Barra de Navidad, Jalisco
Mexico
E-mail: barrachips@earthlink.net
Casa Chips is a small beachfront inn located in the Mexican coastal town of Barra de Navidad (see map for location). This charming place offers the traveler the pleasures of the warm Pacific waters and the allure of small fishing village. The inn has been in operation for ten years and has hosted many who enjoy the scale and pace of a small, rustic Mexican beach town.
Barra de Navidad is in the state of Jalisco, Mexico and is approximately 236 kilometers (141 miles) south of Puerta Vallarta and 297 km (178 miles) from Guadalajara. The largest city near Barra is Manzanillo, a busy commercial port town that handles large cargo ships and has a sizeable commercial fishing fleet. Barra de Navidad in Spanish is translated as "Bar of Christmas." Evidently this name was given the day it was founded on the high sandbar that separates the ocean from the lagoon. This narrow sandbar that was once a haven for nesting sea turtles today is a network of narrow streets and shops. As development moves slowly ahead, it is comforting to know that Barra continues to retain an intimate feeling. The downtown area keeps the pace slow, since the area is reserved for pedestrians and bicyclists enjoying the many stores and family restaurants. Many of the buildings retain the tropical Mexican character of white stucco walls with sweeping palm roofing.
Another feature that makes Barra distinct is the feeling that you are surrounded by nature. Barra borders the ocean on one side and a large lagoon extending eastward toward the Sierra Madre on the other. The crescent-shaped coastline is dotted with mangrove trees and palms that host small marsh areas and is home to a wide assortment of birds and reptiles. On any given day you can sight of a flock of pelicans, egrets, and frigates flying in and out of these waters. Around all this there are the incredible panoramas silhouetted as the sun runs its arc from sunrise to sunset.
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There are several ways of reaching Barra. The most direct way of reaching Barra is flying into Manzanillo's Playa de Oro International Airport, only a twenty minute taxi ride from Barra (taxis cost approximately $32 from the airport to Barra and about $25 from Barra to the airport). There is daily first class bus service from both Puerta Vallarta and Guadalajara and the fare is approximately $20 one way. Two bus lines servicing Barra are Flecha Amarilla's Primera Plus and ETN. You can get information about bus schedules from various destinations and even purchase electronic tickets online from their websites.
Many people enjoy either flying into Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara for sightseeing and spend a few days touring the coast with a few days stopover in Barra. However once you discover this "gem" you might want to stay longer or make it your destination on your next visit to Mexico.
On the west end of the building facing the beach is Simona and Nino's Casa Chip's
Restaurant and Bar. They offer a wide selection of tasty food and cold beverages,
including Mexican beers and mixed drinks. The restaurant provides tables, chairs,
and umbrellas for customers wishing to relax and receive beachside service while
enjoying the pleasures at the shore. Happy hour is from 5:00 to 7:00 every day.
The restaurant closes around 9:00 p.m. and opens the next morning about 11:00
a.m. to begin the new day. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
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Barra de Navidad extends out from the coast on a sand bar which divides the ocean from a natural lagoon. Across the narrow channel where the tides enter into the lagoon is a rugged coastline with scores of coves and empty beaches. Heading north from Barra along the beach are wetlands rich in tropical wildlife and flora. Two small towns in this direction are San Patricio and Melaque which both offer a variety of additional sights and attractions. Surrounding the Bahia de Barra are the foothills of the Sierra Madre which frames the fertile tropical plains with cattle, mangoes, bananas, and coconut palms. The sea with its bounty of fish and beauty make Barra an unforgettable place.
Barra offers a variety of recreational water activities for the sports enthusiast such as swimming, surfing, diving, snorkeling, and deep sea fishing. Shops are plentiful and boats are for hire daily at a fixed rate. Trolling for marlin, tuna, or dorado can not only be entertaining but extremely tasteful when you can have a local restaurant grill your catch. There are a number of outfits in Barra and Melaque that offer different trips and outings. Check out their websites in the Barra and Mexico section.
Indeed, after a short time in Barra you will find it to be a place which leaves a lingering sense of nature's breadth and the simple pleasures of a Mexican coastal town.
There are 8 rooms available for rent. Prices are listed below in the Reservations section below.
The Pelicano and Iguana Rooms are located on the ground floor with windows facing the wide tiled street. Each room is comfortably furnished with two queen-sized beds and a separate bathroom, ceiling and pedestal fan, TV, air conditioning, and a small convenience refrigerator. Guests are only steps from the beach and a selection of restaurants and shops. Potable water is freely available and security for valuables can be arranged with administration on request. Short- and long-term rates are available.
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The Chips Suite is located on the second floor. It has a separate entrance that is reached by front of the building across the street from the artesian market. Upstairs you enter a small alcove that reaches around to a large bedroom with two queen-sized beds and two windows facing east and south with views of main street and the beach. An outside balcony runs around this room for sitting and reading your favorite novel or just people watching. There is a separate small bath. with an arched window to view the palm trees. Last, it has a small kitchen complete with all the modern conveniences and tastefully decorated with a selection of exotic wood cabinetry and colorful tile countertops and has air-conditioning. This suite is comfortable for two and can be rented without the kitchen at a reduced rate.
