Río Cuale Hanging Bridges

Over both channels of the Río Cuale hang pedestrian bridges that connect the streets of downtown and the Zona Romántica with the island. They sway a little as you cross, and locals, market vendors and visitors use them every day.

The tradition goes back a long way: the first hanging bridge over the Cuale opened on April 5, 1932. That original is long gone, but the river has kept its swinging bridges, and they need replacing every so often because the rainy-season floods are strong.

The busiest one starts at the corner of Matamoros and Encino, next to the Río Cuale municipal market, and drops straight onto the island. It had already been repaired in 2017 after storm damage; in August 2021 the flood that followed Hurricane Nora swept it away along with the road bridge, and the city rebuilt it with municipal funds and reopened it in December 2022.

It's the quickest way from the market to the island, and from the middle you can watch the river run between trees and boulders toward the sea.

Getting there: Downtown, walk along Matamoros street to Encino, next to the Río Cuale municipal market; the bridge leads straight down to the island. From the island you can continue into the Zona Romántica.

When to go: During the day. In the rainy season, if the river is running high or Civil Protection has closed the crossing, don't cross.

Cost: Free

Tips: Cross calmly and don't rock it on purpose: people rely on it every day. Hold kids by the hand.

Accessibility: These are narrow bridges that move as you walk; not a good option for wheelchairs or strollers. If you'd rather skip them, you can also reach the island from the Malecón and from the street bridges.