Hotel Quinta Mar Y Selva

Beatriz and her husband run the hotel, and they're wonderful people. Chacala itself has warm, welcoming people too. The town's streets, though, are the worst I've seen in years of traveling around Guadalajara, Tlajomulco, Tonalá, and elsewhere. The mayor is a mess and should be fired. It seems worth investing in the place.

We stayed for five days and were very happy with the service and how clean everything was. The owners were friendly and attentive from the time we booked, and it was a great place to relax. The pool was lovely, but we visited in December and the water was so cold my children couldn't enjoy it. A heated pool would be worthwhile. I highly recommend it for a few quiet days away from the crowds.

The owners are friendly, and the best part of my stay was breakfast at the restaurant across the street. The food was delicious, with a view of the sea and jungle. The hotel is 400 meters from the sea, but getting to a suitable swimming spot takes about a kilometer along dirt roads. The room smelled strongly of damp, and using the closet made my clothes smell musty. The bathroom was small and uncomfortable, and the pool is tiny. Kids might enjoy it, but probably only in summer. There seem to be more restrictions than benefits. I stayed on January 4th and felt the price, 1440-1800 per night, was high for what the place offers. I wouldn't pay more than 800 per night for that room. There's a 500-peso security deposit, returned at checkout after an inspection. You also need to tell them if you'll arrive after 10 PM or leave before 8 AM. I won't be back, though it may suit other people. Maybe families with a couple of kids at most, who go to bed early and get up late, spend the day at the beach, and come back just to sleep. A path starts a few meters away and goes through the jungle to La Caleta, a hidden beach 3 km away where you could be completely alone. It's rocky, has no restaurants or anything, and some people arrive by boat to surf.

The owners were attentive and really friendly. The rooms were spacious and very clean, and the hotel was quiet, a good fit if you want to get away from the bustle. It's a bit far from the beach, but having a car makes that no problem.