The south of Sonora is unique in
many ways. It is a mixture of beaches, estuaries,
rivers, and mountains, with a diversity of climates
that go from the tropical desert to the Sierra Madre
Forest, in an environment inherited by a rich native
tradition and the step of history of the Spanish
colony.
This route includes the cities of: Ciudad Obregon,
Navojoa, Etchojoa, Huatabampo, and Alamos. At approximately
30 km from Navojoa, there is the International Airport
of Ciudad Obregon. This region also counts with
a road system that connects to the North with the
United States, and to the South with the state of
Sinaloa.
Tourists become admired when they find the great
diversity of crafts there is, as the ones produced
by wool knitting; creating artisans the magnificent
"jorgon", coverings and blanquettes, the
impeccable work of palm or reed baskets; the most
beautiful furniture and stools carried out with
wood lined with cattle leather.
There is also a great variety of products made out
of cattle bristle as “chavindas”, belts,
“cabestros”, brakes, etc., as well as
excellent products of “talabartería”,
as huaraches, saddles, “cuartas,” etc.
There are also pottery products and the very traditional
deer heads, “Pascola” masks, and many
other crafts.
For nature observers, the South of Sonora has the
most beautiful places such as virgin beaches, where
is very common to see dolphins in their coasts,
as well as diverse birds and a fascinating wild
flora and fauna.
Fishing, “white wing” dove, deer, and
wild boar hunting, are a great adventure for these
activities’ fanatics. No one must miss the
opportunity to visit the hunting ranch that exists
in this region.
Other activities that tourists may try are: the
river rapids tours in rowboats or kayaks, observing
by the way the beautiful paintings in rocks that
our ancestors inherited to us; traveling through
these places in mountain bikes, and rappel.
Another majestic place that you must visit is the
city of Alamos. This is maybe the most beautiful
colonial city in Sonora and this is due to the emphasis
made by its residents and government to preserve
at all cost its colonial architecture in every single
structure of the town.
Ciudad Obregón
The actual territory of Ciudad Obregon’s
municipality, Cajeme, forms part of the Yaqui
region. The region began to be evangelized by
Jesuit missionaries since 1617.
The municipality of Cajeme has as municipal heading
the city of Obregon. Ciudad Obregon is located
at the south of Sonora by the fertile and well
irrigated Yaqui Valley, and is then, the agricultural
center of the state.
Cajeme has basically two types of climates: dry
and very dry. The first type of climate covers
most of the north and east of the territory. The
second one is in the southwestern part of the
region. In both cases, most of the rainy season
presents between July and September. Both climates
are warm, with an annual average temperature of
24°C. Between June and September the average
maximum temperature is 31°C; in January, the
average minimum temperature is 16°C. Frosts
present at the end of December to February.
Places to Visit:
Tourists may visit a great variety of local beaches.
On the outskirts of Ciudad Obregon, there is a
recreational park beside the Nainari Lake much
frequented by families, especially on weekends.
It is called the Ostimuri Park for Children and
has lots of fair games. There is also the Ostimuri
Zoo.
It is worth visiting the Yaqui Museum which offers
a very wide perspective of this native group’s
culture in order to rescue, preserve, investigate,
and spread the testimonies and way of life of
the Yaquis. It opens from Monday to Friday, from
8:00 am to 6:00 pm and is located at Calle Allende
and 5 de febrero.
There is also a Golf Club located at 10 km away
from Ciudad Obregon; as well as an architectural
construction of colonial style called Casona de
Cocorit located at approximately 15 km away from
the city.
The Oviachic Dam or Presa General Alvaro Obregon
has beautiful green areas for camping where ship
sailing, fishing, and water skiing turn out to
be very amusing activities. Oviachic Recreational
Park, also counts with grills, games, and parking
lots.
There are also many monuments in the city such
as those made for: Jesus Garcia Corona, Benito
Juarez, Miguel Hidalgo, Ignacio Zaragoza, Lazaro
Cardenas, all of them, outstanding figures of
Mexican history.
The murals at the Municipal Palace must also
be visited.
At the south of the city, at approximately 45
km, is located the Huivulai Island. There are
high sand dunes in where speed lovers may make
use of their double or four-wheel traction vehicles.
There is also a fresh water well with a deepness
of about 97 m that favors the growth of date palms,
which are sanctuaries of pelicans, cranes, and
other species.
Handicrafts:
Hand weaving, basket making, and pottery stand
out in Ciudad Obregón.
