A family-run Pacific inn a block from the beach
One block back from the half-mile crescent of golden sand at Playa Chacala, on a Pacific-coast fishing village's only paved road, Casa Chacala is the kind of family-run inn the Riviera Nayarit used to be made of. Owners Valentin and his niece Lupita live on the property and run it in person. They pour the brewed morning coffee from about 7 a.m., they're named by name in guest reviews going back to 2018, and they are the reason guests describe the place as our get-away in Chacala rather than a hotel they stayed at once. The interior leans into vibrant Mexican coastal: whitewashed walls, cream tiles, hand-painted folk-art textiles, wrought-iron gecko sculptures, and pottery from local artisans.
Seven sleeping units cover three configurations. Six standard rooms split between a Double with Two Doubles and a King Room (both about 30-35 m², with private balconies, ceiling fans, single-room air conditioning, mosquito nets, satellite TV and private bathrooms). A 111 m² two-bedroom apartment sleeps up to six with a private kitchenette, two bathrooms and a balcony. Outside, there's a small sheltered swimming pool, a hammock-strung tropical garden and a new rooftop terrace where the bay and the Pacific sunset finally come into full view. Reviewers reserve their warmest praise for the owners' hospitality and the value for money. Best fit: couples and snowbird-retiree travellers who want an honest, walkable, family-run base rather than a resort.
Where it sits, on the Riviera Nayarit between Sayulita and San Blas
Chacala is a small fishing village on the Pacific coast of Nayarit, roughly midway up the Riviera Nayarit between Puerto Vallarta and San Blas. The village has approximately 300 full-time residents (per the Chacala Cultural Foundation), one paved road, and one of only six certified clean beaches on the Nayarit coast. Where Sayulita has spilled over into a busy surf-and-margarita scene and Puerto Vallarta now feels like a city, Chacala has held the line as a calmer, walkable base: palapa-roofed beach restaurants frying fresh dorado and shrimp tostadas, jungle-backed sand, sheltered bay swimming, and a left-hand surf point at La Caleta a panga ride north.
The property's geography reduces to one practical move: walk everything in the village on foot (beach, restaurants, mini-supers and weekend music are all within 3 minutes), and rent a car only for inland excursions. The Altavista Petroglyph Complex, with 56 catalogued petroglyphs from the Tecoxquin culture dated to around 2000 BC, is about 20 km inland. Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) is 1 h 30 m by road; Tepic Airport (TPQ) is also about 1 h 30 m. Las Varas, 15 minutes inland, is the nearest bus town and the nearest ATM.
Rooftop sunsets, brewed coffee and honest value
The newest addition to the property is a rooftop terrace where the bay and the Pacific sunset finally come into full view, with a hanging egg chair, dining tables under a corrugated-tin roof, string lights, and the unmistakable golden light of the Riviera Nayarit at dusk. It is the strongest single sell on the property after the king-room balconies, and it is why recent guest reviews flag the bay-view as a structural upgrade rather than a minor cosmetic refresh.
Downstairs, a shared guest kitchen is open all day with pots, pans, plates and a microwave; brewed coffee is poured from about 7 a.m. There is no on-site restaurant. The village's beach palapa restaurants, all within a 3-minute walk, are the dining plan. The property stands out on value for money, and the repeat-visit language across the review corpus is unusually strong (more than one reviewer treats it as their default Chacala base, the place they return to every trip). Best fit: couples and snowbird-retirees who want an authentic, walkable base on a quiet Pacific bay.
Why Book Hotel Casa Chacala?
Casa Chacala is strongest for couples and snowbird-retiree travellers who want a quiet, walkable Pacific-coast base where the owners pour the morning coffee, not a resort or a high-rise.
100 m to the beach
Playa Chacala, one of only six certified clean beaches on the Nayarit coast, is across the street and one short block south, a 2-3 minute walk from the door.
Family-run by Valentin and Lupita
The owners live on site, are named repeatedly in reviews dating back to 2018, and their welcome is what reviews praise above all.
Rooftop with bay view
The new rooftop terrace finally gives the property a proper sunset view across the Pacific, with hanging egg chair, dining tables and string lights at dusk.
Rooms and apartment
Standard rooms (Double-Two-Doubles and King) are the value pick here, and there's a 111 m² two-bedroom apartment that sleeps up to six.
