As though the jungle of the mountains had extended a verdant arm to stroke Vallarta, the island of the Río Cuale surfaced in the heart of the city.
This beautiful island, the habitat of tranquility and the native flora and fauna of our beloved tourist destination, was formed by Mother Nature during the 1926 tornado, which performed a propitious operation leaving the heart of the river magically exposed. These days when noise and haste permeate daily life, Vallarta has an ace up its sleeve for those who love serenity and excellent cuisine. This isla-corazón (heart-island) of the old, authentic Vallarta is a showcase for gastronomy and local culture.
Embraced by the banks of the Rio Cuale, the island is located between downtown and Emiliano Zapata neighborhoods, and can be reached by three fixed concrete bridges and three wooden suspension bridges. Upon crossing any one of them, visitors find themselves in a naturally charming and personable atmosphere, whether you wish to savor the rich dishes on offer, sample a good wine, read a book or simply stroll among the lush and ancient trees.
The Cuale Island is a long and narrow strip of land of just over two hectares. It is densely forested by species such as the guamuchil, rubber tree, parota, ampa, salat or fig, mango and bamboo, among others. There are also many garden plants and bushes. The green hues of nature dominate, providing a fresh climate.
It is common to find green parakeets, squirrels, herons and many different kinds of birds among its wildlife. If you are lucky you can see otters playing in the river. Being on the island gives you the feeling of having one foot in the city and the other in the jungle.
[readon1 url="http://visitpuertovallarta.com/blog/2011/07/history-of-the-rio-cuale-island-pti/"]Source:visitpuertovallarta.com – Oct 25 2012[/readon1]
