At Destination Mexico, we are committed to promoting responsible and sustainable tourism in Mexico. Our vision goes beyond just creating unforgettable experiences for our international clients – we seek to be agents of positive change as well, contributing to the development of innovative and sustainable technologies that benefit our local communities and the environment.

Today, we want to share an inspiring story that reflects our socio-environmental commitment. It's about the Atrapanieblas project, an initiative in the arid coastal desert of Baja California Sur that is transforming the lives of local communities and addressing the challenge of water scarcity in an innovative way.


The Context: Water Scarcity in Baja California Sur

Baja California Sur (BCS) is known for its natural beauty and coastal fishing communities. However, this region also faces severe water scarcity – it is the driest state in Mexico, with an average annual precipitation of less than 200 mm. Climate change threatens to further reduce rainfall in the coastal region, and 54% of its aquifers are overexploited. Moreover, extreme weather events such as hurricanes can leave communities without access to clean water for months at a time.


The Fog:

On the western coast of Baja California Sur, climatic conditions similar to those in Atacama (South America) and Namibia (South Africa) generate dense fog. In these regions, "fog catchers" are used to capture the moisture from the fog and utilize it for various purposes, from domestic consumption to agriculture and artisanal beer production. The Atrapanieblas project in BCS draws inspiration from these international successes, adapting similar technologies to address water scarcity in the coastal region.


Atrapanieblas: A Sustainable Solution

Led by Drs. Oscar Trujillo and Christian Salvadeo and supported by the UNAM and Tecnológico de Monterrey universities, the goal of the Atrapanieblas project is to capture the moisture from the fog in order to obtain water for the coastal communities of BCS. But it's not just a technological project – Atrapanieblas is a comprehensive approach that encompasses education, collaboration, and the empowerment of local communities.

Atrapanieblas Objectives:


Describe the Fog Phenomenon in BCS: The team investigates how fog forms and its relationship with coastal systems, using fog collectors and satellite data. Promote Collaboration: Atrapanieblas works with the academic community, government, and society to promote the culture of water in BCS.

Harvest Fog Water: Fog collectors are being built to capture the moisture from the fog and provide water to coastal communities. Achievements and Next Steps.

So far, the Atrapanieblas team has successfully installed fog collectors in Puerto Magdalena and conducted social engagement activities in collaboration with the State Water Commission of BCS and the municipality of La Paz. Their next goal is to involve schools in assessing the potential for fog water harvesting and continue installing fog collectors in rural communities.


Collaboration with Destination Mexico

At Destination Mexico, we believe in the power of collaboration to generate a positive impact. That's why we are proud to support the Atrapanieblas project through the SDSN network and the Ligo platform.

Through this partnership, we are contributing to the creation of sustainable solutions that not only improve the quality of life for communities in BCS but also raise awareness about the importance of water and environmental conservation.

Destination Mexico is proud to support projects like Atrapanieblas, which demonstrate that innovation and sustainability can come together to address our world’s most pressing challenges. We are committed to continuing to lift up initiatives that contribute to the sustainable development of Mexico and the wellbeing of its communities. Atrapanieblas is an inspiring example of how together we can make a difference and make the world a better place for all.

Join us in supporting a more sustainable and equitable future!