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San Carlos
New Resort, Long History
With its close proximity to the US border (Arizona is only 250 miles north) it is, at first glance, surprising to see so many Canadian plated vehicles parked outside San Carlos' residences. Certainly, they are heavily outnumbered by US plates - especially Arizona registrations - but Canadians still account for a significant proportion of the 6,000 population of which well over 4,000 are from north of the border. With secure and easy road access San Carlos is becoming the choice of many gringos who wish to enjoy a Mexican/North American lifestyle by the sea but prefer a smaller and less planned environment than that experienced in the large resorts.
The beauty of the bays offset by the sparkling turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez are the reason that Rafael T. Caballero purchased 3 ranches here in the 1950's with a view to developing a small resort area. He recognized that, although the area was on the edge of the Sonoran Desert, the onshore winds ameliorated the hot, dry climate sufficiently that the weather would be ideal for vacationers and full and part-time retirees - especially as it doesn't experience the humidity common to many coastal resorts further south. High temperatures range in the 80's from December to April and in the 90's the rest of the year with July and August being the "rainy season".
San Carlos officially came into being in September 1963 when it was designated as a "commissariat" of the port city of Guaymas. Situated 11 kms southwest of San Carlos, Guaymas a city of 150,000 is Mexico's 7th largest port. A major shrimp catching/processing centre and the birthplace of 3 Mexican Presidents.
Before the arrival of the Spanish in 1539 Guaymas and San Carlos were home to the Yaqui, Seri and Guaimas Indians. Fierce warriors they were able to prevent the Spanish from establishing a permanent presence here until 1769 (even one of the famous chain of Kino missions had failed 70 years previously) and named it San Jose de Guaymas. Its natural harbour not only attracted the Spanish but was temporarily occupied by a series of invaders and pirates including the US Navy in 1847/8 and the French under Emperor Maximilian in 1865. In the second decade of the twentieth century it was a major supply port for Pancho Villa's Army of the North and, as such, was instrumental in the revolution's victory. Since the 1920's a period of peace and relative prosperity has ensued and its large population is able to support a wealth of service and retail businesses including new supermarkets, fast food chains and even an air-conditioned shopping mall. This has made Guaymas a convenient shopping centre for San Carlos residents. In addition its international airport, just 7 kms from San Carlos, also allows some visitors to take direct flights from home although most flights connect through Hermosillo. Most visitors and residents travel to and from San Carlos via the excellent highway system. Hermosillo, the State Capital and home of government offices (plus Walmart, Staples, etc.) is just 90 minutes drive away.
Just as Guaymas relies on the sea for its livelihood so does San Carlos - but in a completely different way. Here sports fishing and scuba diving are major attractions for visitors and residents alike. Many come by boat to anchor at one of San Carlos' two marinas (one of which is said to be the largest marina in Mexico) while others bring their RV's down and use one of the many sites such as the one adjoined to the Best Western Hotel. Some RV's never leave as can be attested by one site which is like a small subdivision with paved streets and brick and adobe structures built around or alongside the permanently fixed RV or camper!
Most people however prefer to buy their own home or lot. The choices are wide ranging, all the way from a 1/3 acre serviced lot for under $11,000 US, through condos by the 18 hole championship golf course, to beautiful detached homes on the beach for a few hundred thousand dollars. Whatever your preference, if you are looking for a seaside resort and retirement community close to the border, San Carlos awaits. |
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