At the northern end of the beach sitsMelaque, another small fishing and agricultural outpost. Between the Barra and Melaque morethan a mile and a half of deserted beaches beckon sun lovers. Barra de Navidad was first discovered by the Spanish on Christmas day 1791, hence the nameBarra de Navidad which translates roughly to Christmas Bar . Barra sits precariously on a lowsand bar that separates the Pacific from a brackish lagoon formed where the River enters thePacific. The Spanish found the lagoon a perfect moorage for their war ships.
Today tourists findthe lagoon the perfect place to swim when the surf on the ocean side kicks up.
Barra offers sun and water lovers every possible type of ocean condition they might desire. Whenswells surge in from the open Pacific they often slam into the southern end of the beach with suchforce the ground shakes. These rambunctious swells provide excellent surfing for the dozen or sosurfers who can usually be found near the tip of the bar. Body surfers move north about twohundred yards where perfect waves provide nonstop pleasure. Those who want to wade or swimin calmer water simply hike a few hundred yards farther toward the center of the beach where theswells are usually quite tame.