Travel Guide CIUDAD OBREGON Contents

DISCOVER CIUDAD OBREGON 01

CIUDAD OBREGON PROFILE 03

CIUDAD OBREGON ATTRACTIONS 04

CIUDAD OBREGON DINING 08

CIUDAD OBREGON SHOPPING 09

CIUDAD OBREGON NIGHTLIFE 11

THINGS TO DO IN CIUDAD OBREGON 12 DISCOVER CIUDAD OBREGON

Ciudad Obregon offers a wide variety of cultural attractions and entertainment for visitors. Not only does it have fertile land for agricultural production and breathtaking natural beauty, but it’s also an excellent place to do business in the state of Sonora. In addition, this destination has preserved its rich cultural heritage.

With a prime location in the southern part of Sonora, right in the heart of the Yaqui Valley, it makes a great jumping off point for visiting the towns, villages, and incredible natural attractions in the surrounding area. You’ll find the Sea of Cortez beaches to the west, the Sierra Madre Occidental to the east, the Mayo Valley to the south, the Port of Guaymas to the north, and the San Carlos beaches, which are located 80 miles away.

The main economic activities that take place in this city are agriculture, industry, farming, fishing, commerce, aquaculture, and tourism.

1 A BRIEF HISTORY

Ciudad Obregon proudly preserves the language and traditions of the Yaqui culture, including the famous “Deer Dance,” a ritual dance and celebration that reenacts a deer hunting scene. The city began to flourish in the early 1900s when the Southern Pacific Railroad Company opened a warehouse there. It was built to supply materials for the construction of the railroad that would join the Yaqui Valley and the Mayo Valley. This attracted many investors to the region, resulting in new settlements.

Little by little, more people arrived from the United States and Europe, as well as from neighboring towns and villages. The opening of the first American automobile dealership spurred the rapid growth of Ciudad Obregon.

2 CIUDAD OBREGON PROFILE

Second most important city in Sonora.

Agriculture is the main economic driver, followed by industry, farming, fishing, commerce, and aquaculture.

Cultural city and home to the Yaqui people.

A great destination for adventure tourism.

Excellent business infrastructure.

It has one of the largest irrigation systems in Mexico.

3 CIUDAD OBREGON ATTRACTIONS

In the parks, plazas, and traffic circles of Ciudad Obregon you’ll always find something that symbolizes the culture and history of the city. Its fertile valleys are home to fascinating natural attractions that are perfect for recreational activities. In the surrounding area you can go hunting for species like the mule deer and white-winged dove, as well as ducks, turkeys, and rabbits.

ALVARO OBREGON PLAZA

This quiet city plaza hosts a variety of events, such as parades, fairs, and patriotic celebrations, among others. Some of the attractions surrounding the plaza include the Cathedral, the City Hall building, the Alvaro Obregon monument, the Monumental Clock, and the Ornamental Fountain. NAINARI LAGOON

Surrounded by an abundance of leafy trees, this 1.2 mile wide man-made lagoon is the pulse of the city and a great place for outdoor activities. It has two piers where you can enjoy a variety of watersports, such as canoeing, sailing, and water skiing.

SACRED HEART OF JESUS CATHEDRAL

With a distinct modern architectural style, this cathedral was built in 1977, making it one of the newer cathedrals in the country. The interior features a beautiful altarpiece with pieces of marble and encrusted with gold and bronze.

