Location: Litibú Beach, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico Nearest towns: Punta Mita (10 min), Sayulita (25 min), Puerto Vallarta (1 hr)
Staying at Casa Solika puts you in one of the most well-positioned spots on the entire Riviera Nayarit. You are minutes from Punta Mita, 25 minutes from Sayulita, and within easy reach of some of Mexico's most iconic natural attractions, including a UNESCO-protected island chain with a hidden beach that most travelers never find.
Below is the practical guide to everything worth doing within reach of the villa, from water adventures to cultural day trips, organized so you can plan the week without wasting a morning.
1. Marietas Islands Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor)
Distance from Casa Solika: 20 minutes by boat from Punta Mita pier Best for: Adventure seekers, snorkelers, bucket-list travelers Season: Year-round (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
This is the non-negotiable experience of the area. The Marietas Islands sit five miles off the Punta Mita coast, protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Mexican national park. They are volcanic, uninhabited, and home to the most photographed beach in Nayarit: Playa Escondida, also known as Hidden Beach or Playa del Amor.
The beach sits inside a collapsed volcanic crater. You reach it by swimming roughly 80 to 100 meters through a natural rock tunnel at low tide, guided by a certified instructor. On the other side: a circular patch of golden sand, open sky overhead, and turquoise water below. Only 116 visitors per day are permitted access.
Beyond Hidden Beach, the islands offer exceptional snorkeling through volcanic caves, coral gardens, and underwater formations teeming with eels, pufferfish, lobsters, and sea turtles. You may also spot blue-footed boobies nesting on the cliffs, and between December and March, humpback whales are a frequent sighting on the boat ride out.
Practical notes:
- Tours depart from Punta Mita pier and take roughly 20 minutes to reach the islands
- Book in advance as permits sell out quickly
- No sunscreen allowed at Hidden Beach (reef-safe alternatives available)
- No drones permitted (federal wildlife protection)
- Minimum age 10; not suitable for pregnant travelers
2. Surfing at Playa La Lancha
Distance from Casa Solika: 10 minutes by car Best for: All skill levels, especially intermediate surfers Season: Year-round, best swells May through November
La Lancha is the locals' surf break near Punta Mita and one of the best waves in Riviera Nayarit. It is not a beginner beach club scene. It draws real surfers and has the kind of no-frills energy that makes it feel like it still belongs to the town.
For guests at Casa Solika, it is close enough for a morning session before breakfast. Instructors are available for lessons. After your session, Los Cafecitos cafe nearby does excellent smoothies and breakfast burritos with ocean views from the terrace.
3. Whale Watching in Banderas Bay
Distance from Casa Solika: Tours depart from Punta Mita pier, 10 minutes away Best for: Families, wildlife lovers Season: December through March
From December to March, humpback whales migrate into Banderas Bay from Alaska and the waters around Punta Mita become one of the best places in Mexico to see them. Tours typically run three hours and are led by marine biologists who can identify individual whales and, on the best days, deploy hydrophones so you can hear their songs underwater.
Dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles are regular sightings throughout the year on the same tours. If you are visiting during whale season, book a morning departure and schedule the Marietas Islands trip for the same week.
4. Day Trip to Sayulita
Distance from Casa Solika: 25 minutes by car Best for: Everyone, especially those who want a change of energy Season: Year-round
Sayulita is the bohemian counterpoint to Litibú's seclusion. Where the beach outside Casa Solika is quiet and uncrowded, Sayulita buzzes. There are surf lessons, artisan markets, color-painted streets, taco stands, mezcal bars, and boutique shops selling embroidered clothing and handmade jewelry.
Spend the morning watching or joining the surf on Sayulita Beach, one of the most beginner-friendly waves in the region. Then wander up into the village for tacos at Naty's Kitchen and a coffee or açaí bowl at the Anchor Cafe. Browse the shops at Revolución del Sueño and Gypsy Galleria, or hunt for local handicrafts from around Mexico.
It is worth noting: Sayulita is popular and feels it. Arrive before noon, especially on weekends, to enjoy it before the crowds peak.
