Rental info

You can contact Karla Lawler at rentals@casapacificalchacala.com for information about future rentals.
www.casapacificachacala.com

Updates on Andee's passing.

As some you you may have hear Andee who ran this blog passed early monday morning. For those that interested I will be posting at mylifeinchacala.blogspot.com . I am her son Erik.

In a few days I will be posting contact information for someone else to contact about rentals in Chacala.

Thank you

Daily Update for Chacala Rentals

12/30/07 Aurora and Concha both have some openings for various units with and without kitchens for several weeks during January and February. Affordable, nice, clean, wonderful family and a block+ to the beach.contact Andee at alatawah@gmail.com for further info for Aurora's and Concha's. Or if you speak Spanish you can call Aurora at 011 52 327 219 4027 and make your reservation directly with her.

12/30/07 Casa de Antonia has a nice new kitchen addition to the downstairs unit., $45us a night. The upstairs unit, no kitchen, in $350mx. Near the school yard, one year old, clean and nice. alatawah@gmail.com

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12/30/07 Angeles's new unit with bedroom/bath and attached kitchen is open for early January, and late February, but not for long. $350us a month/$350mx a night.

Chacala Rentals

This list of Chacala rentals includes almost all the rentals in Chacala.

For other websites about Chacala rentals go to:
Techos de Mexico www.techosdemexico.com
Majahua www.majahua.com
Casa Chacala www.casachacala.com
Casa Monarca www.casamonarca.com
Villa Celeste www.villacelestechacala.com
Mar de Jade www.mardejade.com
Casa Tortuga www.casatortugachacala.com
Paraiso Escondido www.paraisoescondidochacala.com

Casa de Aurora, Techos de MexicoDescription: Aurora and her family have lived in Chacala for generations. She has four rental units, two upstairs and two downstairs. Two of the kitchen units have basic kitchens on their patios. One unit, available April-mid November, has a indoor full kitchen and separate covered patio and a bedroom/bath. Units are very nice, with screens, tiled floors and bathrooms, and ceiling fans. two double beds in each unit. A block and a half, downhill to the beach.

The units are surrounded by flowering plants and trees. Shady and comfortable. Both upstairs units have excellent views. She is a lovely hostess with a nice family, and has many returning guests. She is very helpful and includes guests in family activites on occasion.Rates: High season nightly rates: $300pesos ($2US) to $500 pesos ($45US)
Additional photos: Casa de Aurora, http://casadeauroraybeto.blogspot.coom
Level of quietness: Good, no chickens or dogs, back from the road.Contact information: 011 52 327 219 4027 (Spanish only); rentals@casapacficachacala.com
or email: alatawah@gmail.comDriving directions/Location: After turning off Highway 200 just before the Dona Maria Motel, 1 mile south of Las Varas, stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Aurora's is the third place the right, with a sign. The buildings are orange and set back from the road.

Mirador - Inez (Chata) y Isreal's units View from new downstairs kitchen

Description: Isreal and his family have lived in Chacala for generations. Mirador is a six unit building, two stories high, three units to a floor, each entered from the outside. The site overlooks the ocean, and is about a block from the beach via a stone staircase and a short walk to both swimming beaches. Two minutes.Mirador is set back from the road, with a small parking area. It is quieter than almost all the locations in Chacala. The units are surrounded by flowering plants and trees. Shady and comfortable. There is a large guest palapa with hammocks, chairs, and tables.

Both units on the ocean end of the building have kitchen. The upstairs kitchens is set on a open patio overlooking the water. The downstairs ocean end unit has a kitchen/dining area with large view windows and screens. These units have baths and two double beds. The other four units are small, with one or two double beds and private baths. Screens and fans. One of these units has a small kitchen. The family that owns Mirador is very friendly, and some of the members speak some English. The units and clean and the grounds are tidy and well-kept.

For additional photos of Mirador, go to Mirador (http://www.miradorchacala.blogspot.com/)

The photos below are of the kitchen with terrace, two double bed upstairs unit overlooking the ocean This is a small room, private bath with a double bed.Photos below are of the new downstairs unit with kitchen and a view.This is an out-of-date photo of the downstairs ocean-side unit.
Large view windows with screens are now installed.

Rates: High season nightly rates: $250 pesos ($22US) to $600 pesos ($505

gspot.com
Contact information: Owner: 011 52 327 219 4073 (Spanish only)
or Email alatawah@gmail.com
Quietness level: good, only the sound of the ocean.
Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Continue on the paved road until it ends are a large wooden gate. Turn left and continue on this dirt road about six blocks, to where the road ends, at Mirador. If you are asking for directions, ask for Isreal's.

Casa de Concha, Techos de MexicoDescription: Concha has three rental units, one upstairs and two downstairs. The upstairs unit has an indoor kitchen and a covered patio. Very nice and light. Excellent view from on the patio. The main floor units have a shared patio right of the street.
Concha's main floor units are entered via a central hallway. The upstairs unit has a covered view patio, bedroom with two double beds, a small kitchen, and bath. Very nice. One main floor unit has an unusual bath-kitchen arrangement that seems to work, with two double beds. There are a couple of rooms with one or two double beds and a shared bath down the hall. Units are very nice, with screened windows, tile floors and bathrooms, and fans. A block, downhill, to the beach. A somewhat noisy location, but Concha has many loyal returning guests who don't seem to mind. Concha and her family provide a clean and welcoming enviroment. With some garden areas and lots of flowers.Quietness level: right on the main road
Rates: High season nightly rates: $250pesos ($22.50US) to $55 pesos ($50.00US)
Contact information: Spanish (and some English): 011 52 327 219 4019;
Email: guanahani_234@hotmail.com or alatawah@gmail.com or trinimoya2@hotmail.comDriving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala.Turn left at the first cobbled road. Concha's is on the right, at the corner. next to her open parking area.

