Ruta de Rio Sonora
Photo: Edgar26c, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ruta de Rio Sonora is a tourist itinerary promoted by the Sonora state government in Northern Mexico. The route follows the Rio Sonora, a river that begins with the confluence of two smaller rivers in the north and which passes through a long valley on its southward path to Bahía de Kino, where it empties into the Sea of Cortez. It is a historic route followed by 16th century explorers and in the late 17th and early 18th century, by an Italian Jesuit missionary named Eusebio Kino who produced the first accurate maps of northwestern Mexico and who built a series of missions, including several along the Ruta de Rio Sonora. The itinerary visits colonial era towns where you can visit not only the missions, but haciendas and beautiful historic homes.
UnderstandThe north-central region of Sonora was originally inhabited by some of Mexico's lesser-known indigenous cultures, particularly the Opata people.
OverviewThe route covers a distance of about 250 km, following the route of the Sonora River along Sonora state highway 89. It is best traveled by car. Cars can be rented at the Hermosillo airport.
Get inYou can start your route from either the northern or southern terminus.
TownsThe route outlined on tourist maps provided by the state of Sonora includes 8 towns. Most are small (some little more than a village) whereas Ures is a small to mid-size city.
Stay safeBe aware that drug cartels operate in the state of Sonora and that police and military checkpoints are sometimes set up on the highway that is central to this itinerary.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Ruta de Rio Sonora" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Edgar26c, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons