Sayulita-San Pancho Hike: Beach & Jungle Route Descriptions

The Sayulita to San Pancho hike is the best trail in Sayulita. It’s a scenic coastal jungle trail which connects the two towns as it passes beautiful viewpoints and beaches. In this guide I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Sayulita-San Pancho hike including trailhead coordinates, stats, routes, side trails, and helpful tips.

During my time in Sayulita I hiked the Sayulita-San Pancho trail multiple times. Most mornings I’d run it to Malpaso beach for some exercise before anyone was awake. If you’ll be in Sayulita or San Pancho, this hike is something I’d definitely recommend adding to your itinerary.

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~ Taylor ♡

About the Sayulita-San Pancho Hike

The Sayulita to San Pancho hike is an easy coastal jungle trail with multiple beaches and wildlife viewing opportunities. This is the most popular hike in Sayulita and as such you can expect to see lots of friendly people out and about on the trail.

You can hike from either San Pancho to Sayulita or Sayulita to San Pancho. There are two trails you can take; beach front and jungle. I talk more about these options and I’ve linked the Alltrails maps below.

Many travellers opt to hike Sayulita-San Pancho one way, spend the day exploring the town they arrive at, then take the bus back. I’ve listed bus information below.

One important thing to note about the Sayulita-San Pancho hike is that the trail is not marked. It’s advised to have a map downloaded so you know where you’re going.

When to hike Sayulita-San Pancho – January to April is best as it’s dry season, but you can hike this trail year round.

Where to Stay in Sayulita

Sayulita is a lively destination with plenty of activities, beautiful beaches, and restaurants. Although “touristy” in some respects, Sayulita still has a locals vibe to it. Here are my top recommendations for where to stay in Sayulita for every budget.

Top hostels in Sayulita for backpackers: I stayed at ITH The Amazing Hostel for weeks and loved it. It’s a quieter hostel with more longterm travellers and plenty of “homey” amenities like kitchen appliances and yoga mats. Alternatively Le Redonda is the local party hostel with a more lively atmosphere. There’s also the Viajero Hostel which is a bit nicer, but not social.

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 Casa Pepe Hotel 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.

Where to Stay in San Pancho

San Pancho is the quieter version of Sayulita. If you’re looking to escape the crowds and connect with nature, San Pancho is a great option for you. Here are my top recommendations for where to stay in San Pancho based on every budget.

Budget hotels in San Pancho: Akoma San Pancho and Casa Pancho Playa come in at the best price points in San Pancho.

Mid-range hotels in San Pancho: Hotel Artesanal and Verde Luna are both lovely mid range establishments offering air conditioning and a wide variety of amenities.

Luxury hotels in San Pancho: Ciyé Hotel and Witari Hotel Boutique are San Pancho’s 5 star hotels. These luxury hotels have pools and air conditioning.

Where Does the Sayulita-San Pancho Hike Start?

There are multiple trailheads for the Sayulita-San Pancho hike.

If you’re starting from Sayulita you can either walk to the furthest north end of the main beachfront, walk up the rocks, then follow the path into the trees for the beach trail. For the jungle trail, the trailhead is here at the end of the road. FYI you do NOT have to pay the infamous “fee” for the Sayulita-San Pancho hike at this trailhead. More information about this below.

If you’re starting from San Pancho the beachfront trailhead is here. The jungle trailhead is here just off the main highway.

Sayulita-San Pancho Beach vs Jungle Trail

There are two trails you can take for the Sayulita-San Pancho hike; jungle and beachfront. Both trails pass Malpaso beach (Playa Malpaso).

Sayulita-San Pancho Jungle Trail

• Distance: 3.5kms one-way
• Elevation gain: 150m one-way
• Estimated time: 1-1.5hrs one-way

The Sayulita-San Pancho jungle hike is my preferred trail. There’s more elevation gain than the beachfront route and there’s more protection from the sun. You can also access a side trail to a nearby “summit” from this route.

The route remains in the trees the entire way, but passes Malpaso Beach directly so you can still check out the beach along the way. From the Sayulita-San Pancho jungle route you can also access the side trails I’ve mentioned below.

The jungle route’s path is packed with some roots and rocks exposed. Closed toe shoes recommended.

Sayulita-San Pancho Beachfront Trail

• Distance: 4kms one-way
• Elevation gain: 70m one-way
• Estimated time: 1hr one-way

As you may expect the Sayulita-San Pancho Beachfront hike follows the beach almost entirely from town-to-town. The trail starts at the north end of the beachfront in Sayulita and ends at the south end of Playa San Pancho beach – or vice versa.

