Emiliano Zapata

Emiliano Zapata is a village in La Huerta municipality on federal highway 200 through the Costalegre, at kilometre 40 counting from Barra de Navidad toward Puerto Vallarta. It sits on nearly flat ground about 17 metres above sea level, ringed by low deciduous forest and close to the Cuixmala River. It was founded around 1945 by settlers named in local accounts as Hipólito Castañeda, Afren Michel, Felipe Barboza and Jesús Sánchez Navarro. Today it runs into its neighbour Francisco Villa with no visible boundary, and the two share services. The 2020 census recorded 1,327 people.

The climate is warm and subhumid, with rain from June to October and an annual mean near 26 °C. The village borders the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, and green macaws, herons, white-tailed deer, coatis and river crocodiles live in the forest and along the river. In October 2011 Hurricane Jova pushed the Cuixmala out of its banks and flooded homes and fields, and in 2015 Hurricane Patricia damaged infrastructure in the area.

For a living, many residents work at nearby resort developments such as Cuixmala, Costa Careyes and El Tamarindo; mango, papaya, banana, watermelon and tomato are also grown. Because it sits on highway 200 there are seafood restaurants and repair shops serving people driving the coast. The main fiestas are on 27 June, for Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, with a pilgrimage and fair, and on 20 November, with a jaripeo and sporting events.