There’s something magical about biting into a fresh donut while watching the sunrise over the Sea of Cortez. That first sip of coffee, that first sweet bite – it’s a morning ritual that just feels right, even when you’re on vacation. Or maybe *especially* when you’re on vacation.

Before we dive into where to find these delectable treats in our beloved Puerto Peñasco, let’s take a quick journey through donut history. These ring-shaped delights have been comforting humans for centuries, though they didn’t always have that convenient hole in the middle.

The doughnut’s history is often linked to the Dutch “olykoeks”, or oily cakes. These fried treats made their way to America with Dutch Pilgrims. To combat the issue of uncooked centers, early doughnuts were often filled with fruits or nuts. The first recorded use of the word “doughnut” comes from American author Washington Irving’s 1809 book, “History of New York”, where he depicted them as sweetened dough balls fried in hog’s fat. Another legend has it that in 1847, a ship captain named Hanson Gregory got fed up with the undercooked centers of these treats and punched a hole through the middle with a pepper box. Voilà – the modern donut was born!

¿Donuts en México?

While Mexico boasts its own impressive array of sweet pastries (churros, anyone?), American-style donuts have found their way into Mexican culture too. Mexico’s relationship with donuts began in earnest during the mid-20th century, when American influences started crossing the border more frequently.

In Rocky Point, where tourism creates a beautiful blend of cultures, donuts represent that perfect sweet spot between tradition and tourism. Here, you’ll find classic Mexican pastries like donas, and churros sharing shelf space with glazed donuts, creating a delicious cultural pairing that speaks the universal language of sugar.

There’s something about vacation that makes us give ourselves permission to indulge. That diet you’ve been sticking to back home? It can wait until you cross back over the border. That morning donut you’ve been denying yourself? Well, you’re on vacation now, amigo.

And let’s be honest – there’s no better companion to a beachside morning stroll than a sweet, doughy treat and a cup of strong coffee. The salt air seems to enhance the sweetness, and the vacation vibes make calories countless. It’s science. Or at least, it’s vacation math.

So, Where to Get Your Donut Fix in Rocky Point?

When that inevitable donut craving hits during your Puerto Peñasco getaway, here are some spots where you can satisfy your sweet tooth:

Happy Donuts! – I mean who isn’t happy when they’re eating a donut. Located at the back of the Olas restaurant off Benito Juarez

Mr. Donas – near Sam’s Club https://www.facebook.com/mrdonaspco/

Kaffeehaus – stands as a local favorite, offering that perfect combination of freshly brewed coffee, lattes and just-made apple strudel, cinnamon rolls and donuts.

Candy Cake – outstanding cakes and they bring a Mexican twist to traditional donuts, often incorporating local flavors like cajeta (caramel) or chocolate with a hint of cinnamon.

Panadería Cornejo -https://www.facebook.com/PanCornejo/ A long-standing bakery in Rocky Point with two locations. They offer “pan dulce, rolls, white bread, and cream-filled pastries”, “fresh loaves of bread, cinnamon rolls, and apple fritters”.

Reggies – 8-12 -a quick picked up store that offers donuts.

Sam’s Club -They have a donut hole machine.

While you’re out exploring, keep an eye out for the small panadería stands that dot the town. Many offer their own version of donuts alongside traditional Mexican pastries, churros creating fusion treats you won’t find anywhere else.

The Top 10 Donuts Worth Breaking Your Diet For

If you’re going to indulge, you might as well go all-in with these classic favorites:

1. **Classic Glazed** – Sometimes simplicity is perfection

2. **Chocolate Frosted** – Because chocolate makes everything better

3. **Boston Cream** – Custard filling with chocolate frosting? Yes, please

4. **Jelly-Filled** – Sweet surprise in every bite

5. **Old-Fashioned** – For the traditionalists among us

6. **Maple Bacon** – Sweet meets savory in this modern classic

7. **Churro Donut** – The perfect Mexican-American fusion

8. **Cinnamon Sugar** – Simple but impossible to resist

9. **Apple Fritter** – Technically a donut cousin, but too good to exclude

10. **Sprinkle-Topped** – Because we all need a little color in our lives

Here’s my vacation philosophy: life is too short to skip the donuts, especially when you’re in a beautiful place like Puerto Peñasco. That diet can wait until Monday (or until you cross back over the border). For now, grab that sweet, doughy ring of happiness, find a spot with a view of the sparkling Sea of Cortez, and take a moment to appreciate the simple pleasures.

After all, calories consumed while watching the waves don’t count. And if they do, well, you can always swim them off later. Or not. You’re on vacation, remember?

So next time you’re wandering the streets of Puerto Peñasco with morning hunger pangs and a craving for something sweet, follow your nose to one of our local donut havens. Your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll be participating in a delicious tradition that spans cultures and generations.

Because whether you call them donuts, donas, or even churros, these sweet circles of joy speak a universal language that everyone in Puerto Peñasco understands: delicious.

“Vacations are about abandoning work and routine to indulge. Nobody ever said, ‘I need a vacation to eat more vegetables and exercise’.” Jim Gaffigan