2020… Puerto Peñasco Style

By Beverly Arrowood On Dec 1st, 2020

2020 has brought so many changes to Puerto Penasco.  The year started off great with sunset boats and whale watching tours going out and then came March and everything came to a halt.  Spring breaks were cut down as the city started it’s lockdown of bars and restaurants. Easter or Semana Santa (as it is known) here found our beaches shut down and sanitization areas were set up.  Our last 2 big Mermaid Market’s in the park were cancelled much to our frustration. Travel was discouraged unless it was essential. For those of us that are full time resident’s here, it meant cancelling doctor appointments in the United States and life as we had come to know it.  Many of us had grandbabies and great grand babies born and we were not there to be able to hold them until months later.  So for several months we had no social life except going to the bank, Sam’s Club and LEY’s for groceries.  Sadly our 20th Anniversary or of our Bike Festival was cancelled, so the businesses and charities were the losers.  Many bikers still came down and gave a much needed boost to the economy, but without formal events such as registration and parades our charities received no money and they rely on those donations to sustain them throughout the year.

Despite all of precautions that were in place, Covid cases had started to climb in Puerto Peñasco and everyone was very nervous. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day were cancelled as was The Day of the Dead, which is a huge celebration in Mexico. Families could not visit the cemeteries and the list  went on and on.

Gradually the city  started opening up to all of the activities but at a diminished capacitates on everything including outdoor events such as sunset boats and concerts. The city initiated a curfew which is still in place, but has been set from 11:00 pm to 6:am.  US/Mexico border hours were changed and still are.

Now on a brighter note, during the Thanksgiving weekend, RV Parks were pretty full and lodging reservations continued to be strong.  Restaurants did well and although it may take us a while to come back, we will make it. We continue to be thankful for our health and take precautions such as wearing masks and keeping safe distances while shopping and paying bills.  Despite everything that has gone on, new restaurants and businesses have opened along with a new Art Gallery in the Old Port and are doing very well.

We would like to invite you to come back to visit and make sure you wear your masks when traveling through Sonoyta and in Rocky Point.  Remember no large gatherings. Come down and see our stunning sunsets every night and remember Whale Watching season will start near the middle of January. Seeing these wonderful creatures will take away all of your worries and stress. I will keep you posted when the season starts.

Many of us do not stay up to see the New Year in, but we have decided this year we will, just to make sure 2020 leaves.  From all of us at Puerto-Penasco.com, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and hope for good health for everyone of you that support our hometown. From our casa to your casa  Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo.