Happy New Year to everyone! - from myself, our sales staff, and the entire Sonoran Resorts organization. We wish you all the best in the new year! And, just where did 2018 go? It seems like just yesterday that I was trying to get used to putting the new year of 2018 on everything and now it's time to change it again. Time flies when you're having fun :)
We had another very good year in 2018, I have no doubt that this year will be great as well. Rocky Point continues to attract new admirers and the Sonoran Resorts continues to stay very busy and on top. This is a good time of year to come preview our listings if you're thinking of buying as during the busier times of year many of them are rented almost back to back and they're hard to see.
Other than the cold front coming through and some fairly strong winds for a couple days, this winter has been very mild. Of course, mild for us means temps in the 60's or even 70's. Some may consider that downright balmy when comparing the the sub-zero temps that much of the USA sees every winter. Well, all I can say is that you can come here whenever you've had enough of those cold winters where you're living now. Puerto Penasco will be happy to have you and you'll be glad that you made the move. I know that I am.
Guess I'll keep this commentary short so that I can finish up in time to usher in the new year.
Enjoy your month, come to Rocky Point if you can, and if you need anything don't hesitate to ask. Let me put my experience and expertise to work for you, and remember, as always, I've been here full-time for almost 11 years and I am more than happy to help you with whatever you need, whether Sonoran Resorts related or not.
Just give me a call or send me an email any time and I will do my very best to help you. If I can't help you myself, I'm sure that I can point you in the right direction and help find you someone who can.
Please check out some of our condos for sale along the right column.
You can see all of our listings by going to our website:
Besides our website, you can also see our listings at the following:
AMPI Puerto Penasco MLS
Point 2 Agent Multinational MLS
Tucson Association of Realtors MLS
Phoenix Association of Realtors MLS
Prescott Association of Realtors MLS
Northern Arizona Association of Realtors MLS
Pick up a handout at any of our Sonoran Resorts
Barrett Jackson Show - Scottsdale and Las Vegas
Our listings are also shared with the following:
IMPORTANT: Some email providers cut this newsletter off before it's finished. If that happens on yours, please scroll to the bottom of this email and click "View Entire Message" to see the entire newsletter.
Sincerely,
Jim Ringquist
Broker/Director of Sales and Marketing
Sonoran Resorts Spa - Sea - Sun - Sky
602-476-7511
President/Volunteer
Tourist Assistance Unit Advisory Committee
602-774-1777
I hope that you enjoy my newsletter and continue to recommend it to your friends. Please feel free to give me thoughts, suggestions, or ideas for future newsletters. Puerto Peñasco is my home and I love to share the news and goings-on with you.
I do get email requests each month asking me to add someone to my list. While I certainly don't mind doing so, all you really need to do is click
Join Newsletter Mailing List
, add the email address, and it will happen automatically. Not to worry - I will not spam you or share your email address, and you will only receive one email-newsletter each month on the 1st.
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Sonoran Resorts Share the Love (and Funds) from Las Vegas Night for Charity 2018
By Joe Houchin
Since the very first Sonoran Resorts Las Vegas Night for Charity in July of 2012, which was a total success, this festive event has become one of the most anticipated and fun happenings of the year in our little slice of paradise by the sea.
Las Vegas Night for Charity is the brain child of Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Sonoran Resorts, who wanted to organize a vehicle for raising funds to help the efforts of charities like the city of Puerto Peñasco Family Assistance fund, known as DIF, a partially state sponsored system that has focused on providing food, medical supplies and medicine to families in need for over 40 years. Because of Jim's natural attention to detail, as required in every real estate transaction, thus was created a highly tuned, smooth running vehicle that, in its very first event, raised the largest single donation ever received by DIF.
What goes into making such a smooth-running fund-raising vehicle like Las Vegas Night? In the interest of transparency and clarity let's raise the hood on this unique vehicle and view the precision parts that were assembled to make Las Vegas Night a perennial favorite among the Rocky Point loyal frequent visitors and expat residents alike.
Every effective fund raiser requires a strong framework to keep the vital moving parts-the engine, if you will-stabilized and in sync. Jim accomplished this-in spades (couldn't resist)-by enlisting, actually, enticing his friend, Randy Van Hulle who, since 1987 has built a highly successful career with his own company, Ace Casino Rentals of Tucson, through which Randy has developed extensive casino expertise having organized and served over 3,000 corporate casino functions. Randy and his wife, Linda, love Rocky Point and eagerly accepted the offer to put them up in a luxurious Sonoran Sky beach front condo with all their meals in exchange for their volunteering to essentially run the event, train the volunteer dealers and emcee the festivities. Linda helps with training and actually volunteers as a dealer. They bring several of their own professional dealers with them as well. Jim takes care of the lodging and meals for the dealers, too.
Randy's contribution to the success of Las Vegas Night is virtually incalculable. His endearing personality and motivating teaching skills have attracted Jim's entire sales team as volunteers.
The framework for Las Vegas Night couldn't be stronger and the well trained and synchronized "moving parts" of the fund-raising engine couldn't be more effective.
Also, of vital importance to the success of Las Vegas Night is the quality of the buffet, which is included with each ticket. Fernando personally selects the chef each year and consults in the lay out and positioning of the buffet line and cash bars around the casino.
And then there is the matter of soliciting, collecting and positioning of over 100 prizes donated each year by the very generous and cooperative Rocky Point businesses. This process begins months ahead of the event and continues right up until the night of the event.
If you weren't already aware of the daunting amount of detail involved in putting together an event of this magnitude to keep 300 generous, fun-loving guests satisfied and occupied for the evening, you can now at least imagine all the other essential details that must be addressed to ensure an evening of flawless fun, such as the printing and distribution of Posters, PR announcements and articles, collateral giveaway items included with
the ticket price, to name a few.
This brings us to a very important but rarely clearly defined part of the fund-raising event: The Proceeds. We've all read this declaration: "All proceeds go to the [designated] charity." Proceeds, as defined by Dictionary.com, actually has two meanings. The first one is the total amount derived from a sale or other transaction. The second definition: the profits or returns from a sale, investment, etc. Or, in other words, proceeds could mean the net revenue remaining after deducting the costs associated with making the event happen. The truth is, and it is understandable if you consider most fund raisers are put together by small non-profit organizations, use of the term "proceeds" more often than not means net proceeds after deducting costs.
Just based on the items we've isolated above, net proceeds remaining after costs for lodging and meals, food, even if the buffet personnel were volunteering their time, costs for supplies and collateral material, etc. would leave a big dent in the amount actually donated to the charity.
Well, you can bask in the confidence that every penny you spend on tickets and extra chips will be given to the charity we name. Sonoran Resorts picks up the tab for everything included with your ticket price: the buffet, casino chips, casino Black Jack and Roulette tables, lodging for the out of town volunteers, even those cute cloth Sonoran Resorts bags full of gift goodies you get when you sign in at the door.
The fact that Sonoran Resorts pays all those expenses from their own account is more than just a generous act; it defines Las Vegas Night for Charity as a truly altruistic endeavor, bringing comfort, confidence and trust to our guests and emphasizes the true meaning of charity. We sincerely hope this trip "under the hood" of our Las Vegas Night vehicle has given you more understanding-and appreciation for the depth of our commitment to the Puerto Peñasco community.
October's newsletter reported on where the funds from the 2018 Las Vegas Night for Charity were donated, which included scholarships for more than 25 deserving students through DIF, repairs to the Cetmar school bus in cooperation with the local Rotary Club and providing the required school uniforms for 60 kids who would not be able to attend school without them, in cooperation with the Adopt-a-Classroom charity founded by Barb and Mark Olszewski over 20 years ago.
