Chacala and the Cabo Corrientes

The Chacala trip is possible only in the dry season when the roads are passable, usually December through May, and is well worth the time and effort. [See links for map.]

We leave Yelapa in the morning in a 4-wheel drive vehicle with Alicia Rodriguez as our guide. Slowly we wind our way up the mountain through the tropical forest pausing to greet other travelers and to check out the flora and fauna along the way. We notice the soil changing from white sand to red clay — and, in about 20 minutes, we arrive at Yelapa Tapa. From this vantage, we see awesome views of the Bay of Banderas and it's environs. As we continue through the highlands, we pass ranches and agave fields, forests and streams. Approximately an hour after leaving Yelapa, we arrive in Chacala and stop at Nelly's to eat a tasty and plentiful home cooked meal.

Next we drive to Mascotita to visit the Raicilla Factory. Raicilla is the legendary local moonshine made from the piñas of the Agave inaequidens or Agave maximilliana. Production of this elixir is shrouded in myth and mischief. [See links for more information.]

We finish our day with a relaxing picnic and refreshing swim in the warm water at Agua Caliente. As we wind our way down the mountain, we marvel at the views knowing people have been traveling these paths (now this road) for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years. Contact us

Workshop Dates:

week one

January 16th - 24th 2008 / space available

week two

January 25th - February 2nd 2008 / space available

Map of Cabo Corrientes>>

RAICILLA... the myth... the facts>>

A Spiritual Link to Vallarta's Past: Raicilla>>

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