Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua

Introducing Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua

Heading west from Puerto Escondido toward Acapulco, Hwy 200 wends near a coast studded with lagoons, pristine beaches and prolific bird and plant life. Settlements in this region contain many descendants of African slaves who escaped from the Spanish.

The area around the coastal lagoons of Chacahua and La Pastoría forms the beautiful Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua, which attracts migratory birds from Alaska and Canada in winter. Mangrove-fringed islands harbor roseate spoonbills, ibises, ­cormorants, wood storks, herons and egrets, as well as mahogany trees, crocodiles and turtles. El Corral, a mangrove-lined waterway filled with countless birds in winter, connects the two lagoons. The boat trip along the lagoons is fabulous, and at its end Chacahua village sits upon a gorgeous beach curving at least 20km eastward, inviting you stop for a meal or a night in rustic cabañas.

The starting point for boat trips is the small fishing village of Zapotalito, at the eastern end of Laguna La Pastoría. Two or three boat cooperatives here offer lancha service to Chacahua village. There are two basic options, ‘terrestre’ and ‘por agua’. Terrestre means you go by boat across the lagoon from Zapotalito to meet a camioneta that then makes a half-hour trip to Chacahua along the spit of land between lagoons and ocean. Por agua means you go all the way to Chacahua by boat, usually with halts at various islands and channels where a Spanish-speaking guide will point out the birds. A four-hour return por agua return trip, including two hours at Chacahua village, generally runs around M$800 for up to 10 people. The terrestre variation is about M$500. For a one-way trip to Chacahua, expect to pay about M$400 for a boat all the way. When there is sufficient traffic, colectivo services are operated for M$50 per person each way por agua, or M$30 terrestre. Check return times before you settle in at Chacahua for the day!

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009