It is up to the community, not the tourists

As Laura points out, it is up to the community of La Barra to decide how to respond to development pressures. And that is my only point, that the future of La Barra should be shaped to the largest extent possible by the current residents, all of whom should have the freedom to make their own decisions. The ecological issues may help anti-development efforts as may the current slow-down in tourism. Let's hope so. La Barra is a special place and we enjoy our visits there, but should the residents decide to take the money and run we will understand completely as our desire to spend a day or two a year there does not trump their right to try and make a better life- as they define it- for themselves. If expressing that thought makes me a troll, so be it.