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Sonora

Drive through the wide open desert plains and stop off at the various quaint villages, modern cities and beach resorts of this Mexican state that borders the U.S. Sonora is an arid state with sprawling deserts dotted with pointy rock formations and hot valleys. It contains a wide range of terrain, including plains, beaches and jungles interspersed with old villages. Make your way through the various small pueblos for a glimpse into the culture.  

Among the most charming towns is Álamos, in the southern part of Sonora. Go to the tree-laden Plaza de Armas for the Museum of Sonoran History and Culture. Take in the town’s highlights, such as the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Municipal Market.

Head north to the quaint 17th-century town of Banamichi on the Sonora River and see the modern city of Ciudad Obregon for a contrast in styles. The latter contains the statues, playground area and tree-laden fields of Los Pioneros Park. Relax on the shores of the picturesque Nainari Lake to enjoy the state’s hot summers. Winters are fairly mild to cold, depending on altitude.

The largest city is the state capital of Hermosillo, which has been spurred on by the tech and electronics industries. Stroll through the city center to find the Government Palace and its adjacent Museum of Popular and Indigenous Cultures of Sonora.

Just north is the pleasant boulevard that runs across Hidalgo Square. Go south past the Sonora River to reach the Government Center and the Museo de Arte de Sonora.

For a change of scenery, travel north to the beaches in Puerto Peñasco. It is the closest beach resort to Arizona, where it is known as Rocky Point. Stay at a luxury hotel and work on your tan on Bonita Beach, Miramar Beach or Encanto Beach.

The province is just south of the border with the U.S. state of Arizona in the northwestern part of Mexico. It is across the Gulf of California from the northern section of the Baja California peninsula. Fly to General Ignacio Pesqueira García International Airport or Guaymas International Airport.  

Sonora mixes beach resorts with historic pueblos and bustling cities.