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Interesting Points About Hotel Casa Chacala
- Owner Valentin and his niece Lupita live on site and are named repeatedly in guest reviews dating back to 2018, an unusually stable family-run ownership signal for a small Nayarit beach property
- Playa Chacala is one of only six certified clean beaches on the Nayarit coast (certified by Mexico's Instituto Mexicano de Normalización), which is part of why couples still single out the setting even as nearby Sayulita has grown busy
- The property is cash-only and requires prepayment by bank transfer, and Chacala has no ATMs, so guests withdraw pesos in Las Varas (15 minutes inland), La Peñita or Puerto Vallarta before they arrive
Rooms & Accommodation at Hotel Casa Chacala
Double Room with Two Double Beds
Up to 4 guests · ~30 m² · 2 double beds · Private balcony · Sea / garden / pool / mountain view
The entry-tier room, two double beds with a private balcony, single-room air conditioning, a ceiling fan, satellite TV, a small fridge, a safe and a mosquito net. The smartest pick for two couples splitting a room or a small family on a Chacala beach week. Best for: groups of three to four prioritising the beachfront village over a bigger footprint.
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King Room
Up to 2 guests · ~35 m² · 1 king bed · Private balcony · Sea / garden / pool / mountain view
Same price as the Double-Two-Doubles but with five extra square metres and an extra-large double bed, which makes it the best-value pick for two travellers. Private balcony with view choices across sea / garden / pool / mountain, single-room air conditioning, ceiling fan, satellite TV, fridge, safe, mosquito net. Couples reviewers describe the king bed as a notable upgrade for the price. Best for: couples on a Chacala beach week who want a real bed, not a queen.
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Two-Bedroom Apartment
Up to 6 guests · ~111 m² · 2 bedrooms · Private kitchenette · Garden / pool / mountain view
The 111 m² top-tier, with two bedrooms (one with two double beds, one with an extra-large double king), two private bathrooms, a private kitchenette with fridge, microwave and kitchenware, an open-plan lounge with the folk-art sofa, plus a balcony. View is across garden / pool / mountain (no ocean from this unit per the owners' own Q&A). Sleeps up to six. Best for: families, two-couple splits or extended stays where a kitchen and the extra square footage matter more than an ocean view from the bed.
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Best Suited For
- Couples on a quiet Pacific-coast beach week: couples single out the setting, and the owners' welcome draws the warmest praise of all
- Snowbird-retiree travellers from Canada and the United States: review-corpus repeat-visit language is unusually strong, with several guests calling it their annual Chacala return
- Small families or two-couple splits: the 111 m² two-bedroom apartment sleeps up to six with a private kitchenette and two bathrooms
- Travellers who want a real Mexican beach village over a resort: walkable to palapa restaurants, the village mini-supers and the beach within 3 minutes
Worth Considering Alternatives If
- Card-only travellers: the property is cash only and requires prepayment by bank transfer, and Chacala has no ATMs
- Light sleepers who can't tolerate early-morning street noise: the main street sees cement and dump trucks from about 6 a.m. during the village's current building boom
- Pool swimmers wanting a proper lap pool: the on-site pool is small and shallow, more wading pool than swimming pool
- Guests needing lift access or step-free upper floors: upper floors (with the best views) are reached by stairs only
Amenities & facilities
Property facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool (small, family-friendly splash pool)
- Rooftop terrace with bay/Pacific sunset views (recent addition)
- Tropical garden with hammocks and outdoor seating
- Shared guest kitchen with pots, pans, plates and microwave
- Daily housekeeping
- Non-smoking throughout
- Not available: Spa or wellness centre
- Not available: Gym
- Not available: Lift / elevator
Food & drink
- Complimentary brewed coffee from about 7 a.m.
