Where to Stay in Chacala, Nayarit: Hotels and Rentals
Chacala is a one-road fishing village on a calm, swimmable bay about 90 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. There are no resort towers here and no all-inclusive wristbands. What you will find is a handful of small hotels, a growing collection of vacation rentals, and one option most travelers never hear about. We live here, so this is the honest version, including what guests actually say in their reviews.
The short answer
If you want to walk barefoot from your bed to the sand, book one of the small hotels on the beach.
If you want a kitchen, more space, and village life, look at the vacation rentals in and around town.
If you want a whole house with jungle views, reliable Starlink internet, and room for your whole crew for less than a beachfront room, stay 30 minutes up the hill in Altavista. More on that below.
Chacala beach hotels
Mar de Jade
Best for: retreat-goers who want structure: yoga, healthy meals, and a schedule.
The best known place in town, a wellness retreat center on the south end of the beach. Guests consistently praise the food (with real vegetarian and gluten-free options) and the quiet, secluded, screens-down atmosphere. The consistent complaints: service can be spotty, booking emails sometimes go unanswered, and some guests felt the price did not match the experience. If your trip is built around a retreat, this is your spot. If you want to come and go on your own schedule and expect hotel-level service, it may frustrate you.
Hotel Las Brisas
Best for: beach-first travelers on a budget who want simple and clean.
A classic small beachfront hotel with one of the better restaurants in the village attached (the ceviche gets named in reviews over and over). Rooms are basic but clean, with air conditioning, and you cannot get closer to the sand. Reviewers consistently mention the friendly staff. You are paying for location, not luxury, and guests seem happy with that trade.
Majahua
Best for: couples who want jungle romance and will trade some polish for atmosphere.
A small jungle lodge at the edge of the bay with treetop rooms, candlelit dinners overlooking the water, and a spa guests rave about. This is the most polarizing place in Chacala: some reviews call it a jungle utopia, others say it is showing its age and overpriced for the condition. Know yourself. If a little rustic wear ruins a trip for you, book elsewhere. If atmosphere wins, you will love it. Expect stairs.
Villas Pura Chacala
Best for: couples and small families who want apartment-style space near the beach.
Apartment suites with kitchens and a pool a short walk from the beach. One of the most consistently well-reviewed places in the village: guests describe it as spotless with genuinely warm, five-star service. If you want hotel ease but need to make your own coffee and breakfast, this is the safe pick.
Casa Liquen
Best for: couples and solo travelers who want modern and quiet.
A newer, modern spot near the beach with a rooftop terrace. Reviews are excellent across platforms: clean, quiet, convenient, great staff. It is small, so it books out fast in high season.
Casa Hamaca
Best for: families with kids.
Family rooms with air conditioning, a garden, and a kids club, close to the town square with restaurants around it. Reviews praise the friendly staff and the location. If you are bringing little ones, this is the one built for you.
The honest summary: Chacala's hotel supply is tiny, and from November through April the village fills up. Whatever you pick, book months ahead.
Vacation rentals in Chacala
Chacala has a growing number of houses and casitas on Airbnb and VRBO, plus a whole separate world most tourists never see: local Facebook pages. Chacala Vacation Rentals and Chacala Villas Rentas Vacacionales (which handles homes in the gated Marina Chacala community) list places that never make it to the big platforms, and many owners in the area post availability in local community groups first.
Three things to know before you book
First, read the location carefully. Some listings that say Chacala are up steep hills or a drive from the beach.
Second, the platforms add fees of 15 percent or more on top of the nightly rate. Many owners here, us included, take direct bookings for less. Find a place you like on Airbnb, then search its name on Google or Facebook and message the owner. It never hurts to ask.
Third, if you want the gated-community experience with private beach access, look at Marina Chacala rentals specifically. It is its own thing, separate from the village.
The option most people miss: stay in Altavista
30 minutes up the road from Chacala beach is Altavista, a small village in the hills best known for its ancient petroglyphs. This is where we are, and it is the option we obviously believe in, so weigh this section accordingly.
Cerrito Encantado is our property on a hilltop above the village. Instead of one hotel room, you get a whole house. La Casa Redonda is our round house with jungle and hill views on every side. La Casa Chilam has air conditioning for the ones in your group who need it. Book one house, or take the whole property for a family gathering or a group of friends.
What staying up here actually gets you:
- More space and a lower price than a beachfront hotel room, especially for groups.
- Starlink internet fast enough for video calls, which matters if you are working remotely. Coverage in the village below can be hit or miss.
- Real village life. Roosters, church bells, tortillas in the morning, neighbors who wave. Altavista is not a tourist zone and does not pretend to be. If you want silence and room service, book a resort. If you want Mexico, this is it.
- Chacala beach, the Altavista petroglyphs, La Peñita's Thursday market, and the beaches of Guayabitos and Los Ayala are all within 30 minutes. You are not choosing one beach. You are choosing a home base for the whole coast.
Booking tips for Chacala
High season runs November through April. That is dry weather and whale season, and it is when everything sells out. Book as far ahead as you can.
Summer is green season: hotter, lusher, afternoon rain, and real deals. The jungle at full volume is its own reward.
Book direct when you can. Small hotels and owners here often beat platform prices because they skip the fees. We quote directly over WhatsApp and our calendar lives on our site.
Frequently asked questions
Where should you stay in Chacala?
On the beach if being steps from the water matters most: Las Brisas for budget, Villas Pura Chacala or Casa Liquen for comfort, Casa Hamaca for families, Mar de Jade for retreats. In a vacation rental if you need a kitchen and space. In nearby Altavista if you want a whole house, jungle views, and a lower price about 30 minutes from the sand.
Is Chacala expensive?
The village is small and rooms are limited, so beachfront prices in high season are higher than you might expect. Staying a few minutes inland, or visiting in green season, brings the cost down a lot.
Does Chacala have all-inclusive resorts?
No. Chacala has no big resorts, and that is exactly why people come. Meals happen in palapa restaurants on the sand and at family kitchens in the village.
Can you book direct in Chacala?
Yes. Most small hotels and rental owners take direct bookings by WhatsApp, Facebook, or their own sites, and direct prices usually beat Airbnb and VRBO because there are no platform fees.
Ready to make Altavista your home base? Check dates and get a quote over WhatsApp at cerritoencantado.com. Book direct, skip the fees.
