If you've opted to take the toll road, you will arrive at a toll booth that charges 20 pesos for autos (about $1.80, depending on currency conversion).
And, after you've gone through the toll booth the skies clear up and the sun begins to shine (not really, the pictures were taken on different days)
You'll then travel for a few miles past beautiful desert scenery with abundant Saguaros, and will be able to see parts of Magdalena to your right. The road will curve sharply to the left, and as you come out of the curve you will come out of the curve to the right, and will be in the right lane of highway 15, with the left lane bearing traffic from Magdalena.
Magdalena Route (Magdalena Libre)
The road to Magdalena first passes through the pueblo of Tacicuri before winding into town. Magdalena is a pretty village nestled in desert hills by a running stream. It has interesting local history and stores that offer traditional Mexican goods, and is definitely worth stopping to see.
Highway 2 Libre passes through the downtown district, and there is a variety of services (hotels, supermarket, pharmacies, etc.) along the main drag. To reach the plaza and shops, take a right turn at the intersection where the "Plaza Monumental" sign is displayed. The road ends at the plaza, in just a few blocks. There are also ATM machines (cajeros automaticos) at banks in the area if you want to get some local currency.
Continue on the road as it passes the high school (Cobach) and technical college (Conalep) on the left before passing over a bridge and curving to the right. You'll pass by the new city auditorium (auditorio municipal) before driving under a railroad underpass and the one lane road will be joined with the traffic coming from the toll road.
Tacicuri, Sonora
Magdalena, Sonora
Turn right at this corner to see the plaza and shops.
Highway 2 to Santa Ana
The road from where the highways merge outside Magdalena to Santa Ana is about 11km (about seven miles). The road is in pretty good shape (see the photo below), although be alert for the occasional pothole. Also, watch your speed, because the highway is patrolled by Federal Highway Police, and it also has a sharp curve to the left that will require you to slow down.
As you near Santa Ana you will ascend into some hills, with the road winding back and forth for a mile or so. The scenery is nice, but stay focused on the road, as drivers who are more familiar with the area tend to drive more quickly than they should.
About a mile ahead on the left you'll see a marvelous painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint, on the side of a butte. An artist painted the work while suspended from lines hanging from the top of the butte. Be alert if you want to stop and take pictures, because there isn't any shoulder on the right where you can park - you'll need to find a place in the highway median where you can park and then walk to where you can take pictures.
Santa Ana
You'll know you're in Santa Ana when you cross over another big tope (it's clearly marked - take it slow, because it's a big one). Shortly after crossing the tope you should be in the right lane. As you pass the Pemex station on your right, take the right turn just past the station (see the photo below). You'll come to a stop sign, where you will need to yield for traffic coming from the south on Highway 15. Take the right turn and you're on Highway 2, headed for Caborca.
The road goes straight through the rest of town. However, if you would like to see the plaza, get pesos at an ATM (cajero automatico) or pick something up at the pharmacy or grocery store, take a left turn at the second street after you pass the railroad tracks. Continue for a few blocks (a half-mile or so) and you'll find the plaza and central shopping district.
Just as you get to the outskirts of town, you'll see a Pemex station on the right and an Oxxo convenience store to your left. The Pemex station has clean restrooms (in a building separate from the station, in the rear area of the lot) and is a good place to take a pit stop. Also, you may want to fill your tank if it's low, and stock up on munchies and water at the Oxxo store. After passing over the yellow bridge, you're on the last leg to Caborca.
