| Hermosillo | |||
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| — City & Municipality — | |||
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  Hermosillo
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| Coordinates: 29°05′56″N 110°57′15″W / 29.09889°N 110.95417°W | |||
| Country |  Mexico |
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| State | Sonora | ||
| Founded | 1700 | ||
| Municipal Status | 1825 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Municipal President | Javier Gándara Magaña (  PAN) |
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| Area | |||
| - Municipality | 14,880.2 km2 (5,745.3 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation of seat | 210 m (689 ft) | ||
| Population (2005)Municipality | |||
| - Municipality | 701,838 | ||
| - Seat | 641,791 | ||
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) | ||
| Postal code (of seat) | 83000 | ||
| Area code(s) | 662 | ||
| Website | (Spanish) /Official site | ||
Hermosillo is a city and municipality located in the northwest of the Mexican state of Sonora. It is the capital and main economic center for the state and region.[1] It contains almost all of the state’s manufacturing and has thirty percent of its population.[2] The major manufacturing sector is automobiles, which was begun in the 1980s when Ford built a plant here.[3] The municipality is large, encompassing over 3,800 other communities and reaching to the shores of the Gulf of California.[1] Here, Bahía Kino or Kino Bay is a major tourism draw for the municipality with plans to expand its tourism infrastructure. (diputados)
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Evidence of the area’s first inhabitants date back 35,000 years, much of which are from a site called the San Dieguito Complex, located in the El Pinacate Zone. Evidence of agriculture dates back 2,500 years.[3] In the pre-Hispanic era, this area was inhabited by the Seri, Tepoca and Pima peoples.[1][3]
The first encounter between the Spanish and natives occurred in the middle of the 16th century, when explorers were sent here in search of gold, which did not exist. The first missionaries arrived in the state of Sonora around 1614, and Eusebio Francisco Kino arrived in 1687, founding a mission in nearby Cucurpe. What is now the states of Sonora and Sinaloa was loosely organized as the provinces of Sonora, Ostimura and Sinaloa.[3]
In 1700, three small Spanish villages were founded in what is now the municipality of Hermosillo, Nuestra Señora del Pópulo, Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles y la Santísima Trinidad del Pitic. The native peoples here soon became hostile to the Spanish and managed to drive them out several times in the early 18th century. In 1716, the Spanish offered irrigated lands for farmers to natives who agreed to abide by Spanish law. Around 1726, a fort named the Presidio of Pitic was constructed to stop the domination of this area by the natives, especially the Seri. However, the situation did not settle soon so that the first church was not built until 1787 and the first formal parish was not established until 1822.[1][3]
During the Mexican War of Independence, Sonora and the town of Pitic stayed loyal to the Spanish Crown. In fact, a general from this area, Alejo Garcia Conde, defeated insurgent Jose Maria Gonzalez Hermosillo, who had been sent here by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.[3] In 1825, the village of Pitic was made the seat of the department of the same name. In 1828, the settlement changed its name to Hermosillo to honor Jose Maria Gonzalez de Hermosillo.[1] A battle between imperial and republican forces occurred here in 1866 during the French Intervention in Mexico. In 1879, the capital of the state of Sonora was moved from Arizpe to here. In 1881 the railroad linking Hermosillo with Guaymas and Nogales was finished with allowed for economic expansion in the area by bringing in mining equipment and modern agricultural equipment. Since then, the city has been an economic center for northwest Mexico.[1] During the Mexican Revolution, forces loyal to Pancho Villa were repulsed by General Manuel M. Díeguez.[1] After the assassination of Francisco I. Madero in 1913, Venustiano Carranza, then governor of Coahuila, sought refuge in Hermosillo. Here Carranza began the Constitutionalist Movement, and because of this, Hermosillo has the nickname of the “revolutionary capital of the country.”[3]
