Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) Mexico Online

Arizona Realtor Licensing Renewathon in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point)

Paul P. Kingsley — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Arizona Realtor Licensing Renewathon in Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point)

The C. David McVay School is traveling to Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) in May to conduct renewal courses for Arizona Realtor licensing. From May 7 through May 10, C. David McVay will hold two real estate continuing education classes per day at the Sonoran Sky on Sandy Beach. All courses are approved by the Arizona Department of Real Estate.

This is a great opportunity for Arizona realtors to travel to Puerto Peñasco to help satisfy their Arizona continuing education requirements, reacquaint themselves with Puerto Peñasco and to enjoy some time in Mexico. It is also a great opportunity for Puerto Peñasco realtors who are also licensed in Arizona to satisfy their continuing education requirements.

Information on registration and travel arrangements can be found here. Early registration with reduced fees ends April 15th. (Hat tip to Bill Barvitski for this news)

Rocky Point goes upscale

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Here is a nice article courtesy of AZ Central that spotlights the continued growth in Rocky Point and Rocky Point reservations. Clearly, things continue to get better and better for Puerto-Penasco. With the addition of the Sonoran Sky resort, new airport and freeways moving right along as planned, Rocky Point is poised for more growth. To read the article click here

TWO Puerto Penasco Dining treasures

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The Puerto-penasco.com staff would like to share this article about two very nice and family owned restaurants. We overlooked adding this article back in November and if you are planning to visit Rocky Point and are looking for something authentic and good, read about these restaurants. Some of the members in our staff went to eat there with their family and they were very happy with the food and service!

2 Puerto Peñasco dining treasures

Selina Schuh Dopp
Special for The Republic
Nov. 9, 2007 12:59 PM

PUERTO PEÑASCO, Sonora - Finding a good restaurant in Rocky Point can be tricky. You either can end up in a tourist trap, eating poor imitations of familiar foods, or you can find a place so authentic that all you can order are brains and innards.

What if you want local flavor without deviating too much from the familiar?

Two restaurants near the fish market in Old Town fill the bill. Though many restaurants along the water serve decent fare, the constant pressure to hire mariachis ruins the enjoyment of the meal and the relaxation you might experience from the sound of crashing waves. More tranquil settings are available a stone's throw away. Leave the bustling main street behind and walk one block up the hill.

Rocky Point Rentals By Owner

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

There are so many websites out there trying to advertise rentals by owners for Rocky Point that the market seems over saturated. Today, I ran into what I think is the best website for rentals by owner I have seen in years. The website is www.rprentalsbyowner.com. If you are an owner and you are looking for ways to market your condo, this is the solution. It is such a creative and efficient way to showcase properties..

Check out some of the listings by visiting the urls below:

Sonoran Sun - Las Palmas - Princesa

Documents needed to return to the USA from Rocky Point

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

This is the beginning of the busy season in Rocky Point. With the new changes in requirements to return to the USA, it is important to make sure you are properly equipped. Here is an article courtesy of KTAR.com that reviews the documentaion that you should have. Click here to read the article......

Sonoran Sky Resort, the newest Sonoran Resort, is it better?

Arturo — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I just returned from Rocky Point and I stayed at the newest offering from the Sonoran Resorts family of Sandy Beach resorts, The Sonoran Sky resort. I have stayed at all of the Sonoran offerings now, the Sonoran Spa, the Sonoran Sea, the Sonoran Sun, and now the Sky. Having experienced them all and the uniqueness each offers, I wanted to take a moment to Blog about the new Sky.

PRESS RELEASE - SandBar Paradise beach Club

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Sandbar Paradise Beach Club is Rocky Point’s Newest Party Destination Puerto Penasco,

Sonora, Mexico February 18, 2008 – Sandbar Paradise Beach Club brings a new level of appeal to the heart of Rocky Point. In fact, Sandbar is the umbrella name for three distinct hotspots: a fun sports cantina, an outdoor palapa bar with volleyball, and an open air dance club. La Culebra, a Latin cover band, makes the Sandbar Cantina swell with locals and visitors alike every Saturday night starting at 9pm. The Cantina has been quietly stunning customers with some of the most exciting food found in Rocky Point. Victor the bartender impresses vacationers with his charm and his unique spin on common drinks.

Puerto Penasco is a resort for the future

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Here is a nice write-up from the Houston Chronicle. It profiles a recent trip to Rocky Point as well as the potential of Rocky Point as a resort destination. This is good press as it really exposes the fact that Rocky Point has a broader reach than just Arizona. The author stayed at the Sonoran Sun Resort.

