The town of Barra de Navidad (pop-4,324) is a small farming and fishing community located on the east end of the Bahía de Navidad, 60 km north of the city of Manzanillo and 216 km south of Puerto Vallarta.  The bay was originally named Puerto Xalisco in 1535 by Spaniard Francisco Hijar.  It was later changed by Viceroy Don Antonio de Mendoza to Barra de Navidad when he came ashore on December 25th. 1540 to quell a Caxacan del Mixtlón native rebellion.  Miguel Lopez de Legazpi later led an successful expedition from here to the Philippines in 1564.   In recent years, the Jalisco state government has promoted Barra as a tourist attraction of the Costalegre.  The spectacular beachfront bordering the sandbar arks toward San Patrico-Melaque 4.5km to the west. The ease of shopping, a variety of restaurants, a relaxed atmosphere and the natural beauty of the surrounding area make Barra a picturesque setting in a tropical paradise.  Barra de Navidad is a true Mexican treasure, the perfect hideaway just waiting to be discovered.  GPS N19°11´52" W104°41´06"