Chacala

Chacala is a village in the Nayarit Region of Mexico. Chacala is built around the beach, a handsome half-mile crescent of jungle-adjacent sand. Chacala is known for its physical beauty, unhurried lifestyle.

Understand
At the southern end of the beach, gentle surf murmurs over black volcanic rocks. In the middle of the crescent, a half-dozen palm-shaded restaurants serve fresh fish and shrimp (and keep a machete on hand for those new-fallen coconuts). To the north, two dozen battered fishing boats are tied to a modest dock.

The name means "where there are shrimp" in Náhuatl, and is part of the coastline known as the Riviera Nayarita. The population consists of approximately 300 full-time residents, but can swell to over 1000 during Mexico's most popular vacation periods such as Semana Santa, (Easter Week) and Christmas.

Climate
Chacala's climate is tropical, hot and humid, characterized by high rainfall – the fifth highest in the country, averaging 1000-1500 mm (40-60 in) per annum. The rains are concentrated in periods of brief intense thunderstorms, often occurring in the afternoons, most during the summer wet season between May and October, although a lesser but significant winter wet season exists as well. The wet seasons are separated by spring and fall dry seasons.

Get in
Chacala lies on Mexico's Pacific Coast, about 100 km north of Puerto Vallarta and six miles off Highway 200. From the Puerto Vallarta airport, visitors can rent a car (most major agencies are represented) or take a taxi, which costs about US$90 for the 90-minute ride.

From Guadalajara, it is 250 km to Chacala via a new toll highway (MEX-15D) for most of the trip. At Los Grande, the highway will split and you need to stay on federal highway MEX-15, which is an older but free highway that will take you all the way to Chacala (via Compostela). The trip will take about 2 hours.

By bus
From Guadalajara, Estrella Blanca has two buses per day departing from the Central de Autobuses Zapopan to Las Varas (a 10-minute taxi ride to Chacala). The 2-hour trip will cost about M$300.

Surfing
Chacala is not regarded as a "surfer beach" because the beaches close to town are fairly mild without consistent waves or natural breaks that would challenge an avid surfer. The best surf spots are accessible by boat and pangas at the waterfront can be hired to take you to the remote jungle beaches where the surfers hang out.


 * La Caleta is the best surfing spot in Chacala and is widely regarded as one of the best and most popular in the state of Nayarit. The beach offers a deep water peak and exceptional walls and is very well suited to longboard riders. Wear foot protection because the sharp volcanic rock bottom is covered with urchins. La Caleta is about a 15-minute boat ride from the Chacala waterfront.

Go next

 * Puerto Vallarta
 * Compostela
 * Ixtlán del Rio