Los Algodones seeing less winter visitors

LOS ALGODONES, Mexico (KYMA) - With the winter season under way, businesses across the border hope to see an increase in sales, even though they haven’t seen as many winter visitors as before.

A Los Algodones dentist we spoke to said before the COVID-19 pandemic, they had thousands of winter visitors every day.

Now they're seeing around 200.

One of the reasons of the decrease he says is because of the cuts some seniors are facing in the U.S.

“They got some benefit cuts in the U.S. and that’s why I think it has been affecting us, because we depend on the retirees and veterans,” said Miguel Ramirez, Michael Dental owner.

Don Knutson is from Minnesota and has come to Los Algodones for 25 years.

He and his wife say they take advantage of lower health care prices.

“It’s cheaper. It’s cheaper and the guys have nice equipment and do a nice job. We come for glasses, dental work and prescription meds," said Knutson.

Locals hope more winter visitors come as the holidays get closer.