Mexico’s absence from Red Dead Redemption 2 left fans searching for ways to cross the border. Players discovered glitch methods to reach the region, but found only empty terrain with minimal structures. The area existed in RDR2’s files as leftover assets, likely for visual continuity when viewing the landscape from New Austin, but remained inaccessible through normal gameplay. Rockstar never released official DLC to complete the region, despite fan hopes following the game’s October 2018 launch.
Now, modder Rixus724 and the Mexico Team are rebuilding the entire Nuevo Paraíso territory from RDR1. Posted by user zoyser on the RDR2 Reddit page, the mod promises rebuilt towns, new missions, and full world integration. The project has been in development since early 2023, with significant improvements added throughout 2025.
Mexico Mod: By the Numbers
Key facts about the Nuevo Paraíso expansion project
The Road to Nuevo Paraíso
How Mexico evolved from glitches to a full mod expansion
Red Dead Redemption 2’s Mexico has been accessible through glitches since November 2018, just weeks after launch. Early explorers found mostly barren landscapes with low-resolution textures and incomplete models. The region included El Presidio and railroad tracks, but lacked NPCs, vegetation, and functional gameplay elements.
Nuevo Paraíso’s Geographic Scope
The mod recreates three distinct regions from Red Dead Redemption: Punta Orgullo (the coastal areas), Perdido (central territories), and Diez Coronas (northern desert zones). Each region features unique vegetation, terrain styles, and environmental details matching the Mexican frontier aesthetic.
What the Mod Delivers
Technical improvements and content additions
Rixus724’s team implemented NAVMESH across the entire Mexican territory, enabling NPCs and animals to move freely with daily schedules. Town models were rebuilt from scratch with improved textures, proper shaders, and vanilla-style aesthetics. The mod includes functional bars, minigames, law systems, and region-specific content.
Rebuilt Towns
Chuparosa and other RDR1 settlements recreated with complete building interiors, functional shops, and period-accurate details.
Side Missions
New quests integrated into the 1907 timeline, maintaining narrative consistency with Arthur Morgan’s story and the base game lore.
Regional Vegetation
Custom desert flora for Punta Orgullo, Perdido, and Diez Coronas. Each zone has distinct plant life matching Mexican ecosystems.
Dynamic NPCs
Characters follow daily routines using Project New Austin format. Pedestrians have schedules varying by time of day and location.
Seamless Integration
Border areas connect naturally to New Austin. Military patrols guard crossings, and the region appears on the game’s minimap with accurate roads.
Hidden Secrets
Easter eggs, lore-based discoveries, and references to Mexican culture and history scattered throughout the territory.
Evolution of Mexico Mods
How Nuevo Paraíso differs from earlier attempts
Several modders created Mexico accessibility tools between 2019-2023. These early mods primarily removed invisible walls or added basic minimap support. Nuevo Paraíso represents the first comprehensive reconstruction with gameplay systems, populated areas, and professional-grade assets.
Previous Mexico Mods
- Basic glitch access methods
- Empty landscapes without NPCs
- Low-resolution placeholder textures
- No gameplay functionality
- Limited to El Presidio area
- No mission content
Nuevo Paraíso (2025)
- Complete regional reconstruction
- NAVMESH for dynamic movement
- Rebuilt town models from scratch
- Functional shops and services
- All three regions: Punta Orgullo, Perdido, Diez Coronas
- Side missions and secrets
- Law system and bounty mechanics
- NPC daily schedules
Mexico Returns to Red Dead
The Nuevo Paraíso mod was discussed in its development stage as of November 2025. Rixus724 reported the project reached approximately 88% completion in September 2025, with release timing dependent on team availability. The mod will be available exclusively on PC through Nexus Mods when development concludes.
The project addressed a gap left by Rockstar Games, which focused on Red Dead Online instead of single-player DLC. By recreating Mexico with functional systems and period-accurate content, the mod extends RDR2’s world seven years after the game’s original release.