Expat Living

Barra de Navidad is ready for a new season. Restaurants are opening each day with their delicious fare, and the streets and local hangouts are filling up – especially at sunset.

Keeping up

• Galeria Amiga presents artist Julian Portilla from Ecuador through April 5.  Next exhibit – de Manos Mexicanos – runs April 11 to May 30 and features artists from Colima, Melaque and Barra de Navidad.

A reason to party

Every day there is a reason to celebrate being alive and the Costalegre is here to help!

Carnival celebrations started off with amazing dancing, music, and food and continued with fabulous fireworks, parades, and more good food.  Every evening you could venture to the jardin in Melaque or Barra and find people enjoying the party.  This year, the buildup to St. Patrick’s Day overlaps Carnival and there is a noticeable increase in people and energy.  In the jardin at night and down the side streets there is a mix of local families, tourists and extranjeros, all enjoying the live entertainment, the local food and the carnival.

Catching up

I love being a part of this community that loves life and gives back! We have had so many wonderful events and concerts in our area over the last month.

What’s going on

Galeria Amiga presents Many Hands – No Hands from February 11 to March 8.  This show embraces the concept of artists – in this case multiple artists – becoming one with their work. Contact Jeanne McGee at 360-647-8137 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sunshine & coffee

Alison Grootveld grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and attended university in Portland, Oregon where she completed her bachelor’s degree with a focus in interior design.