BajaNomad - No doubt about it; tourism way down this year in San Carlos

No doubt about it; tourism way down this year in San Carlos

Hook - 12-20-2010 at 09:34 AM

Well, it's pretty much a fact now. The amount of people returning to San Carlos, Sonora this year is down again, and pretty significantly. The downturn had been rather gradual since 2007 when the combination of bad news about Mexico and the economic conditions worldwide first hit. Remember that we are only about 5 hours below the border by a mini freeway, so it's a bit easier than driving hwy 1. That kept the downturn at bay..........until now.

If I had to guess, I'd say returning snowbirds are down at least 30% from last years dwindling numbers. But one of the biggest things we've noticed is how many people have chosen to return to the States or Canada for the holidays. Normally, they stay here and their kids and grandkids come down to visit and enjoy an escape from the cold. This year we are hearing that, in many cases, the kids are too afraid to come down anymore. So, many snowbirds are instead meeting them in the Phoenix or Tucson areas. After the holidays, the snowbirds will return to San Carlos for the remainder of the winter/spring.

The result of this downturn is manifesting itself in a number of business closures. The last restaurant that catered to gringo palettes (meat loaf, fried chicken, mashed potatos, grits, etc.) is closing as is a joyeria that has been here for 18 years.

The downturn in housing prices has also finally begun. Those that HAVE to sell have reduced prices by up to 50%. Of course, there are many persons who own here who really dont have to sell. Their properties are owned free and clear and they were built more than 10 years ago for probably 25-50% of what it would cost to build now. They are just hoping a sucker comes along to buy at their ridiculous prices.

Some of you who live full time in Mexico like us; what have you noticed in your communities, in terms of visitors and the business climate?

[Edited on 12-20-2010 by Hook]

mcfez - 12-20-2010 at 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Well, it's pretty much a fact now. The amount of people returning to San Carlos, Sonora this year is down again, and pretty significantly. The downturn had been rather gradual since 2007 when the combination of bad news about Mexico and the economic conditions worldwide first hit. Remember that we are only about 5 hours below the border by a mini freeway, so it's a bit easier than driving hwy 1. That kept the downturn at bay..........until now.

If I had to guess, I'd say returning snowbirds are down at least 30% from last years dwindling numbers. But one of the biggest things we've noticed is how many people have chosen to return to the States or Canada for the holidays. Normally, they stay here and their kids and grandkids come down to visit and enjoy an escape from the cold. This year we are hearing that, in many cases, the kids are too afraid to come down anymore. So, many snowbirds are instead meeting them in the Phoenix or Tucson areas. After the holidays, the snowbirds will return to San Carlos for the remainder of the winter/spring.

The result of this downturn is manifesting itself in a number of business closures. The last restaurant that catered to gringo palettes (meat loaf, fried chicken, mashed potatos, grits, etc.) is closing as is a joyeria that has been here for 18 years.

The downturn in housing prices has also finally begun. Those that HAVE to sell have reduced prices by up to 50%. Of course, there are many persons who own here who really dont have to sell. Their properties are owned free and clear and they were built more than 10 years ago for probably 25-50% of what it would cost to build now. They are just hoping a sucker comes along to buy at their ridiculous prices.

Some of you who live full time in Mexico like us; what have you noticed in your communities, in terms of visitors and the business climate?

[Edited on 12-20-2010 by Hook]

All I have to do with this report of yours ....is change the name of the town to San Felipe....(!). SF is so hard hit this past year. Several months ago my wife and friends went into town to buy several T-Shirts for friends, the store saleslady broke into tears....saying "thank you-thank you"! They are in bad shape in town and out in the Edidos.

You got the story very correct Hook!

[Edited on 12-20-2010 by mcfez]

krafty - 12-20-2010 at 12:14 PM

Think very similar here in Rosarito-our friends in this community, except for a handful, all say their kids/grands are too afraid to come here and think we are all just nuts to live here. Ours still come, we are the lucky ones, but friends have all backed off. Very sad.

Barry A. - 12-20-2010 at 12:29 PM

I talked to friends of mine last night------they have been spending several months each winter in Mexico, mostly Baja, since about 1985 as trailer snowbirds. As of last year they say, "no more".

Reason: after 55 years of traveling in Baja and the mainland, it has just become so mentally uncomfortable for them that it is not worth it, and their traveling friends mostly feel the same way.

Barry

sancho - 12-20-2010 at 01:32 PM

Walked down Revolution Ave., TJ a few months back,
maybe 40% of Businesses shut down. a favorite Restaurant Cafe Especial, that was there for decades, closed.
San Felipe, as mentioned, the land/lots at
El Dorado Ranch seem to be unsellable, anyone
from Eldo correct me if I'm wrong. The people
I know here in So. Orange County, who have in the past
frequented Rosarito/Ensenada for the Bike Ride,
staying at Gaviotos, So. of Rosarito, no one will
drive into Mex any longer, they may however fly down for a
week at the Cape. I now find myself not telling
the wife about occurances in Baja. Don't want
to spook her. Can't see things changing
for quite a while

Santiago - 12-20-2010 at 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
I now find myself not telling
the wife about occurances in Baja. Don't want
to spook her. Can't see things changing
for quite a while

I believe this to be very common: the 'Baja' spouse is keeping the 'non-Baja' spouse a bit in the dark. Can't say I'm not a little guilty myself....

