La Barra is an up-and-coming area in Puerto Escondido located southeast of La Punta Zicatela.
La Barra is definitely not an area that is frequently visited however if you’re looking to get away from the crowd it is definitely a cool little spot to check out that is a little less known.
Where is La Barra
La Barra is located to the southeast of La Punta and on the West side of the Colotepec River.
How to get here
The best way to get to La Barra is via a scooter as it will allow you to visit multiple locations in the area with ease.
Alternatively, you can catch a colectivo and walk from the main road all the way down to the beach. You can get a taxi here but you’ll struggle to find one to get back.
If you’re looking to get to the beach we’d recommend navigating to Bocana Colotepec which we have added to the map above for your convenience.
If you are feeling really adventurous and want to walk here you can do so from La Punta Beach by walking over the headland past Chingabal’e and then along the beach.
The walk is approximately 4 kilometers which will take you at least 1 to 1.5 hours however it makes for a great adventure along the quiet stretch of sand.
What to do in La Barra
There are numerous things you can do while in the area of La Barra depending on how adventurous you’re feeling. It is definitely worth mentioning that the Colotepec River is home to crocodiles so caution is advised if exploring nearby.
Although they are rarely seen, there are a number of signs warning of the crocodiles that reside in the Colotopec River.
La Barra de Colotepec Beach
Known for its turtle releasing, La Barra de Colotepec beach is the point where the Colotopec river flows into the ocean.
This stretch of beach is an awesome spot to walk along surrounded by nature without tourism. On one side you’ll have the Clotepec River and on the other, you’ll have the ocean.
Although this is not a great beach for swimming some locals do swim here however the shore break can be quite heavy and dangerous so caution is advised.
Bocana Colotepec
Bocana Colotepec is the point where you want to navigate to if you’re wanting to get to the La Barra de Colotepec beach and it is a great point to go if you’re interested in the turtle releasing at Campamento Tortuguero “Boca Barra”.
On a Sunday at 5 pm you can participate in this experience and it will normally cost around 100 pesos per turtle which is a lot more affordable than some of the other turtle-releasing tours.
La Barra Restaurants
Unknown to pretty much everyone except the locals there is an awesome river edge restaurant that we would highly recommend visiting called La Huerta De Don Juan.
It is on the Eastern side of the Colotepec River and the restaurant is so good that we’ve listed it among the best restaurants in Puerto Escondido.
The chili fish that is served here is to die for and the views and atmosphere here are incredible. If you’re lucky you can even table that is in the water itself on a low tide allowing you to feel the water on your feet while you enjoy your meal.
You may be wondering if this is the same river where we just mentioned crocodiles above and the answer is yes, it’s the same one however the fact that this restaurant offers this experience only further supports how unlikely it is that you’ll encounter a crocodile.
Best time to visit La Barra
It is best to visit La Barra in the afternoon as this is the optimal time to experience the area when the sun isn’t at its peak.
It is also worth mentioning that the birds of the Colotepec River come alive in the afternoon and the sunset here is great. It will also be the ideal time to visit if you’re interested in the turtle release.
Where to stay near La Barra
La Barra has a number of great accommodation options due to it being located further from the crowds of La Punta and Zicatela.
Although there is a number of great options to choose from we’d recommend Casona Sforza or Casa Barra Tortuga.
La Barra Summary
La Barra in Puerto Escondido offers a unique experience for those looking to escape the crowds and explore a lesser-known area.
While caution is advised due to the presence of crocodiles in the Colotepec River, visitors can enjoy the beautiful La Barra de Colotepec Beach and participate in the turtle release at Bocana Colotepec.
The river edge restaurant, La Huerta De Don Juan, is a must-visit for its delicious food and stunning views. The best time to visit La Barra is in the afternoon when the birds of the Colotepec River come alive and the sunset is breathtaking.
With great accommodation options like Casona Sforza and Casa Barra Tortuga, La Barra is definitely a cool spot to check out.
