Major city · United States
San Luis
Stop in San Luis for a quick border view and a meal; 4–6 h from Yuma, 1 day enough.
San Luis is a small border town on US‑95, offering a brief glimpse of the Mexico‑US frontier and easy access to Yuma and the Colorado River. One day covers the main sights and a meal.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat, 40 °C (104 °F)+)avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat, 104 °F (40 °C)+)
- Airport
- YUM
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Luis911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Luis, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyThe town itself is quiet; the real risks are summer heat and the border area…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckYUM Yuma International Airport (Nearest commercial airport, about 40 km (25 mi) north via US-95; check current service).YUM Yuma International Airport (Nearest commercial airport, about 25 mi (40 km) north via US-95; check current service).
- Getting aroundWalk the short main strip or drive; US-95 runs through town and continues south to the border.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Budget bedMotel room, a night, per roomUS$60
- Mid-range bedChain hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedChain hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$80 · High US$120
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YUM Yuma International Airport (Nearest commercial airport, about 40 km (25 mi) north via US-95; check current service)YUM Yuma International Airport (Nearest commercial airport, about 25 mi (40 km) north via US-95; check current service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jun
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Oct
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Dec (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Luis: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
May
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
2 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
3 rd
Sep
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the short main strip or drive; US-95 runs through town and continues south to the border. Greyhound stops at 721 N Main St, a pick-up and drop-off point only — buy tickets online or by phone before you travel.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h each way by car
Drive north on US-95, about 40 km (25 mi); Greyhound also runs the routeDrive north on US-95, about 25 mi (40 km); Greyhound also runs the route
Historic downtown and the Colorado River State Historic Park; a half day is enough.
San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora
cautionDoor to door: About 15 min on foot from the centre
Walk or drive across the border crossing at the south end of US-95
Check current US–Mexico border rules and your re-entry documents before crossing.
Door to door: About 2 h
Drive north on US-95
Too far for a half-day return; fold it into a US-95 road trip instead.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive north on US-95 then east on I-8
A roadside stop, not a full day out.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Local motels near US‑95
Basic rooms, suitable for a night stop (check)
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–120 excl. bed
- High
- $120+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room1 × 1 night × US$60 | US$60 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$50 | US$50 |
| Greyhound round trip to Yuma1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$16 |
| Trip total≈ US$171 per person per day, bed included | US$171 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Meal at a local diner | $8–15 |
| Bottle of water (0.5 L) | $1–2 |
| Motel room, one night2026 estimate | $60–120 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Border crossing queues can run long; carry your passport or card and expect a wait on the way back.
- Summer heat is extreme: 40 °C (104 °F)+ from June to September, so carry water and plan indoor stops.Summer heat is extreme: 104 °F (40 °C)+ from June to September, so carry water and plan indoor stops.
- Greyhound's San Luis stop is not a staffed terminal: have your ticket before you arrive.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
San LuisSan Luis
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulate in town; US citizens: nearest consulate in Tucson. Mexican consulate in San Luis Río Colorado, across the border.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Greyhound San Luis ↔ Yuma: about $30 round trip, book online before travel (check)
- Drive San Luis → Yuma on US-95: about 40 km (25 mi), 45–60 minabout 25 mi (40 km), 45–60 min
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis-koo-lpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan-to kwes-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don-de es-ta el ba-nyo)
Spanish is widely spoken here; English works in most businesses.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Luis. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat, 40 °C+) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Greyhound tickets pre‑booked online; arrive early for boarding.
Sources
Ask about San Luis
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