A beach road trip

Glen wanted to go to Tenacatita to see what was up with the snorkeling and access to Playa Mora. I suggested we checkout Playa La Boca while we were up there since neither of us had been. Playa La Boca was promoted as a Tenacatita replacement when Tena was closed down but sad to say it does not come close. The promotion was more to help the 2 Rebalsito families that had started restaurants there. We found one restaurant left after a long bumpy ride. To get there take just about any street to the right in Rebalsito and follow your nose past the cemetery on the beach.

The beach and river mouth are pretty but no swimming in the open ocean. The river, Purificación, divides the beaches of Tecuan and Playa La Boca. Rio Purificación is open to the ocean after the rains but closes up in the winter and wanders through the Tenacatita lagoon and eventually coming out at La Vena near Los Angeles Locos.  The grounds of Shangri La on the Tecuan side over look the river and the ocean.

After some fotos we were off to Tenacatita and a swim - pretty as ever. The police are more relaxed, you can bring in beer now and more shade is available compared to last year. Not like it used to be but it's open. No restaurants or bathrooms.

Made a quick stop at Boca de Iguanas and then on to La Manzanilla for a lunch on the beach at Pedro's Tacos. The old Taco truck is parked inside and now it's a real restaurant with tables and shade on the beach. Food is good as ever.

Walking out to the point at La Boca

Ocean on one side and river on the other

Shangri La

Pedro's tacos - order two next time

Stingray Season?

Stingray Season in colder waters is in the summer but we have them here year round. There may be more in the summer or they may gather for mating season ... but don't really know. There are lots in Playa Mora at Tenacatita and also La Vena river mouth by Los Angeles Locos. Actually much of Tenacatita Bay as far south as La Manzanilla.

We were planning on going to Boca de Iguanas and the beach restaurant Las Palmas until someone reported they were stung right in that area. The last thing I wanted was to have to deal with a 2 year old or 9 year old after a sting. Boca is a long way from Melaque and I don't know where the clinic is in La Manzanilla .. or their hours. I suggested we stay in Melaque and have a much smaller chance of running into those critters.

There have been a number of conversations about what to do for a sting including using a beach vine made into a tea or poultice. Can't find any references to that plant as a cure ... so hot water and a doctor as soon as possible sound the best. They also say elevate the foot so hot water in a towel maybe.

Stingray in Playa Mora in February

For lack of a better name - Planta de Raya

Boca de Iguanas beach

Boca de Iguanas beach access was cut off for a few months after hurricane Jova. The beach trail was washed out and the trailer park wasn't letting people pass thru their property. I was up in La Manzanilla the other day and decided to see what was going on at Boca beach.

They brought in a lot of new fill to create a road/trail ... even tho motor vehicles are prohibited. Easy to walk out and wide enough you don't have to worry about the resident Cocodrilo, Pancho. The beach concession is back with tables, chairs, food and beer.

New beach access

Beach concession