Heroica Guaymas

About Heroica Guaymas

Desert mountains drop straight into the Sea of Cortez at Guaymas, one of Mexico's historic Pacific ports and still a working harbour where shrimp boats, cargo ships and fishermen share the bay. The title Heroica honours the town's resistance to invading forces in the 19th century, and the old centre around the church of San Fernando keeps a relaxed, seafaring feel.

Guaymas is proud of its sons: three Mexican presidents were born here, remembered in a plaza by the waterfront, and its pre-Lenten carnival is one of the oldest in the country. Evenings belong to the malecón, where families stroll as the sun sets behind the hills, and to plates of the large local shrimp that made the port famous.

A short drive northwest, the resort area of San Carlos adds marinas, coves and the twin-peaked silhouette of Tetakawi. Between them lies the Estero El Soldado mangrove reserve, while boats run out to Isla San Pedro Nolasco for sea lions, snorkelling and diving.