About us

Tucson Mexico Sister Cities was established in 1972. That same year we welcomed our first sister city partner, Guadalajara, Jalisco. In 1980, Ciudad Obregón, Sonora became Tucson’s second sister city. Subsequently, we were honored to add Mazatlán, Sinaloa to our distinguished list of sister cities relationship. And most recently we welcomed Puerto Peñasco, Sonora.

Situated in the vast Sonoran desert, Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona. Famous for its dramatic beauty, Tucson is home to the Saguaro National Park, Mt. Lemmon, San Xavier Mission and over 30 museums to explore and enjoy. Native Americans have lived in this region from prehistoric times to the present, with the Tohono O’odham reservation the second largest in the nation.

Tucson is also proud to be the first city to earn the designation of World City of Gastronomy by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Tucson is the proud home to the University of Arizona (Go Cats!) a #1 Public research university in the Southwestern United States. In addition, Tucson has a dynamic economy with business in various sectors such as Aerospace & Defense, Bioscience/Diagnostics, Transportation & Logistics, Renewable & Mining Technology and Advanced Services.

With over 7 million domestic overnight visitors per year and 20 major resorts, tourism account for a $2 billion annual impact.

Our Mission

To promote and expand cultural, educational, social and economic development for mutual benefit with our sister cities, Guadalajara, Mazatlán, Ciudad Obregón, and Puerto Peñasco in Mexico by fostering and encouraging friendship and mutual understanding.

To develop long-term lines of communication between our sister cities by promoting cooperation on an international level.

To provide opportunities for individual citizens to experience a wide range of cultural and social activities within their own communities and through international exchanges.

To collaborate with organizations working on similar projects in order to enhance community visibility and strengthen program effectiveness.

To enhance friendship and community relations through participation in charitable programs.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the capital of the State of Jalisco and Mexico’s 2nd largest city. Guadalajara is a bustling metropolitan city (population 4.4 million) that is alive with parks, monuments and historical 16th century buildings. The city’s economy is based on industry, especially information technology and includes a large number of international firms with manufacturing facilities in the Guadalajara metro area.

Mazatlán

Mazatlán is the second-largest city in the state of Sinaloa and a popular tourist destination with its beaches lined with resort hotels. The city is home of the longest seaside boardwalk or malecón in Mexico and the second longest in the world. Mazatlán has a rich culture and art community. Mazatlán has many galleries and artist’s studios as Museo del Arte, exhibiting both Mexican and international artists.

Puerto Peñasco

Nestled between the beautiful sea of Cortes and the majestic Sonoran desert, Puerto Peñasco is a destination with unique natural beauties. Such is the case of the Pinacate Reserve and the Great Altar Desert, the largest active dune field in North America and the site of a spectacular volcanic shield with lava flows, cinder cones and impressive giant craters.