There’s one section near Playa Las Cuevas (Cave Beach) where the beach trail enters the forest to get around the tall rocks on the beach. If you opt to visit during low tide you can walk through the cave to Malpaso beach rather than hike around though.

This Sayulita-San Pancho beachfront route is exposed to the sun so you must bring adequate sun protection.

Where is the Malpaso Beach Viewpoint

Since there are two routes for the Sayulita-San Pancho hike I think it’s worth mentioning that the best viewpoint on this hike is located here.

If you start this trail from the north end of the beach in Sayulita you’ll undoubtedly come across it. If you take the jungle trail or are coming from San Pancho direction it’s possible to take a different route and miss it. Keep an eye on maps to ensure you cross this vantage point.

Is the Sayulita-San Pancho Hike Marked?

No, the Sayulita-San Pancho hike is not marked. There are many trails and it can be easy to take the wrong turn. The best way to ensure you know where you’re going is to download the maps I’ve linked above and track your location as you go.

How Long Does the Sayulita-San Pancho Hike Take?

The Sayulita-San Pancho hike takes around 1-1.5hrs oneway, or around 2-3hrs if you plan to do the return hike as well.

How to Take the Bus from Sayulita-San Pancho

If you opt to hike one-way between Sayulita and San Pancho then take the bus back, here’s everything you need to know.

If you’re taking the bus from Sayulita to San Pancho, the bus terminal is here. You can purchase a bus ticket to San Pancho at the main counter. Buses run frequently so you don’t have to worry about timing your arrival. The bus number will be listed on your ticket and the bus drops you off on the opposite side of the highway to the stop linked below.

If you’re taking the bus from San Pancho to Sayulita, the bus stop is here. Look for the local buses with “Sayulita” written on the windshield, flag them down, and pay when you board. The bus back to Sayulita will drop you off on the highway here so it’s a bit of a walk back into town. If you’re lucky another local bus going into town will pass you and you can hop on that – they often only cost around 10 pesos.

The Sayulita-San Pancho bus costs only 30 pesos one-way making it an affordable method of transportation between the two towns. It takes around 10 minutes each way.

Sayulita-San Pancho Side Trails

There are a couple optional side trails you can choose to take when you complete the Sayulita-San Pancho hike.

The “Nub”

Not officially called the “nub,” but what I’m referring to it as for the purpose of this guide. The nub is a higher “summit” off the main trail which offers an overhead view of both Sayulita, San Pancho, and the distant higher mountains. This spot is most beautiful at sunrise.

The “nub” is located here.

There’s a fork in the main Sayulita-San Pancho jungle trail approximately here. To get to the nub from Sayulita turn right at the fork. To get here from San Pancho take a left at the fork. From the fork it’s only 700m distance with 165m elevation gain. It should take around 15 minutes to the top from the main trail and around 10 on the way down.

Cave Beach (Playa Las Cuevas)

Located here, Cuevas Beach is just steps from the main Sayulita-San Pancho hiking trail. You can opt to venture off the main jungle trail to get here or continue walking north on the main beachfront in Sayulita to find it.

If you take the beachfront route from Sayulita aim to hike at low tide so you can walk through the caves instead of hiking through the jungle to get around them. If you must walk through the jungle it’s only a quick mission.

What to Wear on the Sayulita-San Pancho Trail

You can wear whatever you want on the Sayulita-San Pancho hike. Closed toe shoes are definitely recommended for the jungle route as there are some rocks and roots exploded on the trail, but I’ve done sections in sandals and have been fine.

The San Pancho-Sayulita beach hike is exposed to the sun, so bring adequate sun protection.

If you opt to hike early or late in the day it may be a bit chilly. A long sleeve may be more comfortable at these times.

Do You Have to Pay on the Sayulita-San Pancho Hike?

Technically no, you do not need to pay for the Sayulita-San Pancho hike. There are a lot of rumours that a man collects up to 50 pesos at the Sayulita-San Pancho trailhead, however this is just a hustle.

The man claims the trail goes through his private property, however this is completely false information. There’s no official fee to hike from Sayulita to San Pancho.

I’ve personally completed the Sayulita-San Pancho hike multiple times and I’ve never even seen this man so I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Many people just walk by him and don’t pay anyways. He won’t do anything about it.

Is it Safe to Hike to Sayulita-San Pancho Trail Alone?

Absolutely yes, the trail from Sayulita to San Pancho is safe to hike alone. I’ve hiked the trail multiple times solo and have even run the trail in the morning hours alone before sunrise with no issues.

Sayulita-San Pancho Mountain Biking

As you’re hiking from Sayulita-San Pancho be aware that there are mountain bikers on the trail. If you come across any bikers do your best to quickly step aside and let them pass.

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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