Living the dream here in Puerto Peñasco is fantastic, but sometimes the travel bug bites hard, whispering tales of ancient cities, Magico cities, and vibrant culture further south. What if I told you that your next grand adventure – maybe even a direct flight to Guadalajara, or a connection through Mexico City to practically anywhere – is just an easy road trip away? That’s right, our neighbor Mexicali holds the key!
Our latest adventure started right here, hitting the scenic coastal highway towards the Mexicali airport (MXL). Forget stressful travel days – this drive is a comfortable cruise, yes there are a few potholes but it is scenic low traffic and easily doable in about three hours and fifteen minutes from Peñasco. It’s a smooth ride that sets a relaxed tone for the journey ahead.
Since our flight times worked best with an overnight stay, we checked into the Courtyard by Marriott in Mexicali. Talk about convenient! It’s practically brand new, situated in a modern complex less than a 10-minute straight shot down the road from the airport terminal. Bonus: sharing the site are two fabulous sit-down restaurants and various boutique shops, making for a relaxing and easy pre-flight evening without having to venture far.
Flying out of Mexicali International Airport (officially Aeropuerto Internacional General Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada) couldn’t be simpler. Parking is easy – there are two long-term lots just a short, manageable walk from the terminal doors. Inside, the airport’s wonderfully compact size means check-in and security are generally quick and hassle-free. And for those with priority status, there’s even a dedicated lounge.
But the real magic here is the connectivity. While Mexicali isn’t a massive international hub itself, it’s incredibly well-served for domestic flights within Mexico. Volaris is the primary airline, offering connections to nine key airports across the country. VivaAerobus also serves Mexicali with routes to Guadalajara and Monterrey, and Aeromexico offers flights to Mexico City. From hubs like Mexico City or Guadalajara, the rest of Mexico – and indeed, the world – opens up. We found inexpensive flights on Volaris for our trip!
On this particular journey, we were bound for the highlands of Chiapas, flying into Tuxtla Gutiérrez (TGZ) and we were able to find a nonstop flight (always check the latest schedules!). From the airport, we hopped in a taxi for the scenic, roughly hour-and-a-half drive winding up into the mountains to the incredible town of San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Prepare to be enchanted! San Cristóbal is one of Mexico’s designated Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns), and it absolutely lives up to the title. Perched at a cool 7,000 feet elevation, its crisp mountain air fills charming cobblestone streets. Much of the historic center features pedestrian-only walkways, or andadores, lined with vibrant textile shops, amber jewelry stores, cozy cafes, fantastic restaurants, lively cantinas, and beautiful colonial architecture. Locally made coffee and chocolate are also not to be missed. It’s an incredibly walkable city, perfect for exploring hidden plazas and admiring the numerous stunning cathedrals. And I can’t forget to mention — everything is about half the price of Puerto Peñasco.
San Cristóbal is also the perfect base camp for exploring the breathtaking natural and cultural wonders of Chiapas. A highlight for us was the Sumidero Canyon. We spent two nights in the nearby town of Chiapa de Corzo (another Magical Town) and took an unforgettable boat tour navigating between the canyon’s towering, sheer cliffs – keep an eye out for crocodiles and monkeys! Other amazing tours are readily available from San Cristóbal: journey to the stunning turquoise waters of Agua Azul or the impressive veil of Misol-Ha waterfalls, delve into history at nearby indigenous villages, or arrange a longer trip to the awe-inspiring Mayan ruins of Palenque. There’s truly an adventure for everyone.
After soaking up the magic of Chiapas, we scheduled a driver the next morning for an easy 30-minute ride to the airport – an easy flight back to Mexicali, a quick retrieval of our car from the convenient airport lot, and we were back on the familiar coastal highway heading home to Peñasco, filled with amazing memories.
So, next time you’re dreaming of exploring more of Mexico’s incredible diversity, don’t overlook Mexicali. An easy drive, a user-friendly airport, and affordable flights (especially on Volaris!) can unlock a whole new world of travel possibilities, starting right from our doorstep here in Rocky Point. Coming soon an article about our trip to Guadalajara and surrounding area.
Happy travels!
Note: We are permanent Mexican residents, and I really wanted to write an article on getting your Mexican residency, but the process and information are constantly changing and I do not want to give any misinformation. However, a few key points if you do have permanent residency make sure you always enter Mexico as a Mexican resident and not with your US passport. If you want to become a permanent resident, I suggest going through Gabrielle at DrG Consulting Group at 602-910-9442 or Sun Valley Services at 520-829-4340. These are two I personally used and recommend. There are also many other ones that are just as competent. The key point about your Mexican resident card is that you should always always enter Mexico as a Mexican resident even if you are a citizen of another country or you could risk losing your card.
