Christmas in San Carlos, Mexico

December 23, 2023 thru December 29, 2023

Nestled between the Sea of Cortez and the mountains, San Carlos, Mexico, is a relaxing getaway in Sonora. San Carlos is a beachfront subdivision within the port city of Guaymas, but is considered its own town in the northern state of Sonora in Mexico. It is noted for the exceptional clarity and warmth of the ocean water in its shallow bays. Enjoy the sea, sand and local cuisine in this charming coastal town. The adjacent port of Guaymas is a thriving port city full of history and culture. Known as “La Perla del Mar de Cortés” (Sea of Cortés’ Pearl), this city’s legacy of the Seris, Yaquis and Jesuit cultures lives in its buildings and streets.


Transportation

Roundtrip air transportation from ABQ

Transportation

Deluxe Motorcoach

Duration

7 days, 6 nights

Activity Level 3

Moderate

Meals

7 meals (4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners) included

Availability

Available

Documents Required

Passport


Tour Highlights

  • Hermosillo Plaza Zaragosa
  • Day Cruise
  • Mirador – Scenic Overlook
  • El Soldado Estuary
  • The Pearl Farm in the Sea of Cortez
  • Historic Guaymas
  • Use of Beach Club, Pools and Palapas
  • Optional Activities: shopping, spa, golf, hiking or jeep tour

Inclusions

  • Roundtrip airfare from ABQ to TUS (not including airline baggage & in-flight charges)
  • Roundtrip motorcoach transportation
  • 6 nights lodging
  • 7 meals (4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners)
  • Tours as described
  • Local, bilingual guides
  • Services of a Tour Director
  • Baggage handling
  • Coach refreshments
  • Taxes, tourist permits & gratuities for included items


Day 1 – Albuquerque to Tucson

This morning you meet your Tour Director who will accompany you throughout this tour. We depart Albuquerque and fly to Tucson for a one-night stay. 

 

Day 2 – Tucson to San Carlos

We travel via motorcoach to San Carlos. After lunch we will continue to our a beachfront resort near the port city of Guaymas, in the northern state of Sonora. San Carlos is noted for the exceptional clarity and warmth of the ocean water in its shallow bays. The Marinaterra Hotel & Spa will be your home for the next 4 nights. Tonight, we enjoy a group welcome dinner.

Meals included: (D)

Day 3 – Guaymas - Christmas Day!

After a leisurely morning and independent lunch we will explore the open waters of the Sea of Cortez on a cruise along the shores of San Carlos and Guaymas. This evening we will take in spectacular views from the Mirador and on to Playa Los Algodones for Christmas Dinner in the sand at Sunset Bar & Grill.

Meals included: (B, D)

Day 4 – Guaymas

Today we will visit the Perlas del Mar de Cortez. Here you will witness the operations performed in a Pearl Farm. Afterwards we will enjoy a group lunch at the Meson de Cortes Restaurant in the Hotel Playa de Cortes in Guaymas. After lunch we will take a 2-hour guided city tour of Guaymas and the surrounding area with an English-speaking guide. We will finish our day together with a scenic drive back to the Hotel via the El Soldado Estuary.

Meals included: (B, L)

Day 5 – San Carlos

Today we have some free time in San Carlos for shopping and lunch at one of the local restaurants. This afternoon we will return to The Marinaterra and San Carlos Harbor to relax at the beach club or enjoy the spa for the use of all Marinaterra guests. On site at the Hotel you’ll find a full service salon and spa, a jacuzzi, a swimming pool surrounded by relaxing palapas, a pool bar, a full-service restaurant, and a fitness center. If you are feeling adventurous, partake in some optional activities: golf, hike or enjoy a jeep tour.

Meals included: (B)

Day 6 – San Carlos to Tucson

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then depart for Hermosillo’s Plaza Zaragosa. Continue to Tucson via motorcoach.

Meals included: (B)

Day 7 – Tucson to Albuquerque

This morning we transfer to the Tucson International Airport and depart to Albuquerque heading home with fond memories of the beauty, splendor and culture of Mexico’s Sea of Cortez and the Sonoran coast at San Carlos. 

Itinerary subject to change.


