If you have never heard of Caborca, Mexico, don't be surprised. This hidden gem of the Sonoran desert is close to home, but not as well known by North American tourists as other Sonoran towns. Located 140 kilometers (87 miles) southeast of Nogales, it is easily accessible by the toll roads, making it an easy destination for weekend travelers. Caborca has a number of interesting sites that make it well worth the visit.

Caborca is home to a number of ancient and holy sites. The oldest by far are the petroglyphs located on the nearby hills of La Proveedora and San Jose just outside of Caborca. The Anasazi and the Hohokam peoples once inhabited the area that includes modern day Arizona and the Sonora. They are believed to be the artists behind the mysterious petroglyphs, almost 2000 years ago. The glyphs are located on a private ranch so you must get permission from the Caborca Visitors Center beforehand. It is a small hike to the petroglyphs, but no special equipment is needed.

Pueblo Viejo is the "old town" of Caborca and here you will find the stately Kino mission church La Purisima Concepcion de Nuestra Senora de Caborca, which was first completed in 1693. Services are still held at the church on Saturday evenings. Over the years the church has suffered damage due to flooding and fire, but it was beautifully restored in 2009. A desert botanical garden is now located on the temple grounds, as well.

If old missions interest you, you should visit La Ruta de las Misiones while you are in the area. It is comprised of a series of missions built by the Jesuit Priest Eusebio Francisco Kino between the towns of Magdalena and Caborca. The town of Tubutama is home to La Mision de San Pedro y San Pablo de Tubutama. Next on the route is the city of Atil, followed by the town of Oquitoa and Altar. Each mission is unique and located in picturesque Sonoran desert surroundings, making for a beautiful and photogenic journey.

Caborca has many amenities for tourists including hotels, restaurants and shopping. Many tourists visit Caborca because of the cheap pharmaceuticals. There are a number of well-appointed pharmacies that cater to North Americans looking to fill their prescriptions. You will still need to have a doctor's prescription to buy medication there, but prices will be substantially lower for most medications.

Another shopping opportunity is in the small town of Pitiquito just a short drive from Caborca. Pieles Pitic is a world-famous producer of handcrafted leather goods located in Pitiquito. Their showroom is open during the week and offers a large selection of beautifully hand crafted leather jackets, purses, vests, belts and moccasins.

A weekend trip to Caborca requires a little planning. You will want to go online and get Mexican insurance for your car or RV, depending on how you will be traveling, before you leave on your trip. At the border, you will need to present a passport, proof of vehicle registration, and copies of your Mexican auto insurance paperwork.

If you have time, bring your fishing gear or boat and hit the beach town of El Desemboque after you visit Caborca. It is just an hours drive west of Caborca on the Sea of Cortez.

You can visit Caborca all year round, as it remains sunny and warm everyday. The weather is similar to that in southern Arizona, and rain is rare. Beat the heat by checking into a hotel with a pool, or check out the Las Palapas water-park in town. Enjoy the friendly people and beautiful desert scenery that is the lovely Sonoran town of Caborca.