The Kilómetro X Tepic route is a day of adventure in the Sierra de San Juan, just 6 km (4 miles) from downtown Tepic, Nayarit’s capital. It takes its name from Kilómetro X, an adventure sports park in the village of El Aguacate on Highway 76 (Tepic–Miramar), with a zip-line circuit up to 35 m (115 ft) above the ground, hanging bridges, rappelling beside a spring-fed waterfall, climbing and paintball. From there the route can follow the same highway, kilometer by kilometer, down through the coffee country to the San Blas coast.
A quick correction: earlier versions of this route described it as a drive from Compostela to Jala, Amatlán de Cañas and “the northern coast.” Those towns sit in different regions, hours apart, with no road linking them in that order, so it was not a real itinerary. This version follows what the name points to and what Nayarit’s state tourism office describes for the route: breakfast in Tepic, the climb into the mountains, the aerial circuit and rappelling in El Aguacate, and a seafood lunch.
Below you’ll find how to get there, the itinerary with distances and times, optional add-ons along Highway 76, the best season and what to bring.
Where Kilómetro X is and how to get there
El Aguacate is a mountain village in the Sierra de San Juan, in the municipality of Tepic, on the city’s western edge. From downtown, take Avenida Insurgentes west and continue on Avenida Tepic–Miramar, which becomes Highway 76. In about 10 minutes you are in El Aguacate. The sierra has been a protected natural area since October 27, 1987 and is a state biosphere reserve of about 26,800 hectares, with cloud forest, oak and pine, and some 330 recorded bird species.
| From | Approx. distance | Approx. time | Road |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tepic (downtown) | 6 km (4 mi) | 10–15 min | Av. Insurgentes and Highway 76 |
| Tepic airport (TPQ) | approx. 22 km (14 mi) | 25–30 min | Via Xalisco and Tepic |
| San Blas | approx. 52 km (32 mi) | 45 min–1 h | Tepic–San Blas highway, or Highway 76 via Jalcocotán |
| Guadalajara | approx. 210 km (130 mi) | 2 h 45 min–3 h | 15D toll highway |
| Puerto Vallarta | approx. 175 km (109 mi) | 2 h–2 h 30 min | Jala–Puerto Vallarta highway or Highway 200 |
Minibuses run from Tepic into the hills and on to Jalcocotán, but a car makes it much easier to link the stops. If you are flying or taking the bus, see how to get to Nayarit.
Kilómetro X route: one-day itinerary
The core of the route is short in distance; the main event is the morning at the park. The afternoon has two options depending on how much energy you have left.
| Approx. time | Leg / stop | Leg distance | Driving time | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Downtown Tepic | — | — | Regional breakfast (barbacoa, birria or whatever you fancy) |
| 9:00 | Tepic → El Aguacate | 6 km | 10–15 min | Arrive at the park, check in, gear up |
| 9:30–13:30 | Kilómetro X park | — | — | Hike up, zip lines, hanging bridges, rappel, climbing |
| 14:00 | Option A: El Aguacate → Tepic | 6 km | 10 min | Seafood lunch and an afternoon in the historic center |
| 14:00 | Option B: El Aguacate → Jalcocotán | 25 km | 25–30 min | Mountain descent; lunch in the village |
| 16:00 | Option B: Jalcocotán → Tecuitata | 10 km | 15 min | Spring-fed swimming pools to unwind |
| 18:00 | Option B: Tecuitata → Tepic | 41 km | 50 min–1 h | Back on Highway 76 before dark |
The climb and the aerial circuit
According to Nayarit’s state tourism office, the outing starts with a climb from El Aguacate with the sea on one side and forest on the other. At the top the zip-line circuit begins, with lines up to 35 m above the ground and hanging bridges over the forest and ravines of Cerro de San Juan. The park’s published information mentions more than six zip lines of different heights and lengths and three hanging bridges.
Rappelling, climbing and paintball
Rappelling takes place beside a spring-fed waterfall, as well as on concrete walls and from trees. There is a climbing wall with two routes, a paintball field (called gotcha in Mexico) in the woods, and a guided nature walk of just over a kilometer among trees, rocks and small caves, with guides explaining the plants and wildlife of the sierra.
