Boats and Isla Navidad
Barra de Navidad (Christmas Sandbar), Jalisco, Mexico was founded in 1540 when Spanish Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza disembarked on the low sand bar on Christmas Day. Later, on this sandbar, ships were built for the expedition of Miguel López de Legaspi and Father André de Urdaneta to the Philippines.
Today Barra de Navidad is still a small and sleepy town stretched along the sandbar that curves around the bay toward the neighboring towns of San Patricio – Melaque -Villa Obregon. Barra de Navidad attracts a number of regular visitors from the north in search of a quiet beach side atmosphere without the large hotels and hectic activity of the larger Mexican beach resorts. The conglomerate of villages that make up San Patricio Melaque are typical of coastal towns, with a simple market, largely unpaved streets, small stores and thatched beachfront seafood restaurants.
The large lagoon that separates Barra de Navidad and the southern rim of the State of Jalisco from Colima is criss-crossed by small fishing boats gathering scallops and transporting visitors and locals from the town of Barra de Navidad to the new Colima-shore resort of Isla Navidad, a recently completed hotel, golf course and resort project that looms over the lagoon entrance, and is he only hotel complex of it´s type in the area. These boats also carry passengers to and from the small Colima community of Colimilla, where rustic thatched restaurants on the shore serve up a delightful array of fresh seafood.
Activities
Barra de Navidad beach
A walk on the Jetty – The Barra de Navidad jetty affords a nice walk, view of the ocean and the lagoon, no matter what time of day. Another worthwhile hike is the 4-mile beach walk from the jetty to the rocks at the far end of the Melaque Beach, or vice versa.
Birdwatching - Take a boat expedition on the Navidad Lagoon (Laguna de Navidad) and around the mangroves to see a startling variety of marsh and sea birds and other wildlife, including crocodiles, turtles, coatimundis, deer, raccoons and the occasional wild cat.
Whale Watching - Up and down the coastline, orcas and other whales can be seen in season, forming a fabulous spectacle for those fortunate enough to observe these majestic beasts.
Surfing and Boogie Boarding – Surfers are often seen near the jetty at the entrance to the Navidad Lagoon and at El Ranchito, a couple of bays north of Barra de Navidad. Boogie boarding waves can be found along the Barra beach as well as to the north in La Manzanilla or Boca de Iguanas on Tenacatita bay.
Snorkeling and Diving – Tenacatita Bay, north along coastal highway 200, has some good spots for snorkeling and diving.
Orca
Fishing – Sport fishing is a hot item along the whole of the Mexican Pacific Coast and this area is no exception. Boats and equipment are available for rent in town. Regular catches include Marlin, sailfish, dorado and red snapper. Barra de Navidad is also host to International Fishing Tournaments held every January and May.
The Barra de Navidad Port Captain’s office (Capitanía de Puerto) is located on Calle San Pedro. Telephone (315) 355-5779
Barra de Navidad area resorts
- Los Angeles Locos Blue Bay Club Manzanillo Km, 20 Carretera Federal 200, Tenacatita, MX
- El Tamarindo Golf Resort, Km 7.5 Carretera Melaque y Puerto Vallarta
- Wyndham Grand Bay Hotel Isla Navidad – Circuito De Los Marinos s/n, Fracc. Isla Navidad, Isla Navidad, Mexico
Barra de Navidad Restaurants
- Isadora’s Restaurant: On the lagoon with views to Isla Navidad. Mouthwatering selection of appetizers and salads, pastas, seafood dishes and meats. Yucatan 47, Barra de Navidad, Mexico. (315) 355-8520.
- Bananas. Part of Hotel Barra de Potosi. Veracruz 55. (315) 355-5554. Great breakfasts.
- Casa Chips Restaurant/Bar. Miguel Lopes de la Gaspi 198. (315)355-5555.
- Cenadura Esperanza Av. Veracruz. Chinese.
- Fortino’s Restaurant at Colimilla. Good seafood. Access by boat taxi.
- El Manglito Morelos near lagoon boat dock. Seafood.
- Mar y Tierra. Avenida Lopez de Legazpi, on small plaza. Seafood and international
- Maria’s Café Michoacan between Veracruz and Mazatlán. Fresh baked goods, excellent breakfasts.
- Piper Lover’s Bar. Oceanfront. Pool table, sometimes live music.
- Popeye’s. Near the jetty along the beach. Good seafood and margaritas.
- Ramon’s. Across from Barra de Navidad Hotel.
- Seamaster’s. Avenida Lopez de Legazpi, beachside.
San Patricio Melaque Restaurants
- Alcatraz. Near the trailer park. 2nd story palapa view.
- Bigote’s Palapa, on Melaque beach. Seafood, bar.
- Club Dorado Beach Palapa, sometimes with live music.
- El Guerrillero. Calle Alvaro Obregon, downtown. Home cooking.
- Hamburgesa Maui Tortas, hamburgers and fries.
- Pedro’s Grill, formerly Pedro’s Fish & Chips). Calle V. Guerrero No. 6a. Fish, chicken, shrimp. Good food.
- Restaurante Maya. Beachside. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. International cuisine. Open Tuesday to Sunday (Sunday Brunch only)
- Siete Estrellas. On the square. Good breakfasts and fruit smoothies.
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Originally posted 2009-10-07 13:02:33.