Casa Maria Cleofas

Very private 3 bedroom, 2 bath house with large kitchen, beautiful handcrafted tile and gorgeous ocean views. In the heart of Chacala, the casa is steps away from the small beach and boat dock and 2.5 blocks from the main beach. The entire house rents for 100 dollars per day including maid service. Sleeps 6 comfortably. Contact Kate & Luis at chacala4us@yahoo.com for more information and availability.

Casa de Gracia, Techos de MexicoDescription: Gracia has lived in Chacala for many years. She has one upstairs unit, with a large bedroom, bath, kitchen on the covered patio. The floors and bath are tiled, large windows, two double beds, fan. Very light and nicer room. Very nice family, very helpful and pleasant. Clean room, well cared for. Rates: $35US a night, 10% discount may be available for stays of a month or more. Off-season longer stays are negotiable.
Quieteness level: Average: across the road from the church and on the road the fisherman travel on morning and night.
Contact information: Spanish speaking only: 011 52 327 219 4021 or
www.techosdemexico.com
Email: rentals@casapacificachacala.com (English and Spanish)
Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Continue on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left and continue on this dirt road about six blocks. On the left across from the church. Salmon colored with a ramada in front and some gardens.

Majahua
Majahua is a very special small hotel with a gourmet restaurant and bar overlooking the ocean, and lovely outdoor spa with waterfalls, soaking pools, and private massage spaces. Majahua's setting is lovely. It is hidden in the "jungle" about 20 feet above beach. It is a very private location with wonderful views, and very original units. Jose Enrique, the owner/designer/builder, has lived in Chacala more than 25 years. He developed the Techos de Mexico program, which has built home with rental units for 8 families in Chacala. The spa, gourmet restaurant, and bar are available for guests and other visitors, by reservation. 6 units. Contact info: website Majahua (www.majahua.com )
Email: reservations@majahua.com

Phone (from the US) 011 52 327 219 4054 (English and Spanish)View of Majahua's restaurant and receptions building

Quietness level: Wonderful: only the sounds of the ocean and the birds.Location: Leave the paved road as you head toward Chacala from Highway 200. Turn left at the green overhead "Playa Chacala" sign and follow the dirt road toward the beach. Make the first left, about a 1/2 mile down the dirt road. Drive thru the Coconut grove/beach parking area about 1/2 mile to the Majahua and Mar de Jade entrance.View from the Majahua restaurant

Berta's Estrella del Mar (Starfish) Description: This is a brand new great rental, less than a block to the ocean, great views, and in a quiet area. This is the view from Berta's downstairs. Berta, the owner, is the wonderful housekeeper/manager and a member of one of the largest families in Chacala, with four generations living here. The main rooms are large, and so are the bathrooms. The patio kitchen on the front unit has a wonderful view. And the second unit also has a very nice kitchen set-up with eating area in the large room.The view from both units is wonderful. The back unit has a very small patio. One double bed in each unit. Fans, lots of screened windows. Perfect for watching winter sunsets. Less than block from the beach, via a path.
Reservations: E-mail rentals@casapacificachacala.com
or contact alatawah@gmail.com
Location. Leave the paved road into Chacala at the green overhead sign, turning left onto the dirt road. Follow the beach road thru town and take the first left (at the Y). It's the 3rd place on the left, going up the hill.
Casa de AntoniaContact info : 011 52 327 219 5051 (Spanish only) or alatawah@gmail.comDescription: Bedroom/private bath, with shared downstairs patio. Near the school playground. Brand new.
Owner: Antonia is part of a large Chacala family. Her rental is brand new and she is adding furniture as she can afford it. Very nice and clean.
Quietness level: On a corner with quiet a bit of traffic and the school yard is across the street.
Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road until you pass the school playground. Antonia's is on the right.
Casa de Angeles RentalsDescription: Brand new, two units, with one single and a double bed in each unit. Private tiled baths. Near the church. Very nice. One unit has a kitchen on it's patio, with brand new appliances. Screened.

This is a good rental for persons wanting to immerse themselves in the local culture and to learn Spanish by daily contact with Spanish speaking locals. The units are located near a small tienda, the church, the Kinder, and many family homes.
Rates: $350US a month with kitchen, $32US a night.
Reservations: Contact Angeles at 011 52 327 219 40XX (Spanish only)
Or go to Angeles's tiendas, on the Playa or next to the Church.
or email alatawah@gmail.com for reservations.Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200 (right before the "Dona Maria" motel), south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says "Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala". Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road, passing the school playground. Angeles's is on the left in the middle of the block after the school playground. The tienda next door has rental info, etc.

Casa de Iguana (annex to Casa Chacala)Contact info: www.casachacala.com or go down the paved road to Casa Chacala and talk to Guillermo or Lupita. 011 52 327 219 4057 or 011 52 327 219 4075
Owners have been living in Chacala for more than three years. They are wonderful people and great hosts.Description: Six bedroom (one double)/bath units. One with a patio overlooking the ocean, and one with two rooms and four beds. Shared patio with ocean view, but no shade. $36US-$54US. Very clean and newly remodeled. New mattresses and furniture. Units are up a flight of stairs and the rooms open unto a large shared patio.
Quietness level: front unit, with a ocean view patio, is right on the paved road. The other units are quieter.Location: Block from the beach, downhill.
Driving directions: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Casa Iguana is the second place the right. The building are a set of stairs on the road, and it's white with light blue trim.

