Life in Barra

A Barra de Navidad Water Taxi in Service

The Grand Bay Hotel is an enormous, luxurious resort overlooking the Barra Lagoon, with views out to the ocean.


Some of the water taxis lined up at their docks, awaiting customers. Several different taxi companies ply the lagoon, taking customers between Collimilla and Barra, the two towns on the huge Barra Lagoon

One of the many lagoon-side restaurants that line the shore.

Barra is a popular tourist town for Mexicans and foreigners alike, with lots of shops, restaurants, hotels and charming streets to meander.

Every day, Jack writes a short essay about some topic or other. Here's his view of Barra de Navidad.

"Barra de Navidad is the closest thing to assisted-living on a
boat. If you wanted to, you would never have to leave your boat.
People in pangas will bring everything out to you, for a price. You can
get ice, drinks, food, trash pick-up, drinking water, bakery goods,
propane, fuel, and laundry services delivered right to your
boat. There is even a water taxi service so you don't have to launch
your dinghy. If you want to be lazy, this is the place to be."

It's a true accounting, and I have to say, it's very nice. Yesterday, we had our empty propane tank hauled away, our dirty laundry picked up, and a fresh delivery of baguettes from the French Baker, all before 9:30 AM (we've never gotten so much accomplished so early in the morning!). Then later, Jack and I went in and had a great day playing at the Sands Hotel pool with friends and Patrick and Rudy took a water taxi into the beach for a romp in the ocean surf.

Barra is the only place I've been where the locals are all set to provide boat-side services to the cruisers. Most towns do not offer these conveniences. Since Barra and Collimilla already had an extensive water taxi service system in place for their own needs, it's easy to see how these entrepenuers branched out to make even more money off the cruisers. Adding to the amenities, is the fact that the anchorage is free and flat calm, so it's easy see why so many cruisers enjoy a long stay in Barra.