Surrounded by nature, Arivaca is a rural and social community
Arivaca spans the vast Sonoran Desert south of Tucson, where nature separates residences, and the closest major commercial area is over 20 miles away. “It is a unique and historic town with a rich heritage and people full of heart,” says local Suzanne Kammerman, the administrator of the Visit Arivaca webpage. “It takes a commitment to visit via the windy 25-mile road from the freeway, but the result is worth the drive. It's quiet, off the beaten path. Stuff moves slower, hearts beat steadier and breathing relaxes. There's always a trail to hike or a canyon to explore.” Speaking with pride, she adds, “Mostly the reason I live here, work here and will be here forever are the people. If you are meant to be an Arivacan, you'll know it from the moment you attend your first village gathering.”
Downtown Arivaca and major shops and restaurants in Green Valley
Most major shopping occurs about 35 miles north in the Green Valley area, where there are national retailers, grocery chains and various restaurants. Arivaca’s retail center, locally called “downtown,” includes the Arivaca Mercantile and Sonz Hardware. The Mercantile was established in the early 1900s and sells groceries and products from local farms and businesses. On Saturdays, Village Thrift Shoppe sells household goods and clothing, with all proceeds going to fund the local nonprofit Arivaca Human Resource (AHR).
Dining options are limited in town, but new restaurants are coming. “La Gitana Cantina & Café claims to be the ‘oldest bar in Arizona,’ and although it just changed ownership, it remains a fun and eclectic hang-out in the community, with lots of live music,” Kammerman says. “The Monarch restaurant will be the home to Gadsden Coffee Roasters, a long-time business in Arivaca. They'll be open for breakfast and lunch and hope to be open by the end of 2025.” According to Kammerman, weekends are a busy time downtown, with high attendance at Marian’s Farmers Market on Saturdays and at the Dancehall for local concerts and dancing events.
Local festivals downtown and celebrating the return of peace eagles
The Memories and Music Festival is held at the Arivaca Schoolhouse in January. “Locals refer to it as the ‘hippie festival,’” Kammerman says. “[Everyone] gather[s] to reminisce, wear tie-dye and support the Arivaca Historical Schoolhouse. This last festival [in 2025] introduced our new Arivaca FM Radio station that will start soon.” The neighborhood also has annual holiday events, such as a Fourth of July parade, and during the third weekend in March, hosts the Arivaca Vulture Festival. “It’s a celebration of the ‘peace eagles’ return from their migration. It's a really fun day with lots to do downtown, and it ends with a cello serenade as the sun goes down.”
Sprawling properties, some with homes and others undeveloped
Many properties in Arivaca are undeveloped, and others may be developed with manufactured or ranch-style homes. Downtown Arivaca properties span up to an acre; meanwhile, the surrounding regions’ lots start at 5 acres and sprawl to over 40 acres. Depending on property size, manufactured home prices range from $75,000 to $235,000, and ranch-style homes cost between $285,000 and $725,000.
Abundant natural recreation, Arivaca Lake and natural hazards
Arivaca maintains many natural playgrounds, some popular for hiking, fishing and bird watching. Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge’s desert wetlands span over 115,000 acres and include various trails, such as the Arivaca Cienega Trail, a combination of boardwalk and packed dirt path totaling over a mile. About 8 miles east, Arivaca Lake’s 90-acre body of water is stocked with catfish and largemouth bass by Arizona Fish and Wildlife. “Off-road trails are everywhere to explore old mines and gulches,” Kammerman says. Like many Sonoran Desert communities, Arivaca has an elevated risk of wildfires and monsoons, fast-moving thunderstorms occurring seasonally from June 15 to September 30.
Sahuarita schools and an award-winning NJROTC program
The neighborhood is in the southwestern region of the Sahuarita Unified School District, which is zoned for Niche B-minus-graded Sopori Elementary School. Sahuarita Middle School also serves the community and earns a B-plus. Sahuarita High School receives a B and has an award-winning Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC).
A low crime score and commutes to Mexico and Tucson
Arivaca sits between Interstate 19 and state Highway 86, two roads that lead about 70 miles north to Tucson. The United States-Mexico border is about 25 miles away when taking AZ-86 to Sasabe or about 55 miles via I-19 to Nogales. Border patrol stations are the nearest form of law enforcement agencies. Arivaca maintains a 1 out of 10 crime score on the CAP Index, the lowest possible score. Meanwhile, the national average is 4.