Mars Tres Rental
Contact info: Spanish only 011 52 327 219 4004 or email alatawah@gmail.com
Owned by a local family.Location: on the beach road, right behind Tres Mars restaurant
Description: Three nice new units across the beach road from the beach. Large shared patio with hammocks. No kitchens. Very nice with great view of the beach. Meals are available at the very nice Mars Tres restaurant, about 80 feet away. Quiet and pleasant environment with a lovely family and a nice garden.

CASA CHACALAContact info: 011 52 327 219 40 57 or 011 52 327 219 4075

Email: reservaciones@casachacala.com
Website: www.casachacala.com or click here Casa Chacala
Description
Owners: Guillermo and Lupita, have lived in Chacala for about 4 years. They built Casa Chacala with family partners, and are from Monterrey. They are a wonderful asset for Chacala. Guillermo is the town watermaster and does an incredible job.
Casa Chacala has six units, all with incredible view from rooms, each with terrace overlooking the beach and ocean. Swimming pool. Cool and shady patio with plants and hammocks. Wonderful owners.
Quietness level: on the paved road, but the solid walls on the street side of the building and the sound of the ocean help keep the sound level okay.
Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road. Casa Chacala is the second building on the left.

NUEVO ESPANAContact info: 011 52 327 272 0387 or find the owner, Mercedes, at her Pharmacia Gutierrez in Las Varas or email mercedes9522@hotmail.com or contact Trini at trinimoya2@hotmail.com. Trini speaks English well, and her phone number in Chacala is 011 52 327 219 4018

Owner lives in Las Varas, the town next to Chacala.
Description: Six units with nice kitchens, sleep six or so, pool (no fence, no safe for small children), new and very nice. Air con.

Quietness level: Okay most of the time. Can be noisy when the place is filled with large families. Quiet area of town.

Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road and drive until the road ends. Nueva Espana is on your left, white with yellow trim.

CASA MONARCA

Description: Brand new home with two one-bedroom apartments for rent on the first floor. The units open unto a covered patio and swimming pool. The third floor is a lovely open patio with a large palapa and an amazing view. Each unit has 2 queens (?) in the bedroom, a nicely decorated bath, and a eating-dining-sitting area. The benches in the sitting area can convert to sleeping spaces. Lots of nice touches: tiles, etc. This is one of the few rentals in Chacala with Wi-Fi for guests. Owners: Came to Chacala from the U.S. and plan to live in Chacala year-round .Contact info: The owners, Kate and Luis, speak English and Spanish and live on-site.
Email at chacala4us@yahoo.com or
telephone (from the U.S.) 011 52 327 219 4125
Quietness level: good. quiet area. Except for church bells ringing occasionally
Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road and drive past the playground on the left and then turn right at the Kinder (painted with cartoom figures). First place on the left.

Alternate driving instructions: Turn left off the paved road from the Las Varas highway at the green overhead sign that says "Playa Chacala". Follow this dirt road thru Chacala. As you leave the "business district" there is a "Y". Take the left street . Monarca on the the left in the third block, uphill, and right after the little cartoon-covered kindergarten.

Satow (Paul's)
Contact information: Call Paul (English and Spanish at 011 52 327 219 4111) (cell phone 311 132 1602) for information. He speaks English and his wife speaks Spanish.
Or contact rentals@casapacificachacala.com, to make a reservation thru an agent, who charges. 15% to the owner, so the first choice would be to call directly.
Really, really nice place.
For more photos of Satow, click on Satow (http://satow.blogspot.com)
Owner is from the US and lives in Chacala year-round with his wife, who is from Las Varas
Description: Two brand new 2-bedroom apartments. One to a floor, completely furnished, with pool, laundry, gym. VCR/TV and rental beach toys.
Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road and Los Faros is the 3rd place on the left.

Buena VistaContact info: o11 52 327 219 4051 (Spanish only)

or contact Antonia, the next-door-neighbor
Owner lives in Tepic.Description: Four rental units, three of which are two bedroom. One 1 bedroom unit. ll with kitchen, living area, and patios and good views of the ocean.(except for the one bedroom unit) Clean and modern.Quietness level: Uphill from most of Chacala, but conveniently located and no thru traffic in the area.Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road until just after the school playground. Turn right and drive one block.

Villa CelesteContact at info@villacelestechacala.com
Website: click on Villa Celeste
http://villacelestechacala.com
Owners: live in the U.S.
Rates: Check website

Description: Four new, year-old units, with kitchen, eating, and bed all in one large room. Nice baths. Shared patios, which overlook the ocean. The front downstairs unit has a wonderful view. The units are nicely decorated, with full kitchens.

The older, and refurbished (previously Casa Azul) section is on the road-end of the property. Upstairs there are two units, each with bedroom, bath, and and private patio/kitchen. No sea view. The main floor is a two bedroom unit, large living-kitchen area. Nice shared patio in back.

Villa Celeste expects to have WiFi this winter (07-08). All units have AC . Some rooms will have day beds in the sitting areas, which can be converted to beds at night. Mex cable TV with be available in some units very soon. Wireless internet will also be available soon. There are DVD players in some rooms without cable, and a large DVD library for guest use.
Quietness level: Excellent, with the sound of the ocean in the newer units. The older units are on a quiet road with some traffic and noise from other rentals.

.Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Continue on the paved road until it ends are a large wooden gate. Turn left and continue on this dirt road about six blocks, to where the road ends. Villa Celeste is bright yellow and ahead, on the left.

Los Faros/Terry'sContact info: Owner is Terry, in California 209 525 3591 or see Victor next door at 011 52 327 219 4076.

Description: Two two-bedroom units with shared patio. Nice kitchen and living rooms with cable TV (very unusual in Chacala rentals). Monthly rates available.
Quietness level: On main dirt road, with kids, dogs, chickens, and slow traffic. Back unit is very quiet when there is no construction going on next door.
Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road and Los Faros is the 4th place on the left.

White House/Elezar'sContact information: Contact owners Eleagar and Mardleine Firguero in Watsonville CA at 831-724-4205. They speak English. Or call Laura Sura (English and Spanish) at 011 52 327 219 4035
Description: Elezar's upstairs has two large bedroom/bath units and a very large shared patio and with a minimal kitchen with ocean view. Downstairs is a large, two bedroom apartment with kitchen and living room.
Owner is from Mexico and lives in the U.S.
Quietness level: Usually a quiet location except for the sound of traffic on the main road.
Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road until just before the school playground. Turn left again. White House is the second house on the right past the playground.

Casa TortugaContact info: Email Trini Moya at trinimoya2@hotmail.com or 011 52 327 219 4019 for more information.
Owner live in the US
Description: Newly remodeled. Pool. Overlooking the ocean and small harbor. The whole facility is rented as a unit, usually to groups of friends or famililes. Three rooftop private bedrooms with baths and private hot tubs. Open terrace area with kitchen. Main floor has a three room apartment with large kitchen and living room. About $400 (?) a night for the whole place (six bedrooms, 4 bathrooms) or $80 (?) a night for a room and bath on the upper terrace.
Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road and drive until the road ends. Make a downhill right and Casa Tortuga is the second place on the right

Casa de Teresita (formerly Alonzo's Rental)
Description: This is a quite small, modern, two BR, bath, and kitchen area casita with a covered porch. tiled with screened windows. View from the patio of the ocean. Palapa shed to park under. Stairs to the house. Difficult, but drivable, road to the parking area.This house has just started being a rental again. It has new screens, paint, etc . There were been problems with accessing water, gas (for cooking and hot water) and ants last winter. I will keep this entry updated, since I live nearby.
Location: Alonzo's is reached by making the first right on the paved road coming into Chacala (up a steepish dirt road), and then immediately turning left after the first two buildings. You can see the house from there. It's white with pale yellow trim. It's about two blocks to the ocean, depending on how you count. There's a small carport/palapa in front.
Rates: $400pesos a night ($36US), $7000 pesos a month, I think.
Quietness level: Good
Contact: Alonzo, who lives in the next town, Las Varas. 011 52 327 272 0693 or email rentals@casapacificachacala.com

Casa de Laura, Techos de MexicoDesscription: Two upstairs units. Nice new units, with small kitchens on their back patios. Bedroom and bath. Tiled with screened windows (?)
Mostly rented for long-term stays, two months or more
Laura grew up in Las Varas and has been a Chacala resident for a long-time.Reservations: Laura speaks Spanish and English. 011 52 327 219 4035
Casa de Beatriz Description: upstairs, basic kitchen on patio. Door to bath from the patio. Bedroom has two large windows with glass and screens, fan and two double beds. Tiled floor.
Reservations: 011 52 327 219 4005 (Spanish) or 011 52 327 219 4035(English- ask for Laura)

Quietness level: On main dirt road, with kids, dogs, chickens, and slow traffic.

Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road and Beatriz's is the 4th place on the right.

POSADA SARAHIContact info: 011 52 327 219 40 12 Spanish only
Owners live in Chacala
Noise level: right in the center of town and noisy but convenient.
Location: 1/2 block from the beach road. Leave the paved road into Chacala at the green overhead sign, turning left onto the dirt road. Follow the beach road to the first corner, on the right, a block from the beach.
Description: Nine units. Very affordable. Hot water after 5pm. Basic maid service. Patios on each floor, overlooking the ocean. Very nice owners. Almost on the beach.Casa de SocorroDescription: Socorro's and her family has lived in Chacala for about 12 years. She has is a four unit building on the main dirt road in the upper part of Chacala. No view. The two unit with kitchens are located on the second floor, and the kitchens are set on a covered patio overlooking the street. There is a kind of curtain and a staircase between the two kitchen areas. Each unit has a bedroom behind the kitchen with two double beds and a bath. Screens, fans. About six blocks to the beach. Lots of kids and dogs and kitchens running around. Nice neighborhood feeling. Socorros' is across the street from Beatriz'a and Trini's Escuela de Espanol.

These are very basic units with tile floors and baths. The kitchens have a fridge, double gas burners, sink, counter, table and chairs. And some cooking equipment.Rates: High season: $250pesos ($18US) a night. Weekly rate (based on a monthly stay) is $800 pesos ($72 US), higher for Christmas and Easter/Semana Santa.
Additional photos:
Quietness level: ??? On the main resident dirt road in Chacala. Constant slow traffic, dogs barking in the night, chickens crowing. Kids playing.
Contact information: Spanish: 011 52 327 219 40XX;
Email: alatawah@gmail.com
Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Continue on the paved road until it ends are a large wooden gate. Turn left and continue on this dirt road about six houses on the left.

