Sun: Everyone wants it but don't take it lightly! You will want to be well protected for the sun with sunscreen and hats. The tradition here is to stay in the shade during the hottest hours (usually resting in a hammock of course). There's a reason for that. I have seen one or two determined guests hiking at midday, fishing for hours forgetting to drink water, with no hat end up spending the next couple of days in bed with sunstroke. Insects: We have the usual tropical ones which you will find anywhere all around this climatic zone. You will want to be well protected for the sun with sunscreen and hats. Don't forget your favorite insect repellant. We have quite a few mosquitos and also some sand flees on the beach (mostly dusk time) during the humid rainy season though only a few in the dry high season (Dec-April)and beyond until the rains start. Many find very light cotton longsleeved attire, (or long pants/dresses or skirts)nice for the evening protection if you are prone to being bit and don't like to put on replellent. If you are one of the lucky ones (like me!), you may barely notice them at all. Medical: We are within 20 minutes of a good local doctor. He speaks spanish only but Dona Laura can be available as an interpretor if the unlikely need should arise. Zihuatanejo has many doctors including english speaking ones certified by the tourism board. There are two major hospitals in Zihua and a number of small private clinics. These are 30 minutes away. Communication: We have a public 'caseta' on the beach for phone calls. You may use the Casa del Encanto cell phone for emergency situations for a minimal fee. As yet there are no regular land phone lines in La Barra. Therefore there is no internet access. A quick trip to Zihuatanejo gives access to many inexpensive internet cafes. Transportation: Within La Barra village, beach and lagoon restaurant area everything is within easy walking distance. If you wish to make a trip into a nearby area such as Zihuatanejo, the airport, Petatlan or other area, here's how: 1. call a taxi to come get you from the caseta... (Or maybe catch one as it leaves La Barra having let off someone at the restaurants -mostly possible on Saturdays or Sundays)The usual charge for this ranges from 200-300 pesos if they come for you and much much less if you catch one. 2. Take the rural public transportation... Very fun adventure of the rustic Mexico kind. This consists of the 'pasajera' (a truck with benches in the back) which you board in the area behind the restaurants or in front of Dona Ana's store. The charge is 7 pesos and it takes you to Los Achote (the village on the main highway). At Los Achotes, you get out and cross the highway to catch the colorful highly decorated 'Flecha' bus which passes about every ten minutes going either to Zihua or to Petatlan/ This is also about 7 pesos. In Zihua you end up behind the municipal market which is where you board the bus for the return trip. This is really fun and I recommend doing it atleast once just to experience it if you are interested in knowing how the locals live. 3. Rent a car... If you plan to go on a lot of side trips, this may be a good idea. YOu can rent one at the airport though you may get more excellent rates if you rent online beforehand. If you rent for a whole week, it's cheaper. They are very accomodating and will deliver a rental car to here in La Barra if you decide to rent one by phone after you have arrived to La Barra , settled in and then decided it might be fun to have one. 4. Hire a driver and car... We have a number of reliable recommendations for this. This works well especially if you want to incorporate some guide service into it for an adventurous outing or to just not have to deal with driving and wanting to go to several areas where it might be difficult to get a taxi.