Gringo Gulch.

Gringo Gulch is an emblematic area of ​​Puerto Vallarta located in the upper part of the city center. It is known for its picturesque charm, with cobblestone streets, white houses with red tile roofs, and spectacular views of Banderas Bay and the Cuale River. The name "Gringo Gulch" comes from the concentration of foreigners, mainly Americans (colloquially called "gringos"), who began to settle in this area from the mid-twentieth century.

In the mid-twentieth century, Puerto Vallarta began to attract a growing number of American expatriates and tourists, especially after the filming of the movie The Night of the Iguana (1964), directed by John Huston. This film not only put Puerto Vallarta on the international map, but also encouraged foreigners to buy property in the area, especially in the hills near the Cuale River.

Gringo Gulch gained notoriety because it is home to the famous house known as "Casa Kimberley," which belonged to Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Burton purchased the property as a gift to Taylor, and their romance contributed to the popularity of the area. "Gulch" means "ravine" or "gulch" in English, referring to the topography of the area, which is located in the hills. The presence of foreigners and the geography of the place gave rise to the nickname "Gringo Gulch."

Gringo Gulch is a testament to the cultural exchange between Puerto Vallarta and abroad. The houses combine Mexican architectural styles with foreign influences, creating a unique aesthetic. It is a popular point of interest among visitors looking to learn about the history and glamour of Puerto Vallarta's past. The historic houses, cobblestone streets, and proximity to the Cuale River make it an ideal place for sightseeing.

For Vallartenses, Gringo Gulch represents the opening of the city to the world and the beginning of its transformation into an international tourist destination. Despite its foreign influence, it retains the traditional Mexican charm that characterizes Puerto Vallarta.

Gringo Gulch could be considered one of the first gentrified areas of Puerto Vallarta, as it meets several of the characteristic elements of this phenomenon, although in a particular and unique context due to the tourist and cultural dynamics of the city.

Beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, Gringo Gulch began to transform with the arrival of foreigners, mainly Americans, who acquired properties in the area. These purchases generally displaced the original local residents, as property prices increased considerably. This is a typical phenomenon of gentrification, where traditional areas become inaccessible to the original inhabitants.

Gringo Gulch has gone from being a typical Mexican neighborhood to a prestigious and highly valued area, largely thanks to the construction of luxury properties and interest international gentrification driven by celebrities such as Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. This process attracted more tourism and foreign capital, reconfiguring the local demographics and economy.

The massive arrival of foreigners modified the social and cultural dynamics of the area, introducing lifestyles, architecture and practices that contrasted with the traditional customs of the people of Vallarta. While this change also boosted the international projection of Puerto Vallarta, it significantly altered local life.

Although classic gentrification is usually linked to urbanization in metropolitan areas, in the case of Gringo Gulch, the phenomenon is intertwined with touristification, since the area became a place of interest for tourists. This accentuated the disconnection between the traditional uses of the space and its new function as a tourist attraction.

However, Gringo Gulch presents some differences with the classic cases of gentrification in urban contexts:

1. Tourist destination from the beginning:

The development of Gringo Gulch was closely linked to the tourist promotion of Puerto Vallarta. This means that, from the beginning, it was not just a residential space, but a place designed to attract foreign capital and international visitors.

        2. Symbiotic relationship:

Although there was a partial displacement of local residents, many Vallartenses have found economic opportunities in this transformation, especially through tourism, commerce and the provision of services to foreign residents.

The gentrification of Gringo Gulch had a dual impact: It boosted the local economy, internationalized the city and positioned Puerto Vallarta as an attractive destination for luxury tourism. And on the other hand, it generated inequalities, displacement of local inhabitants and transformations in the identity of the area.

Although Gringo Gulch does not fit perfectly into the traditional definition of gentrification due to its strong link with tourism, it does have enough characteristics to be considered an early case of gentrification in Puerto Vallarta. This process marked the beginning of a trend that has been replicated in other areas of the city, profoundly transforming its urban and cultural development.

Gringo Gulch is much more than a residential area; it is a bridge between cultures that symbolizes the fusion of Mexican traditions with international influences, which has been fundamental in the evolution of Puerto Vallarta as a globally recognized tourist destination.