Sonora in San Diego

La Revista Binacional was invited by the Consulate of Mexico in San Diego to its fourth “Bridge to Mexico” where Sonora was the Mexican state honored.

The consulate courtyards were decorated with bright colors. The booths of the different sponsors of the event included hotels, tourism organizations, machaca burritos, coyotas, Volaris, Calafia Airlines, Cross Border Express CBX and Visit Sonora among others.

The distinguished Consul, Carlos González G., was an amazing host along with his entire team. They received Ms. Célida López, current Secretary of Tourism of Sonora and together they welcomed the entire community.

The Dance of the Deer came to mesmerize the attendees who got a taste of Sonoran beef jerky and the different bacanoras (alcoholic distilled drink that is only produced in the state of Sonora).

We had the opportunity to talk with Célida López, a strong Sonoran woman who proudly told us that Sonora is one of the best destinations for foreigners to visit. Puerto Peñasco has a direct flight from Tijuana (40 minutes) and through the CBX (Cross Border Express), so tourists can come and go safely.

She told us about the PUEBLOS MAGICOS magical Sonoran towns: Alamos, with all that history and cultural heritage that it brings to the state. Alamos is known and distinguished for its extreme sports activities, which is expected to generate young tourism. There is also another project, where there are plans to connect Alamos via train with the magical town EL FUERTE of Sinaloa, making it a more magical experience.

Magdalena de Kino, is a PUEBLO MAGICO with more religious tone due to the missionaries, especially Father Eusebio Kino, who lies in a newly remodeled crypt for tourists to visit.

We discussed the traditions of raising St. Francis Xavier, a life-size statue of St. Francis, lying down. The tradition is to try to lift it. If it rises, it means that one has a clear conscience. But if the statue doesn’t move, well… your conscience is not that clean!

In Magdalena de Kino there is an important project called Paseo Guadalajara that will connect several magical towns along the way.

It was exciting to find out about the Magical Neighborhoods BARRIOS MAGICOS. VILLA DE SERIS, a neighborhood that is part of Hermosillo, Sonora, was already declared the first BARRIO MAGICO  Magical Neighborhood of the Northwest.

Villa De Seris, apart from being a picturesque place full of legends, is famous for the fact that the coyotas (round pastry stuffed with molasses) are produced there in the house of Doña María, a modest adobe brick house, but so visited and loved by thousands. Her grandchildren have taken over the business now.

Célida López invites us to visit Sonora and all that it offers. It is easily accessible by land and air. Everything is connected by safe roads and Sonorans are recognized for being good hosts and they like to show off the beauty of their deserts and beaches, as well as all the cultural heritage that it offers Mexico.

A special thanks to all the staff of the Secretary of Tourism of Sonora and to the Consulate of Mexico in San Diego, especially Alberto Lozano, for inviting us to be part of these PUENTES A MEXICO Bridges to Mexico, where San Diego will host every state of Mexico.

Congratulations on being a key element in the harmony of our binational community!