La Rosa at Barras de Piaxtla in Sinaloa, Mexico
Coastal Accommodations Offer Escape from Mazatlan's Resort Crowds
Aug 18, 2009
Created and operated by Gail Blackburn, La Rosa de Las Barras consists of a well-appointed 2-bedroom beach house, a 2-story casa and 4 thatched-roof cabanas, or casitas. Gail is a former organic farmer/remodeler from Washington who relocated to Las Barras in 2003. Her remodeling skills are showcased in the hand-crafted casitas, built with woven walls and natural stone. Located in the fishing village of Barras de Piaxtla, La Rosa is within the protected natural area of the Meseta de Cacaxtla.
The Village of Barras de Piaxtla in Sinaloa, Mexico
Fewer than 500 people live in the fishing village of Barras de Piaxtla, on Mexico's coast, where the Pacific ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet. A curved golden-sand beach borders the village, framed by El Mirador restaurant to the south and the red-and-white striped Punta Piaxtla lighthouse to the north.
A protected bay lies inland, leading to a network of estuaries and wetlands. The inland area consists of tropical deciduous forest, and is part of the Meseta de Cacaxtla preserve.
La Meseta de Cacaxtla Natural Reserve
La Meseta de Cacaxtla, at more than 125,000 acres, is one of the largest protected natural areas in Mexico. This diverse ecosystem consists of ocean shoreline, estuaries, tidepools, fresh water streams and ponds, as well as tropical deciduous forest and shrub. More than 200 resident and migratory bird species can be found here, including Purplish-backed Jays, Black-throated Magpie Jays, Greyish Saltator and White-fronted Parrots. The main entrance to La Meseta de Cacaxtla is just 5 miles south of Barras de Piaxtla.
In addition to the birding in Cacaxtla Preserve, hundreds of petroglyphs can be seen on the preserve's coastline, at Playa de las Labradas. The carved petroglyphs at Las Labradas are Toltec designs that date back more than 1,000 years.
La Rosa de Las Barras in Barras de Piaxtla, Mexico
La Rosa's lodge lies between the main dirt road of Las Barras and the seashore. Next to the ocean, the Beach House accommodates up to 4 people in 2 rooms, the Sunset room and the Guadalupe room. The Beach House also has a gourmet kitchen, a large dining/meeting room, laundry, an entertainment room with DVD, a lighted beach palapa, BBQ and outdoor shower. The only 2-story building is the Casa Buena Vista, which offers an upstairs bedroom with a downstairs futon, a full kitchen and an upstairs ocean-view porch.
The 4 cabanas/casitas are decorated with locally-made rustic furniture, have queen beds, ceiling fans and air-conditioning. All cabanas have large tiled private bathrooms. Two of the casitas have a microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker, and one of them also has a stove. The entire walled complex sits in a luxurious garden setting, with native plants, flowers and fruit trees. Wireless Internet is provided as well.
Improvements continue to be implemented at La Rosa, and all bedrooms are now air-conditioned. The web site doesn't show it yet, but a Jacuzzi hot tub has also been added.
Activities at La Rosa de Las Barras
Both kayaks and bicycles are available for guests. Bicycles are the primary mode of transportation in the village, and trails are found throughout the area. Fisherman's Cove connects with miles of estuary that can be explored by kayak for first class birding or just to spend a relaxing day on the water. Great birding is also found along the 3 mile road between Las Barras and the Mazatlan Maxpista toll road.
There is no resort style fishing here, but productive and inexpensive fishing can be arranged with local fishermen, and your catch can be prepared and served at La Rosa. Las Barras is the perfect place to unwind, read a book, take a nap, take pictures or take a walk. If one is looking for frenetic beach party life, they would be happier an hour away in Mazatlan.
Accommodation Rates at La Rosa de Las Barras
Rates are quite reasonable for all La Rosa accommodations. The 4 casitas are available for $500 pesos per night, or about $39 US at the current rate of exchange, $12.95 pesos per dollar. The 2-story Casa Buena Vista rents for $750 pesos per night ($58 US), and the 2 bedroom Beach house rents for $1,200 pesos per night ($93 US). Daily housekeeping is included, and meal preparation can be purchased separately.
La Rosa is also available as an entire facility, at a rate of $3,750 pesos for a single night ($289 US), or $3,250 pesos for multiple nights ($251 US). An 18 person maximum applies when renting the entire facility.
Getting to La Rosa de Las Barras
From Mazatlan, drive north on the Mazatlan/Culiacan Maxpista toll highway. At Kilometer marker 59, drive under the overpass and turn right onto a wide dirt shoulder area. At the emergency telephone, cross a cattle guard onto a dirt road that leads west across the highway overpass. Turn left at the chicken farm and follow signs to El Mirador restaurant and Las Barras, about 3 miles toward the ocean. Pass the sports field as you enter the village. La Rosa is on the left (beach) side of the road, across from the "Kinder" (kindergarten) that has a Winnie the Pooh on the side. The gated entrance is around on the right side of the compound.
An Alternative to the Busy Pace of Mazatlan
La Rosa de Las Barras offers a tranquil break from the party beach atmosphere of Mazatlan, yet is less than an hour's drive from Mazatlan's shrimp markets, historic city center and fine restaurants.
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