San Felipe or Puerto Penasco?

cross country wrote:
Have a neighbor in the campground wanting to get a taste of Mexico but is concerned about low sulphur fuel venturing any further than these two spots.

So which one would you go to, to find out more about Mexico from fellow campers and learn the ropes so to speak.

My neighbor is a single women and her friend and others are worried about safety with a big Mobile Suites fifth wheel and custom tow truck.

I thought she may be closer to fellow campers at Rocky Point and learn more info about Mexico without too much worry at all.

What is your opinion? thanks. Tom

1st. choice San Felipe. Small rural ocean town. Plenty of American RVers to talk with. Call Vagabundos travel agency in Rio Vista Ca. for assistance in getting mexican insurance and general information about fuel. If needed buy insurance in the town just at the border not right at the border.Have 1. proof of ownership of RV and Vechicle, letter of permission from bank to travel into mexico unless you have the pink slip of ownership.2. medical prescriptions for all your drugs 3. vaccinations for all pets 4. current Passport.

Agree with San Felipe as first choice tho it is a harder crossing & longer drive. More RV parks available but the prices are getting on the pricey side as most prices are set to the site demand of California campers.

Rocky Point is a very very close second, in fact maybe a tie. Easier crossing (nothing needed except Mexican In) and shorter drive. Prices are better as demand is set by Arizona campers.

This is MHO!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

Either choice is a good place to start! Neither is particularly dangerous, but common sense should always prevail whenever travelling to a foreign Country.

We have been to both places and cannot place either one over the other! We had Fun in Both!

I enjoy my life in Rocky Point but I also like San Felipe for great steaks at El Nido

Take in both! You don't say where your campground is, but you should be able to make it on one tank with the new(er) road from Golfo Santa Clara to PP. Otherwise, any fuel in Mexicali will be LSDF.

I agree, why limit yourself to one town. San Felipe is farther, but it's interesting to realize that Porto Penasco (Rocky Point) is just across the Gulf of California, although out of sight (but from PP one can usually see the mountains of Baja California). The drive to San Felipe from Mexicali was about 140 miles, from there to PP was about 260 miles,taking the Gulfo bypass road, with some of it through the Altair desert on a fine road where sand dunes rose to the left with glimpses of the Sea to the right. When leaving PP the trip to the border is only about an hour.

Depends if you want the resort life with all it has to offer or the quiet serenity scene. I spent much of my teen years visiting Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) in the 70's and then numerous visits in the 80's-90's. Back then it was a very small fishing village. No massive tourist crowds, just pristine unspoiled beaches.

Today Rocky Point has grown substantially with huge resort hotel complexes where some of my favorite beaches used to be. Just not the same to me!

That said, there are a few beaches I still enjoy, just not as much. I usually stay at Playa Del Oro RV park which is away from the more crowded RV parks and resorts. JJ's cantina over at Cholla Bay is still tons of fun like always!

San Felipe reminds me of how Rocky Point used to be. Endless miles of unspoiled beaches for the taking. It is growing but still a sleepy town thats very enjoyable. Very different experience from Rocky Point. Both are fun though.

Have been to both and San Felipe has always been my choice. Rocky point is too commercial and crowded with people. Also too close to Phoenix which attract loud parting college students:(:( San Felipe has great beaches, camping RV parks, friendly people, not crowded or congested. Last time I went there were 5 blocks of paved road on the main street where all the shopping and stores. All the rest of the town was dirt roads:):) Great fish cannery where you can buy fresh fish and outstanding shrimp and crabs every days. The local fishermen will come to your campground and offer a fishing trip. Not expensive.

It's true as stated earlier the Sandy beach area of Puerto Peñasco is full enough of Condos and Hotels......but if I remember right most Rvers have a toad and a lot of those are 4x4 enabled. When we want a private beach location, Naomi and I hop in the Jeep and head either North or South of our house to find and explore new places. We are always amazed at the things we find and we have lived here for over 9 years. We live about 8 minutes from the Playa Bonita area and can be on a private quiet beach about 15 minutes from our house, a beach where we will see no one. You can take a nap without being awaken by a vendor. If we head South East we find ourselves on an estuary where there is a great oyster bar, very quiet and calming.

When we have a whole day to explore we drive up the coastal highway from our house about an hour or so and head to a beach where there are actually petrified sand dollars. We never see anyone there either. We take a few tamales and build a small fire in the sand and steam our lunch and have a cold one before heading back home full and with lots of treasures.

To us as early semi retirees we cant stand the thought of being in the RV park all day, it's fun for a few days but there is much to explore in and around Peñasco.

I invite you to explore Peñasco when you have the time. Again I will say that Naomi and I enjoy San Felipe and all of the Baja very, very much.