What is CEDO?

CEDO (pronounced SAY-DOH) is a nonprofit Natural History Resource Center and Biological Field Station located in Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico at the meeting place of two marine and desert Biosphere Reserves – the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve and the Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve -. CEDO serves the many cultures and users of this bio region. It is jointly operated by Mexican and U.S. non-profit foundations. CEDO develop and implement research, conservation and environmental education programs, and materials that enhance the protection of these ecosystems.

CEDO’s Mission

The Intercultural Center for the Study of Desert and Oceans mission is to advance and share knowledge about the Upper Gulf of California and surrounding Sonoran Desert and promote conservation and sustainable use of its natural and cultural resources.

CEDO Facilities

CEDO is a multi-use facility open to the public, visiting classes, and other groups. CEDO functions primarily as a field station for the exploration of local habitats, but it also provides the following resources to enhance studies of the area:

• Edificio Agustin Cortes
  • Henry Harris Memorial Library
  • Reference collections of local flora and fauna
  • Laboratory (dry and wet lab space, aquaria and microscopes)
• Visitors Center
  • Gift and Book store with local field guides, tide calendars, t-shirts, etc. in a unique “Earthship” construction
  • Exhibits: 55-ft. fin whale skeleton and as well as fisheries and historical displays.

By promoting environmental awareness, dissemination knowled, and encouraging civic participation, CEDO is a fundamental force driving social openness, civic dialogue, and honest and transparent decision-making. Although essentially directed towards the environment, CEDO has been above all, the promoter of [...] the vision of an open and participatory society consciously building its own future.

- Dr. Exequiel Ezcurra, Biodiversity Research Center of the Californias, San Diego Natural History Museum

Become a CEDO Supporter!

As you head to Rocky Point on highway 8, you can find the Schuk Toak Visitor Center if you take a detour at km 73. Just by following the paved road for about 10 minutes you will end at the visitor center.

This is the first building in Mexico that is completely self-sufficient energy wise. It’s 36 batteries are charged with 132 solar panels to produce 17,000 watts. What is also to notice, is that these facilities were built on top of a flow of lava, next to a contrasting light colored sierra.

Outside the facilities you can contemplate the highest volcano called Santa Clara also known as Pinacate Peak, the majestic sand dunes, and the persistent vegetation growing in the gaps between the lava, among other interesting things.

There are many different displays where you can observe remains of the most characteristic species that inhabit the reserve, like the big horn sheep, Sonoran pronghorn antelope, deer angler, choya, palo verde and palo fierro skeletons.

In the audiovisual auditorium you can view documentaries and presentations regarding animals, plants, geological aspects of  the Sonoran Desert and El Pinacate & the Altar Desert. By the  way Schuk Toak means Sacred Mountain in the O’Odham language.

Full tours and educational excursions  available.

The tequila factory is a definite stop while in Rocky Point.

Tequila can only be made in the town of Tequila, Jalisco. But the Tequila Factory in Rocky Point  is an extension of a 3 generation family owned and operated brewery, this is what is called a “Tequila Artesanal” in other words a very unique tequila made in small quantities, with no chemicals added and from 100% blue agave.

At the Tequila Factory in Puerto Penasco they give you a spoken video tour of how tequila is produced and they answer any question you may have about tequila. After that  there is a tequila tasting from 6 types of tequilas (blanco, reposado, anejo, triple distilled, antiguo & gold) and 9 different flavors of tequila.

You will also find a variety of commercial tequilas and other spirits, leather goods, unique barrel furniture, Mayan beaded jewelry and souvenirs.

Come to the Tequila Factory and Experience the Taste of Mexico

Opened daily from 10am to 6pm. Contact them via email or call (638) 388 0606.

Things to do:

• Take a spoken video tour of how tequila is made followed by a Q&A
• Taste different tequilas (6 types/9 flavors)
• Take a photo and become part of their photo wall

Find the Tequila Factory on:

Good times at the Tequila Factory (part of their photo wall):

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Did we miss any activity?
Tell us about your positive experiences in Rocky Point.

Hacienda las Fuentes opened its doors to the public on September of 2004. The restaurant has a style that you can’t find in any other restaurant in Rocky Point. Once you go through the double wooden doors you find yourself in an Old Mexican style architecture with a fountain that looks like an aqueduct ,this is the main focal point of the restaurant.

It has a spacious dinning area, so you can go with a big group. It also has a  full bar and a great atmosphere. There menu includes sea food, Mexican dishes and even a kids menu. The manager is the friendliest guy you will ever meet, and always comes over to check on you. Overall a great place to take your family.

Recommendations:

• Sundays are 2×1 in there hacienda classics menu.
• Best New Mexico style green chili.
• Grandisimo margarita (translation: really BIG margarita). Keep the glass as a souvenir.

