Barra de Navidad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barra de Navidad
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Barra de Navidad beach from Jetty
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 Barra de Navidad
Location in Jalisco
Barra de Navidad
Location in Mexico
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| Country | Mexico |
| State | Jalisco |
| Municipality | Cihuatlán |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,266 |
| Area code(s) | 315 |
Barra de Navidad is a charming small town located on the western coast of Jalisco, a state in Mexico. Its name means "Christmas Sandbar." This town is part of the Cihuatlán area. In 2020, about 4,266 people lived here.
Barra de Navidad is a quiet community known for farming and fishing. It sits at the eastern end of Bahía de Navidad, which is a beautiful bay. The town is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Manzanillo, Colima. Recently, the government of Jalisco has been working to make Barra de Navidad a popular spot for tourists. It is part of a lovely coastal area called the Costalegre. The beach in front of the town curves towards San Patricio, Jalisco, which is about 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) to the west.
Contents
Early Spanish Exploration
The modern history of Barra de Navidad began in the mid-1500s. At that time, the Spanish used this location for building and repairing ships. It was also a very important starting point for long voyages across the Pacific Ocean. Many ships sailed from here to the Philippines.
A special monument stands at the end of the town's jetty today. It reminds everyone of these amazing journeys.
Famous Expeditions
In 1542, a fleet of six large ships, called galleons, left Barra de Navidad. These ships included the Santiago, Jorge, San Antonio, San Cristóbal, San Martín, and San Juan. Led by Ruy López de Villalobos, about 370 to 400 men began their journey on November 1st.
Later, on November 21, 1564, another important expedition set sail. This fleet had five ships and about 500 soldiers. It was led by Miguel López de Legazpi, Lope Martín, and the skilled sailor Andrés de Urdaneta. They also started their voyage from the port of Barra de Navidad.
Life and Tourism
Exploring the Lagoon
Behind Barra de Navidad, there is a large lagoon. Many small fishing boats travel across this water. They gather scallops, which are a type of shellfish. These boats also act as taxis, taking visitors and locals from Barra to Isla Navidad. Isla Navidad is home to the Grand Bay Hotel, which has been recognized as a top hotel in Mexico.
Boat Rides and Nearby Towns
These small boats, sometimes called "panga taxies," also carry people to a small community in Colima called Colimilla. In Colimilla, you can find many restaurants right along the shore. It's a great place to enjoy local food.
Recovering from Natural Events
In 2012, a strong storm called Hurricane Jova caused a lot of damage. Many businesses along the seaside in Barra de Navidad were ruined. However, the community worked hard to rebuild and recover from the damage. Even though the businesses recovered, the number of tourists visiting the town has decreased since the hurricane.
See also
In Spanish: Barra de Navidad (Jalisco) para niños
