San
Carlos, Sonora
by Dorothy and Bill Bell
San
Carlos or Nuevo Guaymas is a seaside haven with a population
about 3,000 swelling to 7,000 residents in high season. 70% are
American and Canadian. This graceful resort and residential area
is known for its beautiful beaches and vistas of the San Carlos
Bay.
It has a decidedly American influence and differs sharply
from its twin city of Guayamas only a 10 minute drive south down
the highway. San Carlos is only a four hour - 250 mile drive
from the border towns on Highway 15- a four lane divided
highway. There are four toll stations along the way. You will
immediately notice Tetakawi hill with its brilliant gold color -
the informal symbol of the city.
While
considered a new settlement by many, a two thousand year history
shows otherwise. The history of San Carlos is of course tied to
Guaymas and the other towns in the area. The area was fist
inhabited by the Guaymenas tribe who lived in the area for a
thousand years. There were many small settlements with well over
200 lived in the area. The Tetakawi hill was considered a
magical source of power of the spirits of valiant warriors who
defended these shores from the enemy. Rumors exist of contact
with Chinese who had visited the Sea of Cortez.
A Jesuit
priest in 1617 recorded contact with these people while he was
traveling with a military detachment. The mountain was now
called 'Tetas de Cabra', or 'tits of a goat', due to it's golden
hue and distinctive shape.
In 1769,
Captain Antonio Soto and a military garrison of 85 with was
dispatched from Mexico City with orders to secure the harbors
and establish a settlement. After substantial growth, the town
established itself as a major supply centre and opened up in the
early 1800's as a duty free port.
During the 1847 war
with the United States, the area was captured and held by the US
navy Eagle and Reliant for two years. These were uneasy times.
Pirates, including French Captain Rousset and his band of over
400 men secretly anchored and then attacked the harbor. The
ensuring battle took over 4 days. Roussett was hung, shot and
beheaded in the town square. The surviving pirates immediately
fled to the seas.
San
Carlos was an important port for supply vessels in the American
Civil War. In 1863 ships from San Francisco unloaded supplies
and reloaded on horse drawn wagons for select military
destinations North of the border; New Mexico, Arizona, Utah,
Nevada. During the Mexican Revolution of the early 1900's,
Poncho Villas Army used San Carlos Port as a supply centre.
San
Carlos began to thrive and slowly grow as a fishing village. In
1960 the Movie "Catch 22" was filmed in the tiny village. This
notoriety and interest spawned the first resort in the area -
Club med and hotels and tourist facilities began to grow.
Today San Carlos survives primarily as a small resort community
and tourist destination. It is known for great fishing, large
marinas, and scuba diving in the clear blue and green waters.
The waters are perfect for spectacular diving and snorkeling and
kayaking. Two world class marinas with paved launch ramps, dry
storage facilities, and complete marine repairs make this a must
stop location for boaters. It is considered one of the finest
sailing venues in the Sea of Cortez with secluded coves and
bays. Offshore fishing is particularly good in the abundant sea
of Cortez with big game fish including sailfish, marlin, dorado,
tuna in abundance.
San
Carlos also offers an 18 hole championship golf course and
tennis courts. Restaurants catering to tourists and the
primarily English speaking residents are abundant and feature
seafood and Sonoran Beef.
The weather is excellent, it is an arid climate with no rainy
season and little humidity. Mosquitoes and nosee-ums are
generally south.
Accommodations suit a variety of tastes and budgets. San Carlos
offers modest motel and hotel room to five star resorts. RV
Parks are in a goodly supply too. El Mirador and Playa de Cortez
are both first class places to park; and the Tonaka and Hacienda
de Tetakawi are clean and decent places to stay.
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
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