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Puerto Peñasco hotels: Best condos and resorts at 'Arizona's beach'
Visiting "Arizona's beach" might mean lying on the sand, sipping cocktails and relaxing at a beachfront hotel or condo resort.
Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, also known as Rocky Point, is the closest beach to Arizona. It's about 213 miles from metro Phoenix, a shorter distance than San Diego or Los Angeles.
Hotels and condominium resorts are plentiful in Puerto Peñasco's tourist areas such as Sandy Beach, Playa Bonita and Playa Hermosa. Many of them are along the waterfront and offer views of the Sea of Cortez.
Most lodging options in Puerto Peñasco are not standard hotels, but condo resorts, which have privately owned units with varying accommodations and decor. The house rules, fine print for booking and amenities vary by the resort.
Here are some of the best hotels in Puerto Peñasco.
Playa Bonita Resort
This family-friendly hotel on Playa Bonita Beach has a wide range of rooms, from junior suites with a single bed to one- and two-bedroom family suites that can accommodate eight people. Some rooms offer views of the Sea of Cortez.
Playa Bonita Resort has the Puesta del Sol restaurant, which serves local, regional and international cuisine; direct beach access; swimming pools overlooking the sea; a spa; a coffee bar in the lobby; and outdoor grills. Electric vehicle chargers are available in the parking lot.
Details: Paseo Balboa 100, Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. 602-350-6638,
Peñasco del Sol
This hotel near Playa Hermosa and Playa Bonita has 208 rooms and suites, a casino, a restaurant called Fire Pit Meat & Grill, and the adults-only Azul Pool Bar.
Rates start at $162 per night for a deluxe room with one king bed or queen beds.
Details: Paseo Las Glorias No. 1, Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. 888-683-0067,
Playa Inn
A short drive north of Mirador Beach, the Playa Inn is a beach-inspired hotel designed for travelers looking for value. There are no restaurants or swim-up bars but there's a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi and free parking.
Rooms range from standard one-king rooms to mini-suites with one king or two queen beds. Rates start around $85 per night.
Details: Avenida Sinaloa 062 Benito Juarez, Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. 480-796-9466,
The Cove at Whale Hill
Like the Playa Inn, this hotel is also close to Mirador Beach and it's for adults only.
The Cove has a restaurant and bar, massage services; and partnerships with local vendors offering activities such as whale watching tours and El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve tours.
One- and two-bedroom villas are available starting at $99 per night. Rooms at The Cove do not have televisions so guests can "disconnect from devices." TVs are available in communal areas for sports and special events.
Details: Calle Plan de Ayutla #92, Benito Juárez, Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. 480-306-9547,
Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort
This condominium resort on Sandy Beach includes accommodations across five buildings, plus a 72-par, 18-hole golf course and the fine dining restaurants La Maria Bistro and Citron. The pool area features a swim-up bar, lazy river and water slide. There's meeting and convention space for events such as weddings. Room service is available.
Stays at Las Palomas, described on its website as "the jewel of Sandy Beach," start around $239 per night.
Details: Blvd. Dr. Ernesto Guevara del Campo 600, Bella Vista, Ferrocarril Playas, Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. 888-642-3495,
Encántame Towers
Encántame Resorts is a condominium resort near Playa Encanto that's a favorite among Arizonans seeking a beach getaway. The property includes the condominium complexes Encántame Towers and Encántame Soleil, plus a subdivision of custom-built houses called Encántame Estates. Amenities include clubhouses, pools, hot tubs and restaurants such as Santo Coyote and Wingman.
The resort recently opened a racquet club with 12 pickleball courts, two tennis courts, a basketball court and event space.
Stays start at $139 per night for a one-bedroom condo.
Details: 83550 Playa Encanto, Sonora. 800-292-9446,
Grand Mayan and Mayan Palace at Vidanta
Just east of Playa Miramar, Vidanta Puerto Peñasco is a beachfront resort that includes two hotels − the Grand Mayan and the Mayan Palace − and golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman. Tripadvisor users rated the Grand Mayan at Vidanta as the No. 1 hotel in Puerto Peñasco.
But it can be challenging − and expensive − to stay at Vidanta, a members-only resort. Most stays require a membership in Vida Vacations, a timeshare company. Nonmembers can stay if rooms are available, but they must book by calling 800-292-9446 no earlier than 20 days before their stay.
Rates start at $980 per night at Mayan Palace and $1,260 per night at Grand Mayan.
Details: Carretera Peñasco Km. 24, Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. 800-292-9446,
Playa Azul Resort
Like Encantame Towers, Playa Azul Resort is on Playa Encanto. The resort offers condos as small as studios and as large as six-bedroom units.
Amenities include a pool area with triple-sectioned water slides, a swim-up bar and hot tub, a game room with pool and air hockey tables, and dining options including the Azul Restaurant, a sports bar and a coffee shop.
Rates start at $90 for studios.
Details: Paseo de la Rivera Playa, Norte Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. 800-738-7143,
Sonoran Resorts
Sonoran Resorts operates four beachfront condominium resorts in Puerto Peñasco: Sonoran Sky, Sonoran Sun, Sonoran Sea and Sonoran Spa. A fifth resort, Sonoran Star, is in development.
Collectively, the resorts' amenities include restaurants, pools and fitness centers. True to its name, Sonoran Spa includes a spa and Sonoran Sun's units have direct beach access.
Details: 602-476-7511,
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Laguna Shores Resort
This 744-acre resort about 13 miles north of the Puerto Peñasco city center advertises views of the El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Laguna Shores boasts 60 miles of "peaceful, unpopulated beaches ... surrounded by natural estuaries, birdlife and sea life."
Villas, condos and beachfront houses are available; rates start around $80 per night. Amenities include an beachfront pool with a bar; the Infusión del Golfo restaurant, which specializes in local and international cuisine; a spa; and activities including kayaking, paddleboarding, biking, volleyball and pickleball.
Details: Carretera Puerto Peñasco al Golfo de Santa Clara Km 4, Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. 800-513-1426,
Bella Sirena Resort
Located on Sandy Beach, Bella Sirena Resort has a mix of condos, villas and beach homes with one to three bedrooms. Its design takes influence from the Old World architecture of Mexican and Tuscan villas.
Guests can enjoy a soak in the resort's Grand Central Pool, where the restaurant and bar serves food and cocktails poolside. There's also a spa, fitness center and outdoor activities.
Rates start around $110 per night.
Details: Blvd. Paseo de la Duna #6B-7, Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. 480-993-0333,
Las Palmas Beach Resort
Not to be confused with Las Palomas, this resort with four condominium towers and 20 villas in Sandy Beach boasts comfort and convenience and rooms with views of the beach.
The resort lists a wide range of amenities including a clubhouse pool with water slides and a swim-up bar, hot tubs, restaurants, kayak rentals, charcoal grilling areas, spas and poolside or beachfront massages.
A minimum stay of two nights is required; two-night stays start around $445, inclusive of taxes and fees.
Details: Avenida Las Palmas, Colonia Costa Diamante, Puerto Peñasco, Sonora. 800-671-2799,
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Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Puerto Penasco hotels: Best places to stay in Rocky Point
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