What a wonderfully warm start to winter we’ve had. I don’t know what happened to Fall this year, but the weather has been gorgeous, so no complaints from me. I don’t know what the difference between 85° in May vs. December is, but it sure feels better in December. I guess because in December one can wear sweats by night and a tank and shorts by day whereas May is just shorts and tank day and night sprinkled with a little sweat – fluctuation in temperature is wonderful.
The New Year is upon us, and I can’t think of a better way to spend it than in Puerto Peñasco. Hopefully you were here to ring in the New Year. Feliz 2026! During the winter months (at least December and January) we are always slower than normal as everyone comes down from their holiday high and gets back to everyday life. If you want to visit when the town is a little less crowded, then now is the time. We still have lots of events going on – there’s just a little more room to breathe and a little less traffic. It doesn’t last long though, so take advantage of it. This month we’ll get busy when Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers kick off their January Jam – their events are always a great reason to enjoy a close getaway, take in some great live music, and enjoy Peñasco and the ocean as well. Roger has really put Peñasco on the map when it comes to great live music events.
The whales usually start showing up in December and if you’ve never been whale watching, a trip to Peñasco in the next two months is a super inexpensive way to see these magnificent creatures up close (and avoid crowds). We’ve been seeing so many varieties these past few years, no telling who will show up this year. Even if you only see a spout or two, you are almost guaranteed a dolphin and/or sea lion spotting. If you take a charter to Bird Island, then a sea lion spotting is guaranteed. The water is a bit chilly (for most), but nothing a shortie wetsuit won’t take care of. (I use my shortie when I paddleboard during the winter, but I end up taking it off because it gets too hot.) Most of the time you can just sit on any beach in Puerto Peñasco and catch some sea life action out in the water, not to mention tidepool creatures in certain locations. So cool seeing an octopus – and it’s a totally free experience! It always amazes me when I stop and think of what is right here in my backyard. I really need to appreciate it more since I know many of you would give an arm and a leg to live here. I will practice more gratitude in 2026 and hopefully we all can be a little more grateful, put down our devices, and actually enjoy one another and nature. No better place to do that than Puerto Peñasco!
I would like to welcome Sarah Fox to our outstanding stable of Contributing Writers. Her column this month, Guessing Gringa, is a must-read for new visitors and residents and will give you OGs a laugh. It’s nice to see Peñasco from a fresh set of eyes and recall all the quirks that everyone who’s here for any length of time will no doubt experience. Things have not really changed in all the years I’ve lived and visited here. Sarah has been coming to Peñasco for over 25 years and moved here permanently last year. Welcome Sarah and we look forward to your future articles. Speaking of contributing writers, I absolutely love Joseph Sanchez’s article this month (Rocky Point Home Builders) – it’s a must read as are all of our articles by our very generous contributing writers (of course). It’s nice to be reminded of why we moved here and all the benefits when we get mired down in everyday life realities. Life here is not always sunshine and roses, but really…it mostly is…and he summed it up perfectly with his line, “Puerto Peñasco isn’t perfect, but it’s home and arguably one of the best places on earth to plant your flag and stay forever.” There are so many reasons to relocate to Peñasco!
Speaking of writers, I had the pleasure of meeting Jodi Johnson and her partner at the Why Not Travel Store in Why, AZ last month and we had a very nice chat. They are lovely people and both are so positive and enthusiastic, they love Peñasco and Mexico and have so many stories to tell. I look forward to reading her articles in the future issues of the Rocky Point Times.
Alicia, Mario and I would like to wish all of you the happiest of New Year’s and we’d like to thank each and every one of our loyal advertisers, contributing writers and readers for sticking with us as we turn 33, 34 or 35, depending on when you count from. We originally built this paper for tourists, many of whom became residents (like we did), which continues to this day. Every month Puerto Peñasco attracts new tourists, new property owners and new residents and we hope that 2026 is a great year for everyone. We’d also like to thank all our social media followers – no, we don’t have the most, but our followers are organic (not bought and paid for or trolls), so thank you all for your support – we’ll get better and better like fine wine 😊. Thank you and please continue to support our advertisers. The Rocky Point Times Newspaper is proud to be here in Puerto Peñasco, spending locally and supporting local charities – we care about our city and want everyone to enjoy it as much as we do.
Feliz Año Nuevo!
Happy New Year!
All the best from our tiny team at The Rocky Point Times Newspaper.