- Shared guest kitchen open all day for self-catering
- Room service available
- Nearest restaurant 150 yd / a 2-minute walk (Antojitos Mexicanos Jade Doña Cony for mole and tamales)
- Not available: On-site restaurant
- Not available: Breakfast included by default
Parking & transport
- Free private on-site parking (covered/shaded, no reservation needed)
- Las Varas (nearest bus town and ATMs) is about 11 km / 15 min inland
- Puerto Vallarta International (PVR) is 53 mi / 1 h 30 min by road
- Tepic Amado Nervo International (TPQ) is 49 mi / about 1 h 30 min by road
- Not available: Airport shuttle
Connectivity
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
- Satellite/flat-screen TV in every room
In every room
- Private bathroom with hot shower
- Single-room air conditioning + ceiling fan
- Private balcony with table and chairs
- Mini fridge
- Mosquito net
- Safety deposit box
- Satellite/flat-screen TV
- Free toiletries
- Drying rack for clothing
- Not available: In-room tea / coffee facilities
Services
- Owners live on site (Valentin and Lupita), reception 15:00–22:00 for check-in
- Modest paid laundry service handled by Lupita
- Tourist information / informal tour-desk help
- Luggage storage available
- Languages spoken: Spanish, English
Policies
- Cash only · prepaid by bank transfer (instructions sent after booking)
- Pets not allowed (a resident dog, Luna, lives on site)
- Non-smoking throughout
- Children of any age welcome; ages 6+ charged as adults
- No cots or extra beds available
- No minimum age for check-in
Accessibility
- Ground-floor rooms available on request
- Upper floors reached by stairs only (no lift)
- Chacala's streets are steep and cobbled, sturdy walking shoes are recommended
Location & getting around
Hotel Casa Chacala sits at 21.1651 °N, 105.2235 °W on Avenida Golfo de México, one block back from Playa Chacala in the small Pacific-coast fishing village of Chacala. The village is on the Riviera Nayarit, roughly midway between Puerto Vallarta and San Blas, with approximately 300 full-time residents (per the Chacala Cultural Foundation) and one paved road through the centre.
Practically, the property's geography reduces to one move: walk the village on foot (beach, palapa restaurants, mini-supers and weekend music are all within 3 minutes), and rent a car only for inland excursions to the Altavista petroglyphs, the volcano-crater hike or further-flung beaches. Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) is 53 mi by road, about 1 h 30 m by car or van transfer; Tepic Airport (TPQ) is 49 mi but with limited flight schedule. Las Varas (15 minutes inland) is the nearest bus town and the nearest ATM.
- Playa Chacala: ~100 m / 200 yd · 2-3 min walk
- Antojitos Mexicanos Jade Doña Cony: ~150 yd · 2 min walk
- Restaurant Bar Koko Bongo: ~150 yd · 2 min walk
- Las Brisas Chacala (café/bar): ~150 yd · 2 min walk
- Playa Chacalilla (sheltered cove): ~under 1 km · ~10 min walk or short panga ride
- La Caleta surf break: ~2 km · 5-10 min by boat
- Las Cuevas Beach: ~3.6 mi · ~30 min by panga or volcano-crater hike
- Altavista Petroglyph Complex: ~20 km · ~30 min drive + 800 m walk
- Las Varas (nearest ATM and bus town): ~11 km · 15 min drive
- Puerto Vallarta International (PVR): ~53 mi · 1 h 30 min drive
- Tepic Airport (TPQ): ~49 mi · about 1 h 30 min drive
Getting to Key Locations
Photo: Fairness And Accuracy For All at, CC BY-SA 3.0
Playa Chacala
The village's main beach, a half-mile crescent of soft golden sand backed by palapa-roofed restaurants frying fresh dorado, shrimp tostadas and octopus. One of only six certified clean beaches on the Nayarit coast (certified by Mexico's Instituto Mexicano de Normalización). Approximately 100 m / a 2-3 minute walk from the property door.
View on Map
Photo: Fairness And Accuracy For All at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Playa Chacalilla
A sheltered cove south of the headland, ideal for snorkelling, kayaking and easy swimming with calm, clear water and a jungle backdrop. Reachable either on foot (about a 10-minute walk via the headland path) or by a short panga ride from the village beach. The quieter, gem-of-the-bay alternative when the main beach has tour groups in.
View on Map
Photo: Fairness And Accuracy For All (English Wikipedia uploader), CC BY-SA 3.0
Altavista Petroglyph Complex (La Pila del Rey)
Fifty-six catalogued pre-Columbian rock carvings created by the Tecoxquin culture that flourished in the region from roughly 2000 BC to 2300 BC. Set in jungle around a freshwater pool that is still used today by the Huichol people for ceremonial purposes. About 20 km inland via Hwy 200, a 30-minute drive followed by an 800 m walk into the site.
