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Villa en Barra de Potosi, el paraíso tropical donde la laguna se abraza con el mar. Ven y disfruta la tranquilidad mágica de Barra de Potosí con su Playa Blanca maravillosa y sólo a 15 minutos desde el Aeropuerto Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
en español https://haciendalarusa.com/informacion/
Dear Patrons, thank you for choosing Hacienda La Rusa to be your vacation home in Mexico !
Hacienda La Rusa is a beautiful Villa - Hotel in the middle of the rural fishing village Barra de Potosi on the Pacific coast. It has owners’ quarters, kitchen, dining room, terraces and patios, 2 swimming pools and garden;
7 comfortable, charming, tropical guests rooms, ( all rooms have either king or two twin beds and private bathrooms) ; the property is completely walled in for privacy and security.
Hacienda la Rusa is located at the entrance to Barra de Potosi on the right (beach) side. There is only a restaurant between us and the beach.
If you use social Media, you can follow updates and photos
on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/haciendalarusa
on Instagram #HaciendaLaRusa
The rhythms of our villa revolve around peace, zen, happiness, animal and human welfare and green practices. in 2014 I founded Amigos de Animales ( www.amigosdeanimales.org) - the largest Animales Welfare Charity organization In Guerrero. We run a rescue shelter, a Spay and Neuter program and animal welfare education project for kids and adults. Since 2014, thanks to support of many our guests, we helped many people and a animals: we have organized numerous mass Spay and Neuter clinics , paid for the sterilization of over 5000 animals, we fed hungry kids, helped abused women find shelter and protection, delivered meds, distributed clothes, schools supplies, bug sprays and toys among kids and parents, we taught classes in 15 local schools, and had summer camps daily feeding and caring for over 100 children.
If it's your first time here, and you would like to find out how to help, people or animals, please don't hesitate to email me , Stasya haciendalarusa@yahoo.com
the village of Barra de Potosi sits on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, 15 minutes from the international airport and 30 minutes away from the major resort city of Ixtapa - Zihuatanejo.
This is not a typical resort area; there are no banks, no ATM, no high-rise condos, no golf course. Barra de Potosi is an amazingly rural laid back village of about 500 residents, mostly fishermen, craftsman, coconut workers, rancheros and a few dozen expats.
Barra de Potosí is famous for its 10 miles long gorgeous beach and network of lagoons surrounding the village with over 200 species of birds .
The village is simple and authentic, with 3 streets and 3 small stores; truly the right place for a visitor with a taste for a cultural adventure and untouched natural beauty. This rustic Mexican village is what Sayulita or Tulum used to be.
Barra de Potosi has everything for a fun vacation – bird watching, whale watching, deep see fishing, horse riding, kayaking, jungle tours, turtle sanctuary, snorkeling, surfing classes, our beach is 10 miles long and empty through most of the year (holidays are crowded and can be noisy) and perfect for swimming, jogging and walking.
From Hacienda la Rusa gates you will walk: 3 seconds to the beach, 3 minutes to the lagoon, steps to the restaurants, taxi, small stores, fruit & veggie stand.
Dear Patrons, for your comfort and convenience, we came up with a few basic suggestions, to ensure all the guests enjoy their vacation:
✓ Covid-19 : please, don’t travel and enter the property if you have high fever , runny nose, sneezing , cough, respiratory problems , like shortness of breath or have recently been in contact with a person who has a confirmed case of corona virus Covid-19
✓ Please, smoke outside on the beach or on the street; or in a designated smoking area on the upstairs ocean view garden terrace . This is a non-smoking establishment.
✓ Please, deposit the toilet paper and other products in the waste basket provided. The local water table is very high. We have a very sensitive sewage treatment system which does not decompose paper. Toilet paper or any other consumer products will clog the septic system; it will disrupt your vacation and cause extensive repairs. Toilet baskets are emptied daily.
✓Please, bring and use repellent with DEET. It’s Tropics - there are insects here as you might expect. In the mornings and at the sunset the peskiest are the no-see-ums. They will leave you alone if apply repellent with DEET, like OFF Deep Woods.
✓ Quiet Hours from 10 pm till 8 am. If you staying up late or going on early kayaking trip, please, be mindful of other guests, resting.
