A boat trip across the lagoon for super-fresh seafood at the palm-studded village of Colimilla is a primary Barra pastime. While you sit enjoying an oyster cocktail, ceviche, or broiled whole-fish dinner, gaze out on the mangrove-enfolded glassy expanse of the Laguna de Navidad. Far away, a canoe may drift silently, while white herons quietly stalk their prey. Now and then a launch will glide in and deposit its load of visitors, or an angler will head out to sea.

One of the most pleasant Colimilla vantage spots is La Colimilla Restaurant (8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily, $5–10), whose palapa extends into the lagoon. Take mosquito repellent, especially if you’re staying for dinner. Launches routinely ferry as many as six passengers to Colimilla from the Barra lagoonside docks for about $5 round-trip. Tell them when you want to return, and they’ll pick you up.

From the same Barra lagoonside dock, launches also shuttle passengers for $1.50 round-trip across the lagoon to Isla Navidad and its new Hotel Grand Bay, marina, vacation- home development, and golf course.