To reach the Hope for Mexico Missions base in Playas Las Glorias, Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico, you can enter Mexico through Nogales, Arizona. When you arrive in Nogales take the truck route to avoid going through the city. Then proceed South to Santa Anna on highway #15. From Santa Ana you will continue South following the road signs to Hermosillo, then Gaymas, then Obregon, then Navojoa, then Los Mochis, then finally Guasave.

If you don't have Mexican car insurance, I suggest you stop in Nogales Arizona, to purchase some at San Xavier Insurance. Their address is 1777 N. Frank Read Road #C, Nogales, Arizona. (Office: 888-377-1570. If you want to enter Mexico early in the morning, you can call San Xavier ahead of time and arrange to receive your insurance by mail. Ask for directions when you call.

Do not speak Spanish to officers at any inspection station or on the roadway, this will only create more unneeded questions. It is best to appear as much like a tourist as possible. If you are stopped, they want to know where you come from and where your going. The best answer is American on vacation to the beach in Guasave. Say it slowly.

When you get to Nogales, fill up your gas tank on the American side before you cross the border. Approaching the border you will see a short light as you drive through. If the light turns green as you approach, then drive slowly through. The guard may signal you to keep going. If the light turns red, the guard will signal you to pull over to the right or left side for a quick inspection. They may ask you to get out of the car, and they may ask you where you are going. When they wave you on to leave, drive away cautiously, staying in the left lane because the traffic flows better there. As you travel you will eventually see a sign hanging above the street which says "15 internacional" or "Hermosillo" or "Santa Anna". If you follow these signs wherever they point, you will do well. The idea is to stay on International Highway #15 by following the signs with the name of the next major city until you get to Guasave. The major cities on #15 are: Santa Anna, Hermosillo, Guaymas, Obregon, Navajoa, Los Mochis, and Culiacan. After you pass Los Mochis, you will come to Guasave after only 60 miles and will not go all the way to Culiacan.

When you get to Hermosillo look for a "casa de cambios" (money changing house). Get 400 dollars changed into pesos to cover gas, toll charges etc. Just push your money through the slot in the window, and they will return your pesos to you. The exchange rate is about 10.5 pesos per dollar.

When you come to a toll crossing you will see signs that say "desminuye su velocidad" (slow down), "prepara su cuota" (get ready to pay), and "topes" (bumps). Slow down, and get your pesos ready. It costs about 80-100 pesos for a car. You will see the chart of charges for each type of vehicle.

When you need gas look for the sign that says PEMEX. At the gas station, get out of the car and wait for the attendant at the pump. Tell the attendant "lleno de magna" (yeno de magna). He will pump the gas for you. Watch the pump to make sure he resets the number that says "venta" along side it. When he finishes pumping, pay him what the pump says in the "venta" column. (reads in pesos). Gas costs about $3.65 per gallon. Make sure you count your change with him watching. Remember, they may try to "rip you off" at a gas station if they think you don't know what's going on.

When you leave Hermosillo, follow the signs that say Guaymas. At each major city, follow the signs that point to the next major city on the map. If you want to go into Guaymas to eat, there is a Pizza Hut. But if you want to save 40 minutes driving time, look for the signs that say Obregon before you get to Guaymas and follow them.

When you finally get to Guasave, you will need to get off of highway #15 and go west to the beach. (See Local Map). You now have only 33 miles left in your journey. There are 2 options to choose from to reach your final destination:

1. As you approach Guasave, There are two exits to the right that say Guasave, take the first exit. Take a right at the first stop sign you come to, and follow that road till you get to the first light. Take a left at the light, then a right at the next light. Follow that road until you reach the next light, which will be several blocks away. Take a slight right at the light onto the paved road. You will continue on that road for a couple blocks then it will curve right and go over a canal. That same road will continue out of town and pass by several villages before you get to Las Glorias, about 25 miles. Be on the lookout for signs that say Playas Las Glorias or Hotel Congrejo Moro, which you will see after about 2-3 miles. Follow these signs, staying on the main tar road until you come to the beach. Once you leave the main city there is only one place where you come to a "T" in the road. Go left at the "T". When you get to the end of the tar road you will be in Las Glorias. Take a right on the paved street just before the the road your on ends. Follow the sign that leads you toward the hotel/RV park. One block before you reach the hotel/RV park you will see our grey house on the right side. At night a string of Christmas lights should be lit.
2. You can stop at any hotel in Guasave and give me a call. Tell me the name of the hotel, the phone number, and I will come get you in one hour.