You know what they say, “The last few places in Mexico are unspoiled by tourism.” Well, this is it! Chacahua Oaxaca is a place that perfectly balances rustic charm and natural beauty with just enough visitation to support its island inhabitants.
This gorgeous lagoon is home not only to some of the country’s most pristine beaches but also has national park status.
Although it’s remote, it is accessible; there aren’t any hotels within miles so you’ll feel completely exclusive here. If hotels existed they would probably be booked years ahead.
Below is information on exactly where and what is Lagunas de Chacahua so you can decide whether its worth a trip to this unspoiled location.
Is Chacahua Oaxaca an Island and what is so special about it?
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more remote and pristine beach than what awaits you on this island. It feels like an unspoiled paradise, with its great surf spots perfect for beginners!
Don’t expect any amenities other than natural beauty; this place is rustic, however, don’t let it deter you from your trip. Most people who visit here end up enjoying the laid-back atmosphere as much (or even more) after getting away from the packed beaches of the other tourist areas.
These beautiful lagoons are a unique place to experience because it’s in the middle of an active national park and laws tightly control any new buildings or environmental impact.
This means that there are almost no phone signals or WiFi, which makes this small Mexican village all the more attractive for those who want off-the-beaten-path adventures!
Is There Internet in Lagunas de Chacahua?
The internet connectivity on the Island is ok but not fantastic. The satellite data speeds vary greatly from place to place – sometimes it will be fast enough for basic web browsing or checking social media accounts without any problems at all!
But don’t expect to download anything; you won’t be able to make videos go viral here (if that’s your ultimate goal).
Lagunas de Chacahua is not the place to be if you need strong access to the internet. The mobile data signal will also often disappear, leaving hot-spotting from your phone impossible as well; storms are common in this area during the wet season and can lead to power cuts (which would completely cut off) or slow connections.
Where is Lagunas de Chacahua Oaxaca?
The Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua is a national park on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, about 60 km west of Puerto Escondido. The town itself lies southward within its borders and can be seen easily through Google Maps here!
The Best Way to Get to Chacahua Mexico
Pretty much the only way to get there is from Puerto Escondido. Unless you’re staying in some of Oaxaca’s rural villages, which is highly unlikely!
Puerto Escondido can be reached easily by bus for those who come from either city – San Cristobal de las Casas or Mexico City.
An Airport exists just 10 minutes outside of town which many people use when flying from Mexico City Airport as well as hundreds of other locations in Mexico.
Travelling from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua
The collectivos from Terminal TUR in Puerto Escondido (next to the ADO bus station) are around 70 pesos per person. Ask to be dropped off at El Zapotalito, you’ll be dropped off on the side of the road at a junction near here.
From here take a taxi into town the town which should be around a 20 peso taxi ride no matter how many people get in. However, just make sure before getting inside that there is enough room because these taxis don’t come equipped with a lot of space.
The second option is to take a quick (10 minutes or so), 50 pesos per person boat from El Zapotalito followed by an even quicker 25-minute truck ride into town.
Just bear in mind that this rustic way of traveling means you may have to help the truck driver load his supplies as well!
Another option to travel is probably the best if not a bit more money. You can take a longer direct boat ride into town.
This should take up to 60 minutes or so. But make sure you negotiate with a boat owner and of course, the more you speak Spanish the easier it should be!
Just note that wherever you get dropped off, there are no taxis so you’ll have to walk to your accommodation in the town of Chacahua Oaxaca.
The Best Places to Stay in Chacahua Oaxaca
Lagunas de Chacahua used to be an exquisite secret, but with the boom of tourism in Mexico, it has now become more accessible than ever!
You can book hotels ahead or camp out on one-night pads. There’s also plenty for budget travelers as well; if you’re looking at keeping your costs down then picking up some food from a locally owned restaurant might just be what suits you best.
The most budget accommodation option is also the simplest – many of the restaurants along this stretch have hammocks you can sleep in.
Typically costing 50 pesos per night (or less), these prices may be negotiable depending on whether you purchase food from the restaurant each day.
Some places offer camping areas where tents are already set up for guests at around 100 pesos. Booking ahead is impossible here though: It’s better to turn up without expectations and ask if they’ve got anything available!
With so many cabanas on offer, it’s easy to find one that suits your taste. Some are at the beachfront and others slightly set back from its shores- though both have plenty of options for accommodation.
You can either turn up with no reservations or make bookings through various platforms like Booking.com.
Cabanas la Isla is located right next to where the Chacahua Lagoon meets the Pacific Ocean. It has everything you need – a private bathroom with a shower, mosquito netting over your bed, and awesome views! If that’s not enough they also provide free WiFi so we can stay connected.
You can also try Porã Chacahua. The accommodation is not cabanas, it’s tents and yurts but it is really lovely. The location is right on Chacahua Beach and a not too far walk to the main area of town. It’s the perfect place to relax but isn’t too far away.
