Land development is paving the road for travelers in Mexico once again as Government Officials recently announce a whopping 5 Billion MXP 2010 infrastructure budget. The Sonora Coastal Highway which at one time seemed like a desert mirage is now, years later, becoming a reality.
The multiphase road project is somewhat modeled after California’s beautiful coastline Highway 1 whereas in Sonora the Coastal Highway is composed of routes and smaller mid-sections designed to boost local eco tourism planned ranches, discovery paths and the areas historical landmarks.
The Turismo Rural program currently lists the masterplan design & implementation of these following travel routes:
Sierra Mar Route
The Sierra Mar Route, within the Southern Heritage region, traces along the southern portion of the state between Alamos, Navojoa and Huatabampo and is an area that will grab the interest of the dedicated ecotourism lovers popularized by Canadian Snowbirds and other American adventure seeking travelers. This route is framed by an extraordinary contrast featuring colonial style towns to beautiful beaches and offers a unique experience, where many alternative activities such as hunting, bird watching or water rafting are available.
The Rio Sonora Route
The Sonora Central region, contains The Rio Sonora Route, which etches itself from the city of Hermosillo to the mining town of Cananea and offers it’s travelers a mini historical tour of Sonora. The quaint traditional feel of Mexico is still very present in the towns of Ures, Baviacora, Aconchi, Huepac, Banamichi, Arizpe, and Bocoachia. History has been conserved through the architecture, town holidays, customs and its museums.
Yecora Route Sonora
Far from being coastal the Yecora Route Sonora brings travelers well into the bordering Chihuahua mountain range that receive snow in the winter and offer scenic landscapes cabin lodging and an ideal hunting climate suitable for vacation hunting expeditions.
High Sierra Route Sonora
The High Sierra Route Sonora, “Alta Sierra de Sonora” essentially is the renaming and rehabilitation of existing roads now designed to promote economic growth connecting the towns of Moctezuma, Villa Hidalgo, Huasabas, Granados, Huachinera, Bavispe and Nacori Chico. This approach to Tourism in Sonora focuses on rural life, livestock and bringing the areas biodiversity to light in a positive way. Locals businesses undergo training on the hospitality aspects of tourism, learn to speak English and have even converted ranches into Lodges where visitors can live the farm life by milking cows and seeing the way Mexican ranches work.
Missions Route
Visitors may follow the same trails that Father Kino blazed, visiting the sites of the missions he 
founded, including some that still stand today. Following some or the entire mission route will allow you to become acquainted with the towns and churches of the Pimeria Alta.
A New Sonora
This ambitious tourism project aims at awakening the lands potential within the travel, real estate, and entertainment sector of Northern Mexico. Particularly at capturing California travelers who seek to drive eastward into the deeper, culturally diverse areas that contrast with Baja California’s spring break party style of vacationing. Arizona travelers who frequent San Carlos for diving, fishing and/or retirement activities enjoy a safe and secure drive from Tucson or fly directly into Guaymas airport. RV caravans and other road travelers will have new areas to explore as they travel and take advantage of the Sonora Only program which exempts the need for vehicle permits within the Sonora Only zone.
