How to Get to the Monkey Mountain Hike by Bus from Sayulita + Trail Info
Monkey Mountain (Cerro del Mono in Spanish) is one of the best hiking trails along the Riviera Nayarit. In this guide I’ll tell you everything you need to know including how to get to Monkey Mountain by bus from Sayulita, trail stats like distance and elevation, as well as what to expect along the Monkey Mountain hike from trailhead to summit.
The Monkey Mountain hike is a popular choice among travellers in Sayulita as it offers some of the best views in the area. From the small rocky summit you’ll be rewarded with impressive panoramas overlooking the Pacific coastline as well as Punta Mita and the surrounding inland mountains.
Some travellers opt to skip this hike as finding how to get to Monkey Mountain from Sayulita may seem daunting, but in this blog post I’ll alleviate any concerns and questions you may have.
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My Mexico map has recommendations for:
- Places: beach towns, mountain villages, backpacker hotspots, and magic towns
- Outdoors: beaches, hikes, waterfalls, hot springs, volcanos
- Restaurants: street food, healthy options, local favourites, international eats
- Experiences: holy sites, excursions, holistic experiences/retreats, turtle releases, photo-ops
- Planning: bus stops, lodging, public washrooms, tedious details (like laundromats/grocery stores)
How to get to Monkey Mountain by Bus from Sayulita
Despite what you may read online IT IS POSSIBLE to get to Monkey Mountain by bus from Sayulita. Alternatively you can take a taxi to Monkey Mountain which should cost around 300 pesos.
ps – I have all the bus stops mentioned below marked on my Mexico map for planning convenience
Monkey Mountain is located in Higuera Blanca which is just a 20 minute bus ride from Sayulita. I read it was very difficult to organize bus transportation from Sayulita to Monkey Mountain and vice versa, however in practise it’s not difficult.
To get to Monkey Mountain by bus from Sayulita you can go to the main station in town and purchase a bus ticket to Punta Mita which costs 95 pesos one-way. Ask the driver to drop you off at Higuera Blanca. Alternatively, I stood on the side of the highway here and flagged down the green Compostela bus with “Punta Mita” in the windshield and caught a ride to Higuera Blanca for 30 pesos (make sure you tell the driver you’re going to Higuera Blanca).
The Higuera Blanca bus drop off point is here. From this point, continue walking down the same road all the way to the Monkey Mountain trailhead.
To get back from Monkey Mountain to Sayulita by bus you’ll want to wait on the opposite side of the highway from where you were initially dropped off and flag down the green Compostela bus with Sayulita in the windshield. In my experience we were not successful and caught a taxi back to Sayulita for 300 pesos, however at a later date I discovered the following.
The bus from Sayulita to Punta Mita via the main terminal in town runs on an exact schedule (check the updated schedule when you go as things change over time). There are ATM buses with Sayulita on the windshield that will pass you frequently, however these will NOT pick you up. You specifically have to wait for the green Compostela bus returning to Sayulita’s main station which usually runs every 1-1.5hrs from morning until 7:00pm (ish).
The green Compostela bus from Punta Mita-Sayulita is the ONLY one that will pick you up if you’re trying to get from Monkey Mountain to Sayulita by bus. Be patient as the wait can be lengthy at times.
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Where to Stay Near Monkey Mountain
Most people opt to lodge in Sayulita and take the bus to Monkey Mountain opposed to staying in Higuera Blanca. Here are my top recommendations for where to stay in Sayulita based on travel preference and budget.
Best Hostels in Sayulita for Backpackers
Personal favourite hostel in Sayulita: I stayed at ITH The Amazing Hostel for 2 weeks and had a wonderful experience. Everyone is friendly, they have a sunny rooftop area with yoga mats and a sink for laundry, plus they have a pool and a fully equipped kitchen. This is the best hostel for 2 week Sayulita itineraries.
Best Social hostel in Sayulita for backpackers: La Redonda is on the louder side with no cozy area plus the showers and kitchen area aren’t great. The atmosphere however is much more social, they do daily surf trips to La Lancha, there are always activities going on, and the hostel is just steps from the beach/restaurants/bars. La Redonda is the best hostel for the 4 day Sayulita itinerary if you’re breezing through hoping to meet people.
