Hermosillo's International Airport (General Ignacio Pesqueira Garcia), is one of the busiest in Mexico, as it is in the centre of Mexico's northwest and has scheduled flights from/to the US cities of [wiki=5047bc596a4bab2dc7f7c120bb22dec5]Phoenix[/wiki], and [wiki=d0aa2dffa0da83f1f34681308d04db5d]Los Angeles[/wiki]. Domestic origins include: Chihuahua, Cd. Juárez, Cd. Obregón, Culiacán, Guadalajara, Los Mochis, Mazatlán, Mexicali, [wiki=0b4596f8efe110dc55bbe564213dfb33]Mexico City[/wiki], [wiki=520b719ffeaafb7246f8e5da26d5c0a4]Monterrey[/wiki], [wiki=f8abf41bf5d4f0064441e43046f7010f]Tijuana[/wiki] and Torreón.
Also, small regional and charter airlines provide service to the following destinations:
* Guasave
* Guaymas
* Guerrero Negro
Facilities are ready to receive aircraft as large as Boeing's 777.
If you are close to the border (Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez) check flights leaving out of those airports in Mexico, they are generally cheaper than flights from US cities into Hermosillo.
Low air-fare providers are Interjet and Volaris; while Viva-aerobus is the cheapest of them all beware of the airline policies for it wont give any protection for any delays or cancellations.
The road from Nogales (on the border) down to Hermosillo is a well paved, new highway, however, due to a large amount of rain in December 2007 the highway (Mexico 15) had developed many potholes, some of them very large and deep. These potholes have caused extensive damage to vehicles and tires, and have even caused some fatal accidents. The potholes are on both the north and south bound sides of Highway 15. As of April 2008 reconstruction and maintenance of the highway is taking place so be prepared to take the designated detours. The portion of Highway 15 between Magdalena de Kino and Hermosillo is a toll road, keep your receipt as this is a form of insurance. To file a claim you will need to return to the toll booth (either in Hermosillo or Magdalena). If you are bringing a car in from the United States of America, or Canada (including rental vehicles) you will need to have insurance through a Mexican company, if you have an accident call these companies immediately, in most cases a representative from the insurance company will be dispatched to the scene of the accident, be prepared to wait for them, though no more than 2 hours, especially if you are in the middle of the desert somewhere. Also be aware that quite often when you are involved in an accident which requires a police report the vehicle will be impounded overnight. Most police officers (federal and local) are very courteous and helpful, some of them may be willing to forego the report in order to help you out.
On your Mexican insurance forms there should be a number for the "Angeles Verdes" (Green Angels) which is a roadside assistance service similar to AAA in the United States. Keep that number handy when you travel, Angeles Verdes drivers are bi-lingual and are very helpful.
Going to or coming from Hermosillo from Nogales you will encounter several checkpoints. On the north bound side there is a checkpoint manned 24 hours a day by the Mexican military. The soldiers posted at the stop sign who speak to the drivers are almost always able to speak enough English to deal with American and Canadian tourists. They will ask you where you are going, where you are coming from, and may ask to see your ID. Random and suspicious vehicles will be directed to a parking area to be searched, if you are selected to be searched the process normally takes less than 5 minutes (assuming you aren't carrying anything you shouldn't be). They will search through your bags, and the interior of your car. There may also be Federal Preventative Police (PFP) checkpoints, these checkpoints are often set up in different locations. Most PFP Police Officers will speak english, but will normally wave through any vehicles with American or Canadian plates, so long as the occupants are obvious tourists (break out your straw hats, brown shoes, and black knee socks!)
Hermosillo is about a 7 1/2 hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona, about 4 to 4 1/2 hours from Tucson, and about 3 hours from Nogales, Sonora. That is assuming you drive the speed limit. It is not unheard of to have the previous mentioned times to be much less when the border crossing is not congested. Also (and this applies for all of Mexico) The Mexican highway patrol has a modern fleet of Dodge Chargers, all of them have video cameras and many of them have K-Band radar. So bring your radar detector. Mexican regulations don't explicitly prohibit detectors nor are they sold in the country, however, that does not mean cops aren't familiar with these devices. So if you get pulled over with your detector, don't expect the cop to be so nice anymore if he notices it (just like in the US). As with any cop either side of the border, be nice to them and they'll be nice to you.