Here is the link

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/travel/5466350.html

Las Palmas Announces Special Rates to Avoid the Sunday Border Wait

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

If you hate the wait at the border on Sundays. Las Palmas Beachfront Resort is currently offering Sunday night for 1/2 price during March and April. This allows you to avoid the Sunday wait, relax another day and come home when the border is more user-friendly.

Churros and Burros - Well Worth the stop!

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

To those cappuccino lovers with a sweet tooth!...Churros and Burros. Yes, this is the place. It has many other types of food but I was amazed by the taste of their original churro (cinnamon sugar, they also have churros with fillings) and their Vanilla Capuccino!!!!!!. I love coffe and Sugar Free Vanilla Latte is usually my Starbucks choice but this was very very close to it and maybe better.

I found out they are opening 2 other locations in Penasco. The one I went to was on Freemont Blvd in a plaza named Placita Melanie. I recommended, it was worth the stop...I needed that coffee :)

Rocky Point trip January 2008

Arturo — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Rocky Point trip January 2008

I just got back from my trip to Rocky Point this past weekend. Roger Clyne was down there so there was more activity than usual for this time of year. The weather was great, Sunny with a high around 70, there was some windy moments but it was not very often. The Sea of Cortez was calm, quiet, and beautiful.

What did I do down there? Quite a few things.... First, I took a tour of Las Palomas with their staff. I was extremely impressed from the moment I arrived there. Upon arrival I was greeted immediately by the friendly resort staff with a tasty hibiscus drink and a fresh wet towell service. This was a very impressive touch and one not seen in other resorts in Rocky Point. I toured phase I and then phase II. Both phases were equally impressive. Phase II has a massive conference/ball room that can hold quite a gathering be it a wedding or corporate event. It looks like Phase II will also be sporting a Sushi bar, nice. Overall, Las Palomas had very classy service and is a top notch resort!

I also toured the new Sonoran Sky resort. The Sky is coming along nicely and even has some rental units available. There was a family swimming in the heated pool and the kids were having fun. The restaurant on-site looks really nice and has an Ocean View. I am impressed with the new Sonoran Sky Resort, the attention to detail in the decor was awesome. The penthouse level sets itself apart because only people staying on the penthouse level can access that floor on the elevator with their key.

I found a new night club that I was not aware existed, it is called Club Elixir Rocky Point. When I walked in I was shocked, the place was like a lounge in Scottsdale. There were couches to sit and relax with friends. A DJ playing good music and a dance floor. I was very impressed with this as well.

My trip to Rocky Point was great as it always is. It was nice to see the continued new developments down there. I am looking forward to my next trip down there.

Adios,
Arturo

New News from the Puerto Penasco Post

Paul P. Kingsley — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Kicking Off 2008 in Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point)

Posted: 12 Jan 2008 03:45 PM CST

After a brief hiatus, I am back to posting and hope to be able to continue to provide some insight into the business and real estate communities in Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point), Mexico. Not a lot has happened over the last month as much of Mexico goes on an extended holiday break during the Christmas/New Year’s season. So for those of you keeping close tabs on the construction progress of your chosen condominium community, don’t expect to see a lot of change from the early part of December until now. About Wednesday of this past week, the town started to bustle again and businesses were reopening after the break.

Condo Buyers Incentives in Puerto Penasco?

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Check this article out from the Helium Report http://www.heliumreport.com/archives/949-cut-rate-condos-international-developers-roll-out-incentives

It looks like the resorts on Sandy Beach are looking to provide incentives to potential condo buyers. The below is an excerpt from the link above.

"In an effort to reach out to potential buyers, Sandy Beach Resorts, where prices on residences range from $210,000 to $5 million, is offering two incentives programs. The first amounts to a complimentary educational seminar where prospective owners are treated to a multi-media presentation about the area and resort, and legal and financial advice on purchasing property in Mexico, over a catered breakfast or lunch. The second, geared towards seminar attendees, is a mini-vacation to the location itself, which includes round trip airfare from Los Angeles, a two-night stay in one of Sandy Beach’s beachfront resort, meals, area tours, and activities like a yacht cruise and parasailing"

I have also noticed that the Sonoran Sky Resort has reduced the amount they require as a down payment. The deals are out there to be had in this current market. Rocky Point Reservations to Sandy Beach are picking up and these incentives might increase the desire to invest.