4 ALVARO OBREGON DAM This dam is also known as the Oviachic Dam. Its water comes from the Yaqui River and is used for irrigation as well as to generate electricity. It has an observation deck that offers beautiful views of the landscape and surrounding area, which is home to recreational areas where you can enjoy ecotourism activities, such as bird watching, fishing, boating, biking, hiking, duck hunting, dove hunting, and more. It is located 28 miles from the city and is popular among locals and tourists alike. The dam is famous for hosting the prestigious International Largemouth Bass Tournament, which takes place each year in November. OVIACHIC RECREATIONAL PARK

Located near the Alvaro Obregon Dam, this park has extensive green areas that are perfect for hosting family picnics or barbecues. OSTIMURI CHILDREN’S PARK This family-friendly recreational area offers rides, a train that runs through the park, and rest areas. It also has a planetarium and a zoo where you can see white-tailed deer, blue gnus, and gila monsters, as well as other animals from the region. ANTONIO FERNANDEZ MODELO CULTURAL CENTER This modern cultural center showcases the history and development of the state of Sonora and the evolution of beer in Mexico. It was created by a leading local brewing company and features a series of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and other temporary exhibits.

5 ITSON ART GALLERY

The Technological Institute of Sonora is open to the public and features an exhibit of local and regional artwork, along with works by international artists.

DISCOBOLO MONUMENT TRAFFIC CIRCLE

Created to honor local athletes, this monument is located next to Ostimuri Park and the amazing Nainari Lagoon.

HUIVULAI ISLAND

This island is home to beautiful and tranquil beaches where you can enjoy a variety of watersports or ride ATV vehicles on the sand dunes. It has a 97-meter-deep freshwater pond and a unique oasis of date palms, which are a sanctuary for many bird species, such as cranes, pelicans, herons, and albatrosses. It is located 28 miles south of Ciudad Obregon.

YAQUI MUSEUM

Located just over four miles from downtown Ciudad Obregon in the town of Cocorit, one of the original Yaqui settlements, this museum displays the largest exhibition of Yaqui culture in the area. It features interesting exhibits about the history and customs of this fascinating indigenous group. During your visit you can learn about their traditional handicrafts, such as masks, drums, and elaborate embroidery. The museum is housed in a historic building that dates back to the 1890s and has served as military barracks, a hotel, and a residential home. Today, the museum promotes Yaqui culture through music, handicrafts, dance, and language.

6 COCORIT MANSION This neoclassical mansion has four exhibition rooms where paintings, photography, sculptures, and crafts are permanently displayed. One of its main purposes is to promote the fine arts to people with limited economic resources. It is located in the town of Cocorit, which was one of eight missions established, in 1617, on land belonging to the Yaqui tribe. It is located just 10 minutes from Ciudad Obregon.

SAN CARLOS BEACHES The beautiful beaches of San Carlos are great for sunbathing and relaxing. They are located about 80 miles south of Ciudad Obregon. Some of the highlights include:

Algodones Beach is a beautiful place with sand dunes that resemble cotton.

With its gentle surf, San Francisco Beach is the largest and most popular beach in the area.

Piedras Pintas Beach is an excellent place to go snorkeling.

ESPERANZA-OVIACHIC ECOTOURISM CORRIDOR Created in 2013 as part of an initiative to increase tourism to the region, the Esperanza-Oviachic Ecotourism Corridor extends from the town of Esperanza, a few miles north of Ciudad Obregon, to the Oviachic Dam, 27 miles away.

Along this corridor you’ll find more than 25 attractions, including dams, swimming areas, a lookout point, and nature areas with rivers and lakes, as well as places to fish, ride motocross, bike, and enjoy a variety of adventure sports. There are also restaurants and outdoor sports facilities.

7 CIUDAD OBREGON DINING

Not only is Yaqui culture represented in the monuments and history of Ciudad Obregon, but it also plays an important role in the city’s cuisine, as their delicious dishes and desserts have been passed down from generation to generation.

REGIONAL CUISINE A famous traditional dish, Wakabaki is a soup made of chickpea broth, pumpkin, cabbage, carrots, green beans, potatoes, and beef ribs, which is typically prepared during important festivals. Another traditional dish, the “carne asada” (grilled meats) gets its irresistible flavor from the way it’s cooked. It is often accompanied by a sauce made of chopped vegetables, roasted onions, and flour tortillas. With their unique size and exquisite flavor, the flour tortillas are served alongside many of the regional dishes.