Cabañas Alta Mar. With its beautiful view of the ocean, spacious cabanas and private bathrooms with hammocks, this will provide the ultimate relaxation day. This hotel does not disappoint! It does claim to be a five star, although you might not want to expect that much of a star rating.
Hotel Sanmara offers more of a luxurious experience for travelers visiting the beautiful beaches of Chacahua. You can actually cool off on your own 3rd-floor pool! With air conditioning throughout each room there really isn’t much more you can ask for in paradise.
If you want to book directly through Facebook Charly’s Cabanas & Camping as well as Cabanas Ventanas al Pacifico can be booked that way. But remember never to send money directly. Always use a third-party app like PayPal or WISE so if anything goes wrong you’ll get your money back.
Things to Do in Lagunas de Chacahua
With perfect waves for surfing, Chacahua Surf Camp is a great place to learn how. You can either book a lesson with them or just watch as they teach beginners to get up on that board!
They also have equipment available like surfboards and kayaks so you’ll be able to have the perfect experience and make memories that last!
2. How can you enjoy the pristine beaches of Chacahua Oaxaca without sitting for a while and taking in all that the beaches have to offer? But be careful because there are strong waves on this beach.
3. The estuary of the lagoon is a perfect spot for those who want to enjoy some quiet time in water that’s not rough or wild.
It might not be like swimming on any beach you know, but this area has gentle currents flowing downstream from the sea into its waters–and then back up again!
You can jump off your feet onto soft sand at one end or float around. Regardless of what you do, this is the ultimate peace because there aren’t waves here at all.
4. There’s a small lighthouse at the mouth of Laguna de Chacahua, and while it might not be much to look upon in terms of aesthetics- the views from the top make up for everything!
You can take a boat over there by negotiating with the locals who will probably want to make a deal with you for tours as soon as they see you are a tourist.
The walk itself can be exhausting; however short, it is a steep uphill trek. Although it’s worth seeing this gorgeous lagoon with incredible landscapes surrounding every corner.
5. Chacahua Oaxaca is a beautiful location to visit if you want an authentic experience away from the hustle and bustle of Puerto Escondido. But remember you may not be able to find someone who can speak English, so make sure that they understand what you’re looking for before heading out on their boat!
Best Places to Eat in Chacahua Oaxaca
The restaurants on this island are mostly waterfront, with the main beach facing north into Laguna Chacahua.
There’s not much of a variety in terms of what you can find here – simply typical Mexican dishes or fish at cheap prices that won’t break your budget. If hunger strikes after enjoying some time outdoors then head over straightaway for one thing most restaurants do seem to have, chicken wings!
What to Pack When Headed to Lagunas de Chacahua
The only thing more difficult than arriving on this island is leaving. The cash you bring with you will go quickly and there are no ATM or bank branches located here, so be sure to have enough for your entire stay and in addition (a little) extra just in case things happen.
Remember that it’s important you have enough money on hand because many places don’t accept credit cards as payment because there are large charges added on. Therefore, cash is king!
If you’re planning on being out in the sun for any length of time, make sure to pack some sunscreen. The Mexican heat can be intense and you can burn easily even if swimming in more clothing.
I recommend getting reef-safe sunscreen lotion because it will help protect the oceans from harmful chemicals like oxybenzone which damages algae blooms.
You also don’t want to damage any of the water wildlife so protecting the reefs also protects the turtles!
Bug repellent is a must-have for any traveler in the wild. And if you’re traveling through National Park territory, be prepared with some insect killer and relief cream as well! There’s no shortage of bugs out here—especially at sunset. I highly recommend this handy bite pen that’ll get rid of those pesky puncture wounds fast so they won’t leave marks behind!
Of course, your swimming gear is an essential part of any vacation. You can’t imagine heading to the beach without your swimming suit, but I have just one piece of advice for you – buy a long-sleeve SPF protection shirt!
It will save time and energy so you don’t have to put sun cream on every few hours while enjoying yourself at the beach.
Plus once it’s wet it keeps you cool by keeping air moving over your skin better than ever before. It’s the perfect body air-conditioner!
Keep yourself entertained with some offline activities. Reading, e-reading, or listening to audiobooks all on your own time are just a few ways you can spend quality downtime in peace!
If reading isn’t really up your alley then try playing games like Solitaire or even better yet–spend some quality bonding moments over Netflix (just make sure to download your movies beforehand!)
Don’t bring a big backpack or suitcase because it’s just not needed.
Just bring clothes, toiletries, and other essentials for the length of stay you plan on having. If you do have a heavier bag, most accommodations will store it for you but make sure not to leave any valuables in your bags.
So what do you think? Did I cover everything you need to know about traveling to this off-the-beaten-path destination? Leave your comments below.
Hi I’m Shannon!
Hi, I’m Shannon and I’m a Canadian who fell in love with Mexico on my first trip to Puerto Vallarta when I was a young adult.
That started a 30 year love affair with this country which led to marrying my Mexican husband and building a home in Mexico. And now I have even a stronger connection to this gorgeous and complex country.