View on MapHow to get to Hotel Casa Chacala
- From Puerto Vallarta (PVR) by private transfer: The fastest option with luggage. About USD 100 for a four-person van direct to the property door, roughly 1 h 25 min. Exit the terminal, take the highway north out of Puerto Vallarta on Hwy 200, pass Bucerías, Sayulita and La Peñita, and at km 81-82 turn left/west at the Chacala turnoff (look for the two-storey Hotel Doña María and a cluster of fruit stands). Follow the paved road 9 km down through mango orchards into the village.
- From Puerto Vallarta by bus, then taxi: The budget option. From the central PV bus station across the road from Walmart/Sam's Club, take a Pacífico or Compostela bus to Las Varas (about 2 h 30 m to 3 h 30 m, MXN 100-200). At Las Varas, switch to a Chacala-bound colectivo (runs roughly 07:00-18:00, about MXN 20 / USD 1) or take a taxi to Chacala for about USD 12-15 (10-15 min).
- By rental car: Satnav 'Golfo de México 1, 63715 Chacala, Nayarit' (coordinates 21.1651, -105.2235). Take Hwy 200 north out of Puerto Vallarta about 90 km, exit at the Chacala turnoff between km 81 and 82, follow the paved road 9 km west into the village. Free private parking on site, no reservation needed. Avoid driving on Hwy 200 at night.
- From Tepic (TPQ): About 1 h 30 min by car. South on Hwy 15 through Compostela, join Hwy 200, exit at the Chacala turnoff between km 81 and 82, and follow signs west into the village. Tepic has a limited flight schedule (mainly Aeroméxico from Mexico City), so most travellers route through PVR instead.
- Arrival and ATM stop: Check-in runs 15:00-22:00; if you arrive after that, message the property in advance. Check-out by 12:00. Critical practical step: the property is cash only and there are NO ATMs in Chacala, so withdraw enough pesos for the stay in Las Varas (15 minutes inland) or before you leave Puerto Vallarta. The bank-transfer deposit instructions arrive by email after you book.
Chacala
Chacala is the soft-landing version of the Riviera Nayarit. Where Sayulita has spilt over into a busy surf-and-margarita scene and Puerto Vallarta now feels like a city, Chacala has held the line at approximately 300 full-time residents, one paved road, and a crescent of golden sand framed by jungle and basaltic black rock. The half-mile main beach is one of only six certified clean beaches on the Nayarit coast; behind it sits a string of palapa-roofed restaurants frying fresh dorado, sarandeado-style snapper, octopus and shrimp tostadas. Mingo's, at the south end, has been operating since the 1930s.
The dry season runs roughly November through April, with sunny days, low humidity and water temperatures of 24-27 °C. December to March is the marquee whale-watching window, when humpbacks migrate into Banderas Bay to calve. Semana Santa and Christmas/New Year are the busiest weeks for Mexican domestic tourism (book well ahead). May to October is the official rainy season, with afternoon thunderstorms, surf swells perfect for La Caleta and significantly fewer visitors; hurricane risk peaks in September and early October.
Watch: Chacala village walking tour
A 10-minute walking-vlog of Chacala village: beach, palapa restaurants, the main street, live banda music, water sports. A destination video for the area, not a property tour.
What guests say about Hotel Casa Chacala
Scores and review counts are aggregated from verified guest bookings on major travel platforms.
Superb
Hotel Casa Chacala scores in the Superb band across major review platforms because guests judge it on what it is, an honest, well-kept, family-run Mexican inn one block from the beach, not on what it isn't (no resort amenities, no restaurant, no card terminals). Praise concentrates on the warmth of Valentin and Lupita, the cleanliness of the rooms, the spacious balconies and the walkable village location. Recurring caveats are minor and consistent: early-morning street noise from construction trucks, a small splash-style pool, and the cash-only payment policy. Repeat-visit language across the corpus is unusually strong.
Always a great stay. Couldn't fault anything.
Jab
Enjoyed my time. The manager was very accommodating and even let us extend by two days. Convenient location, and I loved the little balcony.
The perfect hotel for our stay. Clean and quiet, and the staff were super friendly. We'd come back in a heartbeat.
Exceptional. Location and comfort were excellent. Really loved the large balcony, and as dog lovers we were delighted by Luna.
Pretty beach, friendly people, good food. The one wish was an in-room coffee maker.
