Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Even through I was a guest on this tour, all of the opinions are my own.
Cerro del Mono, commonly referred to as Monkey Mountain, is a popular hike in Rivera Nayarit because of the unbelievable views of Banderas Bay, Punta Mita, and Sayulita. Standing as the tallest mountain South of Puna Mita, Monkey Mountain provides unobstructed panoramic views that are well worth the mountainside trek.
If you have seen my blog before, you know that I cannot resist a good hike on vacation. The Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau was kind enough to set us up with a hiking excursion with Vista Paraiso. Generally, when we hike, we do it ourselves. However, I am so glad we went with Vista Paraiso on our hike to Monkey Mountain. Not only were the views beautiful but we had the chance to learn interesting facts about the plants in the region and didn’t get lost (more on that later).
A Guide to Hiking Monkey Mountain
Where is Monkey Mountain?
Getting to Monkey Mountain took about a half-hour from our hotel (The St. Regis) in Punta Mita and is about 40 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. You can access the trail from Higuera Blanca or Sayulita. Alternatively, you can use a tour operator, like we did, and use a seperate entrance.
How Long is the Monkey Mountain Hike?
Our hike was about an hour up and an hour down, not counting the time we spent enjoying the view. The time it takes you to climb Monkey Mountain will depend on your hiking ability and how quickly you like to move. I would categorize this hike as moderate because of the technical aspects and varied terrain.
What Type of Terrain Should You Expect When Hiking Monkey Mountain?
The hike itself is different than I anticipated. Since I do a ton of research before any trip, I was surprised at how wrong I was about this hike. I thought it would be a dusty trail, and although potentially a little hard to follow, it would still be a relatively easy hike. So, I wore workout pants and tennis shoes. I realized about thirty seconds into our hike that most of the blog posts I read about hiking Monkey Mountain focus on the hike in the dry season (December – May). Our hike was in September, which is in the middle of the rainy season (June – November). Fortunately for us, it only rained late at night during our time in Riviera Nayarit, and we were treated to spectacular lightening shows as we went to bed.
Monkey Mountain in the Dry Season
In the dry season, the trail is dry, and the vegetation is not as plentiful, making the trail easier to navigate. As a side note, Vista Paraiso helps maintain the trail in the dry season.
Monkey Mountain in the Wet Season
In the wet season, the trail becomes more technical because the water runoff can make the trail muddy and create creators. Fallen trees can also obstruct parts of the trail. However, the vegetation is extremely lush, providing beautiful scenery along the way.
What Does the View Look Like at the Top of Monkey Mountain?
Amazing! The views are notoriously beautiful and the reason we all climb Monkey Mountain. Seeing the views of the Pacific Ocean and Banderas Bay is worth the effort. There are a few terrific viewing points at the top, each offering a different perspective of the gorgeous scenery below.
What Can You Expect to See Along the Monkey Mountain Hike?
In addition to the spectacular views, the lush vegetation (at least in the wet season) adds to the beauty of the hike. During our two-hour or so out and back hike, we saw lots of different plants. Our guide even split open one of the small palm-sized coconuts that fell to the ground so we could try the raw coconut. On our hike, we also learned about these incredible thin vines that grow around trees. As the vines grow, they strangle the host tree like a snake. It’s a crazy sight and fascinating to see mother nature in action.
We also saw wild horses, a bull, and a cow on our hike. It was neat to see the animals just chilling and enjoying their day. The wild horses quickly moved as we approached, but the cow and the bull were a bit more stubborn. Since they were blocking our path, I wasn’t quite sure what to do. Our guide quickly encouraged them up the hill with a strong whistle and a clap of his hands.
At the top of Monkey Mountain, you may see native Huichol Indians (descendants of the Aztec people) performing cultural ceremonies. You may also see items they used in their cultural rituals, such as colorful ribbons or woven yarn to obtain the “gift of seeing.” The symbol (see below) also shows the five directions of the universe: north, east, south, west, and center.
By now, you might be asking yourself, where do you see the monkeys? While you may see wildlife, the only monkeys you will encounter are the hikers climbing up and down the trail.
- Pro Tip
In the wet season, you might want to wear long pants and hiking boots. There is a species akin to poison oak that grows on the side of the trail that can cause extreme itching. Keep an eye out for it so it doesn’t ruin your vacation.
Is Monkey Mountain Hard to Navigate?
For fun, on the way down Monkey Mountain, I led us down the trail, trying to navigate through the intricacies of the terrain correctly. I paid attention to the white arrows along the way to help me navigate, but as the white arrow markers are few and far between, I led us astray several times.
I had us make a wrong turn and almost took the path to Sayulita by mistake. Fortunately, our guide only let us go a couple of feet in the wrong direction before correcting us. I failed any test of being a potential tour guide at Monkey Mountain. As it turned out, I was not the only one that had trouble navigating the trail that day. Along the way, we met a couple that had previously veered off the path several times too. So, I was thrilled we had a guide.
I don’t want to dissuade you from doing this hike. If you enjoy spectacular ocean views and are an active person, I think the hike is a must-do activity. It’s unlike any other excursion I’ve done in Rivera Nayarit. I would suggest doing it with a tour company such as Vista Paraiso. It’s much more fun to pretend to be the guide and get corrected when you make a wrong turn than actually making a wrong turn.
What is the Terrain Like on Monkey Mountain?
The terrain varies according to each season. In the wet season, the hike starts out a little muddy (so don’t wear your best shoes). The mud is thick like clay. For this reason, I suggest wearing a pair of hiking boots with a good grip. I wore vented running shoes which were covered in mud by the time we left. Once you climb the mountain, the terrain is primarily uphill, and hiking down can be a little slippery due to loose rocks.