✓This is nothing like All-Inclusives, this is real rural Mexico, mostly spanish speaking; not used to dollars; friendly, warm, happy and inviting, please, adjust your expectations accordingly.
Arrival = Check–in: 4 pm, early check-in is subject to availability
Departure = Check-out: 12 pm, later check-out is subject to availability
if we can’t accommodate your request for an early check in or late check out, we will store your luggage and you are welcome to use the grounds, gardens and pools.
Our gates are always closed, for your comfort and privacy only registered guests are allowed on the property.
The Gate code will he sent to you prior to arrival
Amenities
https://haciendalarusa.com/amenities/
Cleaning – even before the pandemic we disinfected and sanitized everything, we use chemicals when and where we have too and we use eco friendly homemade cleaning solutions when and where we can. Your bed spreads and decorative pillows get cleaned and sanitized for each new guests, pillows and mattresses in common areas get cleaned regularly as well. Hand sanitizers are available around the property.
Water - water from the inside faucets and showers is from our well on the property. On a few occasions, I drank our tap water and “pasa nada – nothing happened”. So don’t panic if you drink some, nothing will happen, but overall, hydrate yourself with purified drinking water. Our gray water goes to water our gardens.
Kitchen - shared, fully stocked .
Breakfast - continental , includes oatmeal, cereals, pastries, fruits and yogurts.
Drinking Water - there is always a 5 gallon jug of drinking water in the common dining room. And there is a drinking water dispenser in your room.
Power - we have power outages from time to time, hopefully, not while you are visiting. When the power goes out - nothing works. It usually does not last long.
There are flashlights in your rooms and candles in common rooms.
Please, save energy – please, turn OFF the lights and fans when leaving rooms. Majority of lights around the property are on timers, if they turn on automatically at dusk, don’t worry about those, they are off automatically at 10 - 11 pm.
Safety – it is safe here in the village, period.
It’s safe to go alone and safe to go out at night.
Stores – there are 5 small stores in the village open during the day till 7-9 pm and one tiny little one open till later at night till 10-11 pm. They carry sodas, beers, snacks, wine, tequila, ice cream, basic groceries etc
There is Carmen’s fruit-veggie stand around the corner, where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables. If you want something special, ask her and she will bring it next day.
Noise – it is Mexico and it is a small rural working fishing village. This is an amazing place of great energy and the center of laid back coastal Mexico, overall it's peaceful and quiet, but on occasion it does get noisy here; ocean waves, village noise ... dogs, roosters, music... once or twice a year there is a wedding or sweet 15 party. Please, bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.
During Peak season, especially holidays, Christmas, New Year, Easter, Dia de Virgin de Guadalupe, there are a lot of people on the beach everywhere in Mexico, fireworks, music and parties. It can be very busy and noisy and fun.
Internet – Our internet can be slow and unreliable.
Internet Codes
hotspot 659A78 password L21503812715734
hotspot HLR 1,2,3 password 2537774373
Phone – unless you have a Mexican/International voice/data plan on your cell phone, switch your phone to airplane mode and use our wifi until you get back home.
Laundry – you can take your laundry to the local laundromat by the airport.
Tipping is woven into the fabric of Mexican social culture. Mexican people, serving you will appreciate a small token of your appreciation in exchange for a good service. Tips to the staff are highly appreciated if you are pleased with their service.
Traveling with Pets : pet friendly rooms are Betsey, Blanca, Daisy, Frida and Diana.
Pet rules :
- never leave your pet unattended
- always keep your pet on the leash
- please, take your pet to use bathroom outside , if your pet goes bathroom on the territory of the Inn, please, clean up after them .
- if you traveling with a dog, don’t allow them harass our outdoor cats.
Our Pets and Rescues - we have dogs and cats on the property.
Unfortunately, we can’t provide guests with allergies allergy-free accommodations. And we, definitively, are not the right place for people, who dislike animals.
Owners – Stasya or as everyone in the zip code calls me la Rusa and my husband Mike. We spend part of the year in Barra de Potosi, our house is located on the property. If we are here, we will greet and meet you personally, but if we are not here, our staff is and we will be only a phone call or email message away. I will provide you with all information you need before the arrival and I will stay in touch to assist you if needed.
Our staff speak Spanish only. Please, be patient with them , they are doing their best to learn English, they also use translator app on their phones to understand your requests better .
