A Road Less Traveled

Exploring the banks of the Río Cuale is now easier than ever, thanks to a brand new sidewalk that has been placed along the river’s southern side in Colonia Emiliano Zapata, one of Puerto Vallarta’s most popular neighborhoods.

Stretching ten blocks from the Pacific Ocean to the Libramiento (the local beltway), Emiliano Zapata is a neighborhood of contrasts. If you find yourself close to Los Muertos Beach—the city’s most popular—you will be surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops, art galleries, and all the cosmopolitan amenities that have attracted an increasing number of international visitors for decades. But as you head away from the beach, Emiliano Zapata gradually reverts to the typical Mexican neighborhood it was before Puerto Vallarta was discovered by the expat population, a plus for anyone curious enough to get a sense of the town before it evolved into an international getaway.

Clockwise from top left: Access to Rivera del Río at Jacarandas St. • Rivera del Río Boutique Hotel is located around the corner. • Neighbors get involved in the landscaping of public areas. • Additional steps accessing the river are presently under construction.

Featuring cobble-stoned streets, mostly in a grid plan, Emiliano Zapata is as pedestrian friendly as it gets, and walking along any of its streets is likely to provide ample opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture. One of such streets, Rivera del Rio, is finally getting some much-deserved attention.

L-R: Rivera del Río Boutique Hotel • Gringo Gulch neighborhood, across the river. • Locals do their share to maintain public areas clean.

Rivera del Rio is a winding, road that follows the edge of the Río Cuale, starting at Jacarandas St., and continuing all the way past the Libramiento (see map). It is lined with basic dwellings, typical of any of the original neighborhoods in town. The stretch between Jacarandas and Lázaro Cárdenas has never been paved, and as such, it is mostly used by its residents. Thanks to a group effort that included municipal and federal funding, neighborhood and community involvement, and non-profit groups such as the Puerto Vallarta Garden Club and the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, the sidewalk has been completed and its surroundings are presently undergoing landscaping and should look spectacular by this Fall.

Clockwise from top left: Homes along this street are typical of a Mexican, small-town neighborhood. • Steps have been built to access the Río Cuale. • Laundry day in the ‘hood! • Neighbors gather to enjoy the river, usually on weekends.

Everyone stands to benefit from this initiative. Often seen and used as an extension to their own homes, residents living alongside Riviera del Rio frequently gather on weekends to enjoy outdoor meals and beverages, or simply to socialize. In the interest of their guests and surrounding neighbors, Rivera del Rio Boutique Hotel, a beautiful and intimate lodging option, played a major role in spearheading the project. Last but not least, anyone looking to explore the neighborhood will surely appreciate being able to witness the transformation of this urban oasis.

Clockwise from top left: Trash or treasure? Public areas are sometimes used as an extension to people’s homes. • A local dweller watches over his turf. • Rivera Cuale Condominiums. • Vehicular bridge at Lázaro Cárdenas St.

The stretch along the river is less than a mile long, making it an easy walk. Consider beginning at the corner of Aquiles Serdán and Jacarandas Sts. Once you reach the vehicular bridge at Lázaro Cárdenas St., backtrack your steps, or consider returning along Lázaro Cárdenas. Doing so will allow you to visit the Emiliano Zapata Municipal Market (at Camichín St.) where you can shop for fresh produce and other items.