Don’t take this the wrong way, alright? But you know what’s happening in Europe right now, right? No? Sheesh, where do I begin? Rising inflation rates, a growing influx of illegal immigrants who mostly come by sea (and stay on the beaches, sometimes), and terrorist attacks. There’s also talk of some countries leaving the European Union, making the markets pretty shaky.

There’s one silver lining to all of this, however… well, sort of. At least to Europeans. The value of the Mexican peso is plunging. Part of it has to do with their developing economy and the other part has to do with the drug wars taking place south of the US border.

So where’s the silver lining, you ask? Wait! Then there’s the shaky US economy, making the Euro-British Pound vis-à-vis the US Dollar equal not-such-a-great value if you’re earning in either Euros or Great British Pounds.

And the silver lining!? Ah, we get there, at last. It’s Rocky Point. To which you’re probably gritting your teeth, by now.

Rocky Point! It’s just a four-hour drive away from Tucson and Phoenix. And the US State Department lifted its travel warning on the town in January 2016… meaning it’s not as dangerous as the rest of Mexico supposedly is. Mexico’s a big place, you know?

So the silver lining is this – the Europeans have just begun to discover Rocky Point. Ok, they actually discovered it in 1826. It was Lt. Robert William Hale Hardy who named it that till the Spanish government renamed it Puerto Punta Peñasco (Port Rocky Point) much later, but I digress.

It’s traditionally been used by American retirees wanting to stretch their money in the sunset years of their lives. Ditto with Arizona college students on their spring break. But now that Europeans have begun flocking in, the secret’s out. They’ve been building more condos and resorts in the town, so it’s no longer English and Spanish you’ll hear spoken there.

Today, you’re just as likely to hear Greek, German, Italian, and many other languages spoken because… well, the Europeans have rediscovered Rocky Point. And can you blame them? Sure, the beaches of Tunisia are a lot closer, but you heard about the latest shootings, right?

That doesn’t happen in Rocky Point. It happens in other parts of Mexico, as well as other parts of Belgium and France and Turkey, but not Rocky Point. Why? Who cares? Especially since the British Pound and the Euro go a lot further in Mexico. Ditto with the US Dollar.

In 2010, the Mexican government legalized gambling. Rocky Point got in on the act, of course, and some are starting to call it the Monaco of Mexico as the influx of money and the monied has brought about new gambling casinos and hotels.

Unlike the real Monaco, however, the locals are a lot friendlier, the climate is more stable, and Rocky Point isn’t just for the rich and famous – though it has its fair share of those, as well. And in growing numbers.

Spain and Greece used to be the beach countries of Europe, but with everyone there hopping mad about the state of the economy, they’re no longer as nice to visit. Rocky Point, on the other hand, is taking in the new influx of Europeans just wanting to get away from it all, but in style. And safety. And for a lower price.

For European tour operators, that’s not so good. For the Europeans who just want sand, beaches, and consistently good weather, it’s fantastic.