TRAVEL

Spring break guide: Rocky Point

Kellie Hwang and Jennifer McClellan
The Republic | azcentral.com
Rocky Point offers the nearest beach to Phoenix — and thus a great spring-break getaway.

A slice of Mexico's white sandy beaches and turquoise water is just about four hours away.

Puerto Peñasco, better known as Rocky Point in the U.S., is a popular spring-break destination for Arizona students, providing a Cancun-style atmosphere without the expensive plane ticket.

Before you go, make sure your passport is up to date. Buy Mexican auto insurance before you cross the border; your U.S. policy is not valid in Mexico.

The latest travel warning by the U.S. Department of State urges travelers to use the Lukeville/Sonoyta border crossing and limit driving to daylight hours. Find out more at travel.state.gov.

Here are some top activities, bars and places to eat in Rocky Point.

Play

Hang on the beach: Rocky Point has the closest beach to Arizona. Its soft sand makes it great for working on your tan or tossing around a football, and the water is ideal for a swim or snorkel session.

Sunset cruise: Several companies run two-hour cruises that typically include a light dinner and all the draft beer and margaritas you can drink, as well as views of leaping dolphins and the sun setting over the bay. Ticket sellers are positioned all over town on busy streets and will tell you what time to arrive at the dock.

Details: rockypointboattrips.com, santiagosoceanservices.com, panchovillarockypoint.com.

Riding: The beaches have hills and trails that are great for riding ATVs, dune buggies and even golf carts. Rental spots are scattered along the beach and usually near condos, Rodeo Drive and Manny's Beach Club. They tend to be cash-only and involve signing injury waivers. You can also go horseback riding on the beach. Rental stations are set up between Las Gaviotas condos and Playa Bonita Resort.

Boating/kayaking: Get a workout by kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Rocky Point Kayak offers rentals and sales, plus guided sightseeing tours.

Details: www.rockypointkayak.com.

Fishing: Deep-sea fishing for rock bass and triggerfish is popular. Rent a boat or take a deep-sea fishing tour where the crew cleans and fillets your catch. Rocky Point Boat Charters feature fishing, snorkeling, parasailing and sunset-cruise services.

Details: www.rockypointboattrips.com.

Shopping: Rocky Point's "Shacks Fifth Avenue" is a popular shopping destination in the Old Port area. The street-front shops are kitschy and filled with souvenirs ranging from the kind you bring home to Mom to those you would never show Mom. You can find T-shirts, shot glasses, artwork, silver jewelry, serapes, sombreros and all manner of tchotchkes.

Sightseeing: The Old Port area has some public art — notably a massive statue of a shrimp fisherman — as well as a long, paved plaza that abuts the beach. This is where clowns, musicians and other street performers gather in the late afternoon. It's a good place to people-watch.

Drinking: It feels like there's a bar or nightclub every five steps, so finding a decent watering hole shouldn't be difficult. The drinking age is 18. Pace yourself, especially if it's your first time.

Stay

Sonoran Sea: This massive resort on Sandy Beach has a casual vibe, except for the foyer, which is done in a vaguely Italian style with faux-marble finishes and gilding everywhere. Opened in 2002, the resort has a two-story amenity center that houses the lobby, gym, kids club and business center. Terraces overlook a negative-edge reflecting pool, fountain and cascading swimming pools. Condos have one, two or three bedrooms. The crowd is students, younger families, 20- and 30-somethings. There are three large pools — one is a bilevel wonder with a waterfall; another has a swim-up bar. Don't miss the triple-rock waterfall in the main pool. As all the condos are privately owned, they have their own decor schemes. Most have plug-in Internet, and all have washers and dryers and air-conditioning. Sonoran Sea is also home to Martini's, a casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, including pizza, wings and Mexican food. Grab a drink at the swim-up bar.

Details:888-686-5575, sonoranseacondo.com.

Bella Sirena: Many places on Sandy Beach say they're luxurious, but this one surpasses expectations. The 14-acre property has five condo towers with 200 residences, ranging from condos to Tuscan-inspired penthouses, plus 20 beachfront villas. The property has negative-edge pools, a spa, poolside bar and grill, gourmet-food market, tennis and bocce courts and a beach fire pit. The crowd is families, couples and older vacationers. Pools are tiled dramatically in three shades of blue, and all are in the same sprawling area, dominated by a swim-up bar and daytime restaurant. Because they're on different levels, some of the pools are more private than others. Condos have one to three bedrooms, and villas range from three to five bedrooms. All have high ceilings, granite counters and arched wooden doors. Some penthouse condos and villas have wine cellars, mini offices and other fancy touches.

Details:480-993-0333, bellasirenaresort.com.

Eat

Wrecked at the Reef: The beachfront cantinas feature pirate decor, live music, ping-pong tables, beanbag toss and the catchphrase "Get Wrecked." So in other words, it's a pretty perfect destination for the college crowd. Dine on coconut shrimp, oysters and burgers. If you have a bad hangover, breakfast is served all day.

Details: Two locations, one at Sandy Beach and the other on 13th Street. wreckedatthereef.com.

The Point: Snag a seat on the balcony, which offers stunning ocean views, and sip a beer or margarita and share a shrimp cocktail. If you're hungrier, the menu features stuffed flounder, cheese enchiladas, blackened shrimp and quesadillas.

Details: Malecon King Numero 200.

Satisfied Frog Beach Bar and Hangout: The menu features fried chicken, St. Louis pork ribs, gravy fries and pineapple shrimp salad. The bar is known for its Rocky Point Iced Tea, a superstrong concoction inspired by the Long Island Iced Tea (as in, pretty much every type of liquor mixed together).

Details: Find a map on the website: satisfiedfrog.com.