We also teased about another small surprise planned for a special group of deserving people that would take place during the holidays. That surprise took place on December 11, at Casa Hogar Home for the elderly, during which a team from Sonoran Resorts Corporate office, including our CEO, Fernando X. Anaya, catered and served lunch to the grateful residents and supervising Sisters of this much deserving facility.
We hope to see your smile at one of the Black Jack tables in our next Las Vegas Night for Charity in July.
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Sonora Closes 2018 with Production of 70,000 Tons of Shrimp
Once Again, Sonora Leads the Country in the Shrimp Harvest this Year
Sonora closed the year with a production of 70,000 tons of shrimp, with the majority of the catch (65,000 Tons) happening since November 1st, stated Marco Antonio Ross Guerrero, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture division.
The Undersecretary said that 2018 has been another positive year for the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the State in the production of foods of high nutritional value and of providing quality jobs, thereby contributing to the economic improvement of fishing families. Total production has been over 600,000 Tons including all different species being harvested for consumption.
The tilapia, he said, reached 3,500 Tons, and added to the catches in the main reservoirs like the Oviachic and the Novillo, which has a current harvest amount of 4,500 Tons and a record 7,500 Tons, respectively.
Ross Guerrero estimated that in the capture of shrimp both in the bay and on the high seas, 100,000 Tons will be reached this season, of which 70 percent is exported, mainly to the United States.
"Regarding the sardine we can also speak of a positive year, exceeding 370,000 Tons. That is more than 129,000,000 cans of sardines, an important option for direct human consumption due to its high nutritional quality. Although most of the production of Sardine is processed for flour, it has a relevant impact on other productive chains and it is the basis for most diets and food supplements, he said.
The cannon ball jellyfish had an atypical year, reaching the unusually high figure of 72,000 Tons in a fishery that, due to its capture structure based only on panga style boats, generated an important economic benefit for smaller fishing families, mainly in the area of El Golfo de Santa Clara in the Upper Gulf of California, said the undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
He mentioned that the Crab (Jaiba) fishery, with more than 7,000 Tons, represents another important sector for fishermen and processing plants.
Sport fishing tournaments, said the official Sagarhpa, have been encouraged year after year and in 2018, there had been 31 official tournaments, generating another significant economic impact.
He added that all this work has been the task of the fishing industry producers and the government, which have positioned the fishing and aquaculture sector, once again, as one of the most dynamic and socially impactful in the state.
The associated sector is estimated to benefit around 40,000 families, both in the production processes and in the capture, transformation, and packaging processes.
He stressed that more and more fish and seafood of higher quality are consumed in Sonora and in the country, which in the medium term generates better standards of health and well being in society, due to the nutritional value of these products.
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TOURIST ASSISTANCE UNIT, AS FIRST RESPONDERS, SAVE ANOTHER LIFE IN DECEMBER AND MUCH MORE
By Joe Houchin
In the relatively short time since Mayor Kiko Munro inaugurated the unique Tourist Assistance Unit in Puerto Peñasco and their reputation for service to visitors has garnered accolades from both Mexican and American tourists who have benefited from interaction with these courteous, bilingual agents.
It's amazing how they seem to appear out of nowhere to assist tourists who find themselves in trouble for whatever reason.
"My girlfriend and her daughter flipped their quad way off the road in that low desert area between the Sonoran Sea and town. One of those Tourist Assistance guys was there almost before the dust settled and lifted the quad back on its four wheels", related Frank Nuñez, visiting from Phoenix, "the girls were looking all around and asked the guy how he got there so fast. He told them he saw what happened from the road above and headed straight to them. They weren't hurt or anything so all is cool."
The TAU agents receive training in various skills almost every week, which has accelerated their ability to provide quality assistance in an ever-growing range of services. In December alone, the unit attended joint training classes with the Puerto Peñasco Police in personal defense techniques and use of fire arms. Their training is ongoing and covers myriad aspects of tourist related skills, such as first aid, CPR, environmental protection and English classes.
Shortly after his first term election, Mayor Kiko Munro demonstrated his understanding and foresight for the importance of the city's preparedness to serve the imminent burst of tourism growth as the economy recovers and the popularity of Rocky Point beaches reach record levels as a result of aggressive promotions in the nearby U.S. and Mexican states.
His more obvious actions include the improvement of streets, installation of overhead street lights and street signs, and, of course, the inauguration and certification of the Tourist Assistance Unit, which is the first of its kind in the State of Sonora. According to state sources, the TAU may be the first, but will not remain the only tourism-specific security unit in Sonora or the country of Mexico.
With his second full term as Mayor underway, most agree that we can look forward to even more refined tourism services that will increase return visits by the many who enjoy the secure, friendly atmosphere of our little slice of paradise by the sea, lead by the skilled professional Tourist Assistance Unit.
Anticipating continued growth of TAU, the Mayor-appointed President of the Tourism Assistance Advisory Committee, Jim Ringquist, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Sonoran Resorts, is making space in his widely read monthly newsletter for a regular column dedicated to u
pdating his readership on current developments with the TAU as well as reports illustrating important visitor interactions by the TAU agents that result in the saving of a life and other critical first responder rescues.
If you've been involved in an emergency or other situation that involved the assistance of a TAU agent, we would love to hear your story. This is important as a means of supporting the continued funding of this needed organization. Please don't hesitate to contact Jim at his email and or phone number listed in this newsletter.
Among a long list of incidental services provided by the TAU agents in the month of December, it is important to note that only last week two agents received an emergency radio call from a condo on Sandy Beach requesting urgent assistance and ambulance for an
individual who was unconscious and had stopped breathing. The caller feared he might be dead. The TAU team arrived before the ambulance and used their skills to apply CPR to the victim until the ambulance arrived. By the time the paramedics arrived, the TAU agent had restored the victim's breathing, saving his life. He was rushed to the San José clinic where a physician diagnosed the victim as suffering from an overdose of alcohol and drugs. He was discharged a few hours later in the care of family and friends.
In another incident around that time frame, an alert TAU agent sighted a suspicious looking individual on the beach and noticed the numbers on the side of his red ice chest that he recognized as the condo unit number of one of the beach front resorts. Upon inspecting the contents of the ice chest, the agent discovered several DVD's and TV remotes. The thief was apprehended and turn over to the resort security team for further processing. This is why TAU personnel are welcomed along the beach on their daily patrols.
You will recognize TAU presence because they wear khaki pants and white shirts with "AUXILIAR TURISTICO" printed on the back. When you see one, thank him or her for their service. You will surely make their day!
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Whale Watching Season is Upon Us!
Looking for an excuse to visit beautiful Rocky Point? How about to catch sight of majestic whales in the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez?! That is correct; Humpback Whales and Grey Whales take up temporary residence in the Sea of Cortez to bear their young in the winter. From January to March the sea beckons the large mammals because of the warm waters, creating the perfect environment for the whales to give birth.
Their journey is quite amazing. It has been estimated that Eastern North Pacific Grey Whales travel 20,000 km round trip from their feeding grounds off Alaska and the Beaufort Sea to the Sea of Cortez. That's 12,400 miles just to come to our waters! Humpback Whales typically travel 25,000 km each year feeding only in the summer in polar waters and migrating to warm waters to give birth in the winter.
These whales travel quite a distance to arrive in the waters off the Rocky Point shores. Fortunately for visitors from Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Calexico, El Centro and all the California´s Imperial Valley Area, it is not quite so lengthy of a journey! Approximately 4 hours drive to Rocky Point.
