Travel west on I-10 from Phoenix to the route SR 85 exit.
Head south on SR 85, through the outskirts of Buckeye and on to Gila Bend.
Continue west through Gila Bend and turn right just before McDonalds. This turn is marked with a sign stating "Mexico" and "SR 85 South". If you miss the turn you will be headed for Yuma.
Continue south on SR 85 to Ajo (39 miles).
Go through Ajo and continue south on SR 85 (10 miles) to Why, AZ. Ajo or Why are good places place to top off the fuel tank. Gas in Lukeville, AZ is usually more expensive. When in Mexico gas is available in most locations but the quality can be inconsistent and not what you are used to stateside (and sometimes it's twice as much $$). Olsen’s Market in Ajo is a nice grocery store, if you need to pick up anything.
Go through Why and continue south on SR 85 to Lukeville AZ (for about 27 miles)
Lukeville, AZ, also known as Gringo Pass is the US border crossing town. You'll again find all the necessary facilities on the American side if you forgot anything. There is a well stocked grocery store, etc. but the prices are pretty steep.
Crossing the Border: When you're ready to cross the border into Mexico, wait for your turn and note the traffic light. This is a random inspection process. If you get a green light, you should be free to proceed. If you get a red light, you'll be waived over and asked some questions. Be polite. The Mexican border police may probably ask to see in your trunk. They are primarily looking for drugs and guns, which you of course won't have. Since Rocky Point is within the free zone, you do not need a passport or visa to enter.
Once you get past the border, continue South into Sonoyta, Mexico, the Mexican border town. The speed limit here is fairly slow, so be careful. They do patrol the roads and now have radar. They will issue tickets if you are caught speeding. Driving in Mexico is not a problem as long as you follow the rules and drive defensively. About 1.8 miles from the border you will be entering the business area of Sonoyta.
You'll come to a 3-way intersection. You will see a monument on the right and the signs will indicate PTO Peñasco and Santa Ana to the left. Mexicali to the right. Stop at the ALTO (stop) sign. You will turn left here.
Just after you make the left turn the road will split into a ‘Y’. "Pharmacia San Luis" will be on your right, just before the ‘Y’. You should stay to the right (towards Puerto Peñasco/Caborca). Do not follow the sign to San Luis or Santa Ana. You will pass "Vasquez’s" on your left if you have made the correct turn. This is a fun place to shop. There is a traffic light soon after "Vasquez’s". This road is Mexican Hwy 8 and will take you into Puerto Peñasco.
Sonoyta to Puerto Peñasco: The highway from Sonoyta to Puerto Peñasco is approximately ~60 miles of open range. Being open range, you are subject to encountering livestock on the highway on occasion. This is one of the major reasons that we recommend not driving this highway at night (cattle and goats don’t wear tail lights and are difficult to see). Along the way you will see a sign for San Pedro; some antenna towers atop a hill to the right; a sign saying EJ PTO Peñasco (don’t turn, you aren’t there yet!); a small chapel on the right and a sign saying Termina Sonoyta……PTO Peñasco. You will know you are close to Rocky Point when you start seeing sand dunes on the right and scattered buildings.
To Playa La Jolla (short route): You can avoid going through town and go straight to the development. Before entering town you will see an interchange with large green signs for the Caborca Highway. If you stay on the highway (Mexico 8) at this point you will go into the town of Puerto Peñasco. The shortest route is to exit the highway to the right towards Caborca/Laguna Del Mar. You then have an opportunity to continue to the right and you will be headed to Laguna Del Mar. Don’t do that!! or immediately curve to the left and stop at the ALTO sign, so you can cross over Hwy 8 and be on the road headed toward Caborca. (Essentially what you are doing is the same as a left turn from the highway, but this will get you out of the traffic, if there is any. It think this is the Mexican version of a cloverleaf!)
Follow this road (the Caborca Highway) about 7.5 miles. You will come to a stop (Alto) sign and then cross over some railroad tracks. Just past the RR tracks you will take a right and go for about 1.2 miles. Here you will see a large billboard sign on the right. In large print at the top of the sign it says La Bella Vita and along the bottom it will say Playa La Jolla.
