Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – After three years of being closed, the El Salado estuary is expected to reopen to the public at the end of February. The rehabilitation of the main access is currently underway, and once completed, the eco-reserve should be ready to welcome visitors, including those with disabilities.
The Estero El Salado, a Protected Natural Area (ANP) in the heart of the city’s hotel zone, comprises 208 hectares, of which approximately 135 correspond to mangrove vegetation and wetlands; the rest is made up by two medium forest remnants bordered by water and underwater vegetation, thorn forest and secondary vegetation.
The estuary’s landscape and habitat characteristics are favorable to tropical birds, clusters of colorful crabs, amphibians and reptiles – including crocodiles – and other wildlife species.
But the eco-reserve’s doors have been closed to the public since March 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the fact that the worst of the health emergency is over, the improvements being made have prevented the general public from enjoying the area for almost 3 years.
Improvements made include the rehabilitation of the entrance to provide security and universal accessibility; the creation of a new multi-functional plaza; the renovation of the observation tower to provide access for people with disabilities; maintenance of the walkways & docks, and the construction of a crocodile farm.
In this regard, the director of the ANP, Jaime Alberto Torres Guerrero, explained that the works at the entrance that will allow people and vehicles to enter the estuary are in the final phase.
“They are just finishing up some details to ensure that everything is in good condition; the objective is to create universal accessibility, so that all people can enter safely, everyone has the same opportunity, regardless of their physical capacity,” he said.
He added that there are still some works to be completed, such as the winery and the nursery for mangrove planting, but these works can be carried out perfectly without being an impediment to the entry of visitors to the estuary.
Estero El Salado is located at Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio #3544 in the Puerto Vallarta hotel zone. Click HERE for a Google map.