National park · Mexico
Lagunas de Chacahua National ParkParque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua
Go for one night, not a day trip: reach El Zapotalito by 15:00, take the M$300 direct boat through the mangroves, sleep in Chacahua village, and do the lagoon and bioluminescence at new moon; skip it in September–October rain.Go for one night, not a day trip: reach El Zapotalito by 3:00 PM, take the M$300 direct boat through the mangroves, sleep in Chacahua village, and do the lagoon and bioluminescence at new moon; skip it in September–October rain.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
133 km² (51 sq mi)51 sq mi (133 km²)
approximate
Established
1986
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 133 km² (51 sq mi)51 sq mi (133 km²)
- About 30 km² is lagoon; the rest is dry land, mangrove, savannah and dunes (check).
- Established
- 1986
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Puerto Escondido
Lagunas de Chacahua is a coastal park of connected lagoons, mangrove channels, dry forest and dunes on the Oaxaca Pacific, about 54 km west of Puerto Escondido. The village of Chacahua sits behind the beach and is reached only by boat from El Zapotalito, which keeps it small and quiet. The park is a Ramsar wetland and a turtle nesting beach; the main reasons to come are the mangrove boat crossing, the surf, the lagoon at night and the lighthouse sunset.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetland · 2008Ramsar wetland site (check the listing year).
Size and age
133 km² (51 sq mi)51 sq mi (133 km²) · national park since 1986
About 30 km² is lagoon; the rest is dry land, mangrove, savannah and dunes (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Puerto Escondido.
Why go
- The boat crossing from El Zapotalito runs through mangrove channels — the cheapest wildlife hour in the region.
- A surf break at the jetty with long rights and far fewer people than Puerto Escondido.
- Bioluminescence in the lagoon on dark nights, best at new moon.
- A car-free village where the beach is the main street.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry season; hot days, clear nights
- FebDry season; good surf
- MarDry season; hot, strong afternoon sun
- AprLate dry season; heat builds
- MayHeat peak; rain may start (check)
- JunRainy season begins; muddy tracks
- JulWet; bigger surf
- AugWet; storm risk
- SepWithin the rainy season; wettest stretch (check)
- OctRainy season tailing off (check)
- NovDrying out; quiet
- DecDry; holiday crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbirds (storks, herons, pelicans, spoonbills, teals)Nov–Mar · Best in the dry season when water levels drop. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Sea turtles nestingJun–Dec · Three species visit; nesting is at night and managed by camp staff. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Crocodiles in the channelsAll year · Seen occasionally from boats; do not swim in the lagoons. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| MosquitoesJun–Oct · Worst in the wet season; repellent is essential at dusk. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Puerto Escondido
Collectivo toward Río Grande or Santa Rosa de Lima, get off at the El Zapotalito turn, then a shared taxi to the boat dock.
1.5–2 h
From Puerto Escondido by car
Highway 200 west, exit for El Zapotalito, park and take the boat.
1–1.5 h
From El Zapotalito
Shared boat over the short crossing plus a pickup ride, or the direct boat to the village.
20–60 min
From Oaxaca city
Bus or van to Puerto Escondido first, then the collectivo route above.