Puerto Peñasco, Sonora a.k.a. Rocky Point is easily accessible to tourists from Arizona and California; especially in this season where great deals are to be found at area hotels and condominium resorts. With average winter temperatures of 70 degrees in January, 72°F in February and 77!F in March, this is a fantastic time to visit and see these unique spectacular nature show!
While some have managed to see whales breach right from their balcony as well as from the beach, a better option is to book a whale-watching excursion. Companies offering these excursions know where to go to increase your chance of whale sightings. Most excursions also offer snacks and drinks on board. Sounds like an afternoon on a boat in 70 degree weather with a cocktail is the perfect weekend or weekday Winter getaway!
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Clínicas Médicas de Puerto Peñasco Celebrates 20 Years Attending the Health and Well Being of the Population.
This year, the binational civil association Medical Clinics of Puerto Peñasco will celebrate 20 years in performing services to support the health and needs of the people of this city, with more their annual campaigns offering medical specialties and other services.
Loly Martinez, director of the organization of Americans and Mexicans, said that in 2018, more than 5,800 people have been attended during a 28 day period, in the facilities of the Words of Hope Community Development Center, in Colinia San Rafael.
She explained that eleven days were focused on general medicine and attended the needs of 4,700 people, followed by providing 900 people with much needed dental treatments and 220 people in the area of optometry, providing exams, treatments, glasses, and special treatments.
She added that the service has also been growing in infrastructure, to the extent that there are already more than eight buildings for community service and attention, with an addition of services assisting people in need, providing low cost prosthetic limbs to 17 people in need of prosthetic arms or legs.
Loly Martinez stressed that it has been extremely satisfactory to work in the San Rafael area, following up on the efforts that had begun 19 years ago by Doctor George Stavros and his wife, Susie Stavros. She stated that the program will continue with full confidence and, together it is possible to do anything.
Martinez also
stressed that in another facility named "Words of Hope Community Development Center", located in Callejón Juan Aldama, next to the Carlos Cáñez Tiznado Sports Unit, medical consultations, lens support, help for surgeries, care for pregnant women, and adaptation of orthopedic devices and prostheses are available.
In addition they offer physical therapies, adult counseling, counseling for students, training in first aid, physiotherapy, beauty courses, languages, crafts, computers, carpentry and other trades.
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Tax to be Reduced on Gasoline and Diesel in Northern Border Region
Measure will reduce the gap in prices between Mexican, US sides of border
The federal government will remove the IVA value-added tax from gasoline and diesel in the northern border region, the economy secretary said yesterday.
The measure will take effect January 1 as part of the introduction of a northern border free zone, where the IVA will be reduced across the board from 16% to 8% and the maximum income tax rate (ISR) will drop to 20%.
Graciela Márquez Colín told a press conference that taking the tax off fuel would "reduce the gap" between gasoline and diesel prices on the Mexican side of the border and those on the United States side. ". . . What we're trying to do is close that gap to stimulate companies and provide them with lower energy costs," she said.
"These measures, [lower] energy prices and tax incentives are accompanied by a twofold increase in the minimum wage . . . The minimum wage on the northern border is going to be 176 pesos [US $8.80] . . ." Márquez added.
A liter of regular gasoline in the northern border region currently costs on average 20.03 pesos (US $1), the newspaper El Sol de Tijuana reported. Without IVA, the same liter of fuel would cost 16.83 pesos (US $0.84).
". . . The important thing here is the relief on consumers' hip pockets," said Alejandro Borja Robles, president of the Tijuana Gas Station Owners' Association.
"Money that is saved will be used in other businesses, which logically will be a benefit for all. You can see the will of the government to support the border region, something that we hadn't seen in more than 18 years," he added.
Borja also said the removal of the IVA from fuel would encourage people who usually fill up their cars in the United States to do so at home.
The president of the Baja California College of Economists praised the government's decision to eliminate the IVA on gasoline and diesel as well as the implementation of the free zone.
"Everything that can be done to stimulate companies and make them more competitive looks good to me," Domingo Ramos Medina said.
He added that investment in the border region, consumption and employment would all increase.
The free zone and higher minimum wage area will apply to 43 municipalities in six states. Puerto Penasco will be included in these border region changes.
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New Senate Port of Entry Bill Gets Backing in Arizona
The U.S. Senate has put aside partisan differences to present a bipartisan bill meant to assess our ports of entry, including two here in Arizona, and strategize a way to cut down on wait times and boost resources at the border. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) introduced the United States Ports of Entry Threat and Operational Review Act that calls on the Department of Homeland Security to undergo the assessment and implement a plan of efficiency.
According to the bill, DHS would be required to look at ways to reduce wait times at U.S. ports of entry as well as oversee changes to the Customs and Border Protection staffing requirements for all U.S. ports.
"This bill is an important step forward," said Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), in a statement. "Efficient and secure ports of entry benefit the entire country and help drive economic growth across the United States. We appreciate Senators Cornyn and Peters in working together in a bipartisan effort on this important bill. The health, security and vitality of our ports of entry is something that impacts us all."
The FPAA and the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) have both come out in favor of the bill, citing its companion bill (H.R. 6400), which was introduced by Arizona Rep. Debbie Lesko in July.
"I am thrilled my bill to secure our border by analyzing our ports of entry for threats and vulnerabilities is one step closer to being signed into law," Lesko said.
The goal of reducing wait times would reduce costs on shippers and increase competitiveness. A major way that ports of entry can speed up processing times is to have adequate staffing according to a port's trade volumes.
"The issues addressed by this legislation are critical," BTA Chair Paola Avila said. "Reduced wait times increase the competitiveness of our economy by reducing costs on shippers, which are ultimately passed on to consumers. One of the most effective ways to reduce wait times is to ensure that staffing levels at a port are commensurate with the location's trade volumes."
Take Yuma County's
San Luis Port of Entry
that sees about 2.5 million people enter the United States through it every year. Having the right resources and staffing has allowed the surrounding southwestern part of the state to see a $3.2 billion return toward the economy through agricultural assets that come and go through San Luis.
"We look forward to continuing to work closely with the House and Senate to move this bill forward and to ensure the Senate language on secondary inspection areas and food safety are in the final draft that passes Congress," added Jungmeyer. "We are committed to working closely with members of Congress on this important initiative."
The bill also shines a light on the role of cross-border produce trade, a huge factor in Arizona's overall economic impact. The DHS would be directed to determine whether improvements are needed to meet food safety standards during more in-depth inspections that occur at ports of entry. For instance, there are about 10,000 farm workers that pass thru San Luis every day, which represents the role that farming products (i.e. fruits and vegetables) play in the state.
The goal is to have the bill adopted by the Senate in full and sent to President Trump's desk within a short time period, since there is still a great deal of business to be taken care of at our ports of entry in the U.S.
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Potpourri - Short Shorts of All Sorts!
Sometimes so much is going on in our little slice of paradise by the sea that we can't address the many short subjects with proper attention. To handle the hodgepodge of dangling subject matter, we invented the Potpourri Page. Here are a few "short shorts" to keep you up to date.
Art for Abuelos
Donate a piece of art, photographs, or drawing to help spruce up the rooms of residents at the José Dávalos Casa Hogar home for the elderly. You can drop off donated art pieces on Jan. 19th 10 a.m. at the rear entrance to Casa Hogar....or beforehand at the offices of RockyPoint360 (Plaza Pelicanos across from Shrimp Park) if you like. Gracias!!
Sonora Presents Initiative to Ban plastic Bags
Plastic straws were recently banned in Sonora and the logical followup will be to ban single-use plastic bags. An initiative has been presented for approval outlining the plan to ban the ocean-choking plastic.
