Playa Balandra from Playa El Tecolote (circular route)

Park in the car park (there are plenty of spaces behind the beach) south of El Tecolote beach.

(S/E) From the westernmost buildings (on the left when looking towards the beach), head south. Continue until you pass the hill on your right and see a track (wide enough for a vehicle) running alongside it. Take this track on the right and drive up to a pass. The pass (Mirador Tecolotito) offers a beautiful view of the very wild Tecolotito beach. A footpath leads down to it. Continue straight along the path to the tip of the peninsula.

(1) Punta Shiro offers a magnificent view of the entrance to Balandra Bay, with stunning turquoise waters. A colony of pelicans has made its home around the headland and below. Take full advantage of the view and the fact that you are surrounded by the ocean on almost 360°! Retrace your steps, then begin the descent to the right towards a white sandy beach, almost deserted. There are several paths, but all those leading down lead to this beach. Enjoy the beach and walk along it to the cliffs.

(2) Facing the cliff, take a path on the left through the tall grass and climb the rocky slope up to the pass. The slope is very steep and it is advisable to wear sturdy footwear, if only for this section! The path winds its way overlooking the sea and Balandra Bay, then begins a descent towards the next beach. Once you reach the beach, turn right and walk along the water’s edge at the foot of the cliff.

(3) Look out for a striking mushroom-shaped rock jutting out of the water. It’s hard to miss, as locals and tourists alike come to have their photo taken in front of it! Retrace your steps and follow the beach. At the end of the beach, you’ll need to wade into the water up to your mid-thighs to continue on to Balandra beach. At this point, the water isn’t deep (below waist height).

(4) Cross the beach to reach the other side. Then retrace your steps.

(4) After enjoying the beach, head back to the car park and the tarmac road. Follow it, pass the toll barrier for cars and, shortly afterwards, take the track on the left which leads back to the junction from the outward journey. Head straight on to reach the Playa El Tecolote car park via the reverse route of the outward journey (S/E).

Make sure you have good shoes for the rocky sections.

Also bring a change of clothes or a towel for sections requiring you to cross water.

A waterproof bag is practical and recommended.

On the way back, just before reaching the junction with the track taken at the start of the hike near Playa El Tecolote, you can see numerous imposing cacti in the plain you are crossing. They closely resemble the Saguaro cacti of the American Southwest, but they are a different species, Pachycereus pringlei, native to north-western Mexico (the states of Baja California and Sonora). This is the species that holds the record for the tallest cactus, at 19.2 m.