Mexico boasts many hot spots

By Melanie Klein
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 19, 1996

With its warm weather and inexpensive prices Mexico is a popular travel site for many spring break vacationers.

Some of the closest and most visited beaches over spring break are Rocky Point (Puerta Penasco), San Carlos, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.


Puerta Penasco (Rocky Point), Sonora, Mexico

Rocky Point, the closest Mexico beach vacation from Tucson, is 205 miles away and about a three and a half hour drive.

Camping on the beach is a favorite for those looking to maximize their spring break money. It is three dollars a day to camp, and there are pay restrooms for .50 cents. Just past the exit of the Washboard, a rippled and bumpy road that resembles a washboa rd, is Cholla Bay, where showers are a $1.50.

While getting a tan on the shore, take advantage of the Reef, a bar located in the middle of Sandy Beach. It is famous for its Bloody Marys and margaritas. Along the bar's paved patio, vacationers can grab a bite to eat and watch the caravan of trucks and jeeps parade up and down the beach.

JJ's is at Cholla Bay, and the theme of the bar is "no sniveling." JJ's stays open as long as there is a crowd and serves food until closing.

At Rojo's, wind surfing, fishing charters, scuba rentals and dive charters are offered.

The Playa Hermosa Hotel has rooms for a three-night stay in quad accommodations for $49 per room. Reservations can be made through Mexico Getaway Tours and Travel.

For a three-night stay in quad accommodations at The Vina Del Mar Hotel, rooms are $66. Reservations can be made through Mexico Getaway Tours and Travel.

The Gradada Del Mar Hotel has rooms for a three-night stay in quad accommodations for $75 per room, reservations made through Mexico Tours.


San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico

San Carlos is 325 miles from Tucson. It's a five- to six-hour drive on a four-lane, divided highway, or a less-than-one-hour non-stop flight from Tucson to the Guaymas International Airport.

The Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel and Resort, the only five-star hotel in the state of Sonora, Mexico, is located on Los Algodones Beach of the Sea of Cortez. The hotel is 12 miles from Guaymas International Airport.

Each room is equipped with satellite TV, mini-bar and telephone. The hotel has two restaurants and two bars, including pool-side and beach service. There are two swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, and facilities for ping-pong, beach volleyball, and tennis on the property.

A nature cruise is available at nearby San Pedro Island, the home of thousands of sea lions. There is an 18-hole golf course, and fishing expeditions are available.

For the water enthusiast, snorkeling, wind surfing, sailing and jet skiing are offered.

For a seven-night stay at the Howard Johnson hotel, including airfare, hotel, transportation to and from the airport, and double-occupancy room is $639 per person, reservations through USTravel.

The Fiesta Hotel is $50 per night for quad accommodations, with reservation made through Mexico Tours.

"The Fiesta hotel has the best food in San Carlos, especially the tortilla soup," said Daniel Anderson, UA graduate.

At the Plaza Las Glorias hotel, for a seven-night stay including airfare, hotel, and transportation to and from airport and hotel, a double-occupancy is $537 per person, with reservations through USTravel.

The popular restaurant/bar Tequila's is located along the same shoreline as Plaza Las Glorias, and is within walking distance.

Neptuno's 2000, a tri-level bar on the main strip of San Carlos, has a mechanical bull, pool tables, and allows dancing on top of the bar.


Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico

Mazatlan is 700 miles from Tucson and takes about 17 hours by train.

The Hotel Playa Mazatlan is a three-star hotel situated on a private beach four miles from the center of town.

Each bedroom is equipped with a a color TV and service-bar. The hotel has two restaurants a coffee shop, swimming pool and tennis courts.

For a three-night stay, including air fare from Phoenix, a room with a garden view is $425 per person, reservations made through Chateau Travel.

The package restricts travel on weekends and will cost an additional $15 each way for weekend travel.

For an additional $40, one can leave from the Tucson International Airport.

At the Holiday Inn Mazatlan, an ocean-view room is $402 per person, reservations through Chateau Travel.

The three-star hotel Caravelle Beach Club is air-conditioned, with a restaurant, coffee shop and cocktail lounge. A double- occupancy room is $69 per night, reservations made through Chateau Travel.

According to Bon Voyage Travel, the Mexico destinations go very quickly as spring break approaches. The travel agency said Mazatlan accommodations were mostly depleted by the first week in February.


Cabo San Lucas, South Baja California, Mexico

Cabo San Lucus is 622 miles from Tucson.

Plaza Las Glorias, a five-story Mediterranean-style complex, is located in the Heart of Cabo San Lucas marina. The three-star hotel has a free beach shuttle to the hotel's beach club.

The rooms are air-conditioned, and suites have color TVs. The property has three restaurants and bars with a swimming pool and water sports available nearby.

For a three-night stay including air fare from Phoenix, a room is $474 per person, reservations through Chateau Travel.

The package restricts travel on weekends and costs an additional $15 each way for weekend travel. For an additional $40, one can leave from the Tucson National Airport.

The two-star hotel Quality Calinda Beach Cabo San Lucas is located on a cliff overlooking the Sea of Cortez with a secluded beach accessed by stairs. Three pools overlook the Pacific ocean. All the rooms are air-conditioned with balconies.

The property has one open-air restaurant, two lounges and live entertainment. There are two lighted tennis courts and three swimming pools and Jacuzzis. Snorkeling is also available.

For a three-night stay, including air fare from Phoenix, in a room with a garden view the price is $473 per person, reservations made through UATravel.

The package restricts travel on weekends and costs an additional $15 each way for weekend travel. For an additional $40, one can leave from Tucson National Airport.

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