"In Mexico, more than 15 initiatives, laws and regulations at the state and municipal levels, seek to reduce the consumption of disposable plastics. In Tijuana, I am sure we will see more efficient waste management and disposal systems, and local governments efforts like this one also contribute to beat plastic pollution globally," said Dolores Barrientos, UN Environment representative in Mexico.
13 million tons of plastic leak into the ocean each year. Plastic pollution is one of the great environmental challenges of our time, and we need to reduce the heavy burden it poses on people's health, environment and wildlife. By 2030 the world may produce 619 million tons of plastic every year.
US Virtual Consulate Office Hours
If you have questions or concerns that you'd like to discuss with a Consulate representative, please join us during Office Hours. These will be held from noon until 2:00 p.m. on the dates listed below. Please visit the Office of Economic Development on the first floor of the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) in Puerto Peñasco, where an American volunteer will connect you with us via Skype.
What: Virtual U.S. Consular Agency Office Hours
Where: Ayuntamiento Office of Economic Development (first floor of the Ayuntamiento) Blvd. Benito Juárez
Who: All U.S. citizens and family members are welcome to attend
When:
Thursday, January 10, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 31, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 21, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 14, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Office Hours will be hosted by the American Citizen Services Chief and a member of the local staff. We sincerely hope you'll join us with your questions and concerns, and we look forward to seeing you.
If you have questions about the Virtual Consular Agency, please send us an email at
[email protected].
Diver Dies After Suspected Shark Attack Off Sonora
In a very rare occurrence, a diver near Puerto Penasco was killed by an apparent shark attack. It is speculated that he surprised the animal when jumping into the water, causing the attack.
Nahum Verdugo, 37, a commercial diver, had gone to work in an area known as Haway, 10 kilometers southeast of Isla San Jorge, and about 28 nautical miles from Puerto Penasco. Local police said he was attacked as soon as he entered the water, leading to speculation that he frightened or even jumped on top of the animal causing an defensive attack. It is extremely uncommon for sharks to attack humans unless threatened or they perceive the person as one of their prey animals, such as the many sea lions in the area.
His companions saw his body floating on the surface and when they brought him on board their boat realized he was missing a leg.
They rushed him to Puerto Peñasco where he was pronounced dead. An official autopsy found that he had most likely been attacked by a shark.
Red Cross Warms Residents with Hot Chocolate
The Mexican Red Cross, Puerto Peñasco delegation, on the morning of Saturday, December 22, volunteers cheerfully delivered 120 cups of steamy hot chocolate and 120 delicious pieces of cake to Rocky Point families in various areas of town.
The treats were donated by an anonymous person, identified only as a "female from Cholly Bay".
Tickets Still Available for January Jam 2019
Check out the 4-team adult amateur baseball tournament at Francisco León García Stadium - plus a Free Baseball clinic on Saturday morning, Jan. 19th, 8 am - 9 am for area youth 14 yrs and under.
Dates: January 18-20
Game times:
Jan. 18th Friday 12pm and 3pm
Jan. 19th Saturday 9am and 12pm
Jan. 20th Sunday 9am and 12pm
** Free entry for fans **
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Gov. Ducey and Gov. Pavlovich Sign Cross-Border Agreements
Governor Doug Ducey co-signed three Memoranda of Understanding with Sonora Governor Claudia Pavlovich at the Comisión Sonora-Arizona/Arizona-Mexico Commission 2018 Annual Meeting Plenary Session in Hermosillo, Sonora.
The signed agreements aim to support economic development in the region, coordinate emergency services between the two states and expand current youth education programs.
"Our region is safer and more prosperous because of collaboration between Arizona and Sonora, our deep history of collaboration has resulted in valuable cross-border initiatives that contribute to the quality of life for people in both states," said Governor Ducey. "I am proud to come together with Governor Pavlovich to continue strengthening the Arizona-Mexico connection through these joint agreements that support cross-border commerce, increase safety across our region and expand STEM education programs."
The first agreement was
Coordinated Emergency Services, which will establish improved emergency practices and collaboration between Arizona and Sonora. This includes the coordination of ambulance transfers, the implementation of more transparent training services within the medical service industry, and the promotion of medical practices to the general population.
Secondly, Gov. Ducey and Gov. Pavlovich co-signed the
Commercial Safety Corridor agreement, which establishes a Commercial Safety Logistics Corridor along MX15 between Nogales and Guaymas. This will help coordinate services such as increased patrol for more immediate emergency responses and improved information for commercial truck drivers along MX15.
Lastly, the two governors implemented the
Chief Sciences Officer Program, an extension of a current program that promotes cross-border youth participation in science, technology, education, and math (STEM). Moreover, this develops communication between children in both states, allowing for more collaboration and innovation in growing educational fields.
The Annual Meeting was followed by a trip to Mexico City led by Governor Ducey, where he attended the inauguration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, met with business leaders and officials from the new federal administration, including Mexico's new Ambassador to the U.S. Martha Bárcena, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, and Under Secretary for North America Jesús Seade.
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Border Zone Minimum Wage Hike Affects 43 Municipalities
The minimum wage will double to 176.72 pesos, or about US $8.80, per day
The higher minimum wage for the northern border area which was announced by the federal government will apply to 43 municipalities in six states. Labor Secretary Luisa María Alcalde announced that the minimum daily wage in the border zone would rise to 176.72 pesos (US $8.80) on January 1, whereas a new rate of 102.68 pesos (US $5.10) will apply to the rest of the country.
All municipalities that adjoin the United States border in Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas will be included in the higher wage zone.
Workers in Puerto Penasco, Ensenada and Playas de Rosarito, which are located farther south of the border, will also benefit from the new arrangement.
The municipalities will also be included in the northern border free zone, where lower income and value-added tax rates will come into force on New Year's Day.
President López Obrador has justified the creation of the zone by saying that the border area is the "last curtain of development to keep our compatriots in Mexican territory." He waxes often that migration "should be optional, not obligatory."
Meanwhile, Baja California Sur (BCS) Governor Carlos Mendoza has expressed his disappointment that the state he governs was not included in the free zone and higher wage area.
"[It's] regrettable that BCS hasn't been included in the free zone proposal like the rest of the [Baja California] peninsula. Not only will we not benefit from a lower IVA [value-added tax], we won't benefit from the minimum salary rise either. We demand reconsideration!" he wrote on Twitter.
The 43 municipalities included in the free zone and higher wage area are:
Baja California: Ensenada, Playas de Rosarito, Tijuana, Tecate and Mexicali.
Sonora: San Luis Río Colorado, Puerto Peñasco, General Plutarco Elías Calles, Caborca, Altar, Sáric, Nogales, Santa Cruz Cananea, Naco and Agua Prieta.
Chihuahua: Janos, Ascensión, Juárez, Praxedis G. Guerrero, Guadalupe, Coyame del Sotol, Ojinagua and Manuel Benavides.
Coahuila: Ocampo, Acuña, Zaragoza, Jiménez, Piedras Negras, Nava, Guerrero and Hidalgo.
Nuevo León: Anáhuac.
Tamaulipas: Nuevo Laredo, Guerrero, Mier, Miguel Alemán, Camargo, Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Reynosa, Río Bravo, Valle Hermoso and Matamoros.
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Arizona Drawing Mexico Visitors
With its sunny weather, leisure activities and entertaining attractions, Arizona attracts a variety of visitors year after year, including those from Mexico.
According the the Arizona-Mexico Commission, Mexico visitors are the largest group of international visitors to Arizona. The state experiences approximately 3.6 million overnight visitors from Mexico annually.
Leisure activities, especially shopping, draw the visitors to join its neighbors in Arizona.
