Active Pursuits

Swimming and enjoying the attractive beach and views of the bay take up most tourists' time. You can hire a small boat for a coastal ride or fishing in two ways. Go toward the malecón on Calle Veracruz until you reach the tiny boatmen's cooperative, with fixed prices posted on the wall, or walk two buildings farther to the water taxi ramp. The water taxi is the best option for going to Colimilla (5 min.; $2.50) or across the inlet (3 min.; $1) to the Grand Bay Hotel. Water taxis make the rounds regularly, so if you're at Colimilla, wait, and one will be along shortly. At the cooperative, a 30-minute lagoon tour costs $20, and a sea tour costs $25. Sportfishing is $80 for up to four people for a half-day in a small panga (open fiberglass boat, like the ones used for water taxis).

Isla Navidad Country Club (tel. 314/337-9024; www.islanavidad.com) has a beautiful and challenging 27-hole, 7,053-yard, par-72 golf course that is open to the public. Green fees are $200 for 18 holes, $220 for 27 holes (discounts are available for hotel guests). Prices include a motorized cart. Caddies are available, as are rental clubs.

Beer Bob's Books, Avenida Tampico #8, between Sinaloa and Guanajuato, is a book lover's institution in Barra and a sort of community service that the rather grouchy Bob does for fun. His policy of "leave a book if you take one" allows vacationers to select from hundreds of neatly shelved paperbacks, as long as they leave a book in exchange. It's open Monday through Friday from noon to 3pm and occasionally in the evenings.