Playa Chacala
1/24/2009 – 1/31/2009
Although the rumor among some campers and rv’ers along the Nayarit coast is that Chacala is “closed” we are happy to report that is not true. There had evidently been a rather large rv park in town which, in previous years, brought many vacationers and snowbirds to this quiet beach community. It is true that this park is no longer in operation. It has apparently been sold for some sort of development – the rumors about town range from condos to casitas. The absence of this trailer park has really reduced the amount of traffic in this already small town. However, tent camping is still available on the south end of the beach. A woman named Esperanza has numerous palapas on the beach which are available for seventy pesos per day. We settled in for the week, dusting off much of our camping gear that had been lying dormant in the van since our northern excursions.
The beach camping is really ideal, with crashing waves just meters from your palapa, it’s hard to go wrong. The campground has outdoor restroom facilities with bucket flush toilets (bring your own paper) and primitive showers with not-so-hot water. However, as long as you shower in the day time, the sun takes care of the warmth and any shower with an ocean view is fine with me.
The Restrooms
Esperanza will even do your laundry on site for an extremely reasonable negotiated fee – a true one stop shop. Parking while camping is just a short walk down a dirt road in the coconut palms.
Not all the trees are palms
The beach at Chacala is within a protected cove and is framed by rocky mountainsides with lush tropical vegetation extending to the crescent shoreline. The setting is exquisite. Water temperature is ideal for swimming although the waves can be a little rough from time to time. I put our new boogie board to the test, or I should say the waves put me to the test but, save for some serious sand in the bathing suit, it all worked out fairly well.
Downtown is just a short walk down the beach where palapa style restaurants are abundant. Although small, the town provides ample services including a library with internet service and a book exchange, a coffee shop, pizza place and numerous local restaurants and tiendas with basic groceries. Our preference for dining was the taco stand outside Jorge’s depository serving, carne asada, chorizo, and lengua tacos (a delicious first for us) accompanied by extremely hot grilled chiles. Fortunately cold beer is available in the aforementioned depository.
The Garbage Man
Another alternative for dining is to simply wait in your palapa for the beach vendors to come to you. Everything from shrimp on a stick, ice cream, and homemade empanadas to hammocks and hats will eventually pass by, but no beverages. There are also coconuts from the surrounding palm trees readily available and delicious – a machete or ax is handy. The vendors and locals here are extremely friendly and after a few days you begin to know most folks you encounter. We found evenings most pleasantly spent beside our small driftwood campfires which effectively keep away the bugs during the dusk hours.
There are trails extending into the hill sides on the north and south end of the beach into the jungle and evidently leading to even more secluded beaches, we however were so content we didn’t wander too far from the beach. With views like these from the hammock, it’s a wonder we ever left.
Although the rumor among some campers and rv’ers along the Nayarit coast is that Chacala is “closed” we are happy to report that is not true. There had evidently been a rather large rv park in town which, in previous years, brought many vacationers and snowbirds to this quiet beach community. It is true that this park is no longer in operation. It has apparently been sold for some sort of development – the rumors about town range from condos to casitas. The absence of this trailer park has really reduced the amount of traffic in this already small town. However, tent camping is still available on the south end of the beach. A woman named Esperanza has numerous palapas on the beach which are available for seventy pesos per day. We settled in for the week, dusting off much of our camping gear that had been lying dormant in the van since our northern excursions.
The beach camping is really ideal, with crashing waves just meters from your palapa, it’s hard to go wrong. The campground has outdoor restroom facilities with bucket flush toilets (bring your own paper) and primitive showers with not-so-hot water. However, as long as you shower in the day time, the sun takes care of the warmth and any shower with an ocean view is fine with me.
The Restrooms
Esperanza will even do your laundry on site for an extremely reasonable negotiated fee – a true one stop shop. Parking while camping is just a short walk down a dirt road in the coconut palms.
Not all the trees are palms
The beach at Chacala is within a protected cove and is framed by rocky mountainsides with lush tropical vegetation extending to the crescent shoreline. The setting is exquisite. Water temperature is ideal for swimming although the waves can be a little rough from time to time. I put our new boogie board to the test, or I should say the waves put me to the test but, save for some serious sand in the bathing suit, it all worked out fairly well.
Downtown is just a short walk down the beach where palapa style restaurants are abundant. Although small, the town provides ample services including a library with internet service and a book exchange, a coffee shop, pizza place and numerous local restaurants and tiendas with basic groceries. Our preference for dining was the taco stand outside Jorge’s depository serving, carne asada, chorizo, and lengua tacos (a delicious first for us) accompanied by extremely hot grilled chiles. Fortunately cold beer is available in the aforementioned depository.
The Garbage Man
Another alternative for dining is to simply wait in your palapa for the beach vendors to come to you. Everything from shrimp on a stick, ice cream, and homemade empanadas to hammocks and hats will eventually pass by, but no beverages. There are also coconuts from the surrounding palm trees readily available and delicious – a machete or ax is handy. The vendors and locals here are extremely friendly and after a few days you begin to know most folks you encounter. We found evenings most pleasantly spent beside our small driftwood campfires which effectively keep away the bugs during the dusk hours.
There are trails extending into the hill sides on the north and south end of the beach into the jungle and evidently leading to even more secluded beaches, we however were so content we didn’t wander too far from the beach. With views like these from the hammock, it’s a wonder we ever left.
I wish I was there, What a great trip. I am in Fla.now, but you are in almost paradise...I think of you guys every day....in my next life time...keep up the blogs....keeps me motivated...pah
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