowned firm Graham & Panks International on 195 acres and inaugurated in 1994. It has 18 holes par 72, and a 6830 yard course.

Club de Golf Marina de San Carlos
In addition to an impressive marina, it has a beautiful golf course designed and built by Dye Corporation. It has 18 holes par 72, with a 5858 yard course.

Historical Interests
The Palacio de Gobierno in Hermosillo contains murals depicting episodes from Sonoran history, while the Mausoleo Misionero del Septentrión in Magdalena Kino documents Father Eusebio Kino’s tireless work.

Alamos
The streets and old mansions in Álamos, one of the most beautiful towns in the state of Sonora, are a reflection of the history of the 18th century, the time when this became the most prosperous city in the northwest of Mexico. The wealth came from the mines that, during the years 1864 to 1896, provided the metals for minting gold, silver, and copper coins.

Horseback Riding
The beautiful city of Álamos, near Hermosillo, provides horseback riding enthusiasts with everything they need for a tour of the surrounding area.

Museums
The Museum of Sonora in Hermosillo City has eighteen halls open to the public, where you can admire objects, writings and pictorial works related to local history.

Night Life
Hermosillo has several attractive places where you can have dinner and enjoy a drink while you listen to live music and dance to disco music.

Bule-bar Rock & Disk
Blvd. Kino & Yocupicio
T: (52 662) 210-2186

Casino's
Blvd. Rodríguez No. 15
T: (52 662) 210-5625
Restaurant, bar, sports book

Cheves And Grill
San Luis Potosí & Blvd. Rodríguez
T: (52 662) 214-5719
Rock from the 60s to the 90s; live music

Coubo Bar
Blvd. Rodríguez & Nayarit
T: (52 662) 214-2266

El Callejón
Serdán No. 171
T: (52 662) 212-4514
Bar, tacos, and live mariachis

El Grito
Pino Suárez No. 72, between Serdán and Hidalgo
T: (52 662) 217-5337
Bar, tacos, band from the state of Sinaloa

El Rincón de Venancio
Juárez, between Veracruz & Tamaulipas
T: (52 662) 210-1689
admin@rincondevenancio.com 
Comedy club

Emporium
Primero de Mayo No. 104, between Blvd. Kino & Nayarit
T: (52 662) 210-8554
Disco bar that attracts a young crowd

Excalibur Pool
Campeche No. 80 & Luis Donaldo Colosio No. 597-A
T: Snacks, billiards, bar

Fiesta Bananas
Juárez & Tamaulipas
T: (52 662) 253-4429

Sailing
The famous Bahía de San Carlos has a well equipped marina offering all you need for fishing and sailing.

Shopping
The International Airport of Sonora has shops where you can buy top-quality beef, specially wrapped for taking home.

Snorkel & Scuba
Although the city of Hermosillo does not have places for diving, you can explore the underwater world a few miles away in Bahía de San Carlos, Puerto Peñasco, Punta Sargento, Isla Patos and Isla del Tiburón.

Water Sports
The beaches of Peñasco and Bahía de San Carlos provide everything you need for jet-skiing, banana boats and water-skiing.