Best Beach Towns in Mexico to Celebrate Columbus Day

October 9th through the 11^th is a much-anticipated long weekend for American's. To celebrate, those who live close to the Mexican border often find themselves heading south on a road trip for the weekend. October is a great month to travel to Mexico, in part due to the fact that this is typically a low point in the tourist season and those who make the drive are rewarded by almost-empty beaches and discount prices on lodging. Before heading out on your road-trip, however, you will have to decide on a destination.

Puerto Peñasco, Sonora

Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point, is a favorite destination for Arizonians because it is only 100 kilometers (about 60 miles) from the U.S. border.  Rocky Point Reservations is offering special rates on hotels and condo's for not only the Columbus Day holiday but throughout the rest of 2010 as well. Guests booking a three night stay at a hotel or condo through Rocky Point Reservations will only have to pay for two nights. Those staying six nights will only pay for four. Specials are good on stays at beach homes, the Sonoran Spa Resort, the Sonoran Sea Resort and Pinacate Condos. This is a great time to take advantage of the lull in tourism and stay in a great condo at a great rate over Columbus Day in Rocky Point.

http://www.rockypointres.com/index.php?action=gid_98

San Felipe, Baja California

San Felipe is only a 5-hour drive from San Diego. It features a hot, dry desert climate plus miles of pristine coastline along the Sea of Cortes, giving it, some say, the best of both worlds. You can find a variety of lodging possibilities in San Felipe, from rustic to luxurious. If you are on a budget, try the popular El Pescador Motel. It is located in central San Felipe and is within walking distance of the beach, shops and restaurants. For those looking for a more luxurious scenario, don't miss the newly opened Playa del Paraiso (http://www.playadelparaiso.com/), offering 207 luxurious residential condominiums on 100 private acres. Along with 1,000 feet of private beachfront, guests also get to enjoy a beachfront infinity pool, Jacuzzi, fitness room and full access to the Internet. The Playa del Paraiso is family friendly and has a kids pool and outdoor play area. No matter where you stay in San Felipe, you will enjoy the warm, calm waters of the Sea of Cortes and the relaxing shade of a palm tree or two.

San Carlos, Sonora

Another two hours south of Rocky Point is the town of San Carlos. San Carlos is a four-hour drive from Nogales, Arizona. The picturesque beachfront community offers an 18-hole champion golf course, numerous shopping opportunities, local cuisine restaurants, and a range of hotels and lodging. San Carlos is a popular destination for RV travelers. You can tow your boat or personal watercraft here and launch it from one of the many well-fitted marinas. Enjoy fishing and exploring the coastline in the Sea of Cortes. Marina Cantina and Deli is a local hangout that hosts an annual Cantina Cup Columbus Day Holiday Weekend (http://www.cantinacup.com/). This is an International Game Fishing tournament that is held annually over the Columbus Day weekend. If you want to spend your Columbus Day weekend fishing in San Carlos, get the details and register on the Cantina Cup website.

Make the most out of Columbus Day this year and get on down to Mexico! A road trip of only a few short hours can land you in a beach paradise. Driving to Sonora and Baja is made simpler since these areas lie within Mexico's free zone. (Note: San Carlos is out of the free zone but Rocky Point is in! Remember to bring passports). To drive, you will need your vehicle registration information and Mexican auto insurance. You can buy a policy just for the weekend. Buy your policy online and print your paperwork before you head out.  If you will be taking a personal watercraft, then you may want to consider Mexico boat insurance. You can purchase all your insurance needs with Mexpro.com, making planning your trip much easier. Since Columbus's Day Weekend is next week, start planning now. By this time next week you could be relaxing in a hammock with your favorite icy beverage, enjoying the warm sea breezes of the Sea of Cortes.