Holiday Specials in Rocky Point

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Being that it is Christmas eve in the height of the Holiday season, it is a perfect time to announce Holiday Specials for Rocky Point. Many of the Rocky Point Resorts are offering a stay for 3 nights and pay for 2 Rocky Point Holiday special. That is right, you pay for 2 nights and get the 3rd night for FREE. This special runs through February 2008 at many of the resorts on Sandy Beach, call for details. Call one of our phone agents at 1-800-997-9431 so you can find out what the participating resorts are.

Rocky Point in the Winter months

Arturo — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

I often hear this question asked, Do a lot of people travel to Rocky Point in the Winter months? The answer I usually give is not near the amount in comparison to the busy months but that trend is slightly changing. There are a few factors that deter people from coming down in the Winter months in my opinion, which I will touch on. In contrast, and seemingly more interesting, is why are more people actually starting to make the trip to Rocky Point during the winter months?

Pretty Cool Place - Al Capone's Pizza and Beer

Paul T — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

From Paul T. (in Phoenix)

I was down there a few weeks ago and came across a new place that had pizza that was outstanding. Al Capone's pizza & beer. They have a bunch of flat screen TVs with all the American sports and easily the best pizza I have had in Mexico and better than most places in Arizona.

Pretty cool place, check it out!

The reality of Rocky Point

Paul P. Kingsley — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

This article was authoured by Mr. Paul P. Kingsley...these are many of the myths that still exist today and Paul is exposing the reality as people get ready for next year's visits and investments in Rocky Point...Please read Paul's article...

The reality of Rocky Point From growth to ownership of land, Americans labor under 5 key myths about the area Dec. 16, 2007 12:00 AM

Thousands of Arizonans who have purchased real estate in or frequently visit the booming vacation town of Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point), Mexico, experienced leftover turkey indigestion the Sunday after Thanksgiving when reading The Arizona Republic's front-page article about a disputed piece of land known as North Beach outside Puerto Peñasco ("Prime deal, prime debacle," Nov. 25).

Roger Clyne announces a January Jam at JJ's Cantina - Jan 12

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Roger is coming to JJ's in January.
Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers are recording a new record in Puerto Penasco in January. The Peacemakers will conclude the creative operation with the January Jam @ JJ's Cantina. The small and very limited ticketing event will take place on Saturday January 12, 2008 at sunset.

Las Palmas Beachfront Resort has just announced special low rates for this weekend. Visit their web site or call Puerto-Penasco.com's travel agents.

Villa Del Ensueno

Arturo — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Have you seen this house as you entered Las Conchas??? Nice and extremely well maintained property. Big bright YELLOW home that can fit up to 30 people...very exclusive home able to hold that many people. Excellent for family reunions, company team building or simply a big get together with friends....Check this house. It might be worth it for your next big plan vacation......I thought you may want to know...pass the word!

3rd Annual Shrimp Festival in Puerto Peñasco

Marette — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The 3rd Annual Shrimp Festival in Puerto Peñasco treated tourists and locals to delicious seafood dishes prepared by local restaurants. Music, photography exhibits, and local dance groups entertained the crowd.

Christmas Fun on Sandy Beach

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Las Palmas Resort today announced they will be heating their main pool from Christmas thru the New Year's week end. Las Palmas has Rocky Point's only water slide and is a favorite for people looking for a family-friendly getaway. Visit them at www.laspalmas-mex.com or call 866-475-5445.

Department, Arizona Collaborates on Secure Identification

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

DHS and the State of Arizona Partner to Further Advance Secure Identification Initiatives

Source: US Homeland Security Website

December 7, 2007 - The Department of Homeland Security and the state of Arizona signed an agreement for Arizona to create a new type of driver's license that will satisfy requirements of WHTI and be a basis for REAL ID, a key recommendation of the 9-11 Commission. Secretary Chertoff said, "Agreements like this one, and the others before it, move secure identification in the right direction, and I urge other states to do the same."

Passport Requirements for Rocky Point, Mexico Travelers

AZ Central — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

We will continue to research the new passport requirements throughout the year. There is obviously much confusion. In our return trip through the border last night, the officers at the border did not want to give a straight answer. Our advice right now is to take a passport if you have one. Now, if you don't have a passport, take a drivers license AND a birth certificate (If you don't know where your birth certificate is, contact your state of birth's vital statistics office by clicking here). You could also take a drivers license and your voter registration card. However, there is good news on the way. We read this article in the Arizona Republic today.... Arizona could start issuing new driver's licenses with radio-identification chips next year that would be used in lieu of a passport at the U.S.-Mexican border.