From the late 19th century and through the first two decades of the 20th, Chinese immigrants came into Sonora state. One of the places in which a significant number settled was the city of Hermosillo. Some of these immigrants had capital and used it to establish businesses, especially shoe manufacturing and clothing. Some of the most successful Chinese-owned businesses in Sonora were based in Hermosillo and sold their merchandise to other parts of the country.[4] However, by the 1920’s anti-Chinese sentiment had become strong in Sonora state, with many Chinese leaving for Mexico City or the United States.[5]
In the 1980s, Ford built a plant here, which had a great impact on the city’s and state’s economy.[3]
Hermosillo is the site of the tragic fire at the ABC child care center. According to the Procuraduría General de Justicia en el Estado (State Attorney General Office) of Sonora, 43 deaths attributed to the fire at the ABC child care center.[6] The fire apparently started at a car and tire depot then spread to the child care center. Most of the children died of asphyxiation. There were about 100 children inside the building and firefighters had to knock down walls to rescue the children, which ranged in age from six months to five years.[7]
The city is located on a plain in the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by flat areas with grass, behind which are greener hills which are then framed by serrated peaks in the background.[8] The city is a common stopover for North Americans traveling by car toward the coast, and the only city in Mexico that purifies all drinking water before it goes to homes.[8] The city is the major economic center for the state, with about thirty percent of the state’s population lives in the city.[2]
The center of the city is Plaza Zaragoza, built in 1865, in which there is a Moorish style kiosk which was brought from Florence, Italy in the early 20th century.[8][9] The plaza also has a flower garden and statues of General Ignacio Pesqueira and General Garcia Morales.[1]
The plaza is framed by the State Government Palace and the Cathedral.[8] The State Government Palace has a white Neoclassical facade, with a central body that extends slightly more in front than the rest. This central body is flanked by Ionic columns and is topped by a semicircular pediment and a clock tower. The side wings have an aligned series of windows on the first level and balconies on the second, which the corners having thick pilasters. The interior has one patio with a main staircase, decorated with murals done between 1982 and 1984 by Teresa Moran, Enrique Estrada and Hector Martinez Arteche, depicting scenes from Sonora’s history. The building was officially inaugurated in 1906 and reflects elements of French style which was popular at the time.[9][10]
The cathedral, named the Catedral de la Asunción, was begun in the 18th century but was not finished until the beginning of the 20th.[9] Construction of the cathedral began in 1861 and is a mix of predominantly Neoclassical architecture with Neogothic decorative elements. The main entrance is flanked by paired columns on pedestals and the smaller side doors are topped with semicircular pediments. Above the main doors are two ogival or pointed windows, over which is a crest with a balustrade. The church’s towers have three levels with a dome-like top and are decorated with crosses from Caravaca de la Cruz. The interior of the church is of very austere Neoclassical design.[11]
The Regional Museum was opened in 1960, with only one small hall which exhibited archeological finds from the region. Today, there are two large halls, one dedicated to anthropology and the other to history. The anthropology hall display archeological finds such as tools, utensils, textiles, stone objects and more from both the pre-Hispanic and colonial periods. The second focuses on the colonial period and contains items such as documents, maps, tools, coins and more.[12]
Just outside of the city proper on the highway to Guaymas is the Centro Ecológico de Sonora (Ecological Center of Sonora). The Center has more than 300 species of plants and 200 species of animals from both Sonora and other parts of the world. All of the animals live in recreated natural habitats.[9] The Sonoran collection is part of one of CES’s main functions, which is to preserve the flora and fauna of the state.[1] The collection contains representations of animals and plants from the four main habitats of the state: mountains, grassland, desert and sea. Some of the species are in danger of extinction such as the bighorn sheep, the white-tailed deer as well as a number of bird and reptile species.[13]
The Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado Festival has been an annual event since 1985 and is the most important cultural event in northwest Mexico. It takes place in Hermosillo and a number of other municipalities in the state. Representatives from various Mexican states and countries such as Spain, the United States, Brazil, Germany and others send artists to perform and exhibit their work. The event is organized by the Sonoran state government and the Instituto Sonorense de Cultura.[14]
