CASA DEL ENCANTO B&B Combine comfort with the enchantment of Barra de Potosi, a tiny Mexico fishing village near Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones surrounded by beach and lagoon. Featured in: April, 2002 ELLE Design -Norway, In Italy -June 2003 issue of GRAZIE (fashion) and GULLIVER (travel and architecture) and most recently in Oct 2004 LIVING in Italy. Germany, September 2003 in BRIGITTE (fashion and life-style). Next, look for us in Brazil's... BON FLUIDO A local secret - beach and lagoon paradise, Barra de Potosi lies on one of the most beautiful unspoiled beaches in Mexico. Miles of mangrove tree-lined canals flow into the pristine lagoon joining the sea in a gorgeous curve of the bay. Enjoy the beach, ocean swimming and fishing as well as horseback riding, birdwatching, swimming and kayaking the lagoon. An adventure in the 'Real Mexico' is NOT FOR EVERYONE... Please look closely at photos and info on this site to see if the special beauty of this undeveloped treasure is what you will relish. We have no air conditioning or TVs and our sleeping accommodations are within the fishing village - 300 meters from the beach. We are close enough to modern civilization for access to nightlife though! Go out dancing or to a high-end restaurant in Zihua or Ixtapa. Then return and relish the contrast. Nightlife in the village means watching kids play in the peaceful center street. Pelicans finish their sunset feeding frenzy on the beach, guests chat with neighbors watching tacos cook over firewood. We wake to roosters and the early morning calls of fishermen on their way to the lagoon. The streets are of dirt. The people are poor and friendly with wonderful vibrant personalities. For those of us prone to fall in love with this kind of beauty, the rhythm of life in the village is as soul-nourishing a part of the experience as gazing at the spectacular ocean views or casting your tensions away on the silent canals of the pristine lagoon. CASA DEL ENCANTO B&B consists of the Village House (accommodations 300 meters from the Beach - inside the village) plus our very own beach property (right on the beach) for the exclusive use of our guests - called 'Amorcito Gecko' de la Casa del Encanto. They combine to offer the best of both worlds for our guests. The Village House is in the heart of this sweet village a charming walk (about 300 mts)to the beach and (50 mts)to the lagoon. 'Amorcito Gecko' de la Casa del Encanto -our private beach enramada- right on the beach, is just the right distance from the restaurant area to afford tranquil privacy for shady hammock floating with a gorgeous ocean view and great swimming. A lovely walk along the waterline takes you to the delicious seafood enramada restaurants. Now! Massage is available on the beach property... 'Amorcito Gecko' de la Casa del Encanto. $250 pesos (about $23 usd) pr hour. Fantastic! Swedish and Reflexology. High Season (Nov 1- May 1) RATES: Adobe Bungalow $115 usd pr night Gecko Suite $100 usd pr night All other rooms $90 per night Low Season (May 1- Oct 31) Adobe Bungalow (not available during low season) Gecko Suite $85 usd pr night all other rooms $75 usd pr night. Prices based on double occupancy, includes all tax, and a generous breakfast. Charge for extra persons is $20 usd pr extra person pr night. Maid service (not tip)is included. Suggested tip for maid service is $7-10% (See rates and reservations button for more details including rates for additional services such as laundry and tours) Sleeping accommodations: Presently we offer five beautifully decorated suites in the Village House (main house) and one bungalow with full kitchen and two sleeping rooms: All our suites have a private bath and a private covered terrace area comfortably furnished with hammocks and cushioned lounges for cool restful lounging in tranquil privacy to the lulling sounds of fountains and surf in the background. Our Blue Angel, Green Coconut and Red Mermaid Suites ($90 usd pr night) all have a Queen bed in the inner bedroom area and one or two single beds (depending on room) on the surrounding private terraces. The Gecko Suite ($100 usd pr night) has a king bed and two extra single beds. It's extra large L shaped terrace is covered by a gorgeous traditionally woven palapa on a frame of Bocote and Parilla tropical hardwoods. An additional extension takes you to the uncovered 'Star Gazing' Terrace where you can observe the Milky Way from a extra large silk hammock over the rooftops of the village in serene privacy. The Adobe Bungalow ($115 usd pr night) is connected to the main house through a small patio courtyard. It has one bedroom with double bed plus a sleeping alcove in the living room with queen bed. The bungalow has a bath and a full kitchen. It's private terrace, furnished with hammocks, table and chairs, faces the village through a well shaded walls of tropical plants and fountains. All are surrounded by tropical gardens and fountains. The three second floor rooms (Gecko, India and Green Coconut) feature a lovely view of surrounding coconut plantations with glimpses through the palms of the ocean and lagoon which surround the village on three sides. We have plenty of hot water, fans (the house is always cool) and guests often rave about the comfort of our deep pocket SpringAir mattresses with high quality cotton linens and goose down pillows. Experience the sweetness of personalized hospitality and comfort in the 'Real Mexico'. La Barra de Potosi is a world away from the stress of modern life. Once you know the secret, you'll find us only 15 minutes south of the airport and 30 minutes south of Zihuatanejo Ixtapa -close for night life and shopping. Click on all our links for photos and more information. Contact Info: email:lauragecko2@hotmail.com Tel: 011 52(755)104-6709 The best time to reach an English speaker is before 11 am or after 6 pm central time or anytime on the cell phone. Note: Our rural phone system is sometimes a little unstable! Please keep trying until the call gets through. In the spirit of Mexican navigating, simply ignore the seemingly random recordings -that may even say the number doesn't exist! Keep trying. Your important call will eventually get through to us. See you in Paradise!