| Click on the car. Don't drive in Mexico without Mexican Insurance |
| Click on the car. Don't drive in Mexico without Mexican Insurance |
Driving Directions to San Carlos
Destination: San Carlos Cresent Motel
From Tucson: Take Interstate 10 to Interstate 19.
Take I-19 south. You will pass Green Valley, Tubac, and Rio Rico.
Take Exit #4 "Border Truck Route 89 South" (approx 60-minute trip). Turn right onto Mariposa Road. Fuel, food, and bathrooms at Phillips 66 Station/Mariposa Market next to Carl's Jr. Fuel is much cheaper in the US, so top off your tank. Reset odometer to zero. Note that a supply of dollar bills, quarters, and/or Mexican pesos will speed you through the toll booths.
Turn right on Mariposa Road and continue to the border.
2.5 miles
Cross without stopping unless requested and proceed uphill on new toll road. Pay toll of 35 pesos (approx $3.20).
Distance From Border = 8.0 miles
Drive through first checkpoint without stopping unless requested.
Red light and buzzer means pull into parking area for random check.
If you get a red light, don't panic. The Mexican Customs Official will inspect your vehicle and cargo. Smile and be cooperative, they are nice people.
Proceed on toll road to "21K Checkpoint".
Go to the Immigration booth and complete the tourist card (visa) form. You will need a passport.
Take the left line, where you will encounter another red light/green light.
If you get a red light, you will have to stop your car and have it inspected.
If you get a green light, or after the inspection, you may proceed to your destination.
Stay on main road marked "Cuota" (toll road). Pay 18 pesos (approx $1.65) toll outside the town of Magdalena. There are bathrooms and food here. This is Mexico Highway 15 to Santa Ana.
Distance From Border = 43.0 miles
Continue south on Highway 15 to next toll station. Pay 55 pesos toll (approx $5.00).
Distance From Border = 160.5 miles
Proceed south to Hermosillo. At the first Hermosillo stoplight turn LEFT. (There is a Pemex station on one corner and the old Sonora Motors Chevrolet dealership (now out of business) on the other.) Follow the road signs to Guaymas.
Distance From Border = 160.9 miles
Follow surface streets through town. You will reach a second stoplight. Continue straight through the light. Pass a park, a dam, and prison. Shortly after the prison the road will fork. Stay right and proceed to stoplight.
Distance From Border = 175.9 miles
Turn left at stoplight. (There is a Pemex station on the right corner, and San Sabastian Hotel the left corner.)You're back on Highway 15. Proceed south to San Carlos.
Pass a large Pemex station in the center of divided highway.
Distance From Border = 225.7 miles
Stay to the right. Take the San Carlos turn-off to the right.
Distance From Border = 249.3 miles
Red brick road into town is lined with palm trees. The speed limit is enforced for the last 15-20 miles even if the bricks don't slow you down.
Distance From Border = 252.6 miles
Look for Gary's Dive Shop on the right side of the road. The Cresent Motel is across the street.
Distance From Border = 255.5 miles
Welcome to San Carlos
Street Map of San Carlos
Dive Sites in San Carlos
Thanks to Desert Divers Tucson Az