In Coloso neighborhood of Hermosillo, and other locations in Sonora, the Yaqui people are known for their celebrations of Holy Week, which mix Catholic and indigenous religious practices.[1][15] In Hermosillo, the main brotherhood that sponsors this event is called the Fariseos. Rites performed during this week are intended to combat evil and sickness, calling upon both saints and “temastians” or medicine men to use magic to expel evil spirits. During this time participants dress in traditional Yaqui clothing and perform native dances such as El Coyote (The Coyote), Matachines, Los Pascolas and especially the Danza del Venado (Deer Dance), animal sacred to the Yaqui as a symbol of good.[15]
Two other major festivals here include the Fiesta de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival) in July and the Feria Exposicion Ganadera e Industrial (Livestock and Industry Exposition and Fair) in May.[1]
Most of the municipality’s population lives in the city proper, with most jobs located in the manufacturing and commerce sectors here. About 250,000 hectares are under cultivation in the municipality, most of which is near the coast. Crops include wheat, grapes, flowers, chickpeas, alfalfa and walnuts. Livestock has been traditionally important here, especially beef cattle. Pigs, sheep, goats, horses, domestic fowl and bees are also raised here as well. Fishing is practiced along with coast with shrimp being the most important catch.[1]
Industry and manufacturing has been the most dynamic sector of the economy. Much of this began in the 1980s with the establishment of the automobile industry. Today, there are twenty six major manufacturers which generate about 8,300 jobs, employing about thirty percent of the population. Other than cars, products manufactured here include food processing, textiles, wood products, printing, chemicals, petroleum products and plastics. The municipality has twelve industrial parks which house over one hundred smaller manufacturing enterprises.[1] There has been slowing of this sector especially the automobile industry because of the global economic downturn which began in 2008.[2]
Commerce employs more than half of the population. While locally owned business still predominate this sector, international brands such as Costco, Wal Mart, Sams Club, Cinemark, McDonald's, BlockBuster Video, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Jack in the Box, Subway, Carl’s Junior and others figure prominently. Tourism is mostly limited to the coastal communities of Bahia de Kino, Kino Nuevo and Punta Chueca, where there are cave paintings and a recreational park named La Sauceda.[1] In 2009, Standard and Poor’s has rated the municipality of Hermosillo as (mxA/Estable/-) based on its administrative practices, financial flexibility and limited financial risks. Financial management of the municipality has been prudent, with adequate documentation of practices. Debt levels have also been prudent at about 33% of gross income, which might decline in 2010. However, the municipality has limited liquid capital.[2]
The city has a professional baseball team called the Naranjeros (Orange Growers). Baseball had always been popular in this city since the late 1800s. The club has its beginnings in the 1950s when the Liga Invernal de Sonora (Winter League of Sonora) was founded as a complement to the already existing Liga de la Costa del Pacifico (League of the Pacific Coast). The Naranjeros were officially organized in 1958. Since then, the team has won championships in the Pacific Coast League and the Serie del Caribe.[32]
The main highway serving Hermosillo is Mexican Federal Highway 15. Another important route is Sonora State Highway 100. General Ignacio Pesqueira Garcia International Airport provides domestic and international service to the United States.
As municipal seat, the city of Hermosillo is the local government of over 3,800 other localities,[33] with a combined territory of 14880.2km2.[1] Most important communities outside the city include Miguel Alemán, San Pedro el Saucito, Bahía Kino, Kino Nuevo, La Victoria and La Manga. The municipality borders the municipalities of Carbó, San Miguel de Horcasitas, Ures, Mazatán, La Colorada, Guaymas and Pitiquito, with the Gulf of California to the southwest.[1]