"People from Mexico are coming to shop mostly because of the variety of product and the pricing, as well. They're coming here to buy mostly clothing, electronics, home furniture- so that's what makes it very attractive to come," Felipe Garcia, Visit Tucson executive vice president, said.
The 2018 report showed shopping, along with vacation, visiting friends and relatives and personal health, was the reason for more than 63 percent of visiting parties from Mexico.
"Three Arizona malls - Arizona Mills Mall in Metro Phoenix and Tucson Mall and Park Place Mall in Tucson - are the most popular shopping destinations. Among the non-mall stores, WalMart is the most popular in every destination city," the study stated.
Not only do leisure visitors from Mexico generate revenue for Arizona, the tourism also creates job opportunities.
According to the Arizona-Mexico Economic Indicators, there were 327,000 Arizona leisure and hospitality employees this October, a 2.9 percent increase from October 2017.
In addition to leisure activities like shopping, vacation, visiting friends and family and personal health, Arizona offers a number of other attractions to visitors.
According to the 2018 study, casinos in Tucson and Phoenix are the most popular attractions for Mexico visitors.
Popular casinos in Phoenix include Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino and Talking Stick Resort and Casino Arizona. Tucson is home to Desert Diamond Casino & Hotel, Casino Del Sol and more.
Next to casinos, zoo parks are the next most visited attraction.
The Phoenix Zoo has more than 140 million visitors annually.The Reid Park Zoo in Tucson had nearly 540,000 visitors.
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Common Law Marriage in Mexico: Could it Affect You?
In ancient Greek and Roman civilizations marriages were private agreements between individuals and families. Community recognition of a marriage was, by-and-large, the qualifier, and the state had only limited interests in assessing the legitimacy of marriages.
Civil and religious officials normally took no part in marriage ceremonies; nor did they keep registries. It was common for couples to cohabit with no ceremony, and cohabiting for a moderate period was sufficient for the relationship to be considered a marriage: cohabiting in this way carried no social stigma.
Spain followed church doctrine unquestionably, and this was certainly the case when the Spaniards arrived in Mexico.
Private agreement marriages in Mexico were not recognized by either the Church or whatever government happened to be in administration at the time.
However, what came to be practiced was often different to the official line, especially in Mexico's rural areas. A not uncommon ritual consisted of the would-be groom's parents presenting themselves at the home of the intended bride, asking to enter and bringing with them a candle and a basket of gifts.
Although a wedding date may be set during this ritual, the church wedding was not always forthcoming. The expense of a church wedding was borne by the groom's family and reasons would be given as to why the church wedding could not follow immediately; for example, that the future groom's older brother had recently married and they needed time to save to meet the expenses.
Most studies show that in 1857 when
the Ley Iglesias made Mexican marriages a civil contract between the couple and the State - and took away the Church's authority over marriages - the number of private agreement marriages increased dramatically.
Despite two great movements of reform in slightly over a century, Mexican legal codes did not veer too far from the austere provisions of Spanish law denying spouses and children of private agreement marriages the legal rights of support and inheritance.
In 1928 Mexico's Federal Civil Code adopted a provision granting partial recognition of the rights of women and children of private agreement marriages. Under the Federal Civil Code Mexico recognizes a
concubinage relationship, and for the surviving partner to receive the benefits, that partner must prove a
concubino status. However, not all Mexican states have ratified this federal law.
Why might the
concubinage relationship be important to expatriates living in Mexico?
Increasing numbers of couples in committed relationships decide not to go through a marriage ceremony. The reasons for this include the desire to keep their finances separate, each partner may have children from previous relationships, and the possible loss of government benefits if they remarry.
Now that some Mexican states have adopted a legal process that recognizes
concubinage relationships, in many of those states the relationship can no longer be established by evidence, as was previously the case. Under the new civil law in some Mexican states, if a couple is living together under a private marriage agreement, the state will not recognize it, unless the couple has registered with the civil registrar.
To ensure the survivor of a private agreement marriage receives the property rights to which he or she is entitled, an expatriate couple living together, but not "legally married" who consider themselves husband and wife must take affirmative action to protect the rights, which they may have possessed before the law came into existence.
It would be a pity if a foreign resident in Mexico were to discover after the death of their partner that the property rights to which he or she thought they would be entitled to were lost merely because they failed to take advantage of a civil ceremony available to them or to preserve the evidence necessary to prove the existence of a
concubinage relationship.
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There's More to Piñatas than Meets the Eye
The highlight of many a Mexican festive occasion-a birthday celebration, Christmas party, or
Posada-is the breaking of the
piñata.
For the uninitiated, the
piñata is a decorated clay pot or papier-mâché container filled with treats (more about those later) which is strung from a rope and flailed at in turns by party-goers who are blindfolded and armed with a stick. A person at one end of the rope-or sometimes a person at each end-will be able to swing the
piñata in an attempt to keep it away from its assailant, and make the game last as long as possible.
When the
piñata breaks, the contents are scattered on the ground and a rush is made to collect as much loot as possible.
At most children's birthday parties and
Christmas posadas the order in which the participants get a shot is based on age, from youngest to eldest. This is logical since the bigger the person, the more likely they are to break the
piñata, and the idea is to keep it going for a good while-at least long enough to ensure that every child has a turn.
The duration of a "turn" is as long as it takes to sing the
piñata song, which goes like this:
Dale dale dale, no pierdas el tino,
Porque si lo pierdes, pierdes el camino.
Ya le diste uno,
Ya le diste dos,
Ya le diste tres
y tu tiempo se acabó.
Which loosely translates as:
Hit-it hit-it hit-it, don't lose your aim,
Because if you lose it, you will lose your way.
Now you've hit it once,
Now you've hit it twice,
Now you've hit it three times,
And your time is up.
More thought and decision-making goes into a simple
piñata ritual than you might expect:
First of all, what should go inside the
piñata?
Christmas
piñatas tend to be healthier than birthday
piñatas. They usually contain pieces of sugar cane, tangerines, or little oranges called
naranjas piñateras, peanuts, a Mexican fruit called
tejocote,
limas (a sort of cross between an orange and a lime) and a variety of candy: boiled sweets, chocolate coins, and such. Birthday
piñatas tend to have more candy and less fruit. Some
piñatas may also contain small toys and other trinkets.
Next, where to stretch the rope on which the
piñata will be strung?
This often involves at least one person, usually an adult, leaning precariously out of an upstairs window, on a rooftop terrace, or hanging-off the side of one of those spiral iron staircases common in Mexico as a way up onto the roof.
Finding the right stick to strike the
piñata.
A traditional wooden broom handle is the best, and if you visit your local
ferreteria you should be able to buy one. The new-style hollow plastic or thin hollow metal tube handles are too light to make any impression on the
piñata, especially the more common paper-mâché ones which are quite resistant. A baseball bat is too heavy for the smaller swingers and an unfair advantage to the bigger children or adults.
Piñata shops actually sell sticks that are about the right size and weight, which is fine in today's world of ready-made. If the stick doesn't break during the ritual, it can be stored ready for the next party.
Add a blindfold and the piñata ritual can begin.
Once the
piñata is all set up, and someone finds an adequate scarf or bandanna to use as a blindfold, the fun is ready to begin. (The little children are not blindfolded, by the way).
If the
piñata is one of the spherical ones with paper cones stuck on it, a common strategy frequently used by players is to knock-off one or more of the cones without breaking the
piñata. There's a sort of unwritten rule that if you break one of those off, that ends your turn, but you get to keep the cone, which is useful for filling with goodies once the
piñata is broken. If the
piñata is thematic-Disney characters seem perennially popular-an arm or a leg or any other non-core piece of the
piñata could be broken-off and kept for the same purpose.
