Road Trip Off the Beaten Path: the Coastal Highway 15, Mexico

Mexico is the perfect destination for adventurers who seek exotic lands and cultures without leaving the North American continent. This country shares a border with the United States, which is a couple of minutes away from San Diego and other major Californian cities.

Going on a road trip adventure to Mexico does not need a lot of prior arrangements and preparations—you can easily drive from your home city all the way to this land of excitement.

There are plenty of iconic road trip routes into Mexico, but one of the most scenic is the Coastal Highway 15. You can start your road trip in Nogales, Sonora right in the US to Mexico border and drive all the way to Mexico City.

This coastal highway, also known as the Federal Highway 15, passes through the following Mexican destinations: Nogales, Hermosillo, Guaymas, Ciudad Obregon, Navojoa, Los Mochis, Culiacan, Mazatlan, Tepic, Guadalajara, Toluca, and Mexico City.

What to See

Right at the start point of Nogales, you can begin your adventure by browsing through the numerous curio stores offering an interesting variety of artesanias, including leather artworks, handmade flowers, native clothes, and handicrafts. Authentic Mexican food also abounds in Nogales, with local specialties including tacos, carne machaca burritos, menudo, enchiladas, and tamales.

You can make a detour in Hermosillo to see Kino Bay, which is perfect for boating, fishing, sailing, snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving. La Pintada is a Hermosillo archeological site where vistors can marvel at the ancient cave paintings of local wildlife, inscribed in the rock walls by the Seri or Comca’ac settlers in the region.

Guaymas is home to one of the most important carnival celebrations in Mexico, and if you are in the area before Ash Wednesday, you will be in for a unique event. Ciudad Obragon, on the other hand, is home to a wide variety of attractions, including the Nainari Lagoon (with dramatic panoramas of the city), the Ostimuri Children’s Park and zoo, the Cocorit House, and the Alvaro Obregon Dam.

Guadalajara, among the cities that you will pass by during your Mexican adventure long the Highway 15, is undisputedly one of the major cultural centers of the country. known as the Pearl of the West, past meets present and future in this charming city. Rural traditions abound, and if you are looking for an authentic mariachi band, you are bound to find it in Guadalajara. Make sure to visit the Hospicio Cabañas, the Regional Museum of Jalisco, the Trompo Magico Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Anthropology. If you are in town on March, make sure to drop by the International Film Festival of Guadalajara.

Final Tip

A week of wonder awaits you at the Highway 15, with plenty of sights, culture, and outdoor activities to experience. When you reach the end point of Mexico City, make sure to explore for remnants of the city’s colonial past.

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