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Rod's deal of the month
The Hilltop Refugio (JEEP)
Verified Since 2026
13, Océano Ártico 63720, Miramar, La Peñita de Jaltemba, Nay.
6 Visitors
Hours of Operation
Hours
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
9AM - 12PM
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
9AM - 12PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Highlights
- Family-friendly animal rescue experience
- Walk dogs and interact with rescued animals
- Meet cats, kittens, horses, Winnie the mini horse, and Opie the pig
- Learn about animal welfare and rescue efforts
- Adoption opportunities available
- Concession stand, free library, and gift shop on site
Description
The Hilltop Refugio (formerly known as JEEP) in La Peñita is an interactive animal rescue just 20 minutes north of Sayulita along Highway 200, offering visitors a heart-centered, hands-on experience with rescued animals in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
Guests are invited to walk the dogs, meet kittens and cats, spend time with horses, and even say hello to the miniature horse Winnie and pig Opie. The Refugio also offers guided tours, adoption opportunities, a small gift shop, a concession stand, and a free community library.
Whether you’re an animal lover, a family looking for a meaningful outing, or someone hoping to adopt a new furry companion, The Hilltop Refugio provides a warm and welcoming space to connect with animals, learn about welfare and rescue, and support an important community cause.
For inquiries or reservations, please use the contact form.
Amenities
- Beer/Wine
- Changing Rooms
- Group/Private Classes
- Kid Friendly
- Out-of-Area Service
- Reserve Online/Phone
-
Language
- English
- Spanish
Locations
View Business Map
Reviews
Great morning spent at the Jeep Refuge
Walked up to the JEEP refuge from the Little Free Library with Vera. It took us about an hour or so with Vera pointing out some interesting landmarks as went. The climb up the hill was great exercise and the views along the way are spectacular. Once there we got a tour of the facility and learned how it came to be. Then the fun part. Walking the dogs, and playing with the puppies. They had 51 dogs I believe and most were ready for some human interaction. What a great day! The refuge was very clean and well kept and the dogs look healthy and happy. Such a great place to spend a Saturday morning!
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Experienced:
January, 2026
Best animal refuge!
I think the Hilltop Refugio is the best animal refuge in North America. It is really a park on the south end of the highest hill in La Penita overlooking the Pacific to the west and Sierra Madres to the east. Horses, donkeys, mules, dogs, cats, rooster, possum, pig, you name it has been saved to live their life, if not adopted, at this amazing animal park. Totally operated by donations and volunteers, it has served as sanctuary for street kids and a new view of the world for special needs children.
A bath station for all incoming, a clinic, spacious pens and exercise areas where animal-to-animal interaction is key to their peace--and the best view of ocean and mountains.
Oh, it has a revolving library for children and adults that like to read while holding a cat or petting a dog. Saturday tours, 9:00-11:00 a.m. for only 200 pesos is when it's open to the public. Bonus: walk dogs and hold kittens if you like. Each year, my wife and I visit the Hilltop Refugio and support their organization J.E.E.P. (Jaltemba Equine Education Project) by PayPal. This is the best place to be Saturday mornings--year around. I wrote this because I love this place and want other to know about it.
A bath station for all incoming, a clinic, spacious pens and exercise areas where animal-to-animal interaction is key to their peace--and the best view of ocean and mountains.
Oh, it has a revolving library for children and adults that like to read while holding a cat or petting a dog. Saturday tours, 9:00-11:00 a.m. for only 200 pesos is when it's open to the public. Bonus: walk dogs and hold kittens if you like. Each year, my wife and I visit the Hilltop Refugio and support their organization J.E.E.P. (Jaltemba Equine Education Project) by PayPal. This is the best place to be Saturday mornings--year around. I wrote this because I love this place and want other to know about it.
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Experienced:
January, 2026
An amazing experience and a great cause!
I found out about J.E.E.P. from staying at Los Compadres Resort in La Peñita. I've been going to the Hilltop for a few years now and it's amazing how well taken care of all the animals are. It's ensured that they have an excellent quality of life to prepare them for adoption. The pens and play areas are pristine and you are able to walk and play with the dogs which is great for all ages. I love that all the donations, along with proceeds from the resort goes 100% to all the animals! There is also an annual fundraiser with live music, a silent auction, and a great meal! A must see if you're ever in the area!
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Experienced:
December, 2025
JEEP - What an Amazing Place!
My parents live in La Penita and volunteer at JEEP. We were visiting recently and were lucky enough to go and check it out! What an AMAZING facility. The animals are so well cared for, the grounds are lovely and well kept, and you can really sense the passion that is put into making it is what it is. Our kids really enjoyed the time there interacting with the animals. Highly recommend visiting if you're in the area
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Experienced:
November, 2025
Wonderful experience every time
The Hilltop Refugio truly holds a special place in our hearts. My family and I love visiting whenever we’re in town, and it always feels like coming home. It’s such a welcoming place, run by genuinely caring people who put so much heart into everything they do.
What they’re doing for the community goes far beyond the refuge itself, the impact is real and meaningful in so many ways. Their annual fundraiser was an absolute blast and a great example of the strong, supportive community they’ve built. Being surrounded by so many wonderful people who volunteer, help out, and care deeply about the mission makes every visit even more special.
