Located on the famous Sea of Cortez, San Carlos is 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of the Arizona border where the Sonoran desert meets the sea.  There are lots of easy and great ways to get here:

By Air: The closest airport to San Carlos is the small airport at Guaymas (GYM), approximately 15 minutes away. Guaymas airport is served by US Airways direct from Phoenix.  At the Guaymas airport you can rent a car or take one of the waiting cabs into San Carlos for $30 US.

Hermosillo (HMO), the capital of the state of Sonora, is 1½ hours (120 kilometers or 75 miles) to the north and its airport is served from several US cities and offers a better selection on rates and routes.  From there you can complete your journey by comfortable express bus (such as Tufesa) to Guaymas or by renting a car at the airport.

By Land:  San Carlos is a 5 hour drive from Tucson and 7 hours from Phoenix along a modern 4 lane divided highway.  Some people prefer to fly into one of these cities and either rent a car or take a luxury bus to Guaymas (Tufesa costs approx $60 US from Phoenix).  When driving, cross the border at Nogales and head south on International Highway 15.  At the "Kilometro 21" checkpoint (21 kilometers or 12 miles south of the border) you need to stop and buy an FMM Tourist Visa.  To do this you have to show a valid passport and pay approximately $22 US.

Crossing the Border:  Your tourist visa is usually valid for 180 days. If you are flying into México, this cost is typically a part of your airfare.  Your airline will provide you with an FMT form to fill out and hand in to an immigration official upon arrival in México.  Keep your permit!  You must give it back before you leave the country. If you lose it you will be required to buy a new one, only to give it back immediately.  We recommend you keep your passport and visa with you at all times while you are in México.

Single parents traveling with children will need to provide a notarized release, signed by the other parent, granting permission to take the child(ren) into México.