Nature and Wild Life - there are undeveloped beaches, tangled mangroves and tropical dry forests to explore, all of which are literally teaming with birds and wild animals. Many of these exotic places are completely foreign and delightful to many of us.
Animals wild and domestic – while on the property you might see: birds, iguanas, geckos, rarely frogs, bats, insects, palm cockroaches, and our pets. You definitely will see bats, bats are wonderful, they eat bugs and mosquitoes, please, don’t be scared .Around the property in the village, you will see: dogs, cats, chickens, horses, donkeys, pigs, goats etc. To see more wild animals, you need to go a little further from the village on the jungle trails.
Health – a small local clinic and a pharmacy are 10 mins drive, nearest hospital is 20 mins drive. If you need to see a doctor, one of us will accompany, translate if needed and be there for you every step of the way. We find Mexican medical system to be inexpensive and of the best quality.
Money – there is NO bank and NO ATM in the village, please, get pesos at the ATM in the airport right after you land, get whatever your minimum withdrawal limit, it will be between 6000 to 15000 pesos. Please, remember NOT to leave your ATM card in the machine!
Exchange rate fluctuates around 1 CAD = 14-16 pesos , 1 USD = 18-20 pesos. If you are bringing cash, you can exchange a small portion at the airport to last you a day or two, and exchange more in Zihua at the bank. The exchange rate is a little better in Zihuatanejo.
Local stores and restaurants in Barra de Potosí rarely accept dollars, no one in Barra de Potosi accepts credit cards for food or services, it’s a rural cash based community.
How to get here
https://haciendalarusa.com/directions/
What to do in Hacienda la Rusa:
sleep. eat. relax.
swim in two gorgeous beautifully finished swimming pools, one is a large lounge pool and the other one is full size lap pool. Both pools were featured at Real Living and Belle magazine.
find a shady private spot in the garden and read, we have a large library .
play table board games.
meditate. do yoga.
have a massage - Veronica, a local licensed massage therapist offers massage sessions /deep tissue, reflexology, relaxing, sports etc/. You can have a massage session either in your room or in the garden.
go to one of the beach restaurants, order a beer or a Margarita and watch the waves, dolphins and whales.
go swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking or exploring!
What to do in Barra de Potosi?
swim, walk, relax, enjoy 10 mile long beach with water of ~ 29°C /85° F!
Some activities are available only during high season; prices also vary by. We will help you book any tour.
Surf classes and trips – we can organize your surf beginner classes or advance day surf trips with a famous Chiminique, the surf master, one of the top 3 in Mexico, who is now a resident of this village. Prices vary, inquire at his shop, Chiminique speaks fluent English.
Boogie boards rides – grab a boogie board we keep for our guests and go catch a wave at the month of the lagoon.
Paddle boards rentals – inquire at Chiminique surf shop.
Snorkels rentals – we have a couple of snorkel sets, free for our guests to use, go to the beach, look for the rocks along the estuary to snorkel.
Kayak rentals – 100-200 pesos per person per hour , depends on which lagoon you are planning to explore and available at Orlando rentals by the main lagoon, Laguna de Potosi. You can go kayaking by yourself or join us, we go kayaking regularly and will show you some gorgeous places.
When we have time, we love taking our guests on an early “see the sunrise and birds watching kayak” tour, we normally leave at 6-7 am and come back at 8-9 am.
Minimum time you will spend kayaking is 1 hour, 2 hours is average, if you are a pro, you can spend hours exploring.
Bikes – bikes are available for Hacienda la Rusa guests, go for a bike ride along the beach towards the airport, round trip is about an hour and a half or explore rustic trails in the backcountry.
Lagoon boat tour – 500 pesos per person with english speaking guide.
Deep sea fishing – 2500-3500 pesos for about 3 -5 hours fishing trip, 3 persons max.
Please, refuse to fish with captains not willing to catch and release endangered species like Sailfish or Marlin.
Snorkeling Los Morros and Playa Manzanilla – 2000-3000 pesos, 4 persons in the boat
Huamilule sacred hill hiking tour to “See the Sunrise” – hike to the top of a sacred hill, see the sun rise touching three bodies of water, the lagoon, bay and the ocean. 2h.
