Sayulita Travel Guide: Nayarit, Mexico’s Buzzing Surf Town

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So you’ve heard about the little surf town called Sayulita, in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. 

You wouldn’t be the only one! Sayulita has exploded in popularity in the past decade and has become one of Mexico’s most popular beach towns.

With fantastic waves for all skill levels, secluded beaches reached via jungle trails, delicious restaurants and cafes, and a heaving nightlife scene, it’s no wonder. 

We spent a week in Sayulita as part of our 6-month Mexico trip. Although we had mixed feelings about the town, we can totally see the appeal. 

With so much happening in Sayulita these days, it can be overwhelming to plan your time here and make sure you’re not missing out on anything! To help you have the best trip possible, I’ve put together this Sayulita travel guide. 

It’ll prepare you with everything you need to know about the town, from how to get there, how to get around, where to stay and more. I’ll share our favourite restaurants, cafes and bars, top things to do, info on beaches and surfing, and some handy tips to keep in mind before visiting. 

About Sayulita Mexico

Sayulita is a popular surf town on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, in the state of Nayarit. 

What was once a sleepy fishing town, visited by only the keenest of surfers, Sayulita has become a popular getaway for backpackers and is home to a large number of North American expats. 

Drawn here by the rideable waves, buzzing nightlife, and amazing food and cafe scene, the narrow roads are crammed with tourists in golf carts during peak season. 

Still retaining remnants of the hipster surfer vibe, and avoiding the clinical resort scene, Sayulita still has a lot more local charm than neighbouring Puerto Vallarta. With its colourful streets, bohemian boutiques and yoga studios, it’s hard not to feel something for this vibrant town. 

I’ll admit, Sayulita wasn’t my favourite beach town in Mexico. I found it very crowded and busy, and it feels like the town can’t keep up with the number of tourists.

Brayden felt differently about it though. As a surfer, Sayulita was one of his favourite places to surf in all of Mexico. And despite a few shortcomings with the town itself, the waves are undeniably fantastic here. 

So for better or for worse, Sayulita is becoming a permanent fixture on many Mexico itineraries.

Let’s get into the details of this Sayulita travel guide.  

Where is Sayulita

Sayulita is located on the west coast of Mexico in the state of Nayarit.

It is part of the Riviera Nayarit, a 200-mile stretch of coastline along the Pacific Ocean. This region encompasses multiple destinations between Nuevo Vallarta in the south and San Blas in the north. 

Nayarit shares a border with the state of Jalisco, and it’s very common for travellers to visit both states on the same trip. Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco hosts a major international airport, so most visitors will transit via Puerto Vallarta at the minimum, if not spend a few days there in addition to Sayulita and Nayarit.  

How to get to Sayulita

FROM PUERTO VALLARTA

Puerto Vallarta is the largest city in the coastal area of Jalisco/Nayarit. It houses the biggest international airport, PVR Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport, and if you’re making a beeline for Sayulita, you should fly in here.

It takes 45 minutes – 1 hour to get from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita.

From Puerto Vallarta, you’ve got a couple of ways to reach Sayulita:

• 🚐 Shuttle – in my opinion, the easiest and cheapest way to get from Puerto Vallarta (airport) to Sayulita is via a pre-booked shuttle. You won’t have to worry about haggling with taxi drivers or leaving the airport to get an Uber. We recommend this option.

• 🚗 Drive – if you’re planning to get a rental car for your trip, you can drive yourself from PV to Sayulita in less than an hour. There are rental options inside the airport, or in town if you’re staying in PV for a few days first.

• 🚕 Taxi – if you’re arriving at the airport, a taxi is the easiest way to get to Sayulita, as Uber is not allowed to enter the terminal. Expect to pay at least 1,000 pesos (~ $55 USD).

• 🚙 Uber – if you’re already staying in Puerto Vallarta or you’re willing to haul your luggage out of the terminal to save some money, you can take an Uber to Sayulita. You need to exit the terminal and use the pedestrian bridge to cross the road, then meet your driver. It is usually much cheaper than a taxi, starting from around 600 pesos (~ $35 USD). Do be aware that it’s very tricky to get Ubers once you’re in Sayulita to return to PV.

• 🚍 Bus (coach style) – if you’re spending a few days in Puerto Vallarta before you head to Sayulita, you can catch a coach-style bus. These leave from the Terminal de Autobuses de Puerto Vallarta and I believe the company Pacifico offers this route. This isn’t a suitable option if you’re coming from the airport as you’ll have to backtrack into PV to get to the bus stop.

• 🚌 Bus (local) – if you’re flying into PV and heading straight for Sayulita, you can take a local Compostela bus. You need to exit the airport, cross the road via the footbridge and look for a bus with Sayulita written on it. If in doubt, ask the driver – va a Sayulita?. These local buses can be slower as they stop frequently, but it is by far the cheapest option.

FROM GUADALAJARA

It’s possible to reach Sayulita from Guadalajara, the capital city of neighbouring Jalisco. 

There is a big airport here that is well-connected domestically and internationally. Alternatively, the city is easily reachable by bus from other parts of Mexico (e.g. Mexico City), depending on your route.

If your sole aim is to reach Sayulita, I wouldn’t travel via Guadalajara as the trip is 5-6 hours. But if you’re on a broader trip around Mexico, Guadalajara is a worthwhile stop.

To get from Guadalajara to Sayulita, you can take a comfortable long-distance bus. 

Most buses departing Guadalajara for Puerto Vallarta will stop in Sayulita. You don’t need to go into PV first.

They generally won’t drive you to the bus stop in the town, they’ll just stop on the highway. Taxis are usually there waiting if you don’t want to do the 1.5 – 2 km / 0.9 – 1.2 mi walk with your bags.

We travelled with Vallarta Plus and it was super comfortable. They actually stopped at the bus station in Sayulita when we made the trip, which was convenient. Pacifico and Futura also run this route. Both these lines are operated by Grupo Estrella Blanca.

How to get around in Sayulita

• 👣 Walk – Sayulita is a very easy town to explore on foot. If you’re staying somewhere central, you can walk everywhere. Just be aware that the outskirts of town become very hilly, rising up into the jungle. 

• 🛺 Golf cart – if walking isn’t your jam, or you’re staying a bit further out of the centre, you can rent golf carts. To be honest, I would avoid this if at all possible. They are noisy and obnoxious and the small centre is crowded with golf carts zooming around. If you’ve got kids or mobility issues, I understand. Ocean Golf Carts are a reputable rental agency, expect to pay at least $60 USD per day. 

• 🚕 Taxi – there are taxis plying around town if you’ve got luggage or are going a bit further. They are generally lined up alongside the plaza. 

• 🚌 Bus – local buses run from the Compostela station. There are routes to Punta de Mita, Tepic (via San Pancho, Lo de Marcos, Rincon de Guayabitos etc.) and down to Puerto Vallarta. 

• 🚗 Rental car – a car can come in handy if you’re planning to do lots of day trips around the area or surf at different breaks. But parking in Sayulita can be tricky, and driving in the centre is slow going with heavy traffic. It’s quicker to walk around town and save the car for lengthier trips. Make sure your accommodation has a car park if you want to go down this route. Rent in PV, as there aren’t a lot of options in Sayulita. 

• 🚐 Tour/shuttle – if you don’t have a car but want to do some day trips, there are tours on offer around town. Particularly shuttles with different surf schools to reach surