NATURAL WORLD
Chacala sits at the edge of a bay and near the base
of a weathered volcano. With a mile of uncrowded beach and mild
surf, good snorkeling is accessible without a boat. Amateur geologists
may be interested in viewing Las Cuevas, an isolated beach cove
where alternating layers of igneous and sedimentary rocks are exposed
in cliffs along the ocean's edge. Birders can find a myriad of species
along the ocean and in the jungle to the south of town and along
a trail leading to the old volcano.
CULTURAL WORLD
In the summer Chacala is a fishing village during
the week, a beach get away for Mexican visitors on weekends. During
the winter months it is a winter get away destination for foreigners
escaping the cold of the northern latitudes. Unlike nearby beach
communities such as Sayulita, Chacala is still dominated by locals
rather than tourists or foreign home owners and most visitors speak
Spanish rather than English.
NEARBY
Two-hours east by car is Laguna de Santa Maria del
Oro, a lake confined to an extinct volcano. The lake, at 727 meters
(2,387 feet) inside the 1,164 meters (3,819 feet) volcano rim is
accessible for swimming along the road that winds its way down the
inside of the crater. Several restaurants line the lake's edge and
British ex-pat Chris
French operates Koala Bungalows, RV Park, and campground on
the lake.
Rows of agave surround Tepetiltic, a town nestled within the crater
of the 2,020 meters (6,627 feet) Vocán Tepetiltic, a stratovolcano
that last erupted in the Halocene Period. Within sight to the north
looms the 2,353 meters (7,719 feet) Volcán Sanganguey, that
last erupted in 1742. South, toward Ixtlan del Rio, stands the 2,290
meters (7,513 feet) Vocán Ceboruco that last erupted in 1999.
Closer to Chacala, about a 20 minute drive south on Mexico Highway
200, are pre-Hispanic Tecoxquine petroglyphs at the base of the
mountain below the town of Alta Vista. They are difficult to find,
so inquire about a guide to take you there.
Also south on Mexico 200 is the town of La Peñita. Thursday
is market day where visitors can find everything from shoes to fresh
fruit. Huichol Indians sell their colorful yarn and beaded artwork
along the zocalo at the end of the market street.
When in Chacala you can rent kayaks, snorkel gear, and boogie boards
from Paul who owns Satow's Bungalows. You can negotiate a boat trip
(panga tour) with one of the boat owners to Isla Coral, Playa Cueva,
or for whale watching at the docks at the north end of town. Cundo
Moya offers organized trips to a variety of locations and his wife
Trini teaches conversational Spanish in Chacala. They live near
the primary school and library.
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