In Ciudad Obregon you’ll also find fresh fish and seafood served in a variety of ways, such as the traditional caguamanta, a stingray soup with shrimp and vegetables. For dessert, you can enjoy delicious “coyotas” (cookies with brown sugar, molasses, guava, apple, fig, or fudge filling).

All these dishes are often accompanied by a cold beer, perhaps the most widely consumed drink in the region, or the traditional Bacanora, which is agave liquor made in the state of Sonora.

DOGOS Also adapted to the Sonoran style and typically served in the evenings, “dogos” are similar to traditional hot dogs, but with additional ingredients, such as “chorizo” (spicy pork sausage), mushrooms, cheese, avocado, chili peppers from the region, beans, lettuce, bacon, and “chicharron” (pork rinds).

8 CIUDAD OBREGON SHOPPING

Viajar a Ciudad Obregón y no llevarse un souvenir o los tan deliciosos alimentos que se preparan en la región, es como no haberla visitado. Por ello, podrás adquirir desde bellas artesanías elaboradas principalmente con madera Palo Fierro, como figuras de animales y personas que son considerados de gran valor para la cultura Yaqui, al igual que lindas muñecas, máscaras, objetos de vaqueta (cuero de ternera disecado) e instrumentos que utiliza dicha etnia en sus festividades y que son elaborados por los artesanos locales, hasta una gran variedad de productos comestibles como las típicas Coyotas, la cecina, machaca, tortillas de harina, jamoncillos y las riquísimas salsas de chile chiltepín.

9 COYOTAS MOZAS This shop sells delicious coyotas, cured meats, and machaca. You’ll also find a variety of local products, such as “pepitorias” (candy made of peanuts or pumpkin seeds and molasses), chiltepin chili peppers, sauces, and honey. It has two locations in the downtown area.

MERCAJEME MUNICIPAL MARKET This market was built in 1942 and kept its original facade until the 90s, when it was renovated. Here you’ll find products from the region, including sauces, cured meats, flour tortillas, and machaca, as well as souvenirs made by local artists.

SHOPPING MALLS

Ciudad Obregon also has shopping malls selling a variety of goods:

Plaza Goya: A great choice with a variety of shopping and entertainment for the entire family. It also has a casino. Plaza Las Palmas: A small shopping mall in the downtown area. Plaza Tutulí: A mall with exclusive shops, boutiques, and restaurants serving regional cuisine.

10 CIUDAD OBREGON NIGHTLIFE

After dark, Ciudad Obregon offers a variety of entertainment options to suite every taste. The bars and nightclubs feature live music of all genres, including rock, pop, bohemian, banda, nortena, and more. The vibrant nightlife in Ciudad Obregon combined with the enthusiasm, friendliness, and warmth of the people sets the stage for a fun night out.

MIGUEL ALEMAN AVENUE

This avenue is located in the hotel district. It has a festive and lively atmosphere on the weekends when locals and tourists like to go out dancing and partying at the bars and nightclubs that are located in this exciting area of the city.

11 THINGS TO DO IN CIUDAD OBREGON

Visit one of the city parks or plazas

Spend the day at the Nainari Lagoon

Visit the modern Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral

Tour Huivulai Island

Go fishing at the Oviachi Dam

Relax on the San Carlos Beaches

Visit the Yaqui Museum.

Explore the Esperanza-Oviachic Ecotourism Corridor

Enjoy a regional dish like Wakabaki, carne asada (grilled meat) with flour tortillas, Caguamanta (stingray soup with shrimp and vegetables), or Coyotas (cookies with brown sugar, molasses, guava, apple, fig, or fudge filling)

Try the Bacanora (agave liquor made in the state of Sonora)

Enjoy a night out at the bars and nightclubs on Miguel Aleman Avenue

12 Viajes Beda S.A de C.V 2015. All rigts reserved. Contact Us: [email protected] www.BestDay.com