Guaymas, Sonora
(Named after a local aboriginal tribe)
Guaymas is a
historical port city that has retained its culture and heritage.
The city boasts both an industrial and shrimp-fishing port, but
also maintains a solid historical side that displays colonial
buildings with neoclassical and moorish influences, plazas,
monuments and churches. San Carlos was developed to be the
Guaymas Tourist area with hotels and a marine playground for
all.
Fast Facts
Official Name –
Heróica Ciudad de Guaymas
Location –
Located on the Coast on the Sea of Cortez in the State of
Sonora.
Weather – Hot,
dry climate on the Sonora desert
Population –
134,000
Elevation –
Port. Sea Level
Founded – Two
Spanish ships, the Santa Agueda and El Trinidad, arrived in
Guaymas Bay in 1539.
Industry –
Industrial Port. Fishing related industry. Fish products,
freezing and canning. Port construction and Mintenance.
Manquiladoras plants produce clothes, electronics and auto
parts. Some mining; maily graphite.
Money –
Plentiful banks and numerous ATMs
Airport - –
General José María Yáńez International Airport (Guaymas)
Medical –
Hospitals, clinics, doctors and dentists
History
The Guaymas coast was
inhaitated by the Guymas Yaque and Seri tribes. In 1539 Spanish
Francisco de Ulloa commanded two ships into the bay and called
Guaymas “the port of ports.” Less than a century later the
Jesuits were busy building missions with the Yaqui. The Seri
fiercely fought the European settlements.
Well known
missionaries Juan María de Salvatierra and Eusebio Kino received
permision to come to this area. A mission was established just
inland from Guaymas called Loereto and a small mission on the
Bay called San José de Guaymas. It was abandoned in 1759 after a
number of attacks by the Seri. A fort was built in 1767 to
subdue the indians and officially founded the city in 1769
although there was only one inhabitant.
The villiage began to
grow in the early 1800’s and commercial maritime traffic
facilitated growth and trade for the Europeans – the Guaymas
Indians moved and disapeared as a separate group of indigenous
people.
Because of its
strategic maratime possition, Guaymas has been under constant
attack. Guyamas was captured during the Mexican American War and
occupied by America for two years. A French count attacked in
1854 and the victorious defence of the city gave it the Heroic
title. In 1865 French ships attacked and occupied the city until
1866.
During the Mexican
Revolution, General Alvaro Obregon of the rebel army bombed 5
Federal Forces military ships via aircraft – the first areal
bombardment of a naval target.
In 1925 modern port
facilities were built for the Navy and in 1961 a pier was
constructed for Pemex. In 1972 the Guaymas/Santa Rosalia Ferry
began and established a naval corredor to the Baja.
Festivals –
February Carnival; Guaymas was the first city in Mexico to
celebrate Carnival and the city has celebrated since 1888 with
parades, parties and elections of the King and Queen of the
carnival.
Things to See and
Do
The Guaymas Pearl
Farm gives tours. It was the first farm created in the
Americas
The Sonora
Dolphinarium has an interactive show for tourists. In
addition it participates in therapies especially for children
with disabilities.
Beaches: Nearby
municipality of Miramar has a good beach area for fishing,
diving, cruises, kayaking, kite boarding, snorkeling, biking.
San Carlos was
developed with tourism in mind and has all the playground
facilities for adults; gold course, marinas, bars, restaurants
as well as outlets for scuba diving and other water sports.
Stroll Centro:
Admire the Neoclasical
church of San Fernando built in the nineteenth century. La Plaza
13 de Julio is the location of the 1854 battle against the
French. The kiosk was designed by Eiffel. The Plaza of the Three
Presidents honors the three presidents born in Guaymas; Adolfo
de la Huerta, Plutarco Elias Calles and Abelardo Rodriguez.
Accommodation:
Hotels
-
San Carlos / Guaymas
Playa de Cortez
RV Parks -
San Carlos / Guaymas
Totonaka
Haucienda de
Tetakawi
El Mirador
Playa de Cortez
La Playitas Trailer Park
Getting There:
Guaymas is on the major highway down the
Pacific Coast Highway 15. Drive South from the border and south
of Hermosillo to KM 148.
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