As you approach the top of Monkey Mountain, there is a small area at the top where you climb up and over some large rocks. Don’t worry, the rocks are easy to scramble over.
Once you clear the boulders, you can enjoy the insanely cool views of Banderas Bay, Punta Mita, and Sayulita. We were fortunate enough to be the only people at the top of Monkey Mountain and were able to have a snack on the rocks while we soaked in the view. Our guide also led us around the corner for another stellar viewpoint where we could see Sayulita.
- Pro Tip
If you hike midweek, you are more likely to have stunning viewpoints to yourself. Our guide mentioned that the trail gets crowded on the weekends. He also noted that the trail is less crowded in the afternoon when the sun is out in full force.
Should I Hire a Tour Guide?
Short Answer
My recommendation is yes.
A longer explanation
Lots of people hike Monkey Mountain without a tour guide. There are a few signs along the way to show you which direction to go. But, if you read the reviews, the likelihood is that you will get turned around somewhere along the way. A tour guide will alleviate the potential stress of asking yourself, ” Did I make the right turn, or am I going in the right direction?
The Benefits of Having a Guide
With our guide I could relax and enjoy nature’s beauty without having to keep track of the trail or constantly checking my phone to see if I was still on the trail.
Plus, with a guide, you learn about Monkey Mountain, you can have someone snap a couple of photos of you, and you don’t have to worry about crossing private property. The tour with Vista Paraiso allowed us to access a road to the trailhead not generally open to the public.
Another bonus of having a tour guide is you don’t have to worry about getting to and from the trail. A driver picked us up at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort where we were staying and drove us to the Vista Paraiso’s base of operation. We could check out the ranch, use the bathroom, and see the animals on-site before hopping in another car that took us to the start of our hike. Everything was well coordinated, making the experience even more fun.
What Do I Need for my Monkey Mountain Hike?
Based on our experience, here are a few things I think would help make your experience more enjoyable.
In addition, don’t forget to bring lots of water. It gets hot and humid on the trail.
I hope you get out and enjoy Monkey Mountain. If you have already climbed Monkey Mountain, share your tips with your fellow travelers below.
For those who like hiking, you might also enjoy the hikes we did in Yosemite and San Diego.
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Looks like a great hike, those views at the top are epic!
An exciting presentation of Monkey Mountain! I can’t wait to go, but I won’t be getting as close to the dropoffs, canyons, and treetops as you. You make these trips seem so exciting and I vacation vicariously through your commentary!
This is really cool! I normally would buy a map (or at least download one to my phone) and do this kind of hike my myself, but it sounds like Monkey Mountain is even better with a guide. It’s really cool that you got to learn about the vegetation along the way.
Also, you were so lucky to have such gorgeous sunny weather during the wet season! 😀
Yes, you are so right! We were so lucky!
You’re right, those are stunning views from Monkey Mountain. The foliage looks so pretty too! And it sounds like we’re definitely better off with a guide!
What a beautiful hike & view! And the guide seems to be the way to go, for sure!
Looks like a great adventure!!
We love hiking. This hike sounds great. I like the jungle path and then a great view from the top. Thank you for the pro tips.
Definitely one for my bucket list.
Great post. I look forward to traveling out of the country again, and this looks like a great thing to do.
Monkey Mountain hike looks like a great find! I love those stunning views from the top. That’s a good tip about wearing long pants and hiking boots. 🙂
Wow! Looks like a gorgeous view from the top! I agree that a guide in this scenario would be very helpful and would make the hike more enjoyable. Did you ever ask the guide why it is called Monkey Mountain??
I did! Indigenous people used to leave small clay figurines (mono) on the mountain – Cerro del Mono. In Spain, the word mono means monkey, but in Mexico the word monkey is changos. So, the name got lost in translation. My guide explained that the only monkeys you’ll see on the mountain are the hikers climbing up and down the path.
Great views, lots of good exercise, and a hiking guide! Thanks for all of the great tips about what to wear, bug spray, and avoiding certain plants.
You’re welcome!
i have done this hike before when i was in sayulita a few years back, and you’re right, it’s a gorgeous hike… i’m thrilled to see you recommend buying bug spray, that would have made my hike better lol
Such pretty views at the top! And good to know about getting a guide, I would definitely be one to get lost
What a fantastic hike to go on! The views from the top are so pretty – I’d love to get up there and take some photos.
The top of Monkey Mountain is a perfect place to take photos because the view is so pretty!
I’ve never done any hiking in Mexico, this looks like a beautiful place to try!
Yes! Monkey Mountain is a great place to spend a couple of hours.
2 comments: (1). You are toooooo close to the edge of the severe drop offs! (2). Did you intentionally put the snake by your hand to be funny? Be careful please!!!!
2 Responses: (1) I could have gotten closer but I thought of you and decided better not and (2) snake, what snake??? I’m not that adventurous. 🙂
When I first heard of the name, I was a little nervous because I’ve had an unpleasant experience with monkeys before (got bitten by one). Was relieved to know there are no monkeys here. Thanks for the useful tips!
Oh no, that does sound like a bad experience. Fortunately, that is not an issue at Monkey Mountain.
It makes me so happy to know that you found my tips helpful.
What a detailed post! I’ve never heard of Monkey Mountain but this makes me want to go hike it 🙂
That’s great news! I hope you get a chance to visit and experience the views for yourself.
Wow! The views from Monkey Mountain are beautiful. I can’t believe you saw a wild horse on your hike. That’s so cool!
Me either! I was so happy we made the time to visit Monkey Mountian!