The major tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, with its International Airport, is a three hour car drive north. In the summer months, when flights to Manzanillo lessen considerably, the airport at Vallarta is a good substitute. There are frequent buses that run between Vallarta, Barra de Navidad & Melaque and Manzanillo.

The more tourist orientated Barra de Navidad is a spit of land that curves out towards Isla de Navidad with the Grand Bay Hotel, the ocean on one side and a lagoon on the other. The ocean side has a good sandy beach and large waves suitable for surfing, whilst the lagoon is more suitable for gentler pursuits such as picnicking and paddling in the warm sheltered bay. At low tide it is possible to walk across the lagoon to an island where there are picnic tables set for just that purpose. Sea taxis may be hired to take passengers for a boat ride to a tiny village called Colmilla going past the elegant harbour of the Grand Bay Hotel and where seafood restaurants line the waterfront of the island of Navidad. Each restaurant has its own small jetty and seafood speciality and is a nice way to spend a lazy afternoon.  Mary’s is a particular local favourite.

Isla de Navidad is in fact, within the State of Colima, not Jalisco and there have been a few tense moments even in very recent history as the States of Jalisco & Colima battle for ownership of this valuable piece of property.  A new housing development and a couple of small condo hotels are currently being built here thus offering the owning State good tax revenues.

The Grand Bay Hotel on Isla de Navidad is a luxurious 5 star hotel and has been owned by several different hotel chains over the years, at one time being reputed to being owned by Carnival Cruise lines, another by the Mafia. Adjacent to the hotel is the Grand Bay Golf Club. This 27 hole golf course is one of the best along the Costa Alegre and has a very good restaurant nestled in the centre which is well worth a visit on it’s own merit.

 The town of Barra de Navidad has many small family run hotels and boasts of dozens of small touristy shops packed to the ceiling with Talavera pottery, pewter, silver jewellery and the many other arts. Sometimes there are unique souvenirs that are sought after by tourists as a memento to their time in this lovely little town.  It is a good place to stroll along the streets running by the side of the ocean and to stop for a cerveza or two with perhaps a little ceviche on the side.