CASA MARIA JOSEContact info: Leanora at Koranee Hardware in Chacala Spanish only, 011 52 327 219 4037, 011 52 327 219 4002 or rentals@casapacificachacala.com
Description: two units. The upstairs has two bedrooms and a small patio with view and the downstairs has one bedroom. Air con.
Quietness level:
On a noisy corner with quiet a bit of traffic mornings and evenings. Fisherman driving to the muelle (fishing dock)
Owner: Leonora and her son and his family run the Koranay Hardware in Chacala and live above the store.
Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road and drive until one block past the schoolyard. Turn right. One block on the left on the corner.

Description: Two units, one upstiars with two bedrooms and ktichen and small patio.
Downstairs unit is one bedroom. A block from the muelle and the ocean, about three blocks to the main swimming beach.

Casa de GuilleCasa de Guille is located at El Pelicano, a restaurant on the beach. It's brand new, two units with two double beds and private baths. Very nice and tiled. With screened glass windows. Right on the beach. Great location. I would take the upstairs unit. $400 pesos /$36US a nigh
Contact Guille in person at El Pelicano or call (Spanish only) 011 52 327 219 4058

Las Brisas

For all of the following units it might be better to see the place first, before you rent. Partly because some of the owners are difficult to contact or to make arrangements with.

White rental overlooking the ocean.-no longer being rented.

Contact info: 011 52 327 219 4015 or http://lasbrisaschacala.com/

Owner: Lives in Las Varas, a nearby town.
Location: On the beach road, on the beach.
Description: Nine rental units, upstairs over the restaurant on open walkways. Restaurant with Mexican and American food. Beach chairs, etc. Very clean and nice. Large local families tend to stay here.
Quietness level: Over a restaurant that's open breakfast thru dinner. The sound of the ocean is probably helpful.
Driving directions: Enter Chacala by turning left onto the dirt road at the overhead green sign. Follow this beach road, on the ocean side to the middle of town.

Casa SirenaContact info: Owner is Patricia Montano. Phone is (US (707 669-0596)
Email at pmontano@husd.com or dpatricia_azul@yahoo.com
Owner is from the US and lives there. She speaks English and Spanish.Description: The first floor is two very compact units, side-by-side. As you enter there is a kitchen area, then two double beds tucked into a space along the hallway to the bathroom, and then the back door. So far there is no landscaping, but the shared upstairs covered patio is very nice.Driving directions/Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road until it ends at a large wooden gate. Turn left on the dirt road until just before the school playground. Turn left again.
White House is the third house on the left past the playground.

POSADA SEASHELLContact info: 01 52 327 219 4016 (Mexico from the US)

775 901 6232 US contact number
Owner lives in Guadalajara, and has an onsite manager.
Description: Six one bedroom bath units with room for four to six. Some with air con and cable TV. People camp in the yard area. Across the street from the beach.
Location: Leave the paved road into Chacala at the green overhead sign, turning left onto the dirt road. Follow the beach road, on the right about in the middle of the beach area.
Quietness level. On the main bach road in Chacala. Noisy location

Alonzo's DuplexDescription: Two nice new bedroom-bath units. Two double beds in each unit with nice baths. Nice view seating area facing the view, the beach. A block downhill to the beach. Clean and new. Quietish.
Location. Across the street from Concha's and behind the Avalos Realty office.Contact: Alonzo, who lives in the next town, Las Varas. 011 52 327 272 0693

Casa de AugustineContact info: Spanish only, in person,or call, 011 52 327 102 1872
Owner: Low-term Chacala family.
Location: Stay on the paved road as you approach Chacala after turning off Highway 200, south of Las Varas. Do not turn left onto the dirt road where a green overhead sign says Playa Chacala/Marina Chacala. Drive on the paved road. Augustine's is the first building on the left.
Description: Augustine and his wife and family have lived in Chacala for many years. They have two upstairs units with baths. New and nice. Tiled. One double and two single beds in each room. Patios with beach view. One block to beach.

NEW RENTAL
This unit is almost completed and is located across the street from the Hardware store.

Laura Sura, who lives in Chacala, owns this small duplex. It is on the alley right below the Primaria school yard. Double bed and bath in each unit.

Another Laura Sura rental is newly remodeled, and still pretty basic. Right on the paved road, third building north of the new hotel. It now has water, electricty and a septic tank.

Tio Juan's
This unit is owned by a member of a local family, who lives out of town. It is almost completed and is located across the street from the school.

ORANGE HOUSE
This home is owned by a family from Las Varas. I misplaced their phone info, etc, but thought I would go ahead and post this photo anyway. I think this is a situation where you would need to be in Chacala and wanting a long term rental.

CASA DE PABLO ( owned by a family in Guadalajara)

Location: On a little land that runs below the primary school yard, directly south of and across the lane from the biblioteacha building.

Contact Info
Call Pablo Alvarado Flores at
01152 349 225 0386 or alatawah@gmail.com

Description: First floor home, with kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and a windowless third room that could be an office, two baths.
Air con, cable TV. Security parking, front covered patio and grassy yard.

For more photos go to Casa de Pablo Rental Photo

Chacala Camping

Camping in Chacala

Camping is different in Mexico, of course, than in organized campgrounds in the US and Canada. For one thing, it's cheaper.

For another, in Mexico the sense of social distance is very different, and people are accustomed to camping tent-to-tent, really packed in. Especially during holiday periods, you are apt to find your camping neighbors in Chacala kind of "oozing" into what you think is your area. But, really, that's the fun part, in many ways. Big families camp together, and if they think you are polite and friendly you are quickly adopted into the family. It's really fun and nice.

