Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Visiting the Petroglyphs near Alta Vista

If you are looking for a half-day trip while you are staying in Chacala, you might enjoy the petroglyph site near Alta Vista. Many people come to Chacala without knowing about this wonderful opportunity. Although Chacala is by no means considered an important historic site, it does as a long history (first Europeans in the mid-1500's), as the first and closest port to Guadalajara.

However, a trip to the nearby Alta Vista petroglyph site is an amazing experience not to be missed by anyone interested in the pre-hispanic times in Mexico.



















The field trip from Chacala to Alta Vista takes about 30 minutes by car, and maybe an hour via combi and walking from Alta Vista. The Petroglyphs are located in a river bed in a small valley near Alta Vista.

The Tecoxquines created thousands of petroglyph believed to be part of their religious experience. These petroglyphs were created more than 2,000 years ago. The site offers explanatory signs in Spanish and English. The trail thru the site is just a trail, and not a good walk for those with mobility problems. It's shady most of the walk, and the stream bed contains water during parts of the rainy season. The last part of the drive can be tough, especially during the rainy season.Alvaro, a Chacala resident who speaks English, offers a inexpensive guided tour, using either your vehicle or combi. It is difficult to find the location without a guide. There is usually an elderly local gentleman at the site, who is the caretaker, cleaning up after visitors, etc. One is expected to offer him a small tip.During the tourist season in Chacala, Alvaro offers excursions to the Petroglyph site every morning at 8am. Reservations are necessary. Contact Alvara at his home, a small concrete block house at the north end of the main beach in Chacala. Everyone knows which house is his.

Trini's ( trinimoya2@hotmail.com) family also offers van trips to the petroglyphs, and the drivers speak some English.