The municipality is mostly flat with sloping towards the sea. There are isolated mountain peaks which reach to only 300 meters above sea level and include Tepoaca, Bacoachito, Lopez, Tonuco, Seri, Batamote, Goguz, Bronces, SantaTeresa, La Palma, Siete Cerros and la Campana. These are located mostly in the eastern section of the municipality. The two most important rivers are the Sonora and the San Miguel. Both of these are used for irrigation purposes with the Abelardo L. Rodriguez dam located on the San Miguel River.[1] The population increase of the municipality, currently at 2.5% annually puts pressure on the infrastructure of the city, especially its water supply.[2] Decades of overpumping of ground water has led to the aquifer levels being lower than sea levels, and sea water creeping in as an “artificial recharge.”[34]
The municipality has two climate regions. The first is that next to the sea which is desert with fairly cold winters and hot summers. The rest of the municipality is very dry desert with larger temperature variations then the coastal area. Temperatures can range from as low as freezing in January and February to 48C in July and August. Rains for both climates mostly fall between June and September with a annual precipitation between 75 and 300 millimeters, depending on location. Most of the vegetation here consists of mesquite trees as well as trees such as the desert ironwood, palo verde and the huisache. Dune vegetation exists at Bahia de Kino. Desert animals such as the desert tortoise, rattlesnakes, bighorn sheep and lynx are the most notable species.[1]
| Climate data for Hermosillo | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 37 (99) |
40 (104) |
43 (109) |
47 (117) |
43 (109) |
46 (115) |
48 (118) |
45 (113) |
43 (109) |
42 (108) |
40 (104) |
39 (102) |
48 (118) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 24 (75) |
26 (79) |
28 (82) |
32 (90) |
36 (97) |
40 (104) |
42 (108) |
41 (106) |
37 (99) |
34 (93) |
28 (82) |
25 (77) |
33 (91) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 9 (48) |
11 (52) |
12 (54) |
15 (59) |
18 (64) |
23 (73) |
28 (82) |
28 (82) |
24 (75) |
19 (66) |
13 (55) |
10 (50) |
17 (63) |
| Record low °C (°F) | -1 (30) |
1 (34) |
0 (32) |
5 (41) |
7 (45) |
10 (50) |
16 (61) |
14 (57) |
12 (54) |
10 (50) |
9 (48) |
0 (32) |
-3 (27) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 10 (0.39) |
9 (0.35) |
3 (0.12) |
1 (0.04) |
1 (0.04) |
2 (0.08) |
50 (1.97) |
53 (2.09) |
30 (1.18) |
11 (0.43) |
8 (0.31) |
14 (0.55) |
192 (7.56) |
| Source: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional[35] 2008.06.08 | |||||||||||||
Bahia Kino or Kino Bay is on the coast of the municipality and named after Father Eusebio Kino. The waters of the bay have little wave action or undertow and are warm year-round. Activities practiced here include swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing a variety of species, boating and sailing. In summer it is possible to catch marlin, sailfish, dorado (mahi-mahi) and tuna. In front of the shoreline is Isla Tiburón which is a declared ecological zone and is inhabited by wild sheep and deer. Kino Bay is the home of the Seri Museum, which was founded to preserve the Seri language and culture.[9] State and federal officials are looking to develop Bahia Kino into a major tourist resort, called a Zona Turística Prioriaria (Priority Tourism Zone). This would include government investment and the attraction of private investment through tax breaks.[36]
La Pintada is an archeological zone located 60 km south of the city and was a refuge area for the Seri and Pima Indians.[1][9] The site is important because of its caves which were used as dwellings, burial spaces and religious centers.[9] The caves shelter paintings that contain numerous animals such as deer, birds and lizards as well as human figures. The human figures are stylized and some appear to be adorned with skins and/or horns, other are throwing spears and some appear to be dancing, wearing body paint. In addition there are geometric figures such as squares, triangles, circles, straight and wavy lines, all of which combine in one way or another to form complicated designs. In some areas of the caves, there is evidence of paintings on top of paintings, testifying to the length of time the area was inhabited. The paintings have been attributed to the Comca’ac or Seri culture.[37]
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Hermosillo is the capitol city of Sonora, Mexico.
Hermosillo is one of the largest cities in Mexico, with a population of around 850,000 people. It's a modern city with all the services you would normally get back home. Shopping, eating and tourist attractions are all throughout the city.
There is an International Airport (General Ignacio Pesqueira Garcia), with flights to Tucson, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, as well as most cities in Mexico. The airport code is HMO. If you are close to the border (Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez) check flights leaving out of those airports in Mexico, they are generally cheaper than flights from US cities into Hermosillo.
