State of Mexico
Photo: Tomas Castelazo, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sonora is a desert state in Northern Mexico. While it is not near the top of most people's travel plans, it is not without charm. Its main attractions are its beaches and its magnificent desert, which can be explored in El Pinacate biosphere reserve.
By car
From the south from the state of Sinaloa you can access the Federal Highway 15, which is a toll road.
By bus
Buses are often the most comfortable and economical way to travel in Mexico.
Sonora is a big state with long distances between towns. A car is the best way to get around the state. Long distance buses serve larger population centers. The hub of bus transportation in the state is in Hermosillo.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Hermosillo · International · HMO
Loading places around the airport…
state capital and a bustling city of nearly a million people
border town with Douglas, Arizona
a fine colonial town
a small but nice beach community near Hermosillo with really nice beaches in a really calm environment
a small pueblo on the Rio Sonora founded in 1639
a pleasant city surrounded by scenic mountain views and the warm Sea of Cortez, it is a very popular year-round tourist destination
one of the two largest settlements of the Seri tribe
a fishing and resort city
a border town split between Sonora and Arizona, 50 minutes south of Tucson

called "Rocky Point" by Americans, it is the nearest beach resort to Arizona
on the United States border, opposite San Luis, Arizona
historic small town with haciendas and a tale of a heroic battle against imperialist forces in the 19th century
the desert spanning Sonora and Baja California
one of the premier wildlife refuges and sanctuaries in Mexico
. El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar National Biosphere Reserve (Spanish: Reserva de la biosfera El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar) is a biosphere reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the state of Sonora in Northern Mexico.
northern edge of the dry rainforest, biodiversity hotspot home to macaws, gila monsters and other wildlife
Articles and travel topics about Sonora and Mexico.
Find the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Explore the best places to visit in November across autumn foliage, mild desert warmth, southern spring blooms, and off-peak travel bargains.
6 min read
Plan your Isla Holbox trip with our complete Mexico guide. Explore sand streets, Punta Cocos bioluminescence, whale sharks, beach clubs, and ferries.
8 min read
Is it safe to travel to Mexico right now? Compare safety in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Mexico City, and Oaxaca with official travel advisories and local tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.