A couple months ago after Hurricane Nora my dad saw on Facebook that some people were looking for help to light up the Iguana Bridge on the Rio Cuale Island, also known as Cat Island, as well as help for many other projects that they were working on. So, we ended up meeting with a guy, who’s name is Guy Weeks, and talked about what was happening, and what needed to happen, to make the island the beautiful place it was before, and even better than that. But, before I get into that, I want to talk a little bit about Guy, who’s super dedicated towards this little island, and wants to make it the best it can be.
Guy Weeks was always kind, and as a young teenager he started working with local campaigns, which he continued doing for many years. When he finished school he went to UCLA and majored in political science, and after graduating in 1986 he continued working with campaigns. A few years later in 1990 he decided he wanted to get into teaching, and taught history and government at a high school in California for thirty years! He’d been visiting Puerto Vallarta for most of his time as a teacher, and when the pandemic hit in 2020 he took his chance to retire and moved full-time to PV. He lives in what they call Gringo Gulch, which is a neighborhood right above Rio Cuale, and he would walk through the island almost every day. It was hard not to love it, so when the hurricane hit he had to help out! So, he did! He started cleaning up with Jorge, the owner of Las Brazzas, and a couple other people, and is now quite invested in it!
Now, more about the island. During the hurricane the entire island was flooded, and after it the island was covered in many feet of sand and many structures and plants were destroyed. And, ever since, Guy and many other people have been cleaning up, planting new gardens, rebuilding the structures that were ruined, and so much more.
So far they have repaired 8 lights, power washed, painted, and installed 20 solar lights on the Iguana Bridge, installed a giant LED light pointing to the Iguana Bridge, established a steady source of electricity, established a permanent water source for the plants, increased the amount of security on the island, removed over a ton of debris and sand, replenished the soil, relocated the cacti garden, and created the Jardin De La Amistad.
Guy is planning to add little heart ornaments with the names of everyone who helped on a small tree that’s part of the Jardin De La Amistad, which means Friendship Garden. Other gardens that they’re building have flowers or fruit trees and bushes, but many aren’t finished yet. There is a lot of work to do, and not very many people, but they are slowly yet surely getting it all done, and creating the best version of Rio Cuale possible. Because, aside from rebuilding what was destroyed, they are going to build new structures and gardens that were never there before!
For example, throughout the island they want to build pods where they can put beautiful gardens, trees, and possibly art. Guy told us that he personally likes the pop of color on painted rocks and signs, but other people enjoy the island a little more natural, so he’s not exactly sure if they’re going to add art or not. Furthermore, they plan to add rock pathways winding though the pods, which will not only look nice but also be much better than having to walk through sand and dirt. And near the Iguana Bridge they have plans to add a little family section with rocking horses and other small attractions for little kids, as well as a lovely rose garden! But that’s not all! Guy and the people he’s working with all have great ideas and plans, and eventually they’ll get them all done!
But, the thing is that the city isn’t helping them. A group of people are simply getting together to clean up and fix Rio Cuale, because they love the amazing little island. And if you’d like to support them, they are always looking for volunteers. Though, if you don’t have time for that you can always donate; every single peso helps them out!!
To volunteer, you can contact Guy directly and ask him what you can do to help out. His phone numbers are +52 322 377 2689, and +1 310 357 3978, which both work for Whatsapp! You can also contact him though his email, which is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. But, if you are not here in Puerto Vallarta or simply don’t have time to help out physically, you can donate. What they are doing is not cheap, and with as much as they plan to do, money is definitely needed!! If you’d like to donate, this is the Rio Cuale PayPal, which guy set up; https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8IspAacgk4. But, if you don’t have time, and you don’t have money to spare, no problem! Though, definitely give Guy a thanks, because if it wasn’t for him, his work, and his management skills, the island would be in almost the exact shape it was after the hurricane! You can also share around the Rio Cuale restoration Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/640812693888470/?notif_id=1649794074550175¬if_t=group_r2j_approved&ref=notif, which Guy also set up, and show your support towards this amazing group of people!!