Staff were absolutely amazing, the king bed was huge and comfortable, and the beach is a short walk. Heads-up: the hotel is on the main street, so heavy trucks rumble past in the early morning.
Clean, good view, overall very nice. A quiet beach town with not too many tourists. This is our get-away place in Chacala.
Easy walk to beach and restaurants, secure parking, and the room and balcony were bigger than I expected. Would stay again.
Good to Know Before You Book
Cash only · prepaid by bank transfer
The property does not accept credit or debit cards. After you book, the property will email bank-transfer instructions for the deposit. Critical: there are NO ATMs in Chacala, so withdraw pesos in Las Varas (15 minutes inland), La Peñita or Puerto Vallarta before you arrive for the rest of your stay.
On the main street, not a side lane
The beach is right there, but the hotel sits on the village's busiest road. Cement and dump trucks rumble past in the early morning during the current Chacala building boom, so light sleepers should request a back-side room and bring earplugs. The room itself is otherwise quiet.
Upper floors are stairs only
Upper-floor rooms (with the best views) are reached by stairs only. There is no lift. Request a ground-floor room if you have luggage, mobility concerns or are travelling with very young children. The owners can usually accommodate this if asked at booking time.
No on-site restaurant, but a usable guest kitchen
The shared kitchen has pots, pans, plates and a microwave; complimentary coffee is brewed each morning. Bring your own paring knife and cutlery if you plan to cook, since items walk off and the owners cannot replace them as quickly as guests use them. The village's palapa restaurants are within a 3-minute walk.
Call Hotel Casa Chacala
Want to confirm a king room, ask about cash payment, or arrange an early arrival? Call the property directly. Owners Valentin and Lupita live on site and answer in Spanish or English.
+52 327 219 4057Photos of Hotel Casa Chacala
Frequently asked questions
Hotel Casa Chacala is at Golfo de México 1, 63715 Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico, on the village's main street one block back from Playa Chacala on the Pacific-coast Riviera Nayarit. The property sits approximately 100 m / a 2-3 minute walk from the beach, 11 km from the nearest ATM in Las Varas, and 53 mi (1 h 30 min by road) from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR).
No. The property is cash only and requires prepayment by bank transfer. After you book, the property emails or messages bank-transfer instructions for the deposit. There are NO ATMs in Chacala, so withdraw pesos in Las Varas (15 minutes inland), La Peñita or Puerto Vallarta before you arrive for the rest of your stay.
Approximately 100 m / 200 yd, a 2-3 minute walk. The hotel is on Avenida Golfo de México, one block back from the beach; you cross one street and a short stretch of sand to reach the water. Playa Chacala is one of only six certified clean beaches on the Nayarit coast.
Yes, there is an outdoor pool, although it is small and shallow, more of a wading or splash pool than a swimming pool. The property leans on the beach 100 m away as the main swim, with calm, gently shelving water along the Playa Chacala arc. The pool is open year-round and cleaned daily.
Check-in runs between 15:00 and 22:00; you'll need to vacate the room by noon. Owners Valentin and Lupita live on site and handle check-in personally. If you'll arrive outside the 15:00-22:00 window, message the property in advance so they can plan to be there.
Yes. Free private on-site parking is available, covered/shaded and described in guest reviews as feeling secure. No reservation is needed. The parking area sits behind the gated street entrance and is monitored by the on-site owners.
No, guest pets are not allowed. The property has a resident dog (Luna, mentioned warmly across recent reviews) and an in-house cat that some guests enjoy. The property is also non-smoking throughout.
PVR is 53 mi / approximately 1 h 30 min by road. Three realistic options: (1) private transfer or taxi, around USD 100 for a four-person van direct to the door, fastest with luggage; (2) bus from the central PV bus station to Las Varas (2 h 30 m to 3 h 30 m, MXN 100-200), then a 10-15 minute colectivo or taxi from Las Varas to Chacala; (3) rental car: Hwy 200 north 90 km, turn left/west at the Chacala turnoff between km 81 and 82, follow the paved road 9 km into the village.
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Ready to book Hotel Casa Chacala?
Pick your dates and check current rates. Seven rooms one block back from Playa Chacala, with king-bed balconies, a rooftop terrace at sunset, and Valentin and Lupita pouring the morning coffee.
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