Festivities:
Local festivities include an Agricultural Fair
and the celebration of Holly Week at traditional
Yaqui style.
There are celebrations on June 24th (it is traditional
to take baths on the Yaqui River waters), July
16th, September 15th and 16th (Mexican Independence),
November 20th (Mexican Revolution).
Navojoa
The actual territory that occupies the municipality
of Navojoa was inhabited since Prehispanic times
by Mayo natives, whose history is intimately tied
to the valley and the river of the same name.
Navojoa’s name comes from the Mayo language
roots “navo” that means prickly pear,
and “jova” that means house; thus
the city it means “house or place of prickly
pears.”
In 1533 the expedition lead by Don Diego de Guzman
visited for first time this region. In 1593, Captain
Diego Martinez de Hurdaide conquered and pacified
Mayos, joining them to the Spanish colonial regime.
Since 1610, evangelization started by Jesuit
missionaries, who were then expulsed in 1767.
The original settlement on the left bank of the
Mayo River was given the title of” city”
on July 6, 1923.
In addition to the many and plentiful crops its
inhabitants raise nowadays, industrial fishing,
cattle and poultry activities are very important.
Benefiting from the closeness of the mountains
with the shore, the region has a milder climate
and different types of vegetation.
Navojoa has two types of climates: semi-dry and
semi-humid. Both are extremists with an average
maximum temperature of 32.7°C in June and
July, and an average minimum temperature of 18.5°C
in December and January. The annual average temperature
is 25.4°C. The rainy season presents in summer
in July and August. Cyclones may present occasionally
between September and October depending on the
meteorological conditions.
Places to Visit:
Nearby Navojoa, the many different settings of
beautiful unspoiled beaches invite one to visit.
Also deer, duck and dove hunting is very popular
along the Mayo River and at the shooting range
close by.
Favored by nature with an excellent climate,
river and beaches, Navojoa and the Mayo Region
are the foundation and the proud keepers of Sonora's
heritage.
Tourists must visit the Municipal Palace, the
Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Church, and the Cinco
de Mayo Plaza in the city of Navojoa.
Handicrafts:
Mayo natives weave palm and reed in order to
make mats and “guaris” (baskets).
In some places they make pots, roof tiles, and
baked clay utensils. They also make chairs and
tables out of flexible willow.
Festivities:
The cultural legacy of the Mayo natives is evident,
which we can appreciate in the local festivity
of June 24th when they celebrate San Juan’s
Day (patron saint of the community), the fascinating
celebration of Easter, and Dia de Muertos (Dead’s
Day) on November 2nd.
The Mexican Independence is also celebrated on
September 16th, as well as the Virgin of Guadalupe
on December 12th, and San Ignacio de Loyola’s
Day on July 31st.
Etchojoa
The territory that actually occupies the municipality
of Etchojoa was once inhabited by Mayo natives.
Etchojoa’s name comes from the Mayo dialect
of the roots “etzo” that means cooked
cactus known locally as “echo”, and
“jova” that means “house or
room” Thus Etchojoa then means “house
or place of cactus or echos.”
Etchojoa was a Mayo native settlement located
at the left bank of the Mayo River. In 1613, it
first visited by Jesuit missionary Pedro Mendez.
This city is one of the seven traditional Mayo
settlements.
In 1796, once the missionary system decayed,
the crossbreeding process of the population began.
This municipality has a very dry mild climate
with an annual average temperature of 16.9°C.
Its average maximum temperature is 26.3°C
in July and August, and its average minimum temperature
is 6.1°C in December and January. The rainy
season presents in July and August.
Places to Visit:
Nearby Etchojoa there are unspoiled beaches tourist
must visit, as well as the Municipal Plaza kiosk
in the city.
Handicrafts:
Mats, baskets, chairs, and tables made up of
willow and poplar trees are very popular; as well
as fariseo masks confectioned of kid, coyote,
and sheep leather.
Festivities:
The traditional festivities of the Yoreme (natives)
community are an important tourist resource. Each
May, there are celebrations to the Holly Spirit
(Espiritu Santo) in which thousands of visitors
come to the city. There are also festivities on
San Juan’s Day on June 24th and on San Pedro’s
Day on June 29th.
Huatabampo
As the other cities of this route, the territory
that occupies the municipality of Huatabampo has
been traditionally territory of the Mayo natives.