The road from Nogales (on the border) down to Hermosillo is a well paved, new highway, however, due to a large amount of rain in December 2007 the highway (Mexico 15) had developed many potholes, some of them very large and deep. These potholes have caused extensive damage to vehicles and tires, and have even caused some fatal accidents. The potholes are on both the north and south bound sides of Highway 15. As of April 2008 reconstruction and maintenance of the highway is taking place so be prepared to take the designated detours. The portion of Highway 15 between Magdalena de Kino and Hermosillo is a toll road, keep your receipt as this is a form of insurance. To file a claim you will need to return to the toll booth (either in Hermosillo or Magdalena). If you are bringing a car in from the United States of America, or Canada (including rental vehicles) you will need to have insurance through a Mexican company, if you have an accident call these companies immediately, in most cases a representative from the insurance company will be dispatched to the scene of the accident, be prepared to wait for them, though no more than 2 hours, especially if you are in the middle of the desert somewhere. Also be aware that quite often when you are involved in an accident which requires a police report the vehicle will be impounded overnight. Most police officers (federal and local) are very courteous and helpful, some of them may be willing to forego the report in order to help you out. On your Mexican insurance forms there should be a number for the "Angeles Verdes" (Green Angels) which is a roadside assistance service similar to AAA in the United States. Keep that number handy when you travel, Angeles Verdes drivers are bi-lingual and are very helpful.
Going to or coming from Hermosillo from Nogales you will encounter several checkpoints. On the north bound side there is a checkpoint manned 24 hours a day by the Mexican military. The soldiers posted at the stop sign who speak to the drivers are almost always able to speak enough English to deal with American and Canadian tourists. They will ask you where you are going, where you are coming from, and may ask to see your ID. Random and suspicious vehicles will be directed to a parking area to be searched, if you are selected to be searched the process normally takes less than 5 minutes (assuming you aren't carrying anything you shouldn't be). They will search through your bags, and the interior of your car. There may also be Federal Preventative Police (PFP) checkpoints, these checkpoints are often set up in different locations. Most PFP Police Officers will speak english, but will normally wave through any vehicles with American or Canadian plates, so long as the occupants are obvious tourists (break out your straw hats, brown shoes, and black knee socks!)
Hermosillo is about a 7 1/2 hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona, about 4 to 4 1/2 hours from Tucson, and about 3 hours from Nogales, Sonora.
When you arrive in Hermosillo be on the lookout for topes, or speedbumps. Not all topes are marked (a yellow sign with a black speedbump) or painted yellow, pay particular attention at night as they are not always visible, and you may leave your engine on the street.
People in Hermosillo tend to drive somewhat recklessly, particularly the bus drivers. Red lights, stop signs, and speed limits are often treated as suggestions rather than law. Be careful of vehicles coming from side streets, they normally have stop signs, but sometimes will not stop until their car is already halfway in the nearest lane. Traffic lights are like most others in Mexico, where the green light will flash before it turns to yellow, and then red. Passing through a yellow light is a violation, there is no delay from when your light turns red to the other light turning green as there normally is in the United States. When you see the light flashing green be prepared to stop. Many intersections will have stop signs in addition to the lights, if the light is green you do not have to stop, this can be confusing to some people who have never encountered this setup before.
***WARNING*** On October 14th, The U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning which includes the section of Highway 15 between Nogales and Hermosillo. U.S. Citizens in their vehicles have been "harrassed" by criminals on that particular stretch of highway, some of these criminals have been wearing partial or full Police or Military uniforms. Take this warning seriously, travel only during the daylight hours, be aware of your surroundings, watch the vehicles that are in your vicinity, and bring along a GSM capable cell phone (these cell phones will work even after you cross the border, the phone will work on one of the Mexican cell phone networks, most often either TelCel or Movitel). You will encounter some Police/Military checkpoints on the highway, these are completely normal, these checkpoints will always have multiple officers and official police vehicles present. Be vigilant on the stretch of highway south of Santa Ana, this is a long, desolate stretch of highway in a remote desert area. There are very few small towns between Santa Ana and Benjamin Hill (the northbound Military checkpoint is located just outside of Benjamin Hill). Keep track of where you are, watch for the kilometer signs on the side of the road so you know where you are if you need help. Keep these phone numbers handy should you need them
Central de Emergencias 066
Federal de Caminos (Federal Police) (52)(662) 289-7098
Sonora State Police Headquarters
North (52)(622) 218-5564, (52)(622) 218-6416, (52)(622) 218-5526
Central (52)(622) 213-4046, (52)(622) 213-3738, (52)(622) 213-3401
TelCel and MoviTel also have emergency numbers, check your cell phone's display screen to see which service your phone is currently using.
TelCel 117+send
Movitel *114+send
If your phone is not currently on one of these two networks use one of the other numbers listed above.