Birth Certificates to be Required for Lukeville Border Crossing (Passport Update)

Paul P. Kingsley — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Department of Homeland Security issued a press release today reminding U.S. citizens crossing the border by land back into the U.S. that crossing rules are changing under WHTI as of January 31, 2008. Border crossing guards will no longer rely on oral representation of citizenship and will instead require both a government issued photo I.D. (such as a drivers license) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate). If you already have a passport, it will obviously meet both of these requirements.

Brighter days to come

Marette — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Bad weather affects tourism in Rocky Point.

Recent stormy weather has affected local businesses. Some vendors experienced lower-than-usual sales this past weekend, most likely due to strong winds and rain. Many are hoping a return to sunny skies will mean more visitors and thus more business.

7th Annual Motorcycle Rally

Marette — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Thousands raced to the 7th Annual Motorcycle Rally in Rocky Point Nov. 8 to Nov. 11.

The roar of motocycle engines revving up permeated the Rocky Point air Nov. 8 to 11. Thousands of bikers filled the streets of Rocky Point for one of the biggest parties of the year, rivaling Spring Break in terms of the volume of tourists. Even the locals joined the party, seizing the opportunity to peddle their souvenirs and services. The rally was a much needed boost to Rocky Point's ecomony, with many rally attendees booking hotel stays, enjoying the cuisine, and purchasing souvenirs.

Many people think Spring Breakers have the wildest time in Rocky Point, but countless bikers partying and exposing themselves Mardi Gras-style show otherwise. Videos on Youtube and other Web sites atest to this as well. An impromptu street parade of Harley after Harley entertained tourists who snapped pictures of their favorite rides.

It wasn't all fun an games, with proceeds form the event going toward funding local charities. Everybody wins!

Article in Arizona Republic Regarding Rocky Point Real Estate

Arturo — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

What was that?

Did you happen to read the article in the republic about the people who bought land in North Beach? They seem to think that when someone does not due their research and purchases land, it applies to everyone who has ever bought land!!!

CEDO in Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) Wins Award

Paul P. Kingsley — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

As part of National Conservation Week in Mexico, the Centro Intercultural de Estudios de Desiertos y Oceanos (CEDO) or the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans, located in the Las Conchas area of Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point), received a prestigious award recognizing their group as the top non-governmental organization working for nature conservation in all of Mexico. The Arizona Daily Star has the full story here.

PRESS RELEASE - Rocky Point Ventures Buys #1 Google Ranked Rocky Point Internet Domain

Puerto-Penasco Staff — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Rocky Point Ventures LLC today announced it has purchased the domain puerto-penasco.com from Puerto Penasco Mexico Online. Both companies are located in Arizona. The purchase price was not disclosed and the deal is affective immediately.

Proposed Scenic Corridor in Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point)

Paul P. Kingsley — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Recently plans have been announced for a $50 million USD scenic corridor that will connect the Malecon/Old Port to Mirador with landfill and a new boulevard around the seaside edge of Whale Hill. This is exciting news for Puerto Peñasco. One of the difficulties experienced by tourists and residents alike is the lack of continuity across the town's tourist districts. Currently, visitors must travel all the way around Whale Hill from Old Port to get to Mirador, the other main entertainment district in town.

Investing in Puerto Peñasco - a contrast ...

bhance — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000

From the L.A. Times's Real estate regrets in Mexico (reprinted in the Baltimore Sun)

PLAYAS DE ROSARITO, Mexico - The ripples of the U.S. real estate boom began washing up on the shores of this beach town a few years ago. Californians, feeling flush from the steep run-up in housing values stateside, pulled equity from their primary homes and snapped up vacation properties in northern Baja California as if they were buying $10 lobster dinners.
We nearly had ... fistfights" over choice units, said Michael Coskey, sales director of the Residences at Playa Blanca, ... "We were all appealing to people's greed."
Greed has turned to regret for some investors who now can't sell their Mexican properties.
Upward of 40 percent of the condos in some northern Baja projects were purchased by flippers who intended to resell before construction was finished...
But with contagion from the U.S. subprime mortgage debacle spooking many would-be purchasers and credit drying up, the Baja real estate market is flagging. Speculators are starting to sweat.
Speculators likewise are smarting in Puerto Penasco, also known as Rocky Point, a beach resort in Sonora state 60 miles south of the Arizona border on the Sea of Cortez, also called the Gulf of California.
Egged on by soaring real estate prices at home, Arizonans snatched up Puerto Penasco condos at "crazy" prices that topped $1 million for some penthouses, according to Dee Brooks, owner of Twin Dolphins Real Estate in Rocky Point.
She said many flippers haven't been able to sell their units. Meanwhile, the rental market is so saturated that most can't cover their costs by leasing their properties.