Hook: you still able to field a softball team this year?

tripledigitken - 12-20-2010 at 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
Walked down Revolution Ave., TJ a few months back,
maybe 40% of Businesses shut down. a favorite Restaurant Cafe Especial, that was there for decades, closed.
San Felipe, as mentioned, the land/lots at
El Dorado Ranch seem to be unsellable, anyone
from Eldo correct me if I'm wrong. The people
I know here in So. Orange County, who have in the past
frequented Rosarito/Ensenada for the Bike Ride,
staying at Gaviotos, So. of Rosarito, no one will
drive into Mex any longer, they may however fly down for a
week at the Cape. I now find myself not telling
the wife about occurances in Baja. Don't want
to spook her. Can't see things changing
for quite a while

Sancho,

I can add some good news to your post. Cafe Especial did close on Revolution.........but reopened over in the Rio District. I have not been to try it yet.

Ken

Hook - 12-20-2010 at 02:21 PM

Quote:

Hook: you still able to field a softball team this year?

Just barely, over the last few meetings, mostly due to those returning to the States/Canada for the holidays. We had to play "workups" once. But come January, we will have more than two teams again. We stipulate no more than 10 in the field, so we rotate players in and out each inning. Everyone bats, of course.

By mid January, we will have enough for three teams so each team sits out a half inning. We stopped advertising for players on the local message board as we dont want to deal with more than 30 players, really.

It's become a huge success! I cant tell you how many times players AND WIVES have come up to me and thank me for starting the league. Some have actually said it's what keeps them in town and not vacationing elsewhere. It's become quite a social gathering, especially for the non-playing wives (we do have playing gals). We all go out for lunch and beers afterwards. As the "commissioner", I choose the establishment we will go to that day. I spread it around town and, believe me, the businesses really appreciate seeing 15-20 people showing up for lunch. We've done organized trips to Hermosillo and Obregon to see the teams in the Liga Pacifio play beisbol. It'a about the equivalent of AA minor league baseball in the States. We have giant beach parties. On Wednesday, we are all going on a sunset cruise on a big trawler, kinda like our holiday party.

Except for being involved in the Hurricane Jimena relief effort over here, starting this league was the best thing I've done so far in retirement.

Think about it. When MLB stops in November is when our league starts up. When we finally stop playing in early April (due to not having enough to field teams), MLB has started again.

For a complete baseball nut like me, life is VERY good.............. :yes:

[Edited on 12-20-2010 by Hook]

mcfez - 12-20-2010 at 05:52 PM

Quote:

El Dorado Ranch seem to be unsellable,

Very correct....and around SF. It's plain ol dead. But....this is the BEST time to make a deal in Baja if you want to lease/own. Name your deal and you'll most likely get it! Offer half of what's being asked for...and go from there.

I noted that the outhouse business took a hit too. There are not many units stored on that lot anymore.....same with the concrete firm north of town.....looks ghostly.

[Edited on 12-21-2010 by mcfez]

gnukid - 12-20-2010 at 07:01 PM

Weird, in many areas of BCS its impacted with tourists. estamos bien

David K - 12-20-2010 at 07:07 PM

impacted... sounds like a colonoscopy could be needed?

stanburn - 12-21-2010 at 06:04 AM

Down here in Manzanillo, it seems like numbers are down slightly. The benefit of living in a place that doesn't rely on foreign tourists is that there haven't been a lot of closures. It doesn't help that there are almost $4 billion USD in construction projects going on here. Most of it is tied to a regasification plant, conversion of the power plant to natural gas, port expansion and road improvements.

CaboRon - 12-21-2010 at 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gnukid
Weird, in many areas of BCS its impacted with tourists. estamos bien

That is a pretty broad statement ....

Care to name some of these impacted areas ?

capt. mike - 12-21-2010 at 06:56 AM

Action on BBP seems to indicate a lot of activity to / on the mainland down to warmer coastal tropical climes like puerto Vallarta and the like.
also potosi, Miguel allende, Alamos and the like - true colonial places.

Marc - 12-21-2010 at 07:34 AM

I have not changed my Mexico adventures in the past years. I gave the book "Gods Middle Finger" (a must read) to my wife before one of my Copper Canyon trips. She wanted to come along and we had a great time. I tend to be in Baja during hot weather so there's not that many Gringos around anyway. I was in Wisconsin a while back. They all think I am some kind of Indiana Jones hero.

Donjulio - 12-21-2010 at 08:35 AM

Quote:

Have to disagree with your idea that now is the time to buy. Now is definitely not the time to buy. Prices over the next few years will drop another 50 at least I believe.