When you arrive in Hermosillo be on the lookout for topes, or speedbumps. Not all topes are marked (a yellow sign with a black speedbump) or painted yellow, pay particular attention at night as they are not always visible, and you may leave your engine on the street.
People in Hermosillo tend to drive somewhat recklessly, particularly the bus drivers. Red lights, stop signs, and speed limits are often treated as suggestions rather than law. Be careful of vehicles coming from side streets, they normally have stop signs, but sometimes will not stop until their car is already halfway in the nearest lane. Traffic lights are like most others in Mexico, where the green light will flash before it turns to yellow, and then red. Passing through a yellow light is a violation, there is no delay from when your light turns red to the other light turning green as there normally is in the United States. When you see the light flashing green be prepared to stop. Many intersections will have stop signs in addition to the lights, if the light is green you do not have to stop, this can be confusing to some people who have never encountered this setup before.
Central de Emergencias 066
Federal de Caminos (Federal Police) (52)(662) 289-7098
Sonora State Police Headquarters
North (52)(622) 218-5564, (52)(622) 218-6416, (52)(622) 218-5526
Central (52)(622) 213-4046, (52)(622) 213-3738, (52)(622) 213-3401
TelCel and MoviTel also have emergency numbers, check your cell phone's display screen to see which service your phone is currently using.
TelCel 117+send
Movitel *114+send
If your phone is not currently on one of these two networks use one of the other numbers listed above.
Most likely you will have to have a basic knowledge of Spanish to communicate on these lines, or ask if there is anyone available who speaks English (Hablas Ingles?).
Also see the "Stay Safe" section of this entry.
The main bus terminal (Central Camionera) is located approx. 2km east of downtown on Blvd. Luis Encinas. It is well served with frequent north-south route. You can catch a local bus in front of the terminal to the downtown area (bus #1, 18, and 19. Fare: 6 pesos, exact change only).
There is also a daily departure at 6:30 by Estrella Blanca to Chihuahua through Yecora, Baseachi, and La Junta, that is useful if you are heading to Copper Canyon area. This route is quite expensive (748 pesos to Baseachi, June 2014) and Estrella Blanca website [https://www.estrellablanca.com.mx/] doesn't list this route, so inquire locally.
TUFESA bus line runs from Arizona(Tucson, Phoenix, etc) to Hermosillo. Fares are around $49 one way from Phoenix, and vary based on other cities. The Hermosillo stop is on the Ciudad Obregon route.
Hermosillo has branches of all the major banks operating in Mexico, some of them are related to foreign banks:
* HSBC. Has ATM's almost in every retail (Walmart, Ley, Soriana) and those one in their branches.
* Banamex. Relates to Citybank/Citygroup, is the most important bank in the country, several branches and ATM's in most of the retail stores.
* BBVA Bancomer. Related to Chase, number of branches similar to those of HSBC. ATM's in most of retails.
* Santander. Associated with Bank of America. BofA users can withdrawl money from Santander ATM's with no additional fees. But, Santander has fewer branches and ATM's than other banks.
* Scotiabank. Canadian owned bank, member of Global Alliance, No fee withdrawal for Scotiabank Canada, Deutschbank, BNP Paribas, Barcley etc. There are ATMs in some OXXO stores.
Toys can cost almost 1.5 times more in many parts of Mexico than in the USA, don't expect deals there. Restaurants, food, bars, liquor, hotels are excellent in price and with the average exchange difference, can cost 2/3rds of the same in US.
The following are some interesting stores you may find in town:
* Deportes Arietta, in El Centro (downtown Hermosillo). The official uniform dealer for the Naranjeros. You can get a real jersey, the same as the players wear, for about $60. The store also has merchandise from the other teams in the Mexican Pacific League, as well as other sports teams from throughout Mexico, and MLB and NBA merchandise. Several store employees speak fluent English and will be happy to talk sports with you.
* Reyes Tienda Vaquera, a store that sells cowboy hats, and boots, also the cowboy type of clothing that is popular throughout Hermosillo and northern Mexico. There are several stores throughout Hermosillo, prices range from low to high.
* Soriana, located throughout Hermosillo (6 stores). It's a retail store, competes directly with Walmart.
