Chamela is a small town in the state of Jalisco, on the west coast of Mexico. The town of Chamela sits on the south end of a bay called the Bahía de Chamela, or "Chamela Bay", on Federal Highway 200. San Mateo and Punta Pérula are the two other towns on the bay. It is 8 miles north of the better known resort of Careyes.

Aerial view of Island Bay, looking northward.
Cocina Island

Chamela was a port during Spanish colonial times, often visited by galleons. Ruins of a colonial era fortification, built by Pedro de Alvarado, still remain.

Also known as Island Bay, Chamela's islands were declared a protected nature sanctuary by the Mexican government on April 9, 2001. It is a mostly undeveloped tourism destination, although several companies have announced plans to develop resorts on the bay.[1]

A project to develop a marina on the bay's north point (Punta Perula) has been superseded by Roberto Hernandez Ramirez plan to develop a marina in Careyes, approximately 8 miles to the south.

In 2015, the town was largely destroyed by Hurricane Patricia.

References

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  • Airstrip 19°31.8′N 105°4.4′W / 19.5300°N 105.0733°W / 19.5300; -105.0733
  • Marine entry point

19°32′N 105°07′W / 19.533°N 105.117°W / 19.533; -105.117