FAQs

Question

What documents do I need to enter Mexico?

Answer

All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Mexico by air. While tourist visas are often processed digitally upon arrival at the Hermosillo (HMO) airport, ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates to avoid any hiccups. Note: Routine passport processing currently takes approximately 4–6 weeks, while expedited service takes 2–3 weeks. To be safe, we recommend starting the process at least 10 weeks before the wedding to account for any mailing delays.

Question

Where should I stay?

Answer

We recommend staying at Hotel Araiza Hermosillo, as this will be our main hub for the weekend! We have a block of rooms reserved here for our guests. To make things easy for everyone, we will provide a shuttle bus that will pick up guests from this hotel and take them to both the ceremony and the reception (please find a link to this hotel and our block of rooms under our 'Travel' tab). If you prefer to stay elsewhere, we suggest looking for hotels or Airbnbs in the Colonia Pitic or Lomas de Pitic neighborhoods. This is a very safe, central part of the city (the "Hotel Zone") with plenty of restaurants and shops nearby.

Question

Can I drink the tap water?

Answer

Generally not, it is recommended you stick to bottled or purified water.

Question

How do I get around the city?

Answer

Uber is widely available, affordable, and generally the most convenient way for visitors to navigate Hermosillo. It removes the language barrier of explaining your destination and keeps a digital record of your trip.

Question

Are children invited?

Answer

While we love your little ones, our wedding will be an adults-only event. We hope you will enjoy the night off to celebrate with us!

Question

How do I get to Hermosillo?

Answer

You should fly directly into General Ignacio Pesqueira García International Airport (HMO). For those flying from the U.S., the most convenient route is often through Phoenix (PHX), which currently offers the only direct international flight to Hermosillo.

Question

Is Hermosillo safe?

Answer

Yes, Hermosillo is a very safe city for international travelers. As the capital of Sonora and a major business hub, it is accustomed to hosting visitors and is generally much quieter than the high-traffic border towns. You can feel confident exploring the city’s main districts, shopping centers, and restaurant rows. As you would in any large city (like New York or Chicago), we recommend using Uber for transportation after dark and staying aware of your surroundings in crowded areas.

Question

Is Hermosillo different from places like Cancun or Cabo?

Answer

Yes! Hermosillo is the capital of the state of Sonora. It is a bustling business and cultural hub rather than a "tourist trap." You’ll find fewer English speakers than in the coastal resorts, but the people are incredibly friendly. It’s a great opportunity to practice your Spanish! Travel Tip: We highly recommend downloading the Google Translate app on your phone. Once installed, go into the settings to download the "Spanish" language pack for offline use; this ensures you can still translate menus and signs even if you don't have a steady internet connection.

Question

How should I handle money?

Answer

While major hotels and upscale restaurants in Hermosillo accept credit cards (Visa and Mastercard are most common), you will definitely want Mexican Pesos for smaller shops, tacos, and tips. For the best value, try to obtain a starter amount of pesos from your local bank in the U.S. a week or two before your trip. This allows you to avoid the high fees and poor exchange rates typically found at airport currency booths.

Question

What is the weather like?

Answer

Hermosillo is in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. It is dry and hot. During the day expect plenty of sunshine and high temperatures. In the evening the temperature can drop significantly once the sun goes down, making it much more cool and comfortable.