It’s always a wonderful time when we’re up there, and we leave feeling grateful and inspired every single time. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Hilltop Refugio, don’t hesitate, it’s a place worth supporting and experiencing.
What they’re doing for the community goes far beyond the refuge itself, the impact is real and meaningful in so many ways. Their annual fundraiser was an absolute blast and a great example of the strong, supportive community they’ve built. Being surrounded by so many wonderful people who volunteer, help out, and care deeply about the mission makes every visit even more special.
It’s always a wonderful time when we’re up there, and we leave feeling grateful and inspired every single time. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Hilltop Refugio, don’t hesitate, it’s a place worth supporting and experiencing.
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Experienced:
August, 2025
Great experience!
Great place to take kids!and the family. The enclosure houses kittens, pups, horses, dogs and cats. The volunteers are friendly and helpful. They took us on a tour and explained the history of how the organization got started. Entirely run by volunteers. They attend to each animals needs nutritionally, physically and socially. This is a happy and needed place! It is not hard to see how the animals are wholly and truly taken care,nutured and loved. The need here is to sponsor or adopt a favorite animal.
The location is visually stunning atop the hill in La Penita. Come see for yourself!
The location is visually stunning atop the hill in La Penita. Come see for yourself!
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Experienced:
March, 2025
Amazing!
This was an amazing experience. The people that own this and the volunteers are angels and love these animals so much and it is obvious. It was hard to walk away without a puppy in tow ❤️ will definitely be back next time we are here!!!
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Experienced:
February, 2025
Heartwarming Haven for Animals – A Must-Visit!
JEEP Animal Refuge is a truly special place dedicated to rescuing and caring for animals in need. I had the pleasure of walking their friendly dogs, spending time with their cats, and learning about their beautiful horses. The staff and volunteers are passionate and provide these animals with love, a safe home, and veterinary care. It’s heartwarming to see the incredible work they do. If you’re an animal lover, I highly recommend visiting and supporting this amazing cause.
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Experienced:
January, 2025
Don’t go home without spending some time here!
J.E.E.P. Don’t go home from your vacation without stopping here. A couple of us walked up and a couple of us taxied up. It is just amazing what George and Loretta have passionately accomplished over the 13 years since starting the project. You could not meet two nicer people and then there are the amazing dedicated volunteers who help out, give tours, sell JEEP merchandise and so on. Everything is in tip top shape, clean, well looked after accommodations for the horses, donkey, cats and dogs. Our first introduction to some of the dogs was a puppy play pen where we could go in and play with them, pet them, then put a collar on them and take them for a walk. People are encouraged to do so so that if someone wants to take one home, they have had some experience of being walked around with a leash.
Our dedicated volunteer guide who was very knowledgeable, took us through everything and knew every animal by name. Not one dog there will bite, they just love attention. The dogs are not allowed to run at large, they all have collars and are tethered up in different spots through the compound, you can grab a leash and take one for a walk or if you want, take 10 or 15 different ones for a walk, it’s up to you. When they see you walking up with a leash in your hand, you can’t resist their smiles and the tail wagging speed up. All well behaved, all love to go for a walk by the horses, cats, people and other friendly dogs…although the puppies will be puppies and are sometimes more interested in chewing on their leash but they have to learn somehow haha.
We were the first ones there in the morning and we actually ended up staying a bit longer than their scheduled closing hour, it’s just that much fun!
We highly recommend the visit to their facility, we have bragged it up to so many people we know, I know they will be visiting in the near future or during their next trip to the area. All they ask for is a small 200 peso donation when visiting to help out with the amazing work they do and continue to do. Mateja’s beach bar/restaurant in Guayabitos is a supporter for JEEP as well. She has regular scheduled bingo games and such which is in support of them.
Our dedicated volunteer guide who was very knowledgeable, took us through everything and knew every animal by name. Not one dog there will bite, they just love attention. The dogs are not allowed to run at large, they all have collars and are tethered up in different spots through the compound, you can grab a leash and take one for a walk or if you want, take 10 or 15 different ones for a walk, it’s up to you. When they see you walking up with a leash in your hand, you can’t resist their smiles and the tail wagging speed up. All well behaved, all love to go for a walk by the horses, cats, people and other friendly dogs…although the puppies will be puppies and are sometimes more interested in chewing on their leash but they have to learn somehow haha.
We were the first ones there in the morning and we actually ended up staying a bit longer than their scheduled closing hour, it’s just that much fun!
We highly recommend the visit to their facility, we have bragged it up to so many people we know, I know they will be visiting in the near future or during their next trip to the area. All they ask for is a small 200 peso donation when visiting to help out with the amazing work they do and continue to do. Mateja’s beach bar/restaurant in Guayabitos is a supporter for JEEP as well. She has regular scheduled bingo games and such which is in support of them.
Read more
Experienced:
January, 2025
Homeless no more for these Mexican dogs and cats
This animal refuge looking down over La Peñita and the gorgeous bay at Guayabitos, Nayarit, is definitely worth a visit. It is a labor of love by the founders and many volunteers who care for the horses, dogs and cats in residence. Every aspect of your visit will be rewarded with pleasure. The people who work there are as engaging as the well-cared-for animals!
Read more
Experienced:
January, 2025
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