With clay-pot
piñatas, one good crack can break them open and the contents would spill on the floor. With the more common and most popular papier-mâché variety, often the
piñata will split rather than break, and just a few things fall out, prompting some of the children to rush-in to grab them while the person with the stick may still be in full-swing: if blind-folded, they might not realize the
piñata has been split. This calls for a time-out while the stray pieces of fruit or candy are retrieved. If the split or tear in the
piñata is big enough, the person in charge of the rope will usually shake it up and down so that more fall out. Then one of the adults will take it upon him or herself to declare the
piñata broken, step into the arena, grab the damaged artifact and shake it until all the contents are emptied onto the ground.
This signal is a cue for the scrum, as children rush-in armed with their cones and other
piñata parts, or at least one of those ubiquitous plastic bags, to fill.
After the adrenaline fest, adults with brooms appear to sweep up the remains of tissue paper, paper-mâché, and the odd broken fruit no one claimed; and some redress is made in benefit of the less aggressive of the participants whose share of the loot doesn't come anywhere near to what even the least social-minded might consider fair.
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Carniceria, the Mexican Butcher Shop
One of the most puzzling aspects of marketing for the newly arrived resident of Mexico is shopping for meat. It is frequently cut differently than it is north of the border, to accommodate Mexican cooking techniques. At first glance, the contents of the glassed-in meat counters seem to resemble the "Texas Chain Saw Massacre" rather than any familiar cuts of meat. Even in the supermarkets, labels are often confusing.
The basic cuts are not so different, but the way they are broken down often is. However, meat can usually be cut to order if the shopper has the right nomenclature. This is also true for those living outside Mexico and trying to prepare Mexican recipes. What to use for authentic fajitas, guisados, or asados?
Beef in general is called carne de res. Ground beef is molida de res, and Mexican butchers will grind any cut requested, which is good news for those wanting extra lean ground meat. With all the recent scares about pre-ground beef in the U.S., it is somewhat reassuring to get the meat custom ground. If the beef is to be finely chopped instead of ground, ask for picada.
The same holds true for milanesas, or cutlets. The butcher will cut them to order right in front of the customer, and then pound them to the desired thickness. Vigilance is recommended here. If not watched carefully, the carnicero will pound them until they resemble slivers of Swiss cheese. The customer then brings them home, dips them in egg, and, with a rolling pin, presses as many breadcrumbs into the slices of meat as they can hold, fries them, and serves milanesas de res, a classic Mexican way of extending a small quantity of meat.
With the exception of roasts, which are not served frequently, and grilled meat, Mexican butchers usually cut beef into thin slices or cubes. The pre-Hispanic people did not have bovine or porcine red meat, and the colonials most often had servants to cut the meat into the small pieces frequently found in Spanish dishes, a job is that is usually done today at the carnicería (butcher shop.) Butchers also do a painstaking job of removing fat, and sometimes have to be stopped from cutting off too much of this carrier of flavor, since Mexican beef is generally leaner and less well-marbled than that found in other places. For this reason, many Mexican beef dishes are braised or stewed.
Mexican beef is generally not aged, making it tend toward toughness, so that meat to be treated in any other way but stewing or braising benefits greatly from marinating. The ubiquitous bisteces (beefsteaks) are nearly always cut from a non-marbled piece of meat and marinating is highly recommended.
Besides not being aged, beef in Mexico is also not generally thickly cut, even in supermarkets, where recognizable cuts such as rib eye are often much thinner than what foreigners have in mind for a "thick, juicy steak." A thicker-cut steak is sometimes called a chuleta, while the bistec is usually cut thinly.
When asking for a whole piece of meat, as opposed to having it cut into cubes, ask for it en trozo, and specify how many kilos are needed. The butchers have a good eye for estimating weight in cutting a piece for, say, pot roast. Again, butchers are quite accommodating as far as cutting to order, but if shopping at a carneceria rather than a supermarket, it is advisable to get there early, before all the meat has been cut. The other reason for getting to the meat section of the market early is that some keep the meat unrefrigerated.
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Mole, a Mexican Favorite and, for some, an Acquired Taste
A notable aspect about Mexico is the great variety of foods and dishes that can be easily identified with the country.
Most of the traditional foods are available all year round, although certain dates and holidays are associated with particular dishes.
September,
the Mes de la Patria because of the Independence Day, brings
chiles en nogada, hot green peppers filled with walnuts and raisins, covered with cream and sprinkled with pomegranate; and
pozole, a broth with large grains of corn, red or green chili, chicken or pork, radish, and other trimmings.
October is when bakeries bring out the
Pan de Muerto bread for the
All Souls Day celebrations, although some stores, particularly supermarkets, start selling it during late August, presumably to maximize their sales opportunity.
Christmas dishes include
bacalao, specially prepared codfish;
romeritos, dried shrimp and rosemary sprigs in mole; and the
Rosca de Reyes cake is cut at Epiphany (Three Kings Day) on January 6th.
Tamales - a traditional (and ancient) food made using corn dough steamed in a corn husk or banana leaf, and flavored with savory or sweet fillings are eaten all year round, but traditionally at Candlemas, on February 2nd. Also by tradition, if your slice of
Rosca de Reyes contains a baby doll figurine (baked into the mix of every cake), you are obliged to host a party on this date to serve the
tamales to family and friends.
For newcomers to Mexico, some local dishes, particularly spicy ones, take a while to get used to, and some people at first turn their noses up at the different tastes and smells. Quite understandably, many Mexicans are astounded someone wouldn't like
pozole, or
mole, or some other dish that people here get excited about, and they assume you haven't tried it. If you say you have, then obviously "
no has probado el que hace mi tía" - you haven't tried the one my aunt makes.
Perhaps one of the most acquired tastes in Mexican food is mole. This sauce is made from dried and ground chile peppers mixed with other spices and ingredients-famously chocolate used in making
mole poblano (from Puebla) or black
mole of Oaxaca. There are
many kinds of
mole, which are usually mixed with meat, rice, chicken, or vegetables.
Mole recipes vary, and local restaurants renowned for their
mole often keep the precise recipe (moreover, the proportions of the ingredients) a closely-guarded secret.
Mole is one of the truly
mestizo (mixed indigenous and Spanish) dishes of Mexico. The Aztecs were making sauces from chili peppers to which they attached the suffix
-mulli or
-molli. Following the Spanish conquest, other spices were introduced and different kinds of sauce were developed.
Mole Recipe (one of countless shared and secret recipes):
Ingredients
2 Chipotle peppers
1 Onion, sliced
2 cloves Garlic
2 Tomatoes
1 tablespoon Raw Peanuts (Moongphali)
1 Star anise
1 inch Cinnamon Stick (Dalchini)
2 Cloves (Laung)
2 inch Dark chocolate
1 teaspoon Dried oregano
1 teaspoon Black pepper powder
1 tablespoon Raisins
1 tablespoon Maize flour (Corn Meal)
1 tablespoon Butter
1 cup Chicken stock
Salt to taste
Preparation:
To begin making the Homemade Mole Sauce Recipe we will first, roast the tomatoes by heating a sauce pan with oil, add the whole tomatoes.
In the meanwhile preheat the oven to 180 degree Celsius for 10 minutes.
Once the tomatoes roasted slightly and got light brown on skin, switch off the heat. Take a foil add the tomatoes and drizzle some olive oil and cover the foil and place it in the oven and roast them for about 15 minutes.
In the same pan add some more oil, sliced onions and cloves of garlic and saute until it softens.
Once the onions are sauted switch off the flame, allow it to cool down. Add them into a mixer along with star anise, cloves, cinnamon and raisins. Add little water to blitz it into a smooth paste. Keep it aside.
