Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point, as most people in Arizona call it, is about a four to five hour drive from Phoenix, depending on what part you are leaving from, what time of day, and how you drive. Detailed directions are on the next page.
What do you need to take with you to drive to Rocky Point? You need either: (1) a passport, or (2) a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license) plus proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate), and a vehicle that is registered in your name. If you don't have a passport, and you intend to come to Mexico in the future, you'd better apply for a passport because at some point that's what you'll need to go to Rocky Point, even if you are driving. Check here for current documentation requirements for land crossings.
Make sure your auto registration is current. Your American insurance does not cover you in Mexico. Things happen there just like they can happen here--tickets, thefts, fender benders, and more serious mishaps. If you don't have Mexican insurance, you could find yourself in a serious situation.
Here are some places where you can purchase Mexican auto insurance. You can wait until you are driving through Ajo to stop in and personally pick it up, or you can get insurance online.
Mexican Auto Insurance Links
- Get Mexican Insurance, Aho, AZ
- Mexico Insurance Professionals,Flagstaff, AZ
- Mexico Trip Insurance Center, specializes in RV insurance and in daily policies for tourists visiting Rocky Point.
- Ray Phillips Mexico Insurance, locations in the Phoenix area, Tucson, Aho and Cottonwood
- San Xavier Mexico Insurance, locations in Tucson and Nogales
Rocky Point Tip: You might encounter Border Patrol inspection stations on the way to the border. Slow down. Follow their directions. Chances are they will just wave you through.
