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Barra de Navidad and San Patricio Melaque, Jalisco
Barra de Navidad (Christmas Sandbar) 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 beachside 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 it's 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 the 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.
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Activities
The Barra de Navidad jetty affords a nice walk, view of the ocean and the lagoon, not matter what time of day. Another worthwhile hike is the 4-mile trek 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 and 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.
Fishing - Sport fishing is a hot item along the Pacific Coast. 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.
Other Beaches - Cuastecomate, La Manzanilla, Boca de Iguanas, Tenacatita, El Tecuan
Hotels and Restaurants in Barra de Navidad
Hotels and Restaurants in San Patricio / Melaque / Villa Obregon
