Guaymas

Travel Guide
San Fernando Cathedral which includes street scenes and a church or cathedral
One of Mexico's busiest port cities in southwest Sonora has a pearl and shrimp industry, scenic beaches, monumental Mexican plazas and a massive annual street party.

A mountainous backdrop, marinas full of fishing boats, pearl farms, beaches, shrimp restaurants and a famous carnival are just some of the attractions for visitors to Guaymas. The city is located in the Gulf of California and is the main port in the state of Sonora in Mexico.

Guaymas’ location near the U.S. border means it is easy to reach by car for visitors from Arizona, vehicle ferry from Santa Rosalía in Baja California and by plane from all over the continent. The scenic town should be bustling with tourists, but drug gangs and people smugglers gave this industrial port city a bad reputation.

However, thousands flock here in February for its famous carnival, one of the oldest street parties in Mexico. Arrive on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday to witness the start of the event, which takes place with even more fervor than it did for the first time back in 1888. The excitement is contagious as you watch the colourful parades join in and dance along. It all ends when the clock strikes midnight on Tuesday, marking the start of Lent.

Bordering Aquiles Sérdan, the main road, is La Plaza de Los Tres Presidentes. Admire its statues of three former Mexican presidents who came from Guaymas. Overlooking the square is the Municipal Palace from 1899.

Get a taxi to Plaza 13 de Julio to see its Arab-style bandstand and historical San Fernando Cathedral (Iglesia de San Fernando).

Make the most of the fact that Guaymas is one of Mexico’s major shrimp producers by enjoying a seafood lunch on the waterfront. Embark on a tour of a pearl farm in Bacochibampo Bay to see how the native rainbow lip pearl oysters are cultivated.

Head to the water’s edge to escape Guayma’s humid summer heat. A popular beach for sunbathing and watersports is Playa Miramar. You can scuba dive off San Carlos’ beach, which is part of an American expat community to the northwest.

Where to stay in Guaymas

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Miramar

The beaches and mountain views are just a few features travelers like about Miramar. If you want to do some sightseeing nearby, Plaza Altea Guaymas and Perlas del Mar de Cortez are a few top places to visit.

Miramar
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Yucatán

While Yucatán isn't home to many top sights, Plaza Altea Guaymas and Temple of the Sacred Heart are some notable places to visit nearby.

Yucatán
Guaymas featuring street scenes as well as an individual femail

Centro Guaymas

While visiting Centro Guaymas, you might make a stop by sights like Miguel Hidalgo Square and Temple of the Sacred Heart.

Centro Guaymas
City Express by Marriott Guaymas
City Express by Marriott Guaymas
3.5 out of 5
Boulevard Luis Encinas Johnson, Col. Las Quintas, Sin Número, Guaymas, SON
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$2,416 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
NT$2,416
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Guaymas. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (292 reviews)
Good for a overnighter
"Room was ok, breakfast was very good."

Reviewed on 2024/2/15

City Express by Marriott Guaymas
Hotel Playa de Cortes
Hotel Playa de Cortes
3 out of 5
Bahia de Bacochibampo S/N, Col Miramar, Guaymas, SON
The price is NT$2,755 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
NT$2,755
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Guaymas. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a private beach. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.4/10 Good! (798 reviews)
"No one really answers the desk from the States. In person stay was great!"

Reviewed on 2024/3/12

Hotel Playa de Cortes
Holiday Inn Express Guaymas, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Guaymas, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
Boulevard Agustin Garcia Lopez,entre Pue, Guaymas, SON
The price is NT$2,934 per night from Apr 6 to Apr 7
NT$2,934
per night
Apr 6 - Apr 7
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Guaymas. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Clean, quiet, and conveniently located. Nice hotel."

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Holiday Inn Express Guaymas, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
"casa Gn #37 Excellent Location North of the City Guaymas Sonora"
"casa Gn #37 Excellent Location North of the City Guaymas Sonora"
2 out of 5
Guaymas
Stay at this vacation home in Guaymas. Enjoy free parking and 2 bedrooms. Popular attractions Plaza Altea Guaymas and Temple of the Sacred Heart are located ...
"casa Gn #37 Excellent Location North of the City Guaymas Sonora"
Evamar San Carlos
Evamar San Carlos
3 out of 5
Blvd. Rafael Jesús Caballero,, predio el baviso porción B, San Carlos, Sonora
Stay at this 3-star apartment in San Carlos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a children's pool. Popular attractions San Francisco Beach and San Carlos Golf ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (58 reviews)
"I am not used to paying to have my room serviced. The employees were top notch. This sight is brand new. I enjoyed my stay."

Reviewed on 2024/3/14

Evamar San Carlos
Suites Costa Diamante San Carlos
Suites Costa Diamante San Carlos
2.5 out of 5
71 Malibú Nte. Fracc. Villa California, San Carlos, Son.
Stay at this beach condo in San Carlos. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Marina San Carlos and San Carlos Golf Course ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (27 reviews)
"We had a little confusion because we had a hard time finding the place. It is not well marked and the pictures online show some pics of a place they are no longer using. So at first we thought it didn't exist as advertised on hotel.com. But once we found it a day later we saw that the hotel does ..."

Reviewed on 2024/2/26

Suites Costa Diamante San Carlos
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Guaymas

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
13
" "5 - Excellent 46.42857142857143%
4 - Good
10
" "4 - Good 35.714285714285715%
3 - Okay
4
" "3 - Okay 14.285714285714286%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 3.5714285714285716%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jan 20, 2020

Beautiful mountains, beautiful scenery

2/5 - Disappointing

Lorne
Nov 4, 2018

The streets are full of potholes. There was even an open manhole in the middle of the street. They do absolutely no repairs.

5/5 - Excellent

I
Oct 27, 2018

Guaymas is a good place to go for vacation, but this hotel is not a good place for me and the family