5. Litibu Golf Course
Distance from Casa Solika: 5 minutes by car Best for: Golfers of all levels Season: Year-round, early morning tee times recommended
Designed by Greg Norman, the Litibu Golf Course is an 18-hole, public-access course carved into the hillsides above the Pacific coast. It offers panoramic ocean views on nearly every hole and a setting that feels more raw and natural than the manicured resort courses nearby.
It is open to the public, which is a meaningful distinction in an area where most premium golf is locked behind resort gates. Tee times should be booked ahead, especially during peak season. The clubhouse terrace is a legitimate sunset viewing spot even if you are not playing.
6. Hike Monkey Mountain (Cerro del Mono)
Distance from Casa Solika: 15 minutes by car to the trailhead near Higuera Blanca Best for: Active guests who want views over the entire coastline Season: Year-round, early morning strongly recommended
Cerro del Mono is the highest peak in the area and the payoff at the top is a 360-degree panoramic view of the Pacific coast from Sayulita to Punta Mita. The hike takes two to three hours round trip. The trail winds through jungle with diverse flora and occasional wildlife sightings. The final stretch is a steep scramble, so wear proper shoes and bring water.
You can hike it independently using AllTrails, or join a guided hike for local knowledge on the flora, fauna, and the safest route to the summit. Either way, start early before the heat peaks.
7. Explore the Litibu Hiking Trails
Distance from Casa Solika: On your doorstep Best for: Morning walkers, nature lovers, guests wanting coastal views without the elevation Season: Year-round
The trails around Litibú Beach itself wind through jungle paths that lead to clifftop views of the Pacific. These are quieter and shorter than the Monkey Mountain hike, more suitable for a morning out before brunch or an evening golden hour walk. The coastline from this elevation looks very different from sea level, and the biodiversity along the trails is worth paying attention to.
8. Day Trip to San Pancho (San Francisco)
Distance from Casa Solika: 35 minutes by car Best for: Those who find Sayulita too busy, art lovers, polo enthusiasts Season: Year-round
San Pancho is Sayulita without the crowds. A quieter, more creative beach town just 10 minutes north of Sayulita, it attracts writers, painters, and travelers who prefer good food and genuine atmosphere over Instagram backdrops.
The wide beach is uncrowded and backed by palms. The restaurant scene is excellent. And the town is home to something genuinely unusual: a polo club where anyone can reserve a lesson, watch a match, or play. It is one of the more unexpected experiences in the region and makes for a memorable afternoon.
Tierra Tropical Beach Club in San Pancho is a local favorite for lunch, pool access, and watching the sun go down over the Pacific.
9. Sport Fishing in Banderas Bay
Distance from Casa Solika: Departs from Punta Mita or La Cruz Marina, both under 20 minutes Best for: Fishing enthusiasts, group adventures Season: Year-round; marlin and sailfish peak from April through October
Banderas Bay is one of the most productive sport fishing waters on Mexico's Pacific coast. Marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo are all realistic targets depending on the season. Half-day and full-day charters are available from Punta Mita and the nearby La Cruz de Huanacaxtle marina.
The crew at Casa Solika can help arrange charters directly, which means boats, guides, equipment, and transfer all handled from the villa.
10. Sunset at the Playa Destiladeras
Distance from Casa Solika: 15 minutes by car Best for: Anyone wanting a wide, uncrowded beach with outstanding sunset views Season: Year-round
Playa Destiladeras is a long stretch of golden sand beloved by locals and visitors who know the area well. It is not a tourist destination in the package-holiday sense. It is just a beautiful, uncrowded beach with clear water, gentle enough for swimming, and a view west over the Pacific that produces some of the best sunsets in Riviera Nayarit.
Bring your own food and drinks, or pick up fresh seafood from local vendors on the beach. Go mid-afternoon, stay for the sunset. It is one of those things that costs nothing and stays with you.
Practical Travel Notes
Getting around: A rental car is the most flexible option from Casa Solika. Taxis and private drivers are also easily arranged through the villa. Uber becomes limited the further you are from Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta: About an hour south, Puerto Vallarta is worth a full day trip for its Malecón waterfront, old town restaurants, and broader range of shops and services.
Best months to visit: November through April offers dry, sunny weather and is whale season (December through March). The summer months bring occasional rain but also emptier beaches and lower demand on popular tours.