by Karin Leperi

In February 1974, Leticia Díaz Rivera – known as “Lety” to her friends and family – visited Cabo San Lucas, a quiet, dormant town with fewer 1,000 inhabitants. For Díaz Rivera, it was love at first sight; however, it would prove to be a love replete with challenges that demanded both flexibility and adaptability.

Since she was born and raised in México City by her parents, along with four brothers and sisters, the contrast between México City, one of the most dynamic cities in the world, and what was then the sleepy little village of Cabo San Lucas, was stark in its dimension, and profound in its impact on her future.

By 1978, Díaz Rivera successfully completed her move to Cabo, firmly planting her roots in a land that continues to awe and to captivate her today. Since her family was part of a project to develop the area and provide necessary infrastructure support and services, she had no time to be bored. On the contrary, the project kept her busy and entertained.

“The idea of helping with the overall development of Cabo was a fascinating challenge, and our work in the Pedregal de Cabo San Lucas did certainly support the growth of that community,” says Díaz Rivera.

New doors opened for Díaz Rivera after the completion of the Pedregal project, opportunities that required vision, insight, and developmental expertise. She was up to the challenge. By capitalizing on her experience in a growth industry, Díaz Rivera was able to expand her horizons by acquiring the franchise of Coldwell Banker under the C B Riveras name.

At the same time she started Pacific Closings, a title company to service her firm’s real estate transactions and those of third parties needing title service. As the Pedregal group expanded to La Paz, so did Díaz Rivera, where she and her family are currently eveloping another residential community. This community, Pedregal de La Paz, boasts magnificent views of the Sea of Cortés. Today, Díaz Rivera finds herself busy in Cabo San Lucas and in La Paz, with new and ongoing projects such as El Rincón del Pedregal, The Blue Moon homes, and The Capella project – which today is the Waldorf Astoria Pedregal.

“I love to find new areas where new projects can be done.” says Díaz Rivera. “I also like the sales side of it, and to see successful agents rise to the top.”

One of the greatest challenges Díaz Rivera has these days is to find unencumbered land. Since most of the land in Baja is Ejido land, otherwise known as common land, the challenge is finding the right pieces acreage with clear title, and having the ability to cut through the bureaucracy and obtain the necessary project permits. It is not only challenging but requires a huge investment of time. And her plans for the next five years?

“To see the new projects we are working on become a success, including the developments outside this project,” states Díaz Rivera.

As an avid horseback rider, she is proud of Las Tinajas de Todos Santos, an equestrian-themed development that will have gentlemen’s ranches, villas and a hotel. Then there is Palmas Bay at the East Cape community of Lo s Barriles, a 44 high-end condominium project on the beach.

Looking back at influential people in her life, Díaz Rivera proudly talks about her father, a man known for his dreams and creativity, ones that had no frontiers. She often remembers his prophetic words, “What can be conceived, can be created.” Not surprising then, when she offers the following advice to young Hispanic women aspiring to be successful in the work world. Her advice?

“There are no limits to achieve our dreams. Hispanic women, just like any other women, are capable of doing anything they can dream of.”

Díaz, Rivera still has a “love affair” with the lands of Baia. She loves the sparkling brilliance of the ocean and the wildly pristine Sea of Cortés. She loves the vivid contrast of golden beaches against sapphire blue waters. She loves the unique vegetation such as the rare Cardon cactus and the lively but hidden life of the desert.

“Once you look at the desert closely, you find all kinds of animal life such as foxes, chipmunks, squirrels, bobcats, jack rabbits, deer, coyotes, lizards, turtles, and a wild variety of birds. These include roadrunners, quail, eagles, doves, woodpeckers, falcons, and a host of migrating species,” Díaz Rivera explains.

Although she has plenty to keep her busy these days, she still manages to take time to appreciate life.

“I try to live life at its fullest, to enjoy every dav, to take the time once in a while to see the sunrise and the sunset, to walk in the desert and observe its beauty, and to take advantage of the opportunities that life gives us, says Díaz Rivera.” She also takes time for her son, one of her “proudest” achievements.

“I want to see my son achieve his dreams, to finish the Capella project, and to realize that he is more qualified than I am to keep the development of the project going,” she said at the time of her interview.