Town 16 km southeast of Zihuatanejo
A fishing village on a mangrove lagoon south of Zihuatanejo, with beach palapas, kayaks, and over 200 bird species.
Barra de Potosí is a small fishing village where the long beach of Playa Blanca ends at the mouth of the Laguna de Potosí, about 25 kilometers southeast of Zihuatanejo. It has only a few streets and a few hundred residents, and on weekdays it feels a world away from the resorts up the coast.
The lagoon is the reason to come. It covers around 800 hectares, more than half of it mangrove, and researchers have counted over 200 bird species here, including herons, ibises, pelicans and roseate spoonbills. Villagers rent kayaks and run boat trips through the mangrove channels, as well as fishing trips, and in winter whale-watching outings to see humpbacks offshore.
The other ritual is lunch. Enramadas, open-air restaurants under palm roofs, line the lagoon and the beach and serve fresh fish to families who drive down on weekends. Offshore, the rocky Morros de Potosí islets break the horizon.
What to see and do
Paddle a kayak or take a boat tour through the mangrove channels of the lagoon, ideally early in the morning for birds.
Eat pescado a la talla at an enramada on the lagoon shore.
Walk the long, quiet sand of Playa Blanca; the open-ocean surf can be strong, so swim with care.
In winter, ask the local boatmen about whale-watching trips.
Getting there
Barra de Potosí is about 35 to 40 minutes from Zihuatanejo by car or taxi: head southeast on Highway 200 past the airport and take the signed turnoff toward the coast, then follow the paved road to the village. Many taxi drivers in Zihuatanejo will do the round trip for an agreed price; travel by day.
16 km southeast of Zihuatanejo
Directions from Zihuatanejo on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Barra de Potosí
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Weather warm
Barra de Potosí shares the climate of Zihuatanejo, 16 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Make Zihuatanejo your base
Barra de Potosí is an easy trip from Zihuatanejo, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.