Cuale Island, An Oasis of Peace and Culture NotiVallarta
go to original June 24, 2014

Cuale Island is one of the favorite spots of locals and tourists in Puerto Vallarta, located in the middle of the river of the same name, and its location is a peaceful oasis for shelter from the sun and getting close to nature and culture.

Cuale River and Island (sometimes called the River Walk) divides Downtown and Old Town Vallarta. There are restaurants, craft markets, wildlife, cultural and sculptural spaces.

It is a mysterious place with a great history behind it. Formerly known as Santa Clara or de los Niños, and was the conduit to the mine of the same name. The Cuale River flows from the Sierra Madres and empties into the Pacific.

Included in this unique area is the Cuale Cultural Center which is run by Sergio Zepeda of the Vallarta Institute of Culture. This recreational and educational space was founded in 1983, and currently offers workshops in painting, making pre-Hispanic instruments, piano, violin, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography and theater.

The Center is well equipped for theatrical, film screenings and musical performances in the auditorium. It is also a meeting place for lovers of chess. Throughout the year, they offer hundreds of events to disseminate the culture of the region.

Cuale Island is a symbol of the diversity of venues in the city and a must for visitors. This oasis in the middle of the city is a great place to spend some time walking around and even has pedestrial suspension bridges.

The restaurants offer varied cuisine and some have live music. There are many stalls with items such as jewelry, wooden toys, traditional hats, masks, costumes, blankets, paintings, puppets and Indian creations.

The local flora and sculptures are seen as dedicated to film director John Houston, sculpted in bronze by Carlos Ramirez in 1988, in gratitude for Puerto Vallarta's promotion of his film "The Night of the Iguana."

Protected by the shadow of the trees, the visitor will notice rustic buildings with small balconies on the side that connect to the island by bridges, including one to Cuauhtémoc Street in Gringo Gulch.

For more information on the workshops offered by the Cuale Cultural Center, the public may contact the Vallarta Cultural Institute by telephone at (322) 223-0095 and 113-0107.

Translated and edited by Team Angels