7–9 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Chacahua village and beach | Guesthouses, restaurants, surf at the jetty, the lighthouse walk. | Open; walk everywhere. |
| Lagoon system | Chacahua, La Pastoria and Las Salinas lagoons joined by narrow channels. | By boat; bioluminescence trips at night. |
| Mangrove channels | Tunnels of mangrove with herons, pelicans and occasional crocodiles. | On the direct boat or a mangrove tour. |
| Dunes and nesting beach | Open coast where turtles come ashore in season. | Open on foot; restricted at nests. |
Sketch map
- 1El Zapotalito dock · Gate≈15.933, -97.717Approximate; where boats leave for the village.Map ↗
- 2Chacahua village · Village≈15.967, -97.687Map ↗
- 3Chacahua lighthouse · Viewpoint≈15.960, -97.700Approximate; across the lagoon from the village.Map ↗
- 4Laguna de Chacahua · Beach≈15.955, -97.670Approximate centre of the lagoon system.Map ↗
- 5Surf jetty · Beach≈15.970, -97.680Approximate.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from El Zapotalito to the village and lagoon, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (federal protected area) | MXN 60–100 (≈ US$4–6) | person | 2026 estimate; collected on arrival — confirm the current charge with CONANP or the boat operator. |
| Shared boat across the short lagoon crossing | MXN 50 (≈ US$3) | person | Plus a M$50 pickup ride to the village. |
| Direct boat El Zapotalito to Chacahua village | MXN 300 (≈ US$17) | person | Longer route through the mangroves; works as a boat tour. |
| Bioluminescence lagoon tour | MXN 200–300 (≈ US$11–17) | person | 2026 estimate; best at new moon. |
| Surfboard rental | MXN 250–350 (≈ US$14–19) | board/day | Lessons with local teachers cost extra. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Lagoon boat trips no permit
Turtle nesting beach no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MX$60–100≈ US$4–6
- MX$50≈ US$3
- MX$300≈ US$17
- MX$200–300≈ US$11–17
- MX$250–350≈ US$14–19
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP) — Lagunas de Chacahua before you go.
Park rules
- Cash only
- There is no ATM in Chacahua. Bring enough pesos for boats, food and lodging; a few shops charge about 10% to withdraw.
- Turtles
- No touching turtles or nests, no lights or fires on the nesting beach at night.
- Lagoon swimming
- Do not swim in the lagoons; crocodiles live in the channels.
- Fishing
- Recreational fishing needs a permit; ask before joining a local boat.
- Litter and fires
- Carry out all rubbish; no beach fires.
Where to stay
In the park
Chacahua village beach rooms
Simple fan rooms on the sand, roughly M$400–600; walk around and ask to see the room first.
In the park
Camping and hammocks
Several places rent hammocks or camp spots cheaply; some let you camp free if you eat there daily.
Near the park
El Zapotalito
Basic rooms by the dock if you arrive too late for a boat.
Safety
Heat and sun medium
Boat crossings medium
Surf and currents medium
Mosquito-borne illness low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The village is sand and dirt; wheelchairs are hard going beyond the main path.
- Boats from El Zapotalito need a step down and are not adapted; ask the operator for help boarding.
Visiting lightly
- Use the direct boat or a shared crossing instead of private boats for two people.
- Do not buy turtle eggs or shells; report offers to the turtle camp.
- Take refillable water and carry out plastic; village waste collection is limited.
- Eat fish and seafood locally so the village earns from the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lagunas de Chacahua National Park?
Federal park entry is around M$60–100 per person (2026 estimate; confirm on arrival). Add the boat: M$50 for the short shared crossing plus M$50 for the pickup ride, or M$300 for the direct boat to the village. There is no ATM in Chacahua, so bring cash.
What are the best hikes in Lagunas de Chacahua National Park?
There are no long trails. The best walks are the short climb to the lighthouse for sunset, the beach and village paths, and the dune edge behind the sand. The real routes are on water: the mangrove channels by boat and the lagoon at night for bioluminescence.
When is the best time to visit Lagunas de Chacahua National Park?
December to March: dry, hot days, clear nights and good surf. April and May are hotter. June to October is the rainy season, with September the wettest and boats sometimes stopped. For bioluminescence, pick a new-moon night in the dry season.
How do I get to Chacahua from Puerto Escondido?
Take a collectivo toward Río Grande or Santa Rosa de Lima and get off at the El Zapotalito turn, then a shared taxi to the dock, then a boat. Allow 1.5–2 hours. By car, drive Highway 200 west and exit for El Zapotalito.
Can I visit as a day trip?
You can, but you would see little: the last boats back and the bioluminescence trips make an overnight stay the point. Sleep one or two nights in the village.
Is there an ATM or card payment in Chacahua?
No ATM. A few shops take cards and some offer cash withdrawal at about 10% commission. Bring enough pesos for everything.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go