Another thing is if you are lucky enough to have access to a toilet on the Chacala beach (40 cents per use) you flush with a bucket of water from a tank out in the middle of the usually uni-sex toilet area. There are private booths for the toilets. Showers are warmed by the sun, so about 2-3pm is a good time to shower (90 cents a shower last year).

You make your own fire pit. And watch out for hot coals partially buried in the sand. People get burned fairly often.

Camping fees in Chacala tend to be kind of negotiable, and at different times the fee may cover different things. Like showers, toilets, electricity, trash collection, etc. You should try to clarify those issues up front, before you pay. You are expected to pay on arrival. Small bills are good.
Camping on Chacala beach at Easter

HOW TO FIND A CAMPSITE IN CHACALA

As you drive into Chacala from the big highway 200, turn left at the green overhead sign that says "Playa Chacala". Stay on this bumpy one lane dirt road until the first place you can turn left, into a kind of a palm grove. There is camping in this area, and it's obvious. You can continue thru the palm grove, curving to the south and the beach, and find other places to camp. The signs usually say "banos" and "regaderos" and "agua dulce". That is: toilets, showers, and fresh, not ocean, water. They rarely say "camping"

Occasionally there will be a man standing at the entrance to the palm grove, collecting parking money. He is collecting if you are parking in the palm grove or around around Delphins, to the north. Tell him you are going down the road, (if you are) and don't pay. If you are camping on the beach road you will be paying some family that lives along the road. Make sure you are paying the right person. There are places to camp all the way to the gate for Majahua and Mar de Jade, on the south end of the beach. Families running these camping areas pay Federal concessions for the right to manage and charge fees to camp in these areas. You can camp for free below the high time line if you are looking for a little excitement when the tides comes in. You will still have to pay for the toilets/water/trash collection. No free lunch for campers.

Two long-term Chacala residents, Don Beto and his daughter-in-law, Esparanza, have the two nicest camping grounds in Chacala, with ramadas for shade, and trash collection, toilets, showers, and access to electricity. You can't park next to your camping area at either place. But there is parking. Esparanza's is my favorite because she keeps a close eye on things, with the help of her large family.

When you see a place you might like to camp at, park your car and walk to the nearest house, and ask about camping. Make eye contact. Say "Buenas Dias" and something about how beautiful the beach is. Be friendly and curious. In Mexico, if they don't like you, they generally won't deal with you. Even in stores. The customer is NOT always right in Mexico. And rudeness is the number one complaint, right after cheapness, about gringos coming to Chacala.

In Chacala trucks come by camping areas areas every day, picking up trash, selling five gallon jugs of clean water, and bread, plastics, fruits and vegetables, seafood, ice cream, whatever. And vendors walk along selling this and that.

The camping areas are in
the upper right hand corner

How To Get To Chacala

HOW TO GET TO CHACALA FROM THE PUERTO VALLARTA AIRPORT

To see step-by-step photos of how to take a taxi or bus to Chacala, go to

Chacala Nayarit http://chacalanayarit.blogspot.com

Be sure to go to the other website (above) after reading the following post.

GETTING TO CHACALA

You have at least three of choices about how you get to Chacala from the Puerto Vallarta airport. You can either take public transportation (taxi or bus) or make prior arrangements to be picked up at the airport. Or you can rent a car. About which I know nothing.

In any case, if you are arriving after 4pm or so, I would suggest you get something to eat before you head out for Chacala. Or bring some snacks, because if you arrive in Chacala after about 6 or 7pm most restaurants are closed or closing down. The very small groceries/tiendas are open later however. During the winter months it gets dark around 5pm.

Remember that the PV time zone is one hour early than Chacala time, giving you an extra hour to get to Chacala before dark.

The Malecon (walkway) between the beach and the little harbor,
with a view of Isreal and Chata's garden below the terrace/palapa
for guests of their rental units.

PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION TO CHACALA FROM THE PV AIRPORT
There are some options for people who do not want to take the bus north to Chacala. Or don't have friends who are willing to pick them up. Or for people who just want to get to Chacala, and are not on a tight budget. Or for tired people with tons of luggage and small kids, etc etc etc. Or for people who have late flights.

There is a locally-based taxi services that will pick you up up, by reservation, at the airport, and bring you to wherever you are staying in Chacala. The fare is set ahead of time and depends on various factors (arriving or departing, other guests arriving/departing at the same time, season of the year, and if you want to stop at a market or whatever, etc). The driver stands at the area where you come out of airport customs with a sign with your name on it. The driver can show you where the bathrooms, ATM's and money changers are in the airport.

Cundo's Van Service
Cundo and his brother Juan can be reached for reservations and price quotes at trinimoya2@ hotmail.com. In order to get a price estimate, please provide airline and date and time of flight arrival, and number of passengers. Trini, Cundo's wife and famous Spanish teacher, can also be reached at 011 52 327 219 4018 (from the US).
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO CHACALA FROM THE PV AIRPORT

As of Dec 2007

As you walk out of the immigration/baggage area of the airport you will be in the main floor of the airport, which is generally full of resort reps, taxi drivers etc, most with signs. At this moment, if you need a restroom, ATM, phone, money exchange, food, or a newspaper don't walk out the doors in front of you, but walk back around behind the area you just came out of and find what you need. The three ATM s are spread out along wall of the terminal, on your left. The entire terminal in being remodeled and the selection of restauants is very limited. a Carl's and a Cuban Bar and a couple of coffee/bakery kind of places. And a Starbucks hidden near the far right end of the Departures counters. Across the street via the bridge are some shops and a Feliz Chicken outlet.