Also SF has huge issues as nobody seems to be able to figure out what the real estate laws truly are. There are huge title problems here.

San Felipe is not as safe as people think because the stuff that is happening is not getting out to the public. IE - a recent rash of burglaries in town while people were sleeping. The robbers pumped a gas mixture into the homes and although people could hear what was happening they were powerless to do anything about it. It has been reported that more than 25 of these took place.

Good news is they caught the guy. Bad news is they let him go due to lack of evidence.

I won't mention the cartel influence here but will add some detail next week.

DENNIS - 12-21-2010 at 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Donjulio
IE - a recent rash of burglaries in town while people were sleeping. The robbers pumped a gas mixture into the homes and although people could hear what was happening they were powerless to do anything about it. It has been reported that more than 25 of these took place.

They put the victims into suspended animation with a gas?? Over 25 times?
How factual is this? It's really bizarre. Seems something like this would make the news everywhere.

mulegemichael - 12-21-2010 at 08:51 AM

compared to the last couple of years, seems like there are a lot of new faces here in mulege...most of the restaurants are busy and not a lot of closed shops...i think the locals are muy felize..

Donjulio - 12-21-2010 at 08:53 AM

Yeah I found it difficult to believe also until I talked to one of the DA's and several of the victims who were credible business owners. NOTE - this was "in town" and only Mexican people were targeted.

DENNIS - 12-21-2010 at 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Donjulio
Yeah I found it difficult to believe also until I talked to one of the DA's and several of the victims who were credible business owners. NOTE - this was "in town" and only Mexican people were targeted.

Hate to say it, but I'm having trouble with this one. Perhaps the local Rotary Club is spiking the punch at their meetings. Is Tim Leary living over there?

I won't mention the cartel influence here but will add some detail next week.

mcfez - 12-21-2010 at 09:05 AM

Holly cow!
I think you just wiped out San Felipe's tourist season with this statement :lol:

I agree with Dennis.....the gas sounds more like a non event. I haven't heard anything about it, and I know someone that works at the SF website. In any case...I going to shoot her a email to see if there's any thing to this "gassing".

If there is a gas that gives suspended animation....hell...I'm gonna buy a truck load of it for my Mother in Law!

As a part time resident of San Felipe I am......
I have never experienced major crime issues. I have friends that are/were past Presidents of the Rotary Club of San Felipe, the owner of the blueroadrunner.com, SF webpaper, business owners downtown...bla bla and bla. Not from any of these folks that live there full time...are waving red flags about the Cartels.

When I come down....I drag my kid and Grand kids along....and let em loose in town and/or the north Edido across the highway from our place. The one place that they are restricted from is the Edido in town on the hillside.

mulegemichael - 12-21-2010 at 09:20 AM

tim isn't there but jim jones was spotted at a taco stand

sancho - 12-21-2010 at 11:40 AM

Questioning Don Julio's posts on what is/has happened
in San Felipe is not going to get you far. I assume
most know who he is, and what Charity he represents,
the San Felipe Food Bank, I would't doubt ANYTHING he
reports on SF. Kinda like doubting Dennis on PBanda,
I remember the gas in the home occurances, strictly
aimed at Mex Locals. I frequent SF, and have, outside
of a few incidents, have found it free of the Border
Crime. But I'm not blind, and realize not everything
is reported, or makes it way onto a message board.
Curious about Cartel influence in SF

[Edited on 12-21-2010 by sancho]

Santiago - 12-21-2010 at 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Is Tim Leary living over there?

Dude - Timothy Leary's ashes were shot into space a few years ago in a vain attempt to reunite his physical remains with his mind.

sanquintinsince73 - 12-21-2010 at 02:01 PM

If the perps are using this type of gas I'll buy a place in San Felipe yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOkPaSwXC6s

BajaGeoff - 12-23-2010 at 03:02 PM

:lol:

Get me far?

mcfez - 12-23-2010 at 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
Questioning Don Julio's posts on what is/has happened
in San Felipe is not going to get you far. I assume
most know who he is, and what Charity he represents,
the San Felipe Food Bank, I would't doubt ANYTHING he
reports on SF. Kinda like doubting Dennis on PBanda,
I remember the gas in the home occurances, strictly
aimed at Mex Locals. I frequent SF, and have, outside
of a few incidents, have found it free of the Border
Crime. But I'm not blind, and realize not everything
is reported, or makes it way onto a message board.
Curious about Cartel influence in SF

[Edited on 12-21-2010 by sancho]

You got the right board? I can and will question whatever/whenever I feel that there is a need......and it's not about "getting far".

Don Julio is most respected by be....in fact....all BN's here has my up most respect ....... except one member.

We all converse our views here. It's what in part...this board is about.

Better defined for you:
To engage in a spoken exchange of thoughts, ideas, or feelings; talk. To be familiar; associate. Spoken interchange of thoughts and feelings; conversation. Social interaction.

Geeze!

[Edited on 12-24-2010 by mcfez]