Option B: Highway 76, kilometer by kilometer
If you still have energy, follow the road that gives the route its name. About 8 km from downtown Tepic you pass El Izote, among the coffee groves of the coffee route; at km 30 you reach Jalcocotán, a San Blas village at about 425 m (1,400 ft); at km 41, Tecuitata, base for the guides of Tecuitata canyon and home to a spring-fed swimming spot; and at km 53, Santa Cruz de Miramar, facing the Pacific. Don’t try the canyon on the same day as the park: each one fills a full day.
| Point on Highway 76 | Km from downtown Tepic | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| El Aguacate (Kilómetro X) | 6 | 10 min |
| El Izote | 8 | 12 min |
| Jalcocotán | 30 | 35 min |
| Tecuitata | 41 | 50 min |
| Santa Cruz de Miramar | 53 | 55 min–1 h |
Difficulty, cost and bookings
- Difficulty: the state tourism office rates it level 3, requiring moderate fitness. No experience is needed; guides fit your gear and explain every activity.
- Cost: public listings from 2020 showed single activities from approx. $100–200 MXN (5–11 USD) per person. Rates in 2026 may differ, so confirm prices and packages before you go.
- Booking: hours and operations change with the season and group bookings. Message or call the park through its official channels before heading out; don’t show up unannounced.
- Cell signal: coverage in the sierra is patchy.
Season: when to go
The best time is November to May: almost no rain, clear skies and, from December to February, cool mornings in the mountains, with lows of 12–13 °C (54–55 °F) in the area. April and May are hot at midday, so start early. From July to September heavy afternoon storms turn the trails to mud, and zip lines shut down during lightning. More in our guide to Nayarit weather month by month.
What to bring
- Closed athletic shoes and comfortable clothes; no sandals.
- A change of clothes, a towel and a small backpack.
- Cap, sunscreen and insect repellent; water (1.5 liters per person).
- A light jacket in winter: the sierra is chilly in the morning.
- Cash for the park and for lunch in Jalcocotán or Tecuitata.
Making a weekend of it
Stay in Tepic. On day two you can hike the Sierra de San Juan up to La Batea with a group or guide, climb the Sangangüey volcano, explore historic Tepic or head down to Tecuitata canyon. For a longer trip around the state, see our weekend routes in Nayarit, and for more adrenaline, the canyoning guide. Hotels are in our directory.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kilómetro X in Tepic?
In El Aguacate, in the Sierra de San Juan, on Highway 76 (Tepic–Miramar), about 6 km and 10–15 minutes from downtown Tepic.
What activities does Kilómetro X offer?
A zip-line circuit up to 35 m high, hanging bridges, rappelling beside a waterfall, a climbing wall, paintball and a guided nature walk.
How much time do I need?
About 4 hours for the park. With breakfast, lunch and the optional drive down to Jalcocotán and Tecuitata, it fills a full day.
Is it suitable for kids?
The zip-line and bridge circuit is designed for families, but operators set minimum ages and weights. Ask when you book.
Does the Kilómetro X route go through Jala or Amatlán de Cañas?
No. Those towns are in the south of the state, an hour or more from Tepic. The route stays in the Sierra de San Juan and, if you like, follows Highway 76 toward the San Blas coast.
When is the best time to go?
November to May, in the dry season. From July to September it rains in the afternoon and activities may be suspended.
Area map
- 1El Aguacate (Kilómetro X) Tepic. Sierra de San Juan village, home of the adventure park.21.5156, -104.9443 · Open in Google Maps
- 2Cerro de San Juan Summit of the sierra (2,240 m); state biosphere reserve.21.5009, -104.9296 · Open in Google Maps
- 3El Izote Tepic. Coffee groves on Highway 76, km 8 from downtown.21.5224, -104.962 · Open in Google Maps
- 4Jalcocotán San Blas. Km 30 on Highway 76; lunch stop.21.4804, -105.0995 · Open in Google Maps
- 5Tecuitata San Blas. Km 41; spring-fed pools and canyon guides.21.4495, -105.1457 · Open in Google Maps