Package Pricing

$2,525 per person

Double occupancy

Deposit: $250

$2,795 per person

Single occupancy

Deposit: $250

Final Payment Date:

August 22, 2023

Deposit:

Price Includes

• Roundtrip airfare from ABQ to TUS (not including airline baggage & in-flight charges)
• Roundtrip motorcoach transportation
• 6 nights lodging
• 7 meals (4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners)
• Tours as described
• Local, bilingual guides
• Services of a Tour Director
• Baggage handling
• Coach refreshments
• Taxes, tourist permits & gratuities for included items


Booking Policy

**PASSPORT REQUIRED**

FINAL PAYMENT DUE: August 22, 2023

CANCELLATION FEES:

  • None through August 22, 2023
  • $250  – August 23 – September 19, 2023
  • $1,600 – September 20 – October 17, 2023 
  • 100% – after October 17, 2023

TRAVEL PROTECTION STARTS AT $227


ACTIVITY LEVEL RATING

Level 3: Moderate

Expectations: Expect a moderate amount of walking. There will be time to rest on the coach and between attractions. To enjoy this tour, you should be prepared to walk slightly longer distances, climb stairs and tolerate periods of standing, for example on city walks, sightseeing stops or ship excursions. The daily pace and timing can fluctuate significantly between longer and shorter travel days, with additional activities possibly occurring in the early morning or evening. There may be some changes in altitude or temperatures.

Appropriate for: Most travelers beginning with those who are moderately fit, lead semi-active lives, are comfortable participating in long days of activities and expect some physical exertion.

ITINERARY

For your reference, we send to you a detailed itinerary approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the scheduled tour departure. This has day-by-day times and events, hotel information where you can be reached in case of an emergency, and airline information.

The times listed on the itinerary are all approximate. We cannot be held responsible for schedule changes due to unforeseen circumstances with the weather, transportation agents, highway conditions, hotels or contracting agents.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

It is always a good idea to carry on your person a list of medications that you are taking and an emergency contact phone number while you are traveling. And we suggest making a copy of the itinerary and provide it to a friend or family member.

AIRLINE TICKETS

You will be issued your boarding pass the morning of our departure, after your arrival at the Albuquerque International Sunport. If you have a frequent flyer number, or a TSA number, please call our office at least 3 days prior to the tour to ensure we can note these in your reservation.

If you are joining the tour from locations other than Albuquerque, we make other arrangements for you to join the tour. Please call our office for more details.

AIRPORT SECURITY

Do not forget to bring your government issued picture ID to show at the airport. A Driver’s License or Passport is preferred. If you do not have the proper ID, the airline will turn you away.

BAGGAGE

We have arranged for handling for one piece of luggage per person regarding the skycaps (where available) and hotels. If you check through luggage note that the maximum weight for the checked piece of luggage is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height). If your bag weighs over 50 pounds the airlines will levy an extra fee that you will be responsible to pay. If you feel the need to lock your checked through luggage and your bag is searched, your lock could be damaged in the process. You can purchase a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) accepted and recognized lock at any luggage store. Make sure you ask for a TSA approved lock. These locks are the kind that TSA screeners can open by using a special tool without breaking. Passengers can carry-on 1 bag (dimensions are limited to 10x16x24 inches), plus a personal type bag, like a purse. We advise that you pack your carry-on lightly. There are restrictions regarding your carryon baggage and contents due to enhanced security

CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES

On our scheduled airline for this tour, passengers are assessed a fee per checked in bag, by the Airlines, upon checking in for the flight.

GRATUITIES/ITEMS INCLUDED IN PRICE

All hotel baggage handling fees are included. We also include basic gratuities for the Tour Director, Coach Driver, and local Tour Guides. If someone has truly gone above and beyond additional tipping is permitted, but never required. Hotel housekeeping tips are not included.

LODGING REQUESTS

If you would like to request special accommodations at the hotel(s) where we are lodging, please call us as soon as possible and we will forward these requests for you. The phone numbers of the hotel(s) where we are staying are listed on the itinerary.

Many hotels around the country have instituted a "reconditioning fee" of $300 or more that is levied upon a guest that smokes in a non-smoking room. If this occurs during our tour you will be responsible for paying this fee to the hotel prior to check-out.

TRAVEL REQUESTS

We pay close attention to your requests but please realize that these are merely requests and cannot be guaranteed.

RESPONSIBILITY

SUN TOURS acts solely as an agent in arranging hotels, transportation, sightseeing, baggage-handling, and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss or delay due to any act or default of any company or person. We, along with our subcontractors, reserve the right to make changes to an itinerary if it is necessary for the proper handling of a tour.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING/MISC. SUGGESTIONS

The average daytime high temperatures during our stay in Mexico is typically in the mid to upper 70’s and the average night-time temperature is usually in the mid 50’s. When we are on or close to the beaches those temperatures drop 5-10 degrees or more if its windy. Typically, the air is more humid than in Tucson. Please be sure to bring a sweater and/or rain jacket, along with good walking shoes and a hat. There are no dress codes for the areas we take you on this tour.

Inquire About This Tour

Submit your inquiry for more information about a tour. We will get back to you with a (human) response as soon as possible. During the week that’s usually within a couple of hours. Evenings and weekends may take us a little bit longer. Please note that this is an inquiry for tour bookings only and does not constitute or confirm a reservation on a tour.

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