Packed up my small roller duffle and backpack and took 3 combis to Barra de Potosi, literally to the end of the road. 25K south of Zihuantanejo, Barra de Potosi a small fishing village on the Pacific coast, nestled at the southern most end of the 13K long pristine Playa Larga (long beach). 

A smattering of enramadas (thatched roof seafood restaurants) line a small section of the beach.

One side of the village is located on a 7K long saltwater lagoon, and home to a famous bird and wildlife sanctuary. There is the usual assortment of street dogs, early morning chickens and doves and loud music, especially on the weekends when the locals from surrounding communities head to the beach. They say the difference between a gringo and a Mexican is the gringo says “Where is that loud music coming from?” and a Mexican says “Where is the party?” Ahhh, living local in Mexico.

El Nido (the nest), my accommodation for the week hosts 3 small bedrooms each with a private bath, communal kitchen, spacious terrazzo and is two blocks from the beach. Nothing fancy, more like a mini hostel, no hot water and as in most of Mexico the toilet paper goes in the basket, not down the toilet and there may be no water for a few hours. There’s a yoga class in the morning on the terrazza and a Spanish class two days a week. 

Las casitas here are small, some colorful and full of plants.

The locals are friendly and welcoming when you take the time to strike a conversation with them. Camen at the fruit stand, Ramiro at Enramada de Condenda and Chely who rents kayaks and teaches the Spanish class and my neighbors

So, what does one do here in this tiny beach side Mexican village?

Take long walks en la playa, swim en el mar, head to the O Ridleys cantina on Friday night (open 3 nights a week) to listen to the local gringo band play my new favorite song (Memphis Women Fried Chicken. Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mqAZt7xsdg.

Then there is kayaking en la laguna, wander about (which doesn’t take long in this tiny village of mostly dirt roads) and eat marvelous seafood every day, barefoot, at the thatched roofed enramadas right on the beach.

Gotta lay low in the heat of the day from 1-4pm reading, writing and having a siesta. Then it’s time for another dip in the sea, some ceviche rojo (a specialty of the area) and a cold cerveza or margarita.

There are fewer gringo tourists here, most stay in Zihua. However, there is a small but robust expat community, mostly Canadians, that have been here for many years. Unfortunately, Barra de Potosi has been discovered and there is new construction and refurbishing of current buildings happening throughout the village and along the beach. 

Esta la Buena vida aqui….just booked another week.