Calling it “slow” is an understatement. December 2023 in Rocky Point Mexico is bascially at a standstill. Sadly, the local economy is much worse than anyone expected for the Christmas season. It is always slow this time of year. Still, the holiday spirit around town is usually like, Ho Ho Ho!”
However, right now across Puerto Peñasco it feels like Santa Claus may not be coming to town after all.
Locally, the widespread thinking is instead like, “Oh, please, NO!” People are scared and struggling. Financial worries run amuck from business owners to employees. It has hit vendors, and all others who rely on tourism. This is the reality of December 2023 in Rocky Point Mexico.
It is a massive wave of negativity with a powerful, ripple effect. Basically, few people coming to town has consequences. Businesses big and small have few customers. Speaking Spanish or English, this translates to little to no income. So, there goes the money to pay employees. No employee paychecks create a serious cut back on spending. Only necessary purchases are made. And even those are being rationed or eliminated because of fear of when tourism will improve.
The only tips floating around town are words of hope and encouragement from one person to the next. Simply do the best you can to hang on.
Many condo owners also have bills to pay. No rentals of their beautiful beachfront condos turns into stress. This is not just for them, but all those who work in valuable supporting roles for them.
December 2023 in Rocky Point. Ghost Town.
The season normally brings some traffic. For instance, Americans will come south of the border for Mexican-themed Christmas gift shopping. Some condo owners like those at the Sonoran Sun Resort visit to shut down their place for the winter. Others visit because of Christmas parties. It is a great time of year to thank those in the community.
And every winter, some people soak up the winter solitude with long-term rentals of one month, even two or three. Meanwhile, many of us connected to Rocky Point anxiously await the whales doing their unique version of winter rentals on the Sea of Cortez. This annual excitement always attracts visitors.
Lukeville Shutdown Stole Christmas
All it takes is one. And the one major difference in December 2023 in Rocky Point is 65 miles away. News of the Lukeville Port of Entry border shut down hit like a sucker punch. A low blow. Ironically, the closure only applies to those of us who wish to travel legally between Mexico and the United States. Immigration on the border between the countries is a mess. Plain and simple.
Before that stunning development, every single day tourists and other travelers leave the USA at Lukeville, Arizona. They begin their Mexican journey on the other side. The passage through Sonoyta, Sonora serves as the gateway to Puerto Peñasco.
With that being closed for the foreseeable future, one could say many of those involved are playing “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas 2023.”