BaRRA DE NAVIDAD
We anchored at 19 11.35 N 104 40.35 W
12ft water over soft mud
We arrived in Barra November 20th in order to meet up with members of the Panama Posse. A loose group of boats all heading towards Panama this season. We misjudged the tides and the current at the entrance channel to the lagoon was actually pretty significant. It may be worth consulting the tide chart if you want an easier entrance.
The lagoon can be very shallow in spots and the channel to the anchorage is not marked. Make sure you line up the outer edge of small island and if possible go in slowly and on a rising tide. That way when you run aground the incoming tide will help get you free. Remember to go slow and watch your depth sounder. If you hit mud then try to reverse back to where you came from. That usually works…
The Lagoon is a loose mud bottom with poor holding. This means that people let out a larger than average amount of chain. We had 120 ft out in 12ft of water… Also note that with a muddy bottom your chain or rode will be really dirty when you finally bring it up.
There is an easy and cheap Water Taxi service here. Just call for Taxi Aquatico on CH23 and ask for a pickup in the lagoon. It’s better if you have some Spanish but they deal with enough gringo’s that they can work through and English conversation. It’s $30 MXN round trip. You pay at a desk at the dock in Town and they give you a ticket for your return trip. We usually tip the drivers $10 MXN each way.
Another treat here is the French Baker. He comes out by boat to sell baguettes and pastries Wed – Sun You can place orders the day before to guarantee delivery. Almond croissants and Jalepeno bread are big favorites.
Another bonus was that there were no mosquitos in the anchorage. :-)
Resort/Marina
We spent a few days at the marina tied to the large resort here so that we could re-load water and wash the boat. The resort is nice and the staff is really friendly. Prices were not cheap but registered Panama Posse participants got 50% off dock fees in November. We also used this time for internet and access to hot showers. Unfortunately like many Mexican Marinas there are cockroaches on docks so take appropriate precautions.
Also available at the Resort
- Tennis 200 MXN per hour rent a court
- Laundry and small tienda.
- Pool bar beer 90 MXN vs 25 MXN in town Also confirm prices before you order. Some times prices seem to be inflated depending on who is serving… L
There is a large expat community in the marina and in town so it makes it easier to get US goods. Melaque is the next town over and a short taxi or bus ride - There is something called the Hawaii store that has many Costco items and impressive liquor selection. It’s not big but it’s well stocked.
It is also easy access to Manzanillo for any of the larger stores like Sam’s Club or Home Depot.
Busses once a day to PV They leave approx. 10am and arrive at about 4pm in PV
Taxi to PV was $2200 MXN and takes about 4 hrs.
To check in/out with the Port Captain we took our dingy up the middle canal in the residential area. We left our dingy tied up at the end at the docks for an abandoned restaurant. It was a short walk from there to the Port Captains building.
The lagoon can be very shallow in spots and the channel to the anchorage is not marked. Make sure you line up the outer edge of small island and if possible go in slowly and on a rising tide. That way when you run aground the incoming tide will help get you free. Remember to go slow and watch your depth sounder. If you hit mud then try to reverse back to where you came from. That usually works…
The Lagoon is a loose mud bottom with poor holding. This means that people let out a larger than average amount of chain. We had 120 ft out in 12ft of water… Also note that with a muddy bottom your chain or rode will be really dirty when you finally bring it up.
There is an easy and cheap Water Taxi service here. Just call for Taxi Aquatico on CH23 and ask for a pickup in the lagoon. It’s better if you have some Spanish but they deal with enough gringo’s that they can work through and English conversation. It’s $30 MXN round trip. You pay at a desk at the dock in Town and they give you a ticket for your return trip. We usually tip the drivers $10 MXN each way.
Another treat here is the French Baker. He comes out by boat to sell baguettes and pastries Wed – Sun You can place orders the day before to guarantee delivery. Almond croissants and Jalepeno bread are big favorites.
Another bonus was that there were no mosquitos in the anchorage. :-)
Resort/Marina
We spent a few days at the marina tied to the large resort here so that we could re-load water and wash the boat. The resort is nice and the staff is really friendly. Prices were not cheap but registered Panama Posse participants got 50% off dock fees in November. We also used this time for internet and access to hot showers. Unfortunately like many Mexican Marinas there are cockroaches on docks so take appropriate precautions.
Also available at the Resort
- Tennis 200 MXN per hour rent a court
- Laundry and small tienda.
- Pool bar beer 90 MXN vs 25 MXN in town Also confirm prices before you order. Some times prices seem to be inflated depending on who is serving… L
There is a large expat community in the marina and in town so it makes it easier to get US goods. Melaque is the next town over and a short taxi or bus ride - There is something called the Hawaii store that has many Costco items and impressive liquor selection. It’s not big but it’s well stocked.
It is also easy access to Manzanillo for any of the larger stores like Sam’s Club or Home Depot.
Busses once a day to PV They leave approx. 10am and arrive at about 4pm in PV
Taxi to PV was $2200 MXN and takes about 4 hrs.
To check in/out with the Port Captain we took our dingy up the middle canal in the residential area. We left our dingy tied up at the end at the docks for an abandoned restaurant. It was a short walk from there to the Port Captains building.
Services
Fuel - Yes - We didn't fill up here though.
Cell Service - Yes
Wifi - At the marina. We only got a password once we stayed in the marina a few days.
Dingy landing - Yes but the water taxi is so cheap we just used that instead.
Garbage - Yes - we would leave it in trash bins when leaving the water taxi stand.
Recycle - No
Potable Water - Yes at the marina - We stayed 2 nights and washed the boat and filled our tanks
Showers - Yes at the Marina / Resort -
Laundry - Yes at the marina or in town - We had ours done at the Marina. It wasn't any more expensive than it was in town.
General Store - Plenty of stores in town
Water Taxi - Yes VHF 23 call Taxi Aquatico - Nov 2017 = $30 MXN round trip
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Barra is a great stop for most people. Quiet well protected lagoon. No Mosquitoes. Cute town. And French baguettes and pastries delivers to your boat. What is not to love?