Most likely you will have to have a basic knowledge of Spanish to communicate on these lines, or ask if there is anyone available who speaks English (Hablas Ingles?).
Also see the "Stay Safe" section of this entry.
TUFESA bus line runs from Arizona(Tucson, Phoenix, etc) to Hermosillo. Fares are around $49 one way from Phoenix, and vary based on other cities. The Hermosillo stop is on the Ciudad Obregon route.
There's a trolley bus tour that goes out just in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Hermosillo right in the city center. It will take you to the best sight seeings and landscapes of the city.
Hermosillo has recently begun to replace their older public buses with new German made models (which thankfully have air conditioning!). These SUBA buses have caused some confusion as new routes are started and others are discontinued. Unlike most cities in the USA or Canada the bus in Hermosillo is a simple (and cheap) way to get around. The buses will run every few minutes, so if you miss one just wait a few minutes for the next one.
Taxis are widely available and are a cheap way to get around.
Most people in Hermosillo speak some English and almost everybody in the service and food industry speaks English. While visiting the parts furthest from the city only some people speak some English, though certainly not enough to have a philosophical conversation with you. They will likely be able to help you find places, directions, gas stations, etc.
Young people will certainly know more than average and can talk as well as you, so don't hesitate to ask for directions or just start a conversation.
Visit downtown Hermosillo (El Centro.) In El Centro you will find many shops, selling anything you can think of. There are also food stands if you get hungry or thirsty. Be careful though, the streets in El Centro are always crowded, and traffic is heavy. Also the sidewalks are higher off the street level than you may be used to, this will be a difficult area to traverse if you are in a wheelchair, or have a baby carriage. A heavy police presence is maintained in the area due to it's popularity, and constant crowds, help is never far away.
There are many good universities here, between the best known are: University of Sonora, University of Valle de Mexico and "Tecnologico de Monterrey". The university of Sonora have a very good school of foreign languages, where you can enroll for a moderate price to receive Spanish lessons.
Hermosillo is slightly more expensive than other parts of Mexico, probably due to the presence of American firms. However, prices are still good compared to the United States! There are lots of American stores, including Office Depots, Blockbusters, Office Max, COSTCO, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and others. Also, Hermosillo is FULL of shoe stores. The open air market is ok, but not as good as most. Soriana (grocery/department store, similar to Wal-Mart) has several ATMS, which are the best place to exchange money. Wal-Mart also has ATMs.
Hermosillo is full of great restaurants, including American ones such as Applebee's. There are lots of Chinese and other ethnic restaurants as well. The best, though, are the Mexican-run taco stands.
Beer stores are located everywhere in Hermosillo. The most popular brands are Tecate, Pacifico, and Modelo (Corona). In a hurry? Look for a "Tecate Six" you can buy your beer in a drive-thru. Coke and Pepsi are available at almost every restaurant and store. Tap water is safe to drink, being one of only a few places in Mexico where the water is treated and filtered.
Hotels and accommodations abound around the city.
Very nice hotels in Hermosillo cost about the same as a mid-range hotel in Phoenix. For around $50 per night, you can find a hotel that would cost around $100-200 in the U.S.
In case of emergency, call 066 or 911. Both numbers work as emergency numbers. 911 is exclusively for tourists and you will be answered in english. State your emergency and if you know where you are give proper directions, if not, just give a general location or where you were in the past couple of hours, and if you have no idea where you are or are lost they can trace your call. Try to stay on the line for as long as possible or until help comes. If you are disconnected, having called will help since emergency services will now look for tourists and locals can usually spot you and tell them where you are. The Hermosillo Municipal Police can also be reached at (52)(662)250-4882.
If you need to contact US authorities, call the U.S. Consulate.[4] The Consulate is located at Avenida Monterrey #141 and can be reached via telephone at: (52)(662)289-3500.
Hermosillo is safer than the rest of Mexico, far from being a dangerous place, but recently the criminals have increased their activity in the city. Use common sense and if you wouldn't do something in your home city, don't do it in Hermosillo, lock up your car, don't wave money around, keep your purse close to you, etc. Tourist attractions are very safe and police are always close by in case of emergency. Usual response time for paramedics is under 5 minutes.