When you are ready to head to Chacala, and if haven't made prior arrangements to be picked up you have several choices.

1. You can take a taxi to Chacala. If you engage a taxi driver within the airport or right outside the door you will pay top price. If you walk out the doors right in front of you as you leave the baggage area and look to the left you will see a ramp leading to a bridge across the highway. On the other side there are other taxi's who haven't paid the special airport fees to be allowed to work right out of the airport. So they are cheaper and no different, as far as I know. (for photos showing these locations go to Chacala Nayarit. http://chacalanayarit.blogspot.com

Be sure to negotiate the fare before you get in or let the driver take your bags.
You will need pesos from now on, and the airport ATMs are good because they give out smaller bills, which you will need. I think the cheaper taxis are between $60-80 dollars (400-800 pesos) to Chacala. Might be less, might be more. The drive takes less than two hours, depending on this and that. Most of these drivers seem to speak enough English to negotiate a deal with you. Clarify to the driver that you are going to Chacala, Nayarit, because there is another Chacala (Jalisco) to the south.

The taxi driver probably won't know the location of where you are staying in Chacala, but he can ask around and find out for you. Be sure you are taken right to where you are staying and that someone is there with a key before the taxi leaves.

Most planes land in mid-to-late afternoon in Puerto Vallarta, and chances are you will arrive in Chacala after dark from December-March. The person you have made reservations with will probably make clear arrangements with you about the location of your rental and accessing the key. Remember the time difference between P.V. and Chacala.

If you are coming to town without a reservation you should try to arrive before dark. There are several nice places on the paved road (don't turn off onto the dirt road at the Playa Chacala sign). Casa Chacala is on the left, and then Aurora's is on the right. Concha's and Sarahi are downhill at the first cobblestone left turn.

Casa Chacala from the street

2. You can hitchhike, which would be very unusual in urban Mexico and you would possibly attract the interest of the police or (other) disreputable people. And you really don't want to be hitchhiking after dark. Really.

3. You can go to the central bus station (about a mile north of the airport) via a taxi from either inside or across the bridge from the airport. Tell the taxi driver you want to go to the Camionera Central. There is no ATM at the bus terminal, so be sure to get pesos at the airport ATM's. The fare from right at the airport is about $15/150pesosUSD or a little more, and from across the bridge is about $6USD/60pesos. There is a baggage holding place at the terminal, in case you need to go do errands before you head north. There is NO baggage storage at the airport. There is a major shopping center about three blocks south of the airport, on the only road. Across the bridge and head south.

4. You can get to the central bus station by going out the airport door and over the bridge and catch a city bus going north for 50 cents (US). Ask specifically for Camionera Central before you get on. Or you can write the name on a larger piece of paper and show it to the driver if you aren't sure about your Spanish. the bus takes you right near the terminal. It's very obvious.

This is the bedroom of Aurora's Techo de Mexico upstairs rental unit,
with a large bath, and covered patio with view of Chacala Bay and a nice kitchen.

When you arrive at the bus terminal (Central Camionera) enter and go to the Pacifico bus counter and ask for a ticket to Las Varas (V pronounced as B). Usually they run every half hour or so. The ticket is about 76 pesos or about $7USD.

Ask what number gate the bus leaves from and what time. There are clean bathrooms with TP and turnsiles (30centsUSD). Some toilets have seats, at least in the Ladies. They usually take small change only. No bills. There are a couple of snack shops and little restaurant. You go through little security gate where the guy writes his initals on your ticket. This is a new thing and I have n0 idea what the point is except to slow you down when you are late for the bus.

The buses are loaded very quickly. If you have more stuff than you want to take on the bus with you, you can check your stuff under the bus. It's probably a good idea to sit on the passenger side so you can watch your stuff during the brief stops on your way north. So it won't get taken off by accident. They usually give you a claim check. Don't lose it if they do.

There are taxis to Chacala at the Pacifico bus terminal in Las Varas until later in the evening, and the fare is usually about $9us or 90 pesos. There are two collectivo's (small vans) going back and forth to Chacala from about 7am to about 5pm for 12 pesos. The taxi drivers may be willing to point out the collectivo stop to you (However, the collectivos are competition for them. Or not. It's about two blocks back the way you came into town and near the Taco stand and in front of the Toltec cement sign, which points south. Most of the taxi and collectivo drivers know their way around Chacala.

For a description of life in Chacala go here , that is http://mylifeinchacala.blogspot.com.

Bedroom of Concha's Techo de Mexico upstairs unit
with kitchen and terrace, and bath and lovely view

Chacala's Techos de Mexico Program (budget rentals)

TECHOS DE MEXICO RENTALS IN CHACALA

Techos de Mexico www.techosdemexico.com is a local organization helping Chacala families build nice income-generating tourist rental units. The concept was developed by Jose Enrique De Valle, owner of Majahua, a small resort in Chacala. Participant families are chosen on the basis of resources and other criteria similar to the Habitat for Humanity program. Families are offered loans, volunteer labor, and training and support, in order to built and run a small rental business in Chacala.

The units are rented by the day, week, or month, or year-round. Techos de Mexico rental units have private entrances with secure doors. All units have tiled floors, nice tiled baths with hot water showers, screened windows with glass, and ceiling or free-standing fans. Some Techos rental units have kitchens and all have patios or terraces. Most units have two double beds.

Currently six (listed below) of the eight families with Techos de Mexico rental units are offering their units for rent. All contact information is provided on the post "List of Chacala Rentals with Photos" above.

