If you’re someone who likes to learn about the historical roots of the places you visit, Puerto Penasco, Mexico is a fairly new development with an exciting history. In fact, you may even want to consider traveling to the area on your next vacation.
Located on the edge of the Sonora Desert, permanent settlers arrived in the area in the 1920s to fish on the harbor for totoaba, a rare fish that was used for medicine.
Back then, Puerto Penasco was characterized by the fact that it had a major lack of water, and as a result, people would pass briefly through the area without establishing any settlements. It wasn’t until the mid-1920s when a native of Arizona named John Stone moved to the area to open a hotel/casino. After the grand opening of the hotel, people from Arizona and other parts of the country flocked to Puerto Penasco for drinking, gambling, and fishing. Stone also drilled a well, which put an end to the drought problem.
It wasn’t until the early 1990s when the tourism industry starting booming. During that time, the U.S. government and a few private investors began promoting tourism by declaring the area a “free zone,” meaning that people from the U.S could visit the area without a visa, and as a result, people came in from Arizona, Nevada, and California to enjoy some fishing and see the sights.
A few years later, hotels and resorts started sprouting in the area. Condominiums were built everywhere, and Puerto Penasco became a major tourist attraction in a short period of time, and the new influx of tourists gave rise to several new hotels, bars, and restaurants in the area.
Today, Puerto Penasco draws people in from all over the country like a magnet. With its white sand beaches, deep blue waters, and tropical weather, it’s really no wonder why so many people love the area.
When you visit Puerto Penasco, be sure to take part in the area’s history. Although the area is relatively new to tourism, it still offers plenty of fun activities, including boating, sailing, scuba diving, fishing, hiking and more.
Not only has tourism added an entirely new look and feel to the area, but it has also provided a big boost to the economy, as the fishing industry has declined, and jobs have declined rapidly in that sector. Since tourism is a major factor, the locals welcome you to the area with open arms, providing a warm and inviting vacation for you and your family.