* Coppel Department store, cheap furniture and clothes, also offers gold and other jewerly, fragances, shoes and house appliances.
* Ley, More than 15 locations. Ley is a retail store. Ley is connected to the US chain Safeway.
* Supermercados SantaFé, a grocery store. Several locations in Hermosillo. Rebranded from a previous retail chain who went to bankrupcy.
* Wal-Mart, several locations throughout Hermosillo. Unlike Wal-Marts in the US, Wal-Mart is considered an upscale, expensive store in Mexico. The Wal-Marts in Hermosillo are much nicer and cleaner than a Wal-Mart in the United States. One of the newest Wal-Marts is located at the "City Center" shopping area, in the northern part of Hermosillo on Blvd. Jose Maria Morelos.
* Oxxo, a convenience store. Literally hundreds of locations across Hermosillo. Some of them into gas stations.
Hermosillo has several places to shop:
* Galerias Mall. Designed American-style, this place offers a movie theather with normal, 3d and VIP service. Food court with dozens of options including McDonald's. Lots of boutiques and shoe stores, a Sears store, Apple i-shop, Swiss Army store, and a casino with electronic games and bingo.
* Plaza Sendero. South of the city, this Mall provides dozens of cloth and shoe stores, a Soriana retail store, food court including Burger King, a movie theather, Coppel and Woolworth departamental stores, and a casino with electronic games.
* Plaza Girasol. This plaza has focused stores and services as Office Depot, Cable company, banks, optical service, regional airline tickets, and food court.
* Plaza Ley Sahuaro. This Plaza/Mall is one of the oldest in town and has lots of clothing and shoe stores, jewellery, hair dressers, gift shops ATM machines, even pawn shop, food court and arcade games are available in the rear side, the main store is a Ley retail.
* City Center Pitic. Located north at Morelos Bldv. this plaza offers high level stores and services. It's main store is Walmart and others include: HP store, GNC, Starbucks, Gamers, City Salads, Quetzal kitchen design, Play City casino and SportWorld Gym.
* Metrocentro and Megamall area. This unincorporated area includes the Metrocentro Plaza, the Franchise Plaza and the Megamall wich all of them are placed together in the intersection of Colosio and Solidaridad Blvds. This area offer high level stores as: Tous, Abercrombie&fitch, Aeropostale; restaurants: Marcos, Applebee's, California, Arbolitos seafood; fast food: 24 hour Burger King, McDonald's, BaskinRobins; a cinema, a bowling alley with many lanes and a bar, music and musical instruments store, crafts and local items, Olympus cafe, Costco retail store, Comercial Mexicana retail store, Office max, among others. This is a very complete area if you want to buy or have fun.
* Liverpool. Fancy department store, sells clothes, shoes, fragrances, jewellery, makeup, gifts, chocolates, furniture and house deco. Has a restaurant with bar and toy&pet store.
* Sanborn's. High level amenities stores. Sells cuban tobaccos along with a variety of cigarrettes brands, liquors, movies, books, apparel accessories, gifts and electronics. Has a cafe/restaurant. Marked as a gay encounter site.
* Sears. Known departament stores. Two locations in Hermosillo, one in Galerias Mall, the other one in Downtown. Clothes, shoes, furniture, electonics, gifts, lingerie, among other items. The store located in Downtown is expected to close as the one in Galerias Mall is now totally working.
* MundoComic. Comic, manga and magazine store. Also trading cards, collectibles and videogames. In the same block of Liverpool store.
* Municipal Market. The perfect place to eat the local food. Here you can also buy fruits and vegetables. along with local and traditional foods, toppings, and gifts, such as ironwood ornaments.
* Bona building. Located in front of San Alberto Hotel and Vip's restaurant, Bona building has among it's occupants a traditional food place, where you can eat different typical menu, and an exclusive souvenir shop, which sells shirts, cups, postcards, ironwood items, iron items and lots of surprising gifts to take back to home.
Hermosillo is full of great restaurants, including American ones such as Applebee's. There are lots of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other ethnic restaurants as well. The best, though, are the Mexican-run taco stands.
* Antojeria del Centro, Periferico Poniente and Blvd. Luis Donaldo Colosio (Metrocentro Area), 662 260 5070. Popular with foreign tourists, this restaurant offers a wide selection including delicious Mexican food, Italian food and American favorites. English menu available.
* Irasema - The best and cleanest place for tacos de cabeza.
* Mariachisimo, Periférico Poniente No. 325 - Col. Palmar del Sol, 662 218 35 55 [url=http://www.restaurantxochimilco.com/].]One of the two best carne asada restaurants. There is an amazing mariachi band on stage (Mariachi Juvenil de Jalisco). A little expensive, but very good.
* Xochimilco, Obregón No. 51 - Col. Villa de Seris, 662 250 40 89, [http://www.restaurantxochimilco.com/[/url]. Carne asada restaurant with very good service, taste, and quality. Window allows you to watch the chefs in action, and the enormous tortillas de harina (flour tortillas) being made. Xochimilco slogan is 'If you come to Hermosillo and don't eat at Xochimilco, yo can assume you were not here'.
* Sonora Steakhouse, Blvd. Eusebio Kino. A steakhouse featuring the food Sonora is famous for. Located in the Pitic neighborhood near the Fiesta Americana and Araiza Inn hotels. Expensive, but worth it. They come by and show you the meat and let you choose the thickness of your steak (which they charge you for by the gram). Plus, you might get to meet the Governor! The governor's residence is right next to the Sonora Steakhouse.
* La Casa Grande, Blvd. Eusebio Kino No. 902. Tel: 662.214-5740. Traditional Mexican Food
* Ole, Blvd. Morelos No. 89. A restaurant featuring Spanish cuisine. Friday nights there is live music and flamenco dancing.
* Taco Grill, Blvd. Navarrete No. 205. Carne Asada (Grilled Beef) Tacos
* Armando's Excellent, high quality tacos. Comparatively expensive (about $2.50 US per taco) but with excellent ingredients and massive portions.
Very nice hotels in Hermosillo cost about the same as a mid-range hotel in Phoenix. For around $50 per night, you can find a hotel that would cost around $100-200 in the U.S.
Hotel & Suites Kino 151 Pino Suarez st. This hotel offers one-person accomodation starting at about 40-45USD and up to double and executive suites. Three star hotel with the basic stuff and also an inside swimming pool, free coffee at nights, wifi access and cable tv among other commodities. The only low budget remarcable hotel in town. Operating with no interruption since 1863 making this 2012 a total of 149 years in service. Also take a look to the exhibit of XIX and XX century items. This hotel has no bar.
* Hotel San Alberto Serdán y Rosales. Centro Hermosillo. Large hotel in good downtown location. Starting from Single 350 Pesos if you book directly. tel: 662 213 1840
*Hotel Washington DC Dr. Noriega 68. Right in downtown, One block soutwest of Jardin Juarez. Probably the cheapest option in the city for 300/320 pesos single/double (November 2014). Rooms are clean and large enough but its central air-conditioner is rather unreliable. Has Wi-Fi but no TV in room. Listed in Lonely Planet. Tel: 662 213 1183
Santiago Hotel, 545 Blvd. Luis Encinas. For about $60 USD per night you can get a suite, not much different than your average hotel room, but includes granite countertops in the bathroom. Includes a restaurant with a buffet.
* San Sebastian Corner of Perisur and Guaymas exit. Pretty much the same thing, style and rates of Santiago Hotel. Just a bigger in size. Has a buffet restaurant and a bar with live music and comedian.
Lucerna, Blvd. Vado del Rio. Hermosillo's newest and most luxurious hotel with bilingual staff. In the southern part of the city, right next to "Centro de Gobierno" or the main government offices. Pool, with jacuzzi.
* Fiesta Americana Hotel, Blvd. Eusebio Kino 369 - Col. Lomas Pitic. Hermosillo's hotel, 5 star amenities. Bilingual counter staff. Located in the northern part of the city, as you enter from Mexico 15 south the hotel is just after you enter the city on the left. Located in Hermosillo's finest neighborhood, "Pitic." Surrounded by some of Hermosillo's nicest (and most expensive) restaurants. The hotel includes its own restaurant, tennis courts and a nightclub (The Velvet)
*[url=http://www.araizahoteles.com/]Araiza Inn Hotel[/url], Blvd Eusebio Kino No. 353. Located right near the Fiesta Americana, it includes a delightful outdoor pool, and a bar/nightclub in the rear.