Chacala: Beach, Art and History

The wider destination of Compostela offers additional, distinct cultural themes. This can help you weigh which interests you want to shape your trip.

Getting to Chacala

Chacala is accessible via a 9-kilometer paved state road that connects to Federal Highway 200 near the town of Las Varas. This highway links Tepic with Puerto Vallarta. The route provides clear guidance for your journey. Road conditions can change, so check them shortly before you travel.

Beaches and sea conditions

Depending on sea conditions, Chacala’s beaches are considered surf spots. If surfing is important to your trip, keep this caveat in mind when planning and check conditions shortly before you travel. Chacala Beach holds the “Certificado de Playa Limpia” certification. As certifications may be subject to renewal cycles, check before your trip if needed to confirm whether the certification is currently in effect.

Art, workshops and archaeology

Chacala has the Gráfica Chacala printmaking workshop and a ceramics workshop that offers classes. An art gallery hosts changing exhibitions, and the town is also home to the Manuel Ramos photo archive. If you would like to include these topics in your travel plans, check with the workshops to see whether visits are possible and when classes take place. You can ask the gallery about its current exhibition program.

The AltaVista archaeological zone, with petroglyphs associated with the Tecoxquin and dating to around 300 BC, is located near Chacala. In the wider destination of Compostela, the rock art is described as offering insights into the life and beliefs of the Tecoxquin, including connections to health, fertility, weather and cultivation. These themes provide a cultural context for the approximate dating. Check access arrangements before visiting.

Activities in Chacala

A tourism overview from June 2024 listed boat trips, banana boat rides, whale watching and diving as activities in Chacala. As this reflects the offerings at that time, check before your trip which activities are currently available and whether the dates suit your stay. Options vary by activity, from boat trips and banana boat rides to wildlife watching and diving. You can first choose what you would like to focus on, then check the current schedule.

Culture and food in the wider destination of Compostela

Compostela also offers its own cultural points of interest. The Rutas Mágicas de Color comprise nine murals on the streets of Compostela depicting local culture, history and traditions. In the municipal seat stands the parish church of Santiago Apóstol, which dates back to the colonial period. Visitors to Compostela can also learn about the traditional leatherworking process.

The Ruta Tabaco y Café in Compostela includes a guided tour of coffee plantations and a coffee tasting, a guided walk through the historic center, and a hands-on cigar-making workshop. The route is an experience centered on coffee and tobacco. Ask in advance about current departure times and workshop availability. The Mercado Municipal in Compostela offers pescado zarandeado, ceviche, shrimp broth and pollo al Ixtlán, among other dishes; check current market hours before visiting.

For the wider travel overview: Compostela.