Here's the whole story.

On the other hand ... Penasco's getting more investment dollars from Spain.

From Raminova Announces Expansion Plan in the Americas

Raminova announces plans to invest approximately $650 million in tourism-related projects in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Panama City, Panama; Los Cabos, Mexico; and Puerto Penasco, Mexico, within the next year.
Raminova's expansion plan, as well as its first project in the Dominican Republic, Cana Bay Beach Club & Golf Resort, is featured in this month's issue of Smart Money magazine...
Raminova is a partnership between the Ramirez Group, a 75-year-old real estate developing company, and Caixanova, one of Spain's largest financial institutions.

Here's the full release, and here's a followup from GlobeSt.com

At the moment I'm unaware If Raminova has anything to do with Salvago Mexico - the subgroup of the Spanish utility Iberdrola that bought Laguna Del Mar a while back - other than the fact that they're both located in Spain.

Seeking your old memories and stories about Puerto Peñasco

bhance — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0000

I've heard from many, many people who stumble onto this website while searching for historical information about the area. Some folks have even been nice enough to send in their photos and anecdotes from their days "way back" in the 50's and 60's.

With all the growth and construction going on, I've become increasingly interested in people's stories from the 'old times' of Puerto Peñasco, when everybody called the place 'a sleepy little fishing village'.

Lots of you seem to be famiilar with Puerto Peñasco from the 60's on - I'm guessing somebody made a killing selling fishing boats in Tucson right around that time. I'd like to start an ongoing collection of your stories about Puerto Peñasco. I'm looking for your stories, memories, and recollections of Puerto Peñasco from 'way back in the day' - especially the 50's, 60's, and 70's.

Anything goes - when you were there, what you did, who you remember, how you remember the Puerto Peñasco of the past. Send your stories to info@puerto-penasco.com! I'd love to hear them and, with permission, post them for others.

New updates, chatting in the street, RV's, motorcycles, SPRING BREAK and the Vaquita Marina

bhance — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

SPRING BREAK: For everybody emailing me with questions about SPRING BREAK 2007 - I don't mind fielding your emails, but do me a favor and read the 'Spring Break 2007' page first. I'm confident this page answers a stunning majority of the questions I am getting in email. Thanks.

NEW FROM TIM MELLO: Check out Tim Mello's new additions - RV Parks Morph into Seaside Pearls and Chatting on the Streets/'Charlando en Los Calles'.

Don't forget his special report on Nascent Foodservice's move into Penasco, either, which he has updated with photos from their grand opening.

BIKER BUILD OFF - remember when the Discovery Channel's 'Biker Build Off' show shot a bunch of footage during the 2006 Rocky Point Rally? Well, the episode finally airs Feb 22, 2007 (the show is on TLC now) check out the press release here, from the bikerpics.org* blog. [* - bikerpics.org isn't exactly work-safe, if you get what I'm saying, so click accordingly :) ]

DISCOVERSONORA.COM - Discoversonora.com is back in business! You may remember this absolutely stunning photography/travel magazine from a while back. Their website disappeared for a while and I assumed that all was lost, which would have been a shame - however, not only is discoversonora.com back in business, but all of their issues are available online as PDF's - and they're gorgeous. Editor and publisher Gustavo Ybarra tells me new issues are on the way for 2008, and I can't wait to see them.

SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE ON THE VAQUITA MARINA: If you have even a passing interest in the Sea of Cortez, take ten minutes out of your day and read this article, and be sure to check out their slideshow as well.

NY TIMES ON THE VAQUITA MARINA: 02/18/2007 - And now, the NY Times chimes in , with Vaquita Porpoise, and a Way of Life, Face Extinction

GOLFO DE SANTA CLARA, Mexico — The fishermen gathered in the early evening light where the desert meets the blue gulf to talk over the way they had always lived off the sea and the fate of a small, endangered porpoise few of them had ever seen. Environmentalists from the United States and Mexico had begged the fishermen to stop using the gill nets that are killing off La Vaquita, or the little cow, a porpoise that now has the dubious distinction of being one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world...

Here's the article