ABOUT LA CASA CHILAM
La Casa Chilam sits on the hill in Altavista, in the Riviera Nayarit, 300 meters above sea level and 14 kilometers from the shore. About 660 square feet: one bedroom with a queen bed and a full sized sofabed, a bathroom with a standing shower, and a fully equipped kitchen with a stovetop, toaster oven, microwave, blender, food processor, and coffee maker. Linens, towels, and kitchenware are all provided. Sleeps four.
Air conditioning is controlled from your phone through the Cielo Home app. We send you the invite before you arrive so it is ready when you get here. Two ceiling fans and a portable fan are there for when you would rather have the breeze.
There is a desk if you need to work, and a smart TV for your own streaming accounts. Starlink keeps the wifi fast and reliable this far into the hills.
Most guests end up outside anyway. The front patio has the view, constant airflow, and shade. When fruit is ripe on the property, we love sharing whatever is ready with you.
ABOUT THE PROPERTY
Cerrito Encantado has several places to stay, and this listing is La Casa Chilam. You also have the shared spaces: the saltwater pool with ocean and valley views, the outdoor kitchen with its brick oven and grill, two meditation areas, the yard, the washer and dryer, and the clothes lines. When no one else is booked, the whole place is yours.
Traveling with more people? We also rent La Casa Redonda and the whole property, which sleeps 15.
GETTING HERE AND PARKING
We sit just below the main road, on the hill in Altavista. If you have a high clearance vehicle with AWD or 4x4, drive right down to the covered parking. If you do not, park up top next to the estética and walk down, it takes about a minute. Tomy, our property manager, meets you on the road and helps with your bags either way. Send us your arrival time and we will be there.
GETTING AROUND
A car is the easiest way to explore, but plenty of guests come without one. Taxis run daily, and we can share driver numbers. If you order food from Las Varas, a driver will bring it out and meet you on the main road for a small fee.
TIME ZONE
Altavista is one hour behind Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, San Pancho, and Guadalajara. When it is 10am in Puerto Vallarta, it is 9am here. Plan your arrival and departure with that in mind.
NATURE
We are in a tropical area surrounded by jungle, mountains, and ocean. Insects and wildlife are part of the ecosystem here. We run monthly, environmentally sound pest control and clean thoroughly between guests, but this may not be the right fit if you are highly sensitive to insects.
OUR DOGS
We have two dogs on the property. They are friendly, they keep the grounds free of wandering critters, and they are happy to follow you around or be tied up if you prefer. Staff tie them up in the evening and let them out in the morning. If you bring your own dogs, ours stay leashed for your whole stay.
WHO YOU WILL MEET
Tomy, our property manager, is here three days a week, and stops by every morning and evening to settle the dogs. She is warm, happy to see guests, and always glad to help, so say hello. She speaks Spanish, so message us any time and we will translate. Chris and I are here only a few times a year, for short stays, and we keep to one of the houses and stay out of your way.
DRIVE TIMES
Las Varas 18 minutes. La Peñita 20 minutes. Rincón de Guayabitos 24 minutes. Chacala 27 minutes. Los Ayala 30 minutes. El Monteón 30 minutes. Lo de Marcos 34 minutes. San Pancho 44 minutes. Sayulita 56 minutes. Puerto Vallarta airport 1 hour 30 minutes.
GROCERIES AND FOOD
Altavista has small stores for the basics, fresh tortillas at the tortillería, and pollo asado from a nearby home on Saturdays. For a full shop, La Peñita and Las Varas have the best selection, and we are happy to share our list of favorite stores and restaurants.
SIGHTSEEING
The Altavista petroglyphs, also called La Pila del Rey, sit about 8 minutes from town. 56 ancient carvings on land that is still an active Huichol ceremonial site. It needs a high clearance vehicle and a guide, and we can take you out with time at the site. Give us at least a week's notice with a specific date and time.
The aguas termales at Nuevo Ixtlán and the Ojo de Agua El Rey are about an hour out. Arrive early, bring towels and your own food.
A hiking trail circles the hill of Altavista, a beautiful 3 to 4 hour walk. Go with a local guide.
Isla Coral off Rincón de Guayabitos has white sand and clear water for snorkeling. Go early and have it to yourself.
The Thursday tianguis in La Peñita runs 8am to 3pm and is worth planning your week around. Las Varas has its own on Fridays.
Sea turtle releases happen on the beach in Guayabitos in season, and Mar de Jade in Chacala takes drop-ins for yoga.
POWER
Like all of the Riviera Nayarit, outages happen now and then. Candles are in your unit.
