Rocky Point for dummies
People who have never been to the beach town, also known as Rocky Point, may be apprehensive because they don't know how to travel into Mexico or how to find lodging. Here's how to plan a perfect getaway.

About Rocky Point
Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point, is only 60 miles south of the Arizona border, and is a mere four-hour drive from either Phoenix or Tucson. It's the closest beach getaway for most folks in the state and while it's been a popular vacation spot for decades, it has only recently come into its own as a resort town.

Rocky Point itinerary ideas
Ready for some fun upon arrival Friday night? Margaritavilla downtown is a good place to start. The owners are Americans, and will be able to answer any questions you have about the area if your Spanish isn't up to par.

Rocky Point spas
Rocky Point has officially arrived on the upscale tourist scene with an All-American buzzword: spa. The Sonoran Spa Resort, a posh beachside condo complex, opened Rocky Point's first full-service spa in May 2002.

Rocky Point lodging
Lodging in Rocky Point ranges from bare-bones to the luxurious with prices starting at next to nothing. Whether you're camping on the beach or enjoying a full-service resort, the views of the Sea of Cortez are always first-class. Here are a few ideas.

Rocky Point dining
Eat at a roadside stand on the run or relax with a first-class meal with sunset views. It's all here, for every taste and budget - although it must be said, even Rocky Point's best is surprisingly affordable. Dress is casual everywhere.

Side trip: Sierra Pinacate
While hundreds of U.S. citizens streak down Mexico's Highway 8 each week to roast on the beaches of Rocky Point and partake of the nightlife, hardly a handful know that just a few miles away lies a stark and startling landscape of yawning craters, lava "waves" and spatter cones, known as the Sierra Pinacate.