Tour Details

Are you tired of cold nights and chilly mornings? Do you dream of tropical breezes and warm sand on the beach? Well now you have a chance to escape the mountains and spend some time enjoying the smell of the ocean while experiencing the natural beauty of the Barra de Potosi area.

Barra de Potosí is a secluded fishing village on the Pacific coast in the Municipality of Petatlan, in the state of Guerrero. It is located only 12 miles south of Zihuatanejo, yet is tranquil, away from crowds, and surrounded by nature.

18th century manuscripts describe the importance of the trade routes from Barra to the Philippines. During the last decade of the 19th century Barra the Potosí was part of the Hacienda Zihuatanejo, a large and significant coconut plantation.

Until the mid 20th century, Barra de Potosi was first settled by families mostly coming from nearby coastal areas, especially south of Barra in Nuzco. These families’ palapa huts were situated at the mouth of the lagoon. They lost their homes to the growing tides following the earthquake of 1985. Then, there was an outpouring of international aid creating the current village in its present location. Sixty lots were given by lottery to members of the qualifying families. The village still consists of these families and their descendants (about 600 people). The houses were all built by the Red Cross of Italy, Japan, and Germany and were painted red and white with red crosses on them. Now all but a few are stuccoed and painted in different colors as the tourism economy has developed.

The National Institute of Anthropology is currently working on a dig in La Chole, south of Barra, and they believe the Hill of Guamilule is actually a pyramid that is part of a three pointed configuration of pyramids marking a large city in a major civilization predating the Olmecas.

The scenic and extensive mangrove reserve of Laguna de Potosi is a 4-mile long saltwater lagoon joined by a river with a large sand bar at its mouth. A few years ago, it was declared an Important Area for Bird Conservation by a tri-national effort (Canada-USA-Mexico) to preserve our shared birds. We will kayak the lagoon through mangroves, and tranquil open waters to view and photograph its flora, fauna and birds.

We'll also visit Ixtapa Island, and the nearby beaches of Playa Blanca and Playa de la Ropa. Zihuatuanejo is a charming fishing village with many shops, restaurants, and an artisan market where you may choose to spend a few hours.

Travelian Tours invites you to enjoy the natural wonders of this beautiful and diverse area and to help us with our efforts to protect the environment and support local environmental education programs.

Itinerary - 5 Days

day 1
7:00 am Van departs from St. Paul’s church (Cardo #6, Centro), breakfast provided on van. Lunch* will be along the way arriving at Barra de Potosi 4 hours later. Check into our B&B, freshen up, swim walk the beach and enjoy dinner* at B&B.

day 2
7:00 am Breakfast at our B&B. 8:00 am Go for a guided kayaking tour of Laguna de Potosi. Our local guide will direct us through the mangrove forest and the shallow lagoon waters looking for tropical aquatic birds such as: Roseate Spoonbills, Magnificent Frigate birds and Neotropical Cormorants. 12:00 pm At noon we'll head to an enramada for fresh seafood lunch* (enramada, a traditional beach front restaurant). 6:00 pm Visit Women’s Co op Dinner* will be at a nearby restaurant in Barra.

day 3
7:30 am Breakfast at our B&B. 8:30 am After breakfast we'll head out for a tour of Xihuatlan, a 3000 year old archeological site. 11:30 am Then well travel to Zihuatanejo to have lunch* and relax at Playa de la Ropa beach. 4:30 pm We’ll get back to Barra de Potosi 5:00 pm Arrive to Barra de Potosi. Dinner* will be at a nearby restaurant.

day 4
7:00 am Breakfast at our B&B. 8:00 am We’ll visit Carrizo Lagoon for a Birdwalk 11:00 am We’ll return to hotel to freshen up 12:00 pm We’ll leave for lunch* at a nearby restaurant 3:30 pm We’ll have time to relax - walk on the beach or swim in the pool at our B&B. Dinner* in our B&B.

day 5
8:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am Check out and Departure 12:00 pm Stop for lunch* in Patzcuaro 2:00 pm Leave for San Miguel de Allende - Arrival time 7:30 pm approximately.

* Meals marked with an asterisk are not included in the trip's fee.

WHAT TO TAKE      diarrhea, re-hydrati         Official ID your current Passport, Mexican residency ID (copies are fine)    Original INAPAM ID (if you have one)   Water Bottle   Binoculars   Camera   Bathing suit   Flashlight    Hat   Sunblock   Sunglasses   Bathing Suit   Hat   Sunblock   Sunglasses   Umbrella and rain gear    Hiking sticks   Insect repellent   Day pack    Light-weight long sleeved t-shirt and long pants (for sun and insect protection)    Light-weight walking/hiking shoes    A fleece garment can be useful in case of chilly mornings    Pack your binoculars, toiletries and travel documents in your day pack A supply of resealable plastic storage bags can be handy for storing food items from the breakfast, to be used as mid-morning snacks    Be sure to bring your own kleenex and small change for     bathroom fees   Money belt   First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids,     anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of  on powder, extra prescription drugs you     may be taking)   Bring $4000 to $5000 Mexican Pesos for meals not included   ring your own snacks in a Ziploc plastic bag