If you or anyone in your party is drunk, do not drive. Drunk drivers are easily spotted and you will get pulled over. If you find yourself in this situation, be nice, be patient, and even if taken to the police station only the drunk driver will be locked up in case he gets rowdy. If this happens, wait for him to be sober up, give him coffee, and you'll be on your way. If you visit the city in December, beware of an increase on police checkpoints all over the city, this time of the year the officers will find any excuse to try and arrest people in order to get money out of them via bribes. Be very careful.
For the most part Hermosillo has been spared the drug violence which is plaguing much of Mexico, especially the border areas. Sporadic violence related to the drug cartels does happen in and around Hermosillo. In May of 2007 a grenade was thrown into a newspaper office in Hermosillo, no one was injured. That same day in the northern Sonora city of Cananea drug traffickers shot and killed 5 municipal police officers. These traffickers were followed by State Police into nearby mountains where 15 of them were killed. While drug cartels are certainly active in Hermosillo, Hermosillo has not seen the levels of violence that cities such as Tijuana or Ciudad Jaurez have been subjected to. As a tourist you do not have much to worry about as the drug cartels mostly target rival members, the police, and the military. As a tourist your biggest crime fears would be the same as they are at home, pickpockets, thieves, drunks, etc.
Although Hermosillo is home to more and more American companies, and businessmen visiting from the north side of the country's border, you will still get stares and second looks, especially if you are black or asian. But have no fear, most people are very friendly and welcoming to tourists and business visitors, and will do anything they can to make you feel at home. The only people who is not well received in this city is the people from southern Mexico, commonly known as "guachos".
Hermosillo is probably more "liberal" than other parts of Mexico, however Mexico is a conservative Catholic country. If you are gay/lesbian people will stare at you and your partner, some may even make comments to you. If you have purple hair, a nose ring, and six earings expect the same.
Even in the hottest of the hot Hermosillo weather men and women will still wear jeans, you will rarely see a local wearing shorts unless they are involved in an athletic activity. Even if it is 120 degrees, wearing shorts will still expose you as a tourist. Most men wear jeans, and different types of shirts, many the cowboy style with a sombrero (cowboy hat) and cowboy boots. Women mostly wear jeans and different types of shirts as well. Trying to fit in with the local population will make you less of a target for those who prey on tourists, i.e. criminals, some taxi drivers, corrupt police, etc. After normal working hours are over you will notice this practice is relaxed, and more people will wear shorts in the evening rather than the traditional jeans.
From Hermosillo you can access points all over Sonora, or continue south to Sinaloa. Mexico's Route 15 goes all the way down to Mexico City, though flying is the better option if you plan on heading to that area. Hermosillo is only about 1 hour east of Bahia Kino, a small town with a beautiful beach, and access to Isla Tiburon. About an hour and 15 minutes south of Hermosillo is Guaymas and San Carlos. San Carlos is more developed than Bahia Kino, with many condo/resort facilities, however there are some areas of secluded beach. San Carlos is also home to Tetakawi, a large mountain right on the water that is sometimes refered to by locals as "Goat Tits" due to it's unique shape. Not far from San Carlos is the port city of Guaymas, smaller than Hermosillo, it is a bustling and growing city with excellent restaurants, and access to a largely unknown Mexican maritime culture. Continuing past Guaymas one can also reach Ciudad Obregon from Hermosillo, which is also a city on the rise, and home to a beautiful lake frequented by locals. Most American and Canadian tourists are just passing through Hermosillo on their way to one of the nearby beaches. Unfortunately for them they do not know what they are missing in this clean, modern, and beautiful city.
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Category: Outline articles
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| | Instituto Tecnológico de Hermosillo - ITH - Instituto Tecnológico de Hermosillo |
| | Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI) - Sister Cities International (SCI): Welcome |
| | Informacion de Sonora y Arizona - www.azbilingual.com "Bilingual Magazine with more than 150,000 readers in The Tucson Arizona Area". |
| | Hermosillo hotels - Hermosillo Hotels Mexico - Discount hotel rates and travel guide |
| | Servicio Meteorológico Nacional Valores normales de 1971-2000 para Hermosillo, Sonora - CNA, Servicio Meteorológico Nacional |
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