Horseback-riding along the beach and around the lagoon – approx 300 pesos h/p
Hike to Tortuga beach – no guide needed
Snorkel on Isla Ixtapa – take a day trip to Ixtapa island
Visit Turtles Hatch and Release camp
Visit Mesoamerican ruins of Xiuacan, La Chole at Soliedad De Maciel. Finish the day visiting Petatlan, local market, gold sales booth, goat tacos, church. 3-5 hours.
Taxi 600-700 pesos and 200 pesos for the guide at the museum.
prices can change without a notice, please, consult our staff to check on the price prior to booking.
Visit Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa for more activities: golf, diving, yacht charters, dolphinarium, shopping, fancy restaurants, discos, bars and night life.
Visit Patzcuaro – if you are staying longer than 1 week, consider taking a bus and spending a couple of nights in Patzcuaro, a magical colonial town in Michiocan.
if you are an animal lover and would like to volunteer at our animal shelter, we always need help walking or feeding pups as well as many other rewarding and useful activities.
There are a number of places to eat outside of Hacienda la Rusa in Barra de Potosi either on the beach or in the village:
Beach and lagoon front is lined up with a dozen of small restaurants called enramadas.
They are open at 8 am for breakfast until sunset. If you want a dinner on the beach, go early like at 5 pm. They serve fresh seafood and regional Mexican dishes.
Prices are around 100-150 pesos per meal.
My favorite places are La Condessa , Nayito and Teresita, but all other enramadas are equally great.
Dishes you will have to try at the beach front restaurants:
Huachinango a la Veracruzana - Veracruz-Style Red Snapper
Sopas de pulpo - Fried corn tortilla with octopus
Guerrero style ceviche
camarones al mojo de ajo – shrimp in garlic souce
camarones al coco – coconut shrimp
camarones con tocino – shrimp wraped in bacon
La Condessa barman makes excellent Margaritas and Teresita barman makes pina coladas to die for. 60 or 70 pesos per glass.
Village Diners – Cocina Economica or C.E.
all diners located in the village are cheaper than beachfront
One place, right around the corner from Hacienda la Rusa, diner Eri belongs to a lovely couple, Javier and Erenderi. They are open from 9 am till 6 pm. Eri cooks mostly eggs, chicken, veggies, sometimes fish, rarely shrimp. She makes delicious chille rellenos on Saturdays. I love her eggs a la mexicana, oxaxaca cheese quesadillas and whole grilled fish.
At night after 7 pm a few more local cocinas economicas (diners) open for late dinners. The meals are around 30-50 pesos per plate. No drinks, just beers.
You can bring your own wine or cocktail.
Donna Emi’s place is famous all around Guerrero for her super delicious “tacos de barbacoa” and “tacos de Puerco” and of course “enchiladas rojas o verdes”. Verdes are a bit spicier.
Chayo is a place to get quesadillas. Don’t expect your regular Mexican quesadilla, if you eat meat ask for her “quesadilla especial”. If you are vegetarian ask for “quesadilla especial sin carne y sin pollo” (without meat and without chicken)
new places open and close every year, walk around the village after 7 pm and look for houses that have tables and chairs set up right in front, it probably a new cenaduria open !
Dear guests, whatever you might need, just say a word - our staff will book your massage, schedule your diving or snorkeling tour; We are here to make your vacation worry-free, peaceful and memorable!
Stasya and Mike
The 7 days best of Barra de Potosi, Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa
Day 1
The majority of flights arrive at Zihuatanejo airport in the late afternoon, that doesn’t leave much time for sightseeing today.
Have your welcome drink, change into some casual beach attire and head down to the beach to dig your toes into the sand and order a tropical drink and some fresh guacamole, watch people and waves and decompress until you catch your first brilliant Barra sunset. Take a dozen pictures to impress your friends!
Day 2
Sleep in today and then who can resist the beach on your first full day? Head out and start lagoon and beach exploring. Take a long walk or jog along the beach, 1 mile or 10 miles, get your blood moving.
In the afternoon, around 4 pm, take a lagoon boat tour with a guide to see the pink spoonbills and crocodiles and explore the mangroves.
Schedule your massage for tonight ?! You might need it, you want to be fresh and ready for your adventures!
Day 3
Go deep sea fishing and snorkeling at Playa la Manzanilla! After morning of hard work reeling in, come back to have our cook prepare your catch for dinner while you relax in the pool.