Upscale Hostels in Sayulita: Casa Pepe and Viajero are both “fancier” hostels, but don’t necessarily have the same social component that La Redonda offers.
Women’s-only hostel in Sayulita: My Sister’s House is a female-only hostel that runs all kinds of spiritual and artsy events. It’s a super wholesome place for the ladies looking to connect with their feminine side.
Where to Stay in Sayulita According to Budget
Budget hotels in Sayulita: Villas Vista Suites and Hotel Playa Azul are both right by the beach and come in at very appealing price points.
Mid-range hotels in Sayulita: the 4 star Hotel Vista Oceana Sayulita and Casa Pia are also within close proximity to the beach, but with a bit more class.
Luxury hotels in Sayulita: if you’re looking for the best 5 star experience in Sayulita the Nomada Wellness Hotel is less than 100m away from the beach and has all the best fancy-dancy amenities.
About the Monkey Mountain Hike (aka Cerro del Mono)
- Distance: 6.9kms roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 303m
- Estimated time: 2-3hrs
- Rated: moderate
- Type of trail: out & back
- Time of year: year round
The Monkey Mountain hike is one of the most popular hiking trails near Sayulita and along the Riviera Nayarit. In saying this the trail is usually busy, especially on weekends. It’s best to get an early start or go in the evening hours to beat the crowds.
The summit area is quite small and you will likely have to wait in a queue to get your photo taken in the infamous Monkey Mountain photo-op spot, however you’ll be well rewarded with views overlooking Punta Mita, the Pacific coastline, and the surrounding inland mountains.
The Monkey Mountain hike follows a mostly shaded jungle route with some sun exposure along the way. Sun protection is recommended as the main road going to the trailhead is exposed, however once you hit the trail you’ll mainly be in the shade. The Monkey Mountain hike itself gains consistent, fairly gentle elevation to the summit, with only the final stretch becoming a bit steeper. There’s also a few large rocks you’ll need to navigate right before the summit, however only a few handholds are necessary to cross them.
My favourite thing about the Monkey Mountain hike is the local man selling fresh coconuts for 70 pesos at the bottom of the hike (only on weekends)! This is the perfect way to hydrate after sweating it out on the Monkey Mountain hike.
Many travellers opt to hike Monkey Mountain with a guide – this tour is popular and takes away the transportation-planning aspect.
Hiking the Monkey Mountain Trail
After exiting the bus from Sayulita to Monkey Mountain you’ll want to continue walking down the main road until you hit a dirt road. Follow this until you hit another paved road, then take a right until you see the Monkey Mountain trailhead on hiker’s right.
After this point the Monkey Mountain hike transitions to a mix of jungle, path, and dirt road. You may see cows wandering around. Walk until you come across a large rock on your right. Then take a right and continue along the Monkey Mountain trail.
The Monkey Mountain trail is easy to follow from this point. There’s one section close to the end where you’ll find a fork in the trail. Continue on the trail that goes up and you’ll find the Monkey Mountain summit with ease.
The last stretch of the Monkey Mountain hike becomes a bit steeper and there are some large rocks you’ll need to move across. Watch your step and use a few handholds to cross this section – it’s easy and beginner hikers will be able to handle it without a problem.
Once you reach the top of the Monkey Mountain hike you’ll find a very small, busy summit area. Be patient as you wait to take your pictures and enjoy the view of the mountains and the ocean!
The return hike for Monkey Mountain may seem slippery as it’s packed and dry. Take your time or run down if you find that easier. I found running helped me keep my balance – and saved my knees – on the steeper sections.
If you visit on weekends you’ll find this sweet man selling fresh coconuts for 70 pesos at the bottom of the Monkey mountain hike. To date his coconuts are the best I’ve had in Mexico!
Monkey Mountain Hike FAQs
To recap, here are the most frequently asked questions regarding the Monkey Mountain hike and how to get there.
How to get to Monkey Mountain by bus from Sayulita?
You can get to the Monkey Mountain hike from Sayulita by bus via the green Compostela bus that runs from Sayulita to Punta Mita. More information can be found above.
Can you get back to Sayulita from Higuera Blanca by bus?
