Barra de Navidad & Melaque are twin towns at each end of the Bay of Navidad in Jalisco, each totally different to the other. These two towns, plus several other much smaller farming villages nearby, come within the municipal jurisdiction of Cihuatlan, a much larger town a few kilometres away and the main trading centre of the area. Both are only 45 minutes from Manzanillo and just 20 minutes from Manzanillo International Airport.

It was this Bay and Barra de Navidad that was the starting off point for the Spanish conquistadores on their way to the Philippines four centuries ago. This is where the great Spanish Galleons were repaired and outfitted for their long journey across the Pacific Ocean. Barra de Navidad is now twinned to Vigan, 400 kilometres from Manila in the Philippines, that traded with Mexico during that period of history.

| 10.12.2008 | Read more | Print |