In the afternoon, take a salsa cooking class or Spanish class?!
If baby turtles are hatching today, you could go see the newborn turtles head to the ocean, you might be lucky to see them hatch and crawl their way towards their home – Pacific Ocean!
Finish the day dancing some hot salsa at the Zumba class!
Day 4
Take a kayak to see the sunrise, cross the lagoon, walk thru the jungle and mangroves towards the secret secluded and the most beautiful beach – playa Tortuga! Turtle come to lay their eggs here at night!
Come back in time for breakfast and then grab a taxi and head to see the ruins!
Mesoamerican ruins are located 20 mins from Barra;
Archaeologists working on the project say it was a sort of multi-cultural ceremonial center, having been used for the worship of different gods by pre-Columbian tribes such as the Cuitlatecas, Tarascans, Mixtecas, Aztecs, Zapotecas, Totonacas and as far back as the Toltecs and Olmecs. They even found evidence that Mayans once gathered here, far from their lands in the east. Xihuacan is believed to stretch out over an area of eight square miles, of which only a small section has been excavated since work began on the site a few years ago. Among major structures restored so far is a square 45-foot-high pyramid about the length of a football field on each side. Another eye-popper is a 180-foot-long ball court, believed to be the second largest in Mexico after the Mayan court at Chichen Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula.
English speaking guides are available at the museum entrance for 200 pesos.
Dont worry about your taxi, he will wait for you and after your pyramids tour, your taxi driver will take you to the colonial town of Petatlan, where you can walk around the main plaza, market, see the half ruined/restored church, shop for silver jewelry and have tacos de barbacoa.
Come back home in time for a beach and sunset!
Day 5
Highlights of Zihua and Ixtapa! Rent a taxi for the whole day, give or take 80-100 dollars, (or may be, get a rental car in the airport). Go first to Ixtapa island to snorkel, snack, have a Margarita or two, then drive around Ixtapa and head to Zihuatanejo.
Walk the Malecon, have lunch at our favorite Joe's cafe marina, walk downtown Zihuatanejo and come back home to the candle lit magical fairytale of Hacienda La Rusa to soak in a pool, surrounded by dozens of candles with a soft piano music playing in the background!
Day 6
Get ready for adventure of a life time - hike the sacred Guamiliule hill, see the sunrise over the jungle, bay, lagoons and the Pacific ocean, take a pic to send to National Geographic.
After your hiking tour, there is still full day to enjoy the beach - grab a boogie board and go catch baby waves at the mouth where the lagoon meets the ocean, if you'd like to learn surfing, we will have an instructor waiting for you with the surf boards!
A little pampering will definitely help – special relaxing oils and aromatherapy along with the healing Varonica’s touch will take all the aches away.
Day 7
beach, pool, pack... and the worst part is to say good bye, but we prefer to say Hasta La Vista – Till we meet again!
Every guest who comes to Hacienda la Rusa is a stranger, every guests, who leaves Hacienda la Rusa, is a friend. We hope our friends have wonderful time!
You will be fortunate to see something not many of Norte-Americanos have ever had; You will get to see true Mexico: smiling, happy, safe and wonderful. You will meet Mexican people; see authentic Mexican village, the jungle and the beach, the birds, crocodiles and iguanas! You will have the experience of a life time!
And we are thrilled to share this with you!
Stasya and Mike
Dear friends , Hacienda La Rusa is a happy place, a loving home for animals and a heaven for amazing Earth-loving people like you! Our registered Charity foundation , spay and neuter project, rescue and education is supported by us as well as the kindness of your donations.
visit our website :
like and follow us on facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/amigosdeanimalesmx
Thanks for helping us by staying with us!
Thanks for supporting us !
Ways you can help:
Participate - we are always need volunteers - your energy, skills and talents. Fundraising, Education, Sterilization... whoever you are a vet or a kind animal loving soul, ready to spend a meaningful vacation , we need you!
Become a transport volunteer! Our rescues often have families waiting for them in Canada and US, and you could be the one uniting them. No stress and no money involved, we do all the work.
Donate - donate as much as you can afford, every dollar counts!
Bring supplies !
Adopt - may be you are ready for a new pet or you know of someone reliable and responsible who does !
Spread the word - let your friends know!
Thank you ! ❤️❤️❤️
Stasya and Mike and all furry babies