Hiking Monkey Mountain from Sayulita: the trail, when to go and what to bring
Monkey Mountain (Cerro del Mono) is the best view near Sayulita. Start from the trailhead in Higuera Blanca, about 20 minutes from Sayulita by car, taxi or bus. It takes about an hour to reach the top at a good pace. The trail starts easy, gets steeper and steeper, and ends with some light rock climbing. Go early to mid morning or late afternoon, avoid the midday sun, and bring plenty of water with electrolytes. Allow about three hours in all.
I've hiked Monkey Mountain many times, and it's still one of my favourite things to do here. The view from the top takes in the whole coast, from Sayulita down to Punta de Mita. It's a real workout, so here's everything we've learned to make it a great morning (or afternoon).
Monkey Mountain at a glance
| Spanish name | Cerro del Mono |
|---|---|
| Start | The trailhead in Higuera Blanca, marked on Google Maps |
| From Sayulita | About 20 minutes by car or taxi |
| Time to the top | About an hour at a good pace |
| Whole outing | About 3 hours, with time at the top |
| Distance | About 7 km (4.3 miles) there and back |
| Climb | About 300 m (1,000 ft) |
| Difficulty | Moderate to hard, with light rock climbing at the end |
| Best time | Early to mid morning, or late afternoon |
The distance and climb are from published trail maps. The times are ours.
Which trail should you take?
There are two ways up: the long route from the Sayulita side and the trail from Higuera Blanca, a small town south of Sayulita on the way to Punta de Mita. I've never hiked all the way from Sayulita, and I always suggest the Higuera Blanca route. It's the easiest to find and the best kept, and it's the one most hikers and tours use.
Search "Monkey Mountain trailhead" in Google Maps and you'll find the start in Higuera Blanca. Open it in Google Maps
And no, you won't see any monkeys up there.
How to get to the trailhead from Sayulita
- Drive. About 20 minutes south.
- Taxi. Taxis wait in the Sayulita town square. Higuera Blanca has no taxi stand, so agree the fare first and arrange your ride back, or ask the driver to wait. Hikers reported paying around 300 pesos each way in 2025.
- Bus. From the Sayulita bus station, or by waving down a green Compostela bus marked "Punta Mita", ask the driver to drop you in Higuera Blanca. To come back, catch the green Compostela bus marked "Sayulita" on the other side of the highway. In 2025 it ran about every hour to hour and a half until around 7pm, so check the time before you set off.
See getting around Sayulita for more on taxis and buses.
What the trail is like
The trail starts easy and keeps getting harder and steeper as you go. The first part is a gentle walk on dirt roads and paths through the jungle. The second half is the tough part, with long steep climbs, and it ends with some light rock climbing over boulders to reach the top. Take your time on that last stretch, especially coming down.
You may meet some of the locals on the way: cows graze along parts of the trail, so give them space as you pass.
No monkeys, but keep an eye out for coatis. They look like a cross between a raccoon and a monkey, and we've met them on the mountain.
What's new on the trail
New tours have started on Monkey Mountain, and some even take people part of the way up on a four-wheeler. They've cleared some of the paths to make them wide enough, added more signs, and put in benches and swings close to the top. That makes the route easier to follow than it used to be.
When is the best time to hike Monkey Mountain?
Go early to mid morning or late afternoon, and avoid the hottest part of the day when the sun is strongest.
Sunset from the top is beautiful. If you go for it, don't stay too long once the sun goes down, because you'll lose your light quickly on the way down. A headlamp or your phone's torch helps.
The dry season, roughly November to May, is the most pleasant time to hike. In the rainy months (about June to October) the trail gets muddy and slippery, and the view can be hazy. See the best time to visit Sayulita for the seasons.
What to bring
- Lots of water, with electrolytes. There's no water on the trail, and you'll sweat
- Snacks for when you reach the top. And maybe a beer to celebrate the climb
- A headband or small towel. You'll get sweaty
- Proper shoes. Trainers or hiking shoes with grip, not sandals, for the steep sections and the rocks
- Sun protection and bug spray
- A fitness watch, if you have one. It's fun to track your elevation as you climb
- Cash for a cold coconut or ice cream afterwards
Is Monkey Mountain hard?
It can be tough for some, especially the second half. You don't need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable with an hour of steady uphill walking and a short scramble over rocks at the end. Go at your own pace and take breaks: there's no rush. Older kids who like hiking can often do it, but the rock climbing at the top isn't for little ones.
After the hike: ice cream and cold coconuts
Our family has two favourite ways to finish:
- Vegan Paradise, on the main square in Higuera Blanca, for vegan ice cream. It's coconut based and amazing.
- The coco frío stand on the way out of Higuera Blanca. They open ice cold coconuts for you, you drink the water straight from the coconut, then they scoop out the coconut meat for you to eat, with lime (limón), salt and Tajín if you like. It's the best way to rehydrate after a hike.
Should you go with a guide?
You don't need one on the Higuera Blanca trail, especially now it has more signs. If you'd like company, someone to carry the snacks or a ride on a four-wheeler for part of the way, several tours now run on the trail. A morning on the mountain still leaves the afternoon free for the beach.
Last checked by our team on 3 November 2026. Things change in a small town, so if something here is out of date, tell us on WhatsApp.