Take the tomatoes out and chop them up and blitz them also along with toasted peanuts and chipotle chilies to a smooth paste.
Let's start to make the sauce. Heat the pan with butter once the butter starts to melt, add maize flour and keep whisking it to make a roux.
Add chicken broth and mix well so that there are no lumps formed. Keep whisking till the sauce thickens.
Add in the onion paste and tomato paste and bring it to a boil. Add in your seasonings and broken chocolate now and whisk well. Adjust the salt level and boil for 10 more minutes switch off the flame.
U
se the Homemade Mole Sauce to make Chicken mole sauce with brown sweet corn rice recipe to make a nice lunch meal for yourself.
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A Guide to Mexican Street Speak
Spanish offers a potpourri of different terms to describe paths, streets, roads, and highways, some of which provide practical assistance to the traveler and others which provide opportunities for flexibility in use of the language.
The most common term seen and used in Mexico is "
calle" - street - with
calle principal indicating a main route, usually crossing or connecting smaller streets adjacent. The fancier
avenida, or avenue, and even
bulevar may also be employed when the need for distinction arises.
Camino, the equivalent of 'road' or 'way' in English, is less commonly seen and used in Mexico, and is a word that can also serve to describe a person's journey:
va en camino, he's on his way-or distinctly,
va por su camino which translates to 'he's making his own way (in life)'.
Callejón indicates a narrow road or alley, and
retorno stipulates a dead-end or cul-de-sac, with the Spanish in this case more practical in letting the wanderer know there's no point going there without a specific reason.
Retorno can also indicate a loop or opportunity to U-turn or double-back over a bridge or under a tunnel to cross-over to the other side of a road; on highways it could also be a wide space within a camellón (median strip) reserved for that purpose.
Related to
retorno is
cerrada, which is oftentimes used to describe a private road with a dead-end;
privada might also be used in this context.
Seaside resorts, and the roads or highways connecting them, have their
costeras, or coast roads. These describe streets or roads which can vary in size and importance, but which invariably run along the seafront. Inside coastal towns alongside some
costeras you may find
el malecón-a pedestrian boardwalk or esplanade facing the waterfront, some of which might also include a lane for pedal-bikers, and those using skates and skateboards.
Moving onto main trunk roads, there are two ways of referring to a highway:
carretera and
autopista.
Carretera is akin to the U.S. freeway and most often refers to the federally-funded interstate roads which connect main towns and cities, but may also refer to a primary trunk road around a town or city. These are usually not tolled, although sometimes a tranche of
carretera might be.
Autopista is a word reserved to describe
tolled interstate highways in Mexico-some of which run alongside, or nearby,
carreteras federales.
Some other terms you may encounter in road parlance here include
lateral, which refers to a parallel side road that may be situated alongside any main urban road,
carretera or
autopista, and separated by a
camellón-a central reservation or median strip.
Libramientos, which can sometimes be part of a
carretera, refer to 'relief roads,' built specifically to route passing traffic away from a town or city center.
Periférico refers to a ring road around a town, city, or place.
For those traveling on foot: footpaths, nature trails, and ancient pathways are commonly described as
senderos, whereas formal pedestrian walkways, or shopping streets closed to traffic, are referred to as a
paseo peatonal.
Paseo means a walk or a drive, and
pasear means to go for a walk, or a ride, or a drive. The word
pasear is somewhat more versatile than what the average dictionary can accommodate: it can also mean go out with no particular purpose or plan, maybe hang out at the mall, grab a coffee, browse the stores, watch a movie, or just wander about. It's also used as a term to mean going away, being away, or having been away on vacation-
voy/estoy/estuve de paseo.
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Let me know if you would like links to any of the earlier ones. (There are about 8 years worth)
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Sonoran Sky Resort
Sonoran Sun Resort
Sonoran Sea Resort
Sonoran Spa Resort
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Just for the fun of it...
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Sonoran Sky 1109
3 Bedroom, 3 Bath Luxury Condo
TRUE LUXURY 3 BEDROOM - 3 BATH!
Assumable Long Term Loan Available
Beautifully furnished luxury 3 bedroom beachfront condo at the Sonoran Sky Resort. Fully furnished and turnkey ready to go. Assumable developer financing available. Never used as a rental. This one is getting alot of attention so act quickly and don't miss out on this fantastic bargain.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sun W801
3BR End Unit
$559,900
NEW LISTING! TERMS AVAILABLE!
This condo must be seen to be appriciated. Beachfront views are spectacular. Very nicely furnished, turnkey ready to go. This end unit condo has the wrap around terrace, giving much more room to enjoy and adding to the views.
Energy saving window tinting, upgraded window coverings, stainless appliances, and more. Too many upgrades to list. Lots of interest in this condo already so don't wait too long. Give us a call or stop by the on-site sales office today!
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Spa W806
2 Bedroom Top Floor
$350,000
TOP FLOOR BEAUTY!
INCLUDES 15'X30' GARAGE - TRUST ALREADY IN LLC
Penthouse level two bedroom beauty at the Spa for sale. Very nicely furnished and turnkey ready to go. This condo comes with a large garage and the trust is already in an Arizona LLC. Save money and quick close. Come and see this one before its gone. Call us today for an appointment!
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sky 609
3 Bedroom 3 Bath Luxury
$559,900
GREAT NEW PRICE!
This condo is beautifully furnished and total luxury combined with a great price makes this one a must-see condo. Ready to go for your family or for a great rental income. An aggressive price and motivated Sellers make this one a sure bet. Contact one of our Agents for more details. Come see this one today!
Call Today for Information or to Schedule a Tour
602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sun W604
2 Bedroom West Building
$359,900
NEW LISTING! POSSIBLE TERMS!
Fantastic beachfront views are just the beginning for this fabulous condo. Unbelievable rental income and luxury, high-end furnishings make it a sure win. This condo is ready to go and owners have even decided to consider seller financing. Keep it as a rental for income or just keep it for yourself and your family. Either way, you can't go wrong with this beauty.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sea E702
2 BR East Building
$319,900
ASSUMABLE LONG-TERM DEVELOPER LOAN AT 5.9%!
REDUCED PRICE FOR QUICK SALE!
Great new price and long term financing makes hard to find condo an even better bargain. This is a great condo, very tastefully decorated, with absolutely stunning ocean views. If you are looking for a truly turn-key beauty, this is it. Great price. Great views. Ready to go. This condo is a home run. Come take a look!
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sky 410
4 Bedroom 4 Bath Premium
$850,000
FANTASTIC CONDO AT A GREAT REDUCED PRICE!
ASSUMABLE LONG TERM LOAN!
Luxury four bedroom condo at the Sonoran Sky Resort featuring exquisite furnishings, wrap around terrace, and absolutely unbelievable views, all at a super great price. This fantastic condo has it all - and it has never been used as a rental. This condo truly must be seen to be appreciated. Priced to sell too! Don't let this one pass you by. Call today.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sea W805
2BR West Building
$294,900
NEVER BEEN USED AS A RENTAL!
Not many available two bedrooms available at the Sea these days. This condo is super nice and has never been used as a rental. Very nicely decorated and turn-key ready to go. You can't go wrong with this one.
Don't wait. See this one today.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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| Sonoran Spa W501 3 Bedroom End Unit $415,000 Link to Listing 
BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED! NON-RENTAL
This condo has it all. Freshly upgraded and remodeled with views all the way down the beach and to the lights of Old Port at night. Excellent condition and not used as a rental property. Upgraded kitchen. Call for more details! Come and see this one. You'll be glad you did!
