SAYULITA TRAILS AND BEACHES: DAY HIKING AND JUNGLE WALKS
Hiking
In general, hiking around Sayulita is mostly confined to hiking to different beaches. This is in part because any hike striking off inland into the jungle will soon find Highway 200. However, the hikes between town and outlying beaches can be full of adventure and offer the opportunity to see birds & wildlife as trails cut through the jungle. The Monkey Mountain hike does not involve a beach and a hill hike towards San Pancho can avoid the beach if you are looking for a break from the sand. Joining a hiking tour from a highly recommended local company offers fun and adventure. EcoHike offers local hikes with an experienced, bilingual guide, such as the popular Monkey Mountain hike, hiking through dense tropical forest on the Camino de Jaguar, as well as fun day trips near Sayulita.
Monkey Mountain
Hiking monkey mountain near Sayulita Monkey mountain, near Sayulita is considered sacred to the Huichol Indians and is one of the most distinctive features of the surrounding landscape. A 360°, captivating view awaits you, from the Bahia de Banderas to San Blas, on Cerro de Mono, or “Monkey Mountain.” To attempt this adventurous trail, it’s best to go with a local guide, as the trail winds through dense forest and complicated rancho crossings. It is usually a three-hour hike round-trip and is strenuous due to the rugged terrain. Make sure to bring your camera; along the trail you will see petroglyphs and artifacts from ancient indigenous tribes who lived in the area. The array of flora that decorate the landscape will captivate you as you enter into the immense canopy of the forest. Along the hike, be on the lookout for the tracks of jaguars, ocelots and coyotes. Bird watchers will enjoy viewing Military Macaws, San Blas Jays and even the Russet Crowned Motmot. Make sure to bring hiking shoes, lots of water and binoculars, as well as your camera.
Looking north from top of Monkey Mountain
Jungle north of Sayulita
There are two routes if you want to walk to San Pancho, through the jungle and along the beach. However, you do have to cross private land on both routes. If you go the Malpaso Beach route, you will go through a gate that may be closed at times. If you go through the jungle and end up on a small private road, you will encounter a very high gate or perhaps someone that will turn you back. Currently, the best route through the jungle is to take new mountain bike trails that are very windy. These mountain bike trails are not for beginners but are a genuine thrill for more experienced riders. Eventually, you will come out of the jungle on a small dirt road that will take you to the highway. There is a path beside the highway that will take you into San Pancho.
Click the green button below to see a detailed map.
The offline GPS enabled version of this map is available through Avenza Maps.
Jungle trail north of Sayulita
San Francisco (a.k.a. San Pancho)
For real exercise, walk along Playa Malpasos to the neighboring village of San Francisco (aka San Pancho), four miles north of Sayulita. One end of the town beach is very swimable and the other end is home to Costa Azul Adventure Resort, a nice place to have a drink and watch the sunset. In the middle lie the quiet cobblestone streets of San Pancho.
After Playa Malpasos, you'll pass the former estate of one of Mexico's former presidents. Here you might have to practice a bit of citizens' action because the new owners have blocked access, which is against Mexican law. People still cross by ignoring the "no trespassing" signs. Hopefully by the time you arrive, this situation will no longer be an issue. Refreshment, and a taxi ride back home, available in town.
San Pancho is accessible by Highway 200.
Please note that sometimes the gate at the end of Malpasos beach is chained and locked, so no access to town is possible via this route when gate is locked.
Malpaso Beach
Caution
Even though the hikes are easy on well-defined trails you should use common sense and take a few precautions.
- Tell someone where you are going.
- Carry water - 3 liters for a day. Suggestion - freeze a bottle of water overnight and wrap a towel around it when you set off and you will have cold water for later on. Take frequent sips rather than infrequent big gulps.
- Take some food.
- Carry a medical kit; if you do not have one collect together sun block, aspirin, a bandage - crepe/elastic preferably, antiseptic cream, bug spray, a whistle – to attract attention in an emergency.
- a small flashlight would be a good idea.
- Wildlife – encounters with animals will be rare, but snakes, scorpions, land crabs, insects and bird life are all around. Do not touch nor feed wild animals, some are dangerous.
- All hikes can be done in sandals except Monkey Mountain. (8) Please do not go off the trails as this needlessly damages the plants and upsets the ecology of the area.
Beaches
Playa de Los Muertos
Walk to the south (left when facing the sea) around the curve of Sayulita bay past Villa Amor and follow the dirt road left up the hill, under an arch and through the cemetery. At the bottom of the hill, on the far side of the cemetery, turn right to Playa de Los Muertos, which is very popular with Mexican families and a safe swimming beach. Huge rocks protect it on both sides so the waves are usually smaller, and there is a roped off area for swimming and you don't have to worry about fishing boat traffic. Las Cargadas is the tiny beach past the rocks to the south of Playa Los Muertos. There are other little beaches here that are best accessed by kayak or Stand up Paddle board from Sayulita.
Playa de Los Muertos
Playa Carricitos
Here, you'll find huge waves and it's very possible that you'll be alone on this wild, windswept beach. There are homes here but most are well hidden in the wooded hills above the water. There are almost always waves to bodysurf at this beach. Use extreme caution swimming here as there can be large, powerful waves at times.
Playa Carricitos
Playas Patzcuaro and Patzcuarito
These are even more remote Sayulita-area beaches that take a bit more effort to get to, but provide stunning beauty and usually isolation
Playa Patzcuarito
Patzcuaro Palms - Photo by Spencer Ian Harris
Playas Las Cuevas & Playa Malpaso
These beaches are to the north of Sayulita and offer privacy, jungle hikes, white sand, and beautiful clear water. Two miles north (to the right when facing the sea) of Sayulita, surrounded by rocky cliffs, this tiny horseshoe-shaped bay is perfect for lovers. Pay close attention to the tide so that you do not get washed away. Access is by a path through the jungle.
BE AWARE THAT SWIMMING AT PLAYA MALPASOS IS NOT RECOMMENDED, THERE ARE STRONG UNDERTOWS AND RIPTIDES. USE EXTREME CAUTION.
Playa Malpaso
Playas Las Cuevas