In 1614, Jesuit missionaries Pedro Mendez and
Diego de la Cruz, along with Captain Diego Martinez
de Iturbide entered the Mayo River. They established
the Mayo Mission Towns, where Santa Cruz de Mayo
can be found.
Huatabampo’s name comes from Cahita language
from the roots “huata” which means
willow tree, “baam” meaning the plural
for “baa”, water; and “po”
which means “in”, thus Huatabampo
then means “willow tree in water.”
Huatabampo has a semi-dry semi-warm climate,
with an average annual temperature of 22.9°C.
Between June and August, the average maximum temperature
is 30°C; while between December and January
the average minimum temperature is 16.2°C.
Rainy season occurs in summer in July and August.
Frosts present occasionally between February and
March.
Places to Visit:
Hutabampo has tourist potential in its beaches:
Huatabampito, Las Bocas, and Camahuiroa which
are visited by tourists from all over Sonora and
Sinaloa, as well as parts of the United States.
Tourists must also visit in Huatabampo, the Municipal
Palace built in 1928, the Cristo Rey Temple (1950-1955),
Plaza Juarez (1922-1923), General Alvaro Obregon’s
house which is now a museum.
Handicrafts:
Fariseo masks, reed weaved mats, chairs and tables
made of willow and poplar; as well as guaris and
reed baskets, Pascola masks, matachin crowns,
and wool blankets are very popular in Huatabampo.
Festivities:
People in Huatabampo celebrate Santisima Trinidad
Day between May and June; as well as the Virgin
of Guadalupe’s Day on December 12th, San
Juan’s Day on June 24th, and Independence
Day on September 15th and 16th.
Alamos
Alamos is located in the southern part of Sonora's
mountain range and is about 50 km (31 miles) east
from Navojoa. It was born as a silver mining town
back in the 1680s, and is considered the "most
Colonial" of all Sonora's cities because
of its unspoiled architecture.
Alamos has all kind of services: banks, gas stations
(regular and unleaded), drug stores and beautiful
colonial style hotels and restaurants, where it
is easy to forget that this is the twentieth century.
Antique homes and buildings have been restored
to their original splendor and have become motels
and inns, where you'll forget the modern "stars"
categories with the clean, friendly and courteous
hospitality of your Sonoran hosts.
Alamos has a semi-dry semi-warm climate, with
an average annual temperature of 23.6°C. Between
June and July, the average maximum temperature
is 29.7°C; while between December and February
the average minimum temperature is 17°C. There
may be maximum temperatures of 44°C and minimum
temperatures of 2°C. Rainy season occurs in
summer between July and September. Frosts present
between December and March.
Places to Visit:
No matter where you go or which way you turn,
the city's atmosphere is filled up with history.
The church in the town's center plaza, the Chapel
of Zapopan, the Pavilion, the Gazebo, the Cemetery,
the City Government Palace, the Old Jail, and
the Main Square are just a few of the buildings
and cites that have witnessed over three centuries
the events that have helped shape the Mexico of
today.
If you enjoy hunting, the area surrounding Alamos
is rich in game, such as deer, wild boar, duck,
dove, quail and other species. Freshwater fishing
is excellent in nearby rivers, and at "El
Mucuzari Dam," with abundant large-mouth
bass, bluegill and catfish.
Handicrafts:
If your special interest is in handicrafts, Alamos
is a great place to find unique hand-carved wooden
furniture and numerous articles crafted in tin,
glass, silver, wrought iron, musical instruments
and wool blankets, woven by Mayo natives. Among
other seasonal exotic curios, you will find the
traditional "Mexican Jumping Beans."
Festivities:
Alamos is traditionally a quiet place. But several
times a year one can join the locals and scores
of retired Americans permanently living in Alamos
in traditional festivities such as the village's
Patron Saint Day (December 8th), Mexico's independence
celebration (September 15th and 16th), "Cinco
de Mayo" (the May 5th celebration of Mexico's
military victory over the French Invasion), and
many others, always accompanied by fireworks,
typical Mexican and regional food, fairs, amusement
parks, etc. Alamos is full of fiestas in the month
of January, celebrating the festival "Dr.
Alfonso Ortíz Tirado", where many
national and foreign actors are presented.
Other points of interest include "Paseo
del Chalaton," the Museum of Customs and
Traditions, the Cuchujaqui Stream, considered
a unique ecological site, and the romantic "Callejon
del Beso" (Alley of the Kiss). Nearby historic
towns such as Minas Nuevas, La Aduana and Promontorios
made for interesting daytime visits.
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