You CAN get to Sayulita from Higuera Blanca by bus. You’ll need to wait on the opposite side of the highway from where you were dropped off and wait for the green Compostela bus that runs from Punta Mita-Sayulita. This bus runs every 1-1.5hrs so it may be a bit of a wait.
How much is the taxi from Sayulita to Higuera Blanca?
I paid 300 pesos for the taxi from Higuera Blanca to Sayulita.
Is the Monkey Mountain hike hard?
No, the Monkey Mountain hike is not hard. Beginner hikers, children, and dogs can easily complete this trail.
Can I hike Monkey Mountain without a guided tour?
Yes you can hike Monkey Mountain without a guide, however joining a tour like this one takes away the transportation-planning aspect.
Is the Monkey Mountain hike best at sunrise or sunset?
The Monkey Mountain hike is best at sunset, but hiking for sunset means you’ll need to hike back in the dark. Monkey Mountain is most commonly hiked at sunrise.
When does the man sell fresh coconuts on the Monkey Mountain hike?
There is a man selling fresh coconuts on the Monkey Mountain hike for 70 pesos on weekends.
Is the Monkey Mountain hike good?
The Monkey Mountain hike is one of the best hikes in Riviera Nayarit. It offers impressive summit views and requires you to climb actual elevation unlike many of the other coastal walks the area. Monkey mountain is the “realest” hike near Sayulita!
Is the Monkey Mountain hike busy?
The Monkey Mountain hike is very busy on weekends as it’s one of the best hikes near Sayulita. During the week Monkey Mountain is less busy, but still sees lots of foot traffic.
Is the Monkey Mountain hike safe? Can I hike it alone?
I found the Monkey Mountain hike to be very safe, especially considering the vast amount of people on the trail. I personally would feel comfortable hiking Monkey Mountain alone, however I’m a very experienced solo hiker.
Download my Mexico Google Map
Get all my Mexico travel recommendations saved directly to your phone – a digital guide available at your fingertips!
My Mexico map has recommendations for:
- Places: beach towns, mountain villages, backpacker hotspots, and magic towns
- Outdoors: beaches, hikes, waterfalls, hot springs, volcanos
- Restaurants: street food, healthy options, local favourites, international eats
- Experiences: holy sites, excursions, holistic experiences/retreats, turtle releases, photo-ops
- Planning: bus stops, lodging, public washrooms, tedious details (like laundromats/grocery stores)
Quick Mexico Travel Guide
Travel Insurance: ALWAYS purchase reliable travel insurance before your trip. This insurance is trusted by backpackers and adventure sport enthusiasts around the world. You can also use my link to receive 5% off SafetyWing policies. Here’s a blog post with more trustworthy travel insurance options you can compare.
Best time to visit: December to April has cooler temps and sunny skies. Hurricane season is from June to November.
Currency: Mexican peso, displayed as “$.” Cash is king in Mexico so it’s best to always have some on-hand. Small bills and change are always helpful for transportation and tipping. Most ATMs have service fees so try to withdraw larger amounts at once.
Local transportation: varies from trams and buses in bigger cities to colectivos in smaller beach towns. Local transportation is cheap, but if you’re looking to travel long distances you’ll need to utilize pricier night buses or fly.
Phone: SIM cards can be purchased at Oxxo. Data plans are generally cheap.
Language: Spanish. In popular backpacking spots you can often get by with English, however having basic Spanish or Google Translate is necessary elsewhere.
Safety: Mexico’s safety varies greatly from place-to-place.
Purchase my Mexico map: which is downloadable to Google Maps on your phone and has all my Mexico recommendations & travel tips constantly available at your fingertips.
Packing Guide: here’s my ultimate packing guide/travel essentials.
Happy adventuring!
Taylor ♡
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About the Author
HI, I’m Taylor – the voice behind The Holistic Backpacker.
After moving to Banff National Park in 2020 I became an outdoor adventure enthusiast and vowed to never stop exploring.
I now spend my days travelling the world, climbing mountains, and spending nights under the stars in the Canadian Rockies backcountry.
I created The Holistic Backpacker so I could share my adventures and help connect people like you with the same amazing experiences.
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