Turn left onto the packed sand road. Sometimes this road is pretty good and other times it can have washboards, but it is always passable without 4 wheel drive. Be sure to stay on the hard packed area. If you get off the road, you can easily become stuck! Stay on this road and go about 4.7 miles where you will see a small hill straight ahead and a turn to the right. There will be signs for Playa Encanto and Playa La Jolla (among others) to the right.
Turn right. Just after you turn, the road will split. The right hand fork becomes what we call the ‘low road’, which runs along the estuary. The left fork goes up a hill into the Playa Encanto development. (Note: if you take the low road, you will end up in Playa La Jolla, but the road can be bad so this is not recommended.)
Take the left side of the fork into Playa Encanto. As you go through the gate, the guard may stop you...but, probably not!. Just tell him you are going to Playa La Jolla and he will let you pass. Go straight ahead after you pass through the guard shack.
Be alert....the road will make a sharp turn to the right just after you pass the guard gate.
You are now on the last stretch before entering our subdivision. You will see houses and the beautiful Sea of Cortez on your left. Continue on this road. There will be some speed bumps and stop signs on this road. About 1.7 miles past the guard shack; there will be a stop sign, the road will narrow and shift slightly to the left as it passes between some houses. About .3 of a mile past this point you will come to the Playa La Jolla entry gate/guard shack.
Go through the gate. You will see a house with a stone foundation just ahead, on the right side of the road. You have found Castillo de Arena!
**If you would rather take the ‘scenic’ route and go through town, it will add about 20 minutes to your drive, but here’s how you do it:
To Playa La Jolla (scenic route): Follow the above directions until you get to the Caborca Highway turnoff. At this point stay on Hwy 8 and go into Puerto Peñasco. The road becomes Blvd. Benito Juarez. You will see a large green sign across the road directing you to local hotels, restaurants, etc. Go past the sign to Blvd. Fremont. There is a traffic light and a large Las Conchas sign on the left. Turn left onto Blvd Fremont. There is a median in the road, a small ‘park’ on the left and the municipal building on the right.
Follow Blvd. Fremont out of town. Approximately 1 mile after you turn, you’ll see a Pemex gas station and a small convenience store on the left. Continue on Blvd. Fremont (4.7 miles). Here you will see a large billboard sign on the left. In large print at the top of the sign it says La Bella Vita and along the bottom it will say Playa La Jolla.
Turn right onto the packed sand road. Sometimes this road is pretty good and other times it can have washboards, but it is always passable without 4 wheel drive. Be sure to stay on the hard packed area. If you get off the road, you can easily become stuck! Stay on this road and go about 4.7 miles where you will see a small hill straight ahead and a turn to the right. There will be signs for Playa Encanto and Playa La Jolla (among others) to the right.
Turn right. Just after you turn, the road will split. The right hand fork becomes what we call the ‘low road’, which runs along the estuary. The left fork goes up a hill into the Playa Encanto development. (Note: if you take the low road, you will end up in Playa La Jolla, but the road can be bad so this is not recommended.)
Take the left side of the fork into Playa Encanto. As you go through the gate, the guard may stop you...but, probably not!. Just tell him you are going to Playa La Jolla and he will let you pass. Go straight ahead after you pass through the guard shack.
Be alert....the road will make a sharp turn to the right just after you pass the guard gate.
You are now on the last stretch before entering our subdivision. You will see houses and the beautiful Sea of Cortez on your left. Continue on this road. There will be some speed bumps and stop signs on this road. About 1.7 miles past the guard shack; there will be a stop sign, the road will narrow and shift slightly to the left as it passes between some houses. About .3 of a mile past this point you will come to the Playa La Jolla entry gate/guard shack.
Go through the gate. You will see a house with a stone foundation just ahead, on the right side of the road. You have found Castillo de Arena!
This page was updated on 03/26/2008