Laguna Shores Resort awaits your arrival, but plan on a little more travel time

Laguna Shores Resort awaits your arrival, but plan on a little more travel time

By Lannette Phipps

We can’t wait until you get here to start your vacation at Laguna Shores Resort in Rocky Point, Mexico,  but you will want to plan on a little more travel time due to numerous stops on the U.S. and Mexico sides of the border. If you plan on leaving one-half hour earlier than you usually do you will allow yourself plenty of time to get to Rocky Point.

If you have not been to Rocky Point, Mexico in a while then you may not be aware of the checkpoints on Hwy. 85 in the U.S., at the U.S. Border, and just outside of Rocky Point, Mexico. Occasionally there is another one on the Coastal Highway on your way to Laguna Shores Resort.

U.S. Checkpoints

 2 Permanent stops on Hwy. 85 – one just south of Gila Bend and the other between Why, Arizona and Lukeville, Arizona. If you are coming south to Mexico you just have to slow down and obey the speed limits as you pass through these two Border Patrol checkpoints. Sometimes there are Highway Patrol that will ticket you if you do not obey the posted speed limits.

If you are going north you will be stopped at both of these checkpoints and will be asked simple questions like, “Where are you coming from”, “What is your citizenship”, “Where are you going”. They may also ask for your registration and ask what you are bringing back from Mexico

Border Stop on U.S. side in Lukeville, Arizona

This is a relatively new stop (within the last year or so). You no longer just go across the Mexico border, you now have to stop at the Lukeville Port of Entry where you will be questioned by officers if you are carrying more than $10,000 USD in cash, or if you are carrying any guns or ammo, or a few other benign questions. Be sure you follow the stop signs and wait for the car ahead of you to clear the lane. There are people that cross the border to check their mail or do business in Lukeville so please watch the cars coming out of the border (from Mexico) and let them get across the highway to get gas or check their mail, etc. Some of those same people want to go north on Hwy. 85 so please watch traffic and leave room for them to get across – not everyone wants to take cuts in line.

Military Stop just Outside of Rocky Point, Mexico

This is a relatively new military checkpoint just as you enter Rocky Point – at the glorieta. You can go right to Laguna Shores Resort or left to Caborca (just before that highway). This will be a permanent spot I believe so they are working on making it look more permanent. Traffic is usually backed up and the wait to get through can be from 10 minutes to 30 minutes or more. At night drive with caution as sometimes it is hard to see – there are no overhead lights as of yet, the officers are just waving flashlights. The officers will ask questions like where are you going, where have you been, how long are you staying, what are you bringing, and may we search your vehicle. Some of them do not speak English, so if they see you are getting confused they will get another officer that speaks English or they will try to muddle through the few questions. If you are inspected you will be asked to pull over. They are checking for drugs and guns so you have nothing to worry about if you are not transporting arms. It is very important that you stay in or close to your vehicle and watch the inspection. Women, take your purse with you – if they want to look in it they can ask. Never give an officer any kind of bribe whether it be in items from your vehicle or monetary. Many times the men will express interest in new electronics or movies or iPods, etc., but that’s usually what it is – interest. Do not assume that they are asking you for the item and do not give it to them.

There is nothing to worry about at this stop. Usually you are with so many other people going through the same thing so there are plenty of people around to ask for help. The military are usually dressed in camo or khaki colored clothing. This is just like any Border Stop in the U.S. I have been asked to pull over many times (in AZ and CA) while my vehicle has been inspected. It is NO different. You are just not used to no lights and what seems to be little organization. Do not be scared – we all go through this new checkpoint.

Checkpoint on Coastal Highway on the way to Laguna Shores

Sometimes there is a police checkpoint on the Coastal Highway at the intersection just as you cross the railroad tracks. If you are coming to Laguna Shores Resort you may be stopped here. I was stopped a month ago and they made me wait while they ran my plates. I was there almost 30 minutes. Ugh. I think they were trying to verify that I did not steal my truck even though I showed them my registration, insurance and title. They were very polite and I stayed in my truck listening to my iPod.

This checkpoint can be scary if you come upon it at night because it is out in the middle of nowhere and there are no lights. Sometimes the police are wearing masks and have big guns – not very comforting so just be prepared. Mostly the police are dressed in dark gray or black clothes and they want to know where you are coming from and where are you going. Sometimes they just wave you through. If you come upon this stop at night the vehicle ahead of you will usually signal with their flashers or touching their brakes to let you know there is a stop. Sometimes they turn on their red and blue lights so just slow down. It is hit and miss with this checkpoint – it can be morning, day, or night – I have hit them all.

So, while it will take you a bit longer to get to Rocky Point, Mexico and Laguna Shores Resort, you will still have a fantastic vacation. See you soon!

This article is brought to you by Laguna Shores Resort, a master planned oceanfront community on the Sea of Cortez in Rocky Point, Mexico. Located just off of the Coastal Highway, north of town, Laguna Shores offers real estate for sale: fractional shares, condos, homes, lots, as well as custom home building services. They also offer condos and homes for rent. Laguna Shores Resort is like no other master planned community in Puerto Peñasco, with their many amenities, low-density housing, desal plant, and underground utilities. Come out and take a tour – you will be pleasantly surprised. Ask about their Lifetime Vacation Plan – the smart and economic way to vacation. Visit their website at www.lagunashoresresorts.com for photos, maps, videos and a wealth of information about the resort and Rocky Point, Mexico. “Like” them on Facebook to see, and receive in your newsfeed, current vacation rental specials, fractional share ownership and vacation packages contest drawings, as well as new real estate for sale such as beachfront lots and homes and condos for sale. Laguna Shores Resort can be reached from the U.S. by calling toll free 1-800-513-1426.