Hiking Calle Avenida Libramiento & finding hidden Colonias & Mirador trails

Описание: Join BudgetTravellerChris.com and my new friend Manny from Dayton, Ohio as we take on an unforgettable hike along Calle Avenida Libramiento, one of the most important yet underrated highways in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

This scenic route runs along the back side of Old Town and plays a major role in connecting downtown Vallarta with the southern hotel zone, Mismaloya, and Highway 200.

Avenida Libramiento, often simply called El Libramiento, was designed as a bypass road to reduce congestion through the historic center of Puerto Vallarta.

Construction of the original roadway began in the late 1990s, as Vallarta rapidly expanded beyond its traditional neighborhoods.

Over time, the road evolved into a critical transportation artery featuring two major tunnels carved directly through the jungle-covered hillsides.

The short downtown tunnel, located near the Zona Romántica and Old Town, was completed in the early 2000s and allows traffic to flow smoothly around the dense colonial streets below.

Farther south is the long Libramiento tunnel, which opened in 2017 as part of a major federal infrastructure upgrade.

This tunnel dramatically shortened drive times to southern Vallarta while preserving the natural landscape above.

Driving through it takes several minutes—but hiking beside it gives you a whole new appreciation for the scale of the engineering.

In this video, we walk several kilometers uphill from El Pechugón Rotisserie Chicken, following the pedestrian path that runs alongside Avenida Libramiento.

One thing that makes this route special is the wide divider and walking trail, offering a safer option for hikers in a city where traffic can be unpredictable.

Along the way, we cross bridges over tributaries feeding the Río Cuale, enjoy elevated jungle views, and point out key landmarks like the turnoff to Canopy River Adventure Park and the famous Jorullo Suspension Bridge !

As we descend from the highway using a few hidden staircases and local trails, we enter two authentic and rapidly evolving colonial neighborhoods : Colonia Benito Juárez and Colonia Coloso.

These areas sit just above Old Town but feel worlds away from the tourist zones. Narrow streets, colorful homes, friendly locals, and everyday Vallarta life define these colonias.

You’ll even see homes for sale here—proof that Canadians and Americans are beginning to discover the value of these hillside communities.

What makes Benito Juárez and Colonia Coloso truly special is their authenticity.

These neighborhoods weren’t designed for tourism—they grew organically over decades as Vallarta expanded up the hillsides.

Today, they offer some of the most genuine cultural experiences in the city, along with incredible views and direct access to trails leading toward Mirador de la Cruz.

This hike wasn’t easy—especially on a steep incline—but it was rewarding !

Manny and I share a bit of our personal health journey, proving that travel, walking, and exploration are powerful tools for building a simple, happy, and healthy life !

Along the way, we meet friendly locals, curious dogs, and helpful strangers who remind us why Puerto Vallarta is so special.

Stick around to the end as we finally reach Nick’s house near the top of the Mirador, where the views over Puerto Vallarta are nothing short of spectacular.

If you love hidden trails, local neighborhoods, and real-deal Mexico, this video is for you.

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🏷️ YouTube Tags

Puerto Vallarta
Avenida Libramiento
Libramiento Tunnel
Puerto Vallarta Hiking
Mirador de la Cruz
Colonia Benito Juarez
Colonia Coloso
Hidden Puerto Vallarta
Canopy River Adventure
Jorullo Bridge
Budget Traveller Chris
Puerto Vallarta Old Town
Mexico Travel
Walking Tours Mexico