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sun E205
2 Bedroom East Building
$329,000
NEW LISTING! GREAT PRICE!
Beautifully two bedroom condo right on the beach for the best views, Best priced 2 bedroom at the Sun and ready to sell. Condos at this price are becoming a thing of the past and this new listing is a great opportunity to get in before it's too late. Great as a rental or keep it all for yourselves. Either way, you need to check this one out soon. Call or visit for more details.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Spa E209
2 Bedroom East Building
$299,900
NEW LISTING! TOO MANY UPGRADES TO LIST! GREAT PRICE!
This condo truly has it all. Great beachfront views, beautifully furnished, upgrades throughout, turn-key ready to move in. This is a 100% remodel completed in 2017. Nothing was untouched in this remodel and it was done by the owners for their personal use. This condo represents the very best that the Spa has to offer and would make an excellent rental, with people requesting it again and again. Or, keep it as a non-rental and enjoy the beautiful condo all to yourselves. The choice is yours but you'll need to act quickly. It has already been very popular with our salespeople.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sky 310
4
Bedroom Premium Luxury
Brand New Developer Condo
$989,900
NO PAYMENTS/INTEREST FIRST YEAR
LONG TERM FINANCING w/ 20% DOWN
This condo shows like a dream. It is the absolute epitome of luxury with views all the way down the beach from the huge, wrap-around terrace. Brand New with full warranty. No payments or HOA dues for one full year. This condo must be seen to be appreciated.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sky 1403
2 Bedroom Beachfront Luxury
$479,000
FANTASTIC PRICE! TERMS AVAILABLE! VIEWS! VIEWS! VIEWS!
If you're looking for a model-perfect, beach-front, turn-key, total luxury condo at the Sonoran Sky for a great price, look no further. This condo is absolutely amazing and you really need to come and take a look for yourself if you're considering investing in a wonderful vacation/investment property. Views go on forever and this would make an excellent rental as well. Don't wait.
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Sonoran Sun E801
3 Bedroom with Wraparound Terrace
$599,000
NEW LISTING! TERMS AVAILABLE!
This Brand new listing with a great price and seller financing terms available. This fantastic 3 bedroom, 2 bath end-unit condo boasts many upgrades, updated furniture and appliances, and a wraparound terrace with beach and ocean views forever. Excellent rental history. You need to see this one for yourself. Call for details or to schedule a tour. You need to act fast on this special deal.
Come see for yourself.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sun E709
3 Bedroom, 3 Bath
$439,000
Great Price! Ready to Sell!
UNBELIEVABLE PRICE ON SUN 3-BEDROOM PREMIUM UNIT
Check out this beautiful, fully furnished, three bedroom oceanfront condo at the Sonoran Sun Resort. Seventh floor location gives fantastic views down the beach and plenty of privacy. Easy access to beach, pools, Jacuzzis, store, restaurant, etc. Condo has never been used as a rental and is in terrific condition. You may want to keep this beautiful condo all for yourself, but it could be a great vacation rental as well. The price is right and you need to see this beauty.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sea E710
1 Bedroom Top Floor
$259,900
TOP FLOOR BEAUTY!
Great top-floor beauty with possible financing available. Panoramic views down the beach in both directions. Fully furnished and ready to enjoy. This could be a great rental - perfect for your family. Call our office for more details. This condo can be your dream come true. Come take a look for yourself.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sky 601
4 Bedroom Luxury End Unit
$789,900
LUXURY 4 BED 4 BATH! TERMS AVAILABLE!
HUGE WRAP AROUND TERRACE
Best price at the Sonoran Sky on a luxury 4 bedroom, 4 bath, end unit condo. This is one of the nicest condos in town with the very best views all the way down the beach. Non-rental unit in excellent condition and fully furnished, turn-key ready to go. Make this one yours!
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sea W903
2BR West Building
$299,900
NEW LISTING! FANTASTIC VIEWS!
This is a great price on a fantastic condo at the Sea. The views from this condo are nothing short of spectacular. Completely upgraded and turn-key ready to go. Nicely furnished and shows like a model. Come and see this one today before it's too late.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sun W212
1 Bedroom West Building
$224,500
REDUCED PRICE! EXCELLENT RENTAL HISTORY!
Beautiful condo and priced lower than any other one bedroom at the Sonoran Sun Resort. This condo has been totally remodeled and is in perfect condition. It provides excellent rental income and would be a fantastic investment - or just keep it all for your own personal use. Either way, you can't go wrong on this one. Call or stop by and talk with one of our Sales Representatives today! You'll be glad you did.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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3BR Ground Floor
$550,000
NEW AGGRESSIVE PRICE!
This is one of those condos that really must be seen to be appreciated. It is a ground floor, end unit with more privacy than you would expect in a resort. Right on the beach and near everything, yet far enough from the pool and pool bar to give make it quiet and peaceful. These condos rarely come up for sale so please come and check it out right away. Beautifully furnished and turn-key ready to go. This condo has never been used as a rental and was always meticulously cared for by the owners.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sky 806
1 B
R Luxury Condo
$349,000
PRICE REDUCED FOR QUICK SALE!
ASSUMABLE 5.9% LONG TERM FINANCING!
ULTIMATE IN CUSTOM LUXURY!
Absolute luxury at the prestigious Sonoran Sky Resort. the Nautical theme in this condo is as unique as it is beautiful and it is an absolute one of a kind original. This is the ONLY one bedroom condo for sale at the Sky and it will make a great rental, or keep it all for yourselves. Really is a must see to appreciate beauty.This condo is ready to go and it can be yours. Contact one of our Agents for more information.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Sea E112
1 Bedroom, Ground Floor
$245,000
NEW LISTING! GREAT PRICE!
Stunning! Beautiful upgraded floor tiles greet you as you enter this fully customized 1 bedroom ground floor condo. Many upgrades throughout including stainless steel appliances, beautiful granite kitchen countertop, and canterra tile in both the kitchen and bathroom. The focal point of this condo is the stone faced wall in the living room. This property is tastefully furnished showing true pride of ownership throughout. One of a kind at the Sonoran Sea Resort. Picture yourself at sunset over looking the pool and the Sea of Cortez from the nice sized patio. Be sure to come and see this one as soon as you can. It won't last long.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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Sonoran Spa E501
3BR End Unit
$399,900
TERMS AVAILABLE!
UNBELIEVABLE PRICE ON A 3-BEDROOM END UNIT!!!
This spacious 3 bedroom end unit condo at the Sonoran Spa is a great buy. Priced right and seller is offering financing as well. Lots of room and fantastic beachfront views. Upgraded kitchen with granite counter tops. Very nicely furnished and ready to move right in. Rental income is an option or keep it all for yourself. Be the proud owner of this beachfront beauty. Call or stop by one of our sales offices today for more details.
Call Today: 602-476-7511
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We are Rocky Point's one and only exclusive and dedicated team who have always, and will always, sell Sonoran Resorts and ONLY Sonoran Resorts!
If you are looking for a team of real professionals who specialize in Puerto Penasco's best family of "True Beachfront" resorts, you've found us, and we are here to serve you.
Whether Buying or Selling, no one can serve you better when it comes to the Sonoran Resorts. We have been here since the beginning, and we will be here for you when you need us.
Our In-House closing team will make things happen quickly and professionally and we will save you money. Our attorneys are on salary and no additional attorney fees are charged to our clients. Loyalty to the Sonoran Resorts Sales Team is both appreciated and rewarded!
We don't just sell the Sonoran Resorts, we ARE the Sonoran Resorts. We work directly with the Developers, the HOAs, and the Rental companies.
We really can help you in ways that no one else can.
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