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The Tortuga Room is an affordable air-conditioned room with a queen-sized bed and a private bath located on the second floor — ideal for short-term visits or as an extra bedroom for extra guests.
The Sunset Suite is located on the second floor facing the ocean. The large room has two king-sized beds, a kitchenette, a bar, and a patio with a great view of the ocean. It is air-conditioned.
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This large room with a vaulted ceiling and skylights was originally designed as an artist's studio. It is a very spacious room on the top floor with outstanding views of the town's architecture and the surrounding hills. Inside there is a small kitchen area and private lounge area, and bathroom. The room is air-conditioned. The Sunrise Suite is also surrounded by a balcony. This unique room with its breathtaking views and simplicity creates an atmosophere to be experienced.
The Sky Suite is located on the top (3rd) floor with a great ocean view and deck. It has a king-size bed, air-conditioning, a sliding glass door leading out to a porch with a small kitchen and a second higher deck with an incredible ocean view. The Sky Suite also has a dressing room area, and a very nice bathroom with a two shower-head shower. The room has cable TV and a stereo.
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Cuarto Delfin is located on the second floor. This room features a balcony, small patio, with a view of the courtyard leading to the beach and a partial view of the ocean. It has a king-sized bed, air-conditioning, cable television, and a separate bath. This room can be connected to the apartment making it the second bedroom for the apartment.
In the U.S. call or fax (415) 671-3816 (San Francisco, CA). In Mexico call 011-52-315-355-5555 or 011-52-315-100-1961. Reservations can also be made by sending email to barrachips@earthlink.net.
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Low
Season |
High
Season |
Holiday
Weeks |
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1 - Pelicano Room |
$55 ($380) |
$65 ($440) |
$75 ($500) |
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2 - Iguana Room |
$55 ($380) |
$65 ($440) |
$75 ($500) |
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3 - Chips Suite |
$65 ($440) |
$70 ($470) |
n/a |
3 - Chips Suite (with kitchen) |
$75 ($500) |
$85 ($590) |
$90 ($625) |
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4 - Cuarto Tortuga |
$45 ($300) |
$55 ($375) |
$65 ($450) |
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5
- Sunset Suite |
$85 ($560) |
$110 ($700) |
$125 ($850) |
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6 - Sunrise Suite 6 |
$80 ($500) |
$95 ($650) |
$110 ($700) |
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7
- Sky Suite |
$85 ($560) |
$110 ($700) |
$125 ($850) |
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8 - Cuarto Azul Delfin |
$60 ($400) |
$70 ($470) |
$80 ($540) |
Calendar: Click here to view availability. After confirming your reservation with Casa Chips, please fill out the following Reservation Form and mail it along with your deposit. Dates with split red/white box indicates that a portion of the day is not available, i.e., red on the lower left indicates that the room is currently occupied but will be available for that night after 12:00 pm, red on the upper right indicates the room is occupied for that night.
All the prices above are based on single or double occupancy. All rooms are also available on weekly or monthly rates. The weekly rates are noted above in the parenthetical information (). Contact Casa Chips for more information regarding monthly rates. Reservations can be made by contacting Casa Chips either by phone or email and then sending a 50% deposit to the U.S. address.
There will be a small surcharge for additional people. Per diem charges for extra guests (five-years and older) are as follows: Low season: $10 per person; high season: $15.00 per person; and Holiday Season: $18.00 per person.
Payments: Once we have confirmed your reservation, you will need to send the agreed-upon deposit to Casa Chips. We normally prefer a check or money order sent to the U.S. address but upon request we will bill you through PayPal. If you use PayPal to pay the deposit we ask that you pay using your checking account NOT a credit card, as it costs us an additional 3% if you do. If you would like to use the credit card PayPal option, we will pass along those additional costs to you! There are also extra PayPal charges associated with using currency other than U.S. dollars, we can discuss that when we book your reservation.
There is a $20 cancellation fee for processing refunds. Refunds will be as follows:
Low Season: 100% refund for cancellations made three weeks in advance of reservation; 75% refund if cancelled two weeks in advance of reservation; 50% refund for cancellation more than one week in advance of reservation; and the deposit is forfeited if canceled less than one week prior to the date of the reservation.
High Season: 100% refund for cancellations made one month in advance of reservation; 75% refund three weeks in advance of reservation; 50% refund less than two weeks in advance of reservation; and the deposit is forfeited if canceled less than one week prior to the date of the reservation.
Holiday Season: 100% refund for cancellations made two months more in advance of reservation; 75% refund if cancelled more that one month but less than two months in advance of reservation; 50% refund less than one month but more than three weeks in advance of reservation; and the deposit is forfeited if canceled less than two weeks prior to reservation.
There is a 3-night minimum on all reservations during the high season. Daily and weekly rates do not include 10% Mexican taxes and gratuities.
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In the U.S.: |
We appreciate all your comments! Send us an email or give us a call.
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Casa Chips Hotel Manager Emerita Hinojosa |
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