Essentials
- City
- Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico
- Population
- Approximately 350-500 permanent residents
- Internet Speed
- Historically slow (3-5 Mbps), but Starlink is now widely used providing 50-150 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Mexican Peso (MXN). 1 USD ≈ 17.00 MXN. No ATMs in town; bring cash from Las Varas or PV
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use 'garrafones' (20L water jugs) which cost approx. 45 MXN
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. Occasional outages during tropical storms
- SIM Card
- Telcel has the best coverage; purchase at OXXO in Las Varas. Telcel Amigo plan: 200 MXN for 3GB
- Banking for Expats
- No local banks; use BBVA or Santander in Las Varas (15 mins away). Cards accepted only at upscale hotels
- Accommodation
- Vacation rentals and boutique boutique hotels. Casas rentals via local managers are common
- Cashless Friendly
- No; strictly a cash economy for local eateries and shops
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local sites like ChacalaRentals.com (approx. $800 - $1,500 USD/month)
- Budget Accommodation
- Majahua Palms or local guesthouses like Casa de la Playa (approx. 800 -1,200 MXN/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The beachfront (Malecón) for immediate access to restaurants and the bay
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Marina area or the hillside (Chacalilla gated community) for quieter environments and better views
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking spaces. Most nomads work from rented villas with Starlink
- Best Cafe for Work
- Chac Mool Cafe (Beachfront); decent Wi-Fi and excellent coffee. Spend approx. 150 MXN on a meal
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at the Saturday morning Market (Mercado del Pueblo) during high season
- Social Events for Expats
- Volunteer opportunities at Dale la Vaelta a Chacala (local environmental non-profit)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Didi. Use local site taxis at 'El Árbol' (The Tree). Ride to Las Varas: 150-200 MXN
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Limited; mostly arranged through hotel concierges or private rentals (approx. 300 MXN/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Chacalilla (private/gated access beach) or Las Cuevas (hike-in beach)
- Top Regional Airline
- Aeroméxico Connect (Flying into Puerto Vallarta - PVR)
- Top International Airline
- Alaska Airlines, United, and WestJet serve PVR from major US/Canadian hubs
- Highway Access
- Fed Highway 200 is the main artery; the new toll road (Vía Corta) has reduced travel time from Guadalajara
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Las Varas Bus Terminal (15 mins away) for Pacifico or Futura bus lines
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; 'Colectivos' (shared white vans) to Las Varas cost approx. 25 MXN
- Regional Travel
- Local buses to Sayulita (1 hr) or San Pancho (45 mins) via Las Varas
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital San Javier in Nuevo Vallarta (1.5 hrs away) for major emergencies; local clinic for basics
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Mar de Jade (Wellness Resort); offers retreats and drop-in classes (approx. 350 MXN/class)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- No formal gyms. Most exercise is outdoor (swimming, hiking to the volcano, or kayaking)
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia 'La Ola' near the entrance of town (approx. 15-20 MXN per kilo)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available. Local restaurants sometimes offer phone-in delivery via motorcycle
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pescado Zarandeado (grilled snook) at Restaurante Chico’s (approx. 350 MXN for two)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Jardin de Chacala; offers fresh salads and wood-fired pizzas with veggie options
- Best Dessert Spots
- The 'Banana Bread' ladies who roam the beach (approx. 40 MXN per slice)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Tienda Doña Pili for basic groceries; Las Varas Wednesday Market for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre (delivery takes 3-5 days to local drop-off points)
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; residents shop at Ley or Bodega Aurrera in La Peñita
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Very quiet; evening drinks mostly happen at beachfront 'ramadas' like Ametl
- Local Brewery
- None in town. Nearest is Cervecería Bahia de Banderas in San Pancho
- Wine Bars
- No dedicated wine bars; Majahua Palms has the best selection of Mexican wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Taco stands near the town entrance square (approx. 20 MXN per taco)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Surfer Pizza; standard thin-crust pizzas popular with travelers
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Bay of Chacala; a crescent-shaped beach with calm, swimmable waters
- Museums & Art Venues
- Petroglyphs at Altavista (nearby archeological site with 2,000-year-old carvings)
- Historical Sites
- The Old Pier (Muelle) which was historically important for maritime trade in Nayarit
- Religious Sites
- Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe near the town square
- Annual Events
- Music & Art Festival (usually held in March); Chacala Whale Watching season (Jan-March)
- Cultural Districts
- The Malecón (beachfront boardwalk) where local life and tourism intersect
- Theater Venues
- No formal theaters; occasional community performances at the local library (Biblioteca)
- Local Markets
- Chacala Cultural Market (Saturdays, Nov-April) featuring local crafts and organic food
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic music at local restaurants like La Terraza during high season
- Street Art
- Various murals on the walls of the primary school and library depicting marine life
- Cooking Classes
- Available via Mar de Jade's community outreach programs or private chefs
- Art Galleries
- Occasional pop-up galleries during the Saturday market
- Historic Buildings
- Ruins of old haciendas in the surrounding jungle areas
- Local Heritage
- Strong Huichol (Wixárika) influence; beadwork and yarn art sold by indigenous vendors
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- The hike to 'El Volcán' (an extinct cinder cone) offering 360-degree views
- National Parks Nearby
- Islas Marietas National Park (accessible via boat tours from Sayulita/Punta Mita)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Jungle trail from Chacala to Las Cuevas beach (approx. 20-30 min walk)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The cliffs at the southern end of the bay near the marina
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangroves surrounding the town; home to San Blas-style bird diversity
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Allowed on the main beach (Playa Chacala) if kept small and cleaned up
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Estafeta and DHL; usually require pickup in Las Varas or La Peñita
- Tech Repair Services
- None in town. Go to Tepic or Puerto Vallarta for computer/phone repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Occasional tables in private villas or community spaces like the 'Casa de Bambu'
- Language Classes
- Private tutoring often arranged through the local community library
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Dale La Vuelta Library; a quiet place with community resources
- Community Centers
- The Chacala Community Center (Biblioteca/Rotary center)
- Gaming Lounges
- None available; very low-tech destination
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None; strictly prohibited for the town's vibe
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,500 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $140,000 USD for beachfront/near-beach condos)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000 USD in Las Varas area)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,200 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $192,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $96,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,000 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $240,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard Federal rate in Mexico)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents and non-residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (Residente Fiscal)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 16% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Mexico has 'REFIPRE' rules for income in low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Low; known as 'Predial', usually paid annually in January for discounts
- Property Transaction Tax
- ISAI (Acquisition Tax) ranges from 2% to 5% depending on the municipality
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Mexico offers a Temporary Resident Visa; if income is from abroad, it is often not taxed in Mexico