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Voykit pocket guide · Mexico
Chacala
Spend 2 days in Chacala: one day for beach, surf‑boat trips and town walk; second day for a nearby archaeological site or a day‑trip to Compostela.
Chacala is a small beach village on the Riviera Nayarita with a half‑mile crescent of sand, a few restaurants, modest lodging and easy access to surf spots and the Altavista petroglyph site. Because the town is tiny, two days cover the main activities without feeling rushed.
- Country
- Mexico
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, cooler evenings)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (heavy afternoon thunderstorms)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MXN
- Money
- Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $). Cards work in hotels, chains and many restaurants; markets, street food, small shops and colectivos are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget $30–45 excl. bed · Mid $45–80 excl. bed · High $80+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities. SIMs sell at OXXO shops and phone stores; registration with an ID may be requested — check.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Tourist assistance 078
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 127 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; many older sockets have no earth pin.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.; Bars: MXN 10–20 per drink or 10%.; Petrol station attendants: MXN 10–20; more for windscreen and tyres.; Guides and drivers: 10% or MXN 200–400 a day.; Supermarket baggers (often older volunteers): MXN 5–10.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at beachfront café | $2–4 |
| Seafood taco | $3–6 |
| Beer (bottle) | $2–3 |
| Taxi within town (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within town (3.1 mi (5 km)) | $8–12 |
| Surf‑boat trip | $10–35 per person |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PVR · Puerto Vallarta International Airport (Gustavo Díaz Ordaz)
- About 100 km (62 mi) south; taxi to Chacala about US$90, 90 min (check). Most major rental agencies are represented at the airport.About 62 mi (100 km) south; taxi to Chacala about US$90, 90 min (check). Most major rental agencies are represented at the airport.
- GDL · Guadalajara International Airport
- About 250 km (155 mi) east; drive via toll highway MEX-15D, then free MEX-15, about 2 h (check).About 155 mi (250 km) east; drive via toll highway MEX-15D, then free MEX-15, about 2 h (check).
Typical fares
- Taxi Puerto Vallarta → Chacala (90 min)
- about $1,800 MXN, check
- Bus Guadalajara → Las Varas → Chacala
- ≈ M$300, 2 h, check
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk the town centre; hire a pangá (small boat) for surf spots (≈15 min). Taxis are scarce; arrange rides through hotels or rentals.
See and do
Known for
- beach and jungle setting
- surf‑boat trips to La Caleta
- Altavista Ceremonial Complex petroglyphs
- seafood restaurants
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Altavista Ceremonial Complex | Taxi or rental car from town, 15 min drive | ≈30 min total |
| Compostela (Nayarit) | Drive north on MEX‑15, 30 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Majahua
- Beachfront suites, $110–300 per night, breakfast included.
- Mar de Jade
- Beachfront units, $110–135 per person, family‑friendly.
- Casa Chacala
- Air‑conditioned doubles from $50.
- Techos de Mexico
- $22.5–60 nightly, kitchenettes, 5 min walk to beach.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑kul‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑see‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwan‑to kwes‑ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?don‑de es‑ta el ba-nyo |
| Can I pay with a card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?pwe‑do pa‑gar con tar‑he‑ta |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; a kiss on the right cheek among friends; avoid: Skipping 'buenos días' when entering a shop
- Punctuality: Be on time for tours and buses; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Talking: Warm small talk, family, food, football; avoid: Jokes about cartels, the wall or migration
- Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Photos during mass
- Dining: Say 'provecho' to other diners when leaving; avoid: Rushing the waiter
Scams and watch-outs
- Road to Chacala includes a toll segment (MEX‑15D) then a free highway; check road conditions after rain.
- Surf spots have volcanic rocks and sea‑urchins – wear foot protection.
- Accommodation paths can be uneven; not ideal for mobility‑impaired travelers.
Generally safe; watch for strong currents at surf spots and uneven paths at some lodgings.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Chacala yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- beach and jungle setting
- surf‑boat trips to La Caleta
- Altavista Ceremonial Complex petroglyphs
- seafood restaurants
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Chacala, revision 4834246 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4834246
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/chacala). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.