Seven years ago- when I first came to this wonderful community and its Historic Old Port- Rocky Point’s economy was still almost completely dependent on fishing.

The town has changed a great deal since 2000, and the fishing fleet is now only a fraction of what it was before, and an even smaller fraction of Rocky Point’s overall economy. Our community has grown dramatically based on real state development and associated services, and our port has now begun it’s transformation from fishing port to Marina and Tourist Destination, with everything that implies. As recently as 2007 our port remained as it has been from decades: largely industrial, and with much of it looking abandoned because of the shrinking of the fishing fleet. There was only one restaurant within the port – the legendary and delightful Balboa’s – and the rest of the port streets were empty. Essentially, the place was forgotten, and the only reason to go there was only to buy fresh sea food or take one of the fiesta cruises.

Later in 2007 things start changing in a very nice way, and now things look very different. Our port has become an interesting place to visit, to walk around, and enjoy! For example, there is a new restaurant that just opened on March 5th named Terramar, where you can enjoy of great food and happy music combined with great view of the port. Just across the street there is the new Marina Café Coffee Point, a great concept and a lovely place where you can enjoy a great coffee morning, day or night. Marina Café offers different kind of coffees from the traditional espresso to a variety of liquor coffees and other drinks, with public computers, internet and wireless internet --and a great view of the Marina while you are work, do business, surf the internet or just enjoy a place with relaxed music.

The Marina FONATUR in the same complex is fully operational and now receiving yachts from many far-flung ports. Equipped with medical facilities, showers, mini market and every thing yacht people need, this important part of the Nautical Ladder is destined to be a destination for sailors from around the globe. Whether you are a sailor or not, the FONATUR offices have a great model of the Sea of Cortez highlighting all the natural attractions the region offers on land and sea! Still want that fresh seafood or sunset cruise? Our port continues to offer both in abundance. Fresh seafood is still pennies on the dollar compared to the prices in the United Sates or Canada. Three fiesta cruises offer fun, music and fireworks shows to visitors looking to start a good party before or after dinner in the port, or in the famous Malecon restaurants and bars. Have you noticed how many excellent restaurants are in the Malecon area? Friendly Dolphin, The Point, Sr. Amigo, Marlin Azul, a great happening place like Boo Bar, the delicious Lapa Lapa, Costa Brava, and more! Combined with all the new amenities at the port, definitely a place to go, to enjoy. I strongly suggest to walk the area, see the catch of the day, and have a great coffee and food at Terramar – it is a delightful experience.

Living in the port is also becoming a reality. The port host a great new real state project: the Harbor View Yacht Club. Exactly what our port needed, the Harbor View Yacht Club is a place where condo owners will have their own marina, a real harbor view, and of course door- step access to all the amenities that the port now offers.

The Port is also attracting other types of business beyond food, beverage, and entertainment. Corporate and real estate life is now an important part of the re-vitalization of our port, with both Terranova and Century 21 offices located there, and the marina area is attracting many people to these new business.

All of these makes perfect sense: Marina’s throughout the world are known as great places to relax, people watch, enjoy the view and the company of good friends, and our port has many years been the heart of Rocky Point. Now that heart is undergoing a transformation that has brought new amenities for both residents and visitors, and has resulted in strong gains in value for port properties. It is widely expected that most of the industrial buildings you see now will be absorbed soon by the tourism industry, and every day there will be more walking areas, boutiques, cafes’, bars, and restaurants.

City Government should be commended for the great work it has done improving the area, and for intelligently re- investing in the Heart of Rocky Point. We can see their commitment to improving this area—and the appearance of every part of our community—and the results of these efforts which are attracting thousands of visitors every week!

Editors note: Raul is always open to respond personally to questions or comments from our readers, and can be easily reached via email at rofarrill@ofarril.tv.

Born in Mexico City, Raul O´Farrill is the Founder of OTP Trust—the first United States—Based title processing company to offer services for Mexico real estate as its sole specialty. He is also the Founder of O´Farrill & Associates, a premier bi-national law firm specializing in real estate, and the Founder of St. James Gate Development Services based on Phoenix, Arizona, a firm dedicated to assisting developers of any size in their ventures in Mexico. OTP Trust and O´Farrill & Associates maintain offices in both Phoenix and Rocky Point.

Educated at the Centro Universitario Mexico, Universidad Iberoamericana, Universidad Panamericana and University of California, Berkeley, Raul is widely experienced in Mexicna real estate, corporate, and securities law. He is former Vice President of Training and Legal Counsel for AMPI Rocky Point, a member of NAR, a member of PPAREA MLS, a member for three years of the Arizona Mexico Commission Real Estate Ad Hoc Committee appointed by Arizona’s Governor, coordinator of the Arizona Department of Real Estate’s liaison with the Thunderbird School of International Management , and a member of both the ArizonaState Bar Association and the American Bar Association in the United States. Raul is also a member of National Association of Corporate Attorneys (ANADE) in Mexico.