Our review of Hacienda las Fuentes:

Food

• Menu Variety: Excellent
• Quality: Excellent
• Presentation: Excellent
• Price: Good

Beverages

• Variety: Excellent
• Quality: Excellent
• Presentation: Excellent
• Price: Good

Service

• Staff: Excellent
• Speed: Good

Here is the Top 10 list of places you have to visit when in Rocky Point:

Malecon/Plaza Fundadores

1. Malecon/Plaza Gobernadores
The Malecon (or boardwalk) in Rocky Point is one of the most well-known features of the town, it is located in the Old Port of Rocky Point. Completed in 2007, the Malecon provides a calm, relaxing place for families or couples to gather and enjoy a tranquil evening, watching the sunset or the boats, while enjoying a cold drink at any of the establishments along the Malecon. Read more.

Beaked whale skeleton at CEDO

2. CEDO
The Intercultural Center of Study of the Desert and Oceans. It is dedicated among other things to the conservations of many natural habitats in Puerto Peñasco. They give tours of their facilities and ecotours to the many estuaries and volcanic zones of the region. www.cedointercultural.org

Schuk Toak visitor center

3. Schuk Toak
It means Sacred Mountain in the O’Odham language. This is the first building in Mexico that is completely self-sufficient energy wise. It’s 36 batteries are charged with 132 solar panels to produce 17,000 watts. What is also to notice, is that these facilities were built on top of a flow of lava, next to a contrasting light colored sierra. Read more.

Having fun at the Tequila Factory

4. Tequila Factory
At the Tequila Factory you sample tequila, find other tequila brands and shop for souvenirs. As you tour the store, the process  of tequila will be explained to you, and you can  find answers to any question you may have about tequila. Tequila tasting  is available daily. www.tequilafactory.mx

Estero Morua

5. Estero Morua (Estuary)
A coastal wetland filled with crabs, oysters, birds and more. take a tour with kayak rocky point.

Beach front restaurant, bar & hotel

6. Manny’s Beach Club
A great place to hook up with old friends, or meet new ones. Right on the beach with plenty of sunshine, good food and your favorite cold beverages. Visit the landmark of Rocky Point. www.mannysbeachclub.net

Isla San Jorge (Bird Island)

7. Isla San Jorge (Bird Island)
Take a journey with Dolphins, Whales, Sea Lions and many species of birds.

JJ's Cantina

8. JJ’s Cantina
JJ’s Cantina has long been for 24 years the favorite place for locals and  American visitors for the “Mexican Cantina Feel”. A meeting place for  friends and family. www.jjscantina.com

Pinacate Biosphere Reserve

9. Pinacate Biosphere Reserve

In the 1970′s NASA used the unusual terrain of the Pinacate National Park and Biosphere Reserve, a 770-square-mile (2,000-square-kilometer) volcanic field in  Sonora Mexico, near the Arizona border to assist in training astronauts as it was the closest surface they could find to resemble the surface of the moon. Click here to see some photos of the Apollo 14 training at the Pinacate in 1970′s. (Source)

Sunset at la Casa del Capitan

10. La Casa del Capitan
Enjoy a beautiful sunset at the top of whale hill at this fine restaurant.

Located in the center part of the city right next to Pollo Lucas, it is one of the  many palapa style restaurants you will find in Puerto Peñasco. This  sea food restaurant opened July 7th 2002.

My wife and I  were sitting down to eat, when we heard people at the table next to us say: “These are the best shrimp tacos in town”. Well we had to try it out.

They have a very complete menu: cocktails, orders, tostadas, plates & tacos. Serving shrimp, fish, bass, octupus, crab, tuna, scallop, oysters & clams in many styles. Their prices range from $12 pesos for fish tacos to $650 pesos for a seafood platter  for five people.

For drinks they had different beers, lemonade, tea and sodas. We specially loved the “limonada mineral”. So here is our personal review of Mariscos el Conchal:

Food

• Menu Variety: Excelent
• Quality: Excelent
• Presentation: Excelent
• Price: Good

Beverages

• Variety: Good
• Price: Good

Service

• Staff: Good
• Speed: Good

If you love real fresh sea food this is a definite stop while you are in Rocky Point.
Have you eaten at Mariscos el Conchal before? Give us your personal viewpoint, what is your favorite thing to order at this restaurant?

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We compiled this list of resorts, but, did we miss any? Also tell us, why do you like to stay at that specific resort? Give us your first hand experience in the comment section bellow.

Hotel Señorial is strategically placed in the heart of the famous and traditional thirteen street of Rocky Point. Mex. With a privileged location, only 3 block of the beach and 5 minutes of the “Old Port”. With easy access from any point of the city, It will be your better selection when hospitality and comfort matters.

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Types of rooms

• Only Doubles. Prices: weekdays $490 pesos, weekends $590 pesos, holiday $850. 70 rooms.

Conveniently located right as you arrive in Rocky Point, the Mar y Sol Hotel is clean and secure while economical enough to leave you and your group with more money to spend on having fun! Family owned and operated, you’ll love the comfort offered by the Motel Mar y Sol.

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Types of rooms

• Standard. Prices: $350 pesos.
• Queen. Prices: $400 pesos.
• Double. Prices $450 pesos.

For spring break:

• $46 dlls single
• $50 dlls queen
• $58 dlls doble

For semana santa:

• $550 single
• $600 queen
• $700 doble