There are also other affordable rentals in Chacala built independently, by families living in Chacala. These include Mirador, Maria Jose, Casa Chacala, Antonio's, Casa Chacala Annex, and Soccoro's. They are also shown on the first post of this blog. The more expensive, but locally built and owned small hotels in Chacala include Majahua, and Mar de Jade.

Most of the other rentals in Chacala are owned and operated by people from Las Varas, Tepic, Guadalajara, and the U.S.

Contact information for these units is listed at right above this post, on the "List of Chacala Rentals" post. Or email alatawah@gmail.com for further information.
Casa de Aurora y Alberto











Casa de Dona Lupe (weekly/monthly)(not available for rent as of 1/1/2007)









Casa de Gracia


















Casa de Beatriz (weekly/monthly)










Casa de Guanhani (Concha)

















Casa de Laura (weekly/monthly) Not available for rent. No photo.

For more info about Techos de Mexico click here (www.techosdemexico.com) or alatawah@gmail.com

About this Blog, Chacala, and a Little Advice

Early morning walk on Playa Chacala

ABOUT RENTING IN CHACALA

For more detailed info about Life in Chacala, a small Mexican village, click here or go to http://mylifeinchacala.blogspot.com. Or for info about taking the bus from the airport to Chacala, and other information about visiting Chacala, go to Chacala Nayarit.

This is a Blog intended to connect travellers with budget or long-term basic rentals in Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico by:

• finding renters for low-income families living in Chacala who have rentals available that are not advertised effectively (particular Techo de Mexico rentals)
  

• finding rentals for people looking for an affordable (meaning cheap), long-term (defined as a minimum of one month) rooms with baths and sometimes kitchens and/or patios.

However, all but three of the rentals in Chacala are listed here, for the convenience of people looking for a place to stay in Chacala. Contact info is included.

Chacala is a very small Mexican tourist and fishing village on the Pacific coast of Mexico, about 2 hours north of Puerto Vallarta. It is accessible via public transportation during the daylight hours. It has about a dozen restaurants, a beautiful beach, kinder-grade 1- 8 school facilities, an internet cafe, several groceries, hardware store, tourist shops, a couple of higher-end very small hotels at the south end of the beach (see Mar de Jade and Majahau web sites), and a hardware store.

Other services, such as a bank and ATM, dental and medical care, laundry services, fabric stores, internet places, hair salons, shoes stores, and intercity and interstate bus services, etc are located in Las Varas, about 10 kilometers away

RENTING IN CHACALA

Coming to Chacala and making a rental arrangement face-to-face is probably the best way to find an affordable, long-term rental. And that eliminates any surprises. As a word of warning, very few landladies here speak English. And from early December thru Easter week many places have already been rented, so it's probably better to have a reservation for those periods.
Of course, if you are equipped for it, there is always camping on the beach, my personal favorite.

SUGGESTIONS FOR MAKING A SATISFACTORY RENTAL AGREEMENT

*When making a deposit for a reservation, be sure to clarify specifically important details about the deposit. For example:
What are the exact conditions for a refund of your deposit or rent?
Clarify if the refund will be made in pesos, dollars or a check from an American bank.
And when will the refund be made.

* When is the remainder of your rent due (on arrival, on departure?).

* Is the remainder of the rent due in pesos or dollars?

* Will there by food services available during your stay?
The four main higher-end places in Chacala (Mar deJade, CasaPacifica, Majahua and Paraiso Descondido) with food service do not offer food service every day and for every meal or season.

* Clarify if the facilities you are interested will be available during your stay: pool, hot tub, spa, massage, etc. Sometimes there are repairs going on, etc etc.

* Clarify in advance the exact location of your rental.
If you want to be on the beach or within a block or two of the beach, make sure the place you are considering is located there.

*If you prefer a quiet location, make sure you place will be in a quiet location. And that no construction on-site or near your location will be happening during your stay. And that no conferences or retreats are taking place. Particularly with children participating.

* Clarify in writing the exact unit and dates for which you are making the deposit.

* If it is important to you, you might inquire if the person taking your reservation (if it is not the unit's owner) if they are charging the owner a fee, and how much. You might also ask if the actual owner of the unit receives your non-refundable deposit if you cancel.

Generally, my experience, by observation, is that problems with deposits and the availability of services, problems with location, and changes in rooms or locations can happen. I hear enough of these kinds of problems to make the following suggestions. You, as a potentional renter, have an obligation to be clear when you make your reservation about your needs and expectations. And do your research. Use the links on this website to do some research about Chacala.

AND BE SURE TO SEE THE UNIT YOU ARE RENTING BEFORE YOU PAY THE BALANCE OF YOUR RENT.

There are a couple of other suggestions about making your stay a happpy one.
If you have very strong food preferences (real coffee, real cream, good chocolate, etc etc etc) bring them with you. Or ask ahead of time if they are available in the area.

* Benadryl and Immodium are not something you want to go shopping for when they are needed. Bring them with you.

* Sunscreen is a must. You might want to bring your favorite brand

* If you are a reading addict, be sure to bring enough to read. The bibliotecha has a small exchange library. The closest English language newspapers and magazines are at the PV airport. Or maybe Sayulita or Nuevo Vallarta.

*Be sure to get pesos (probably at the ATM at the airport) before you arrive in Chacala.
Change (cambio) is often a problem in Chacala, so bills of 200 pesos ($20) or smaller are good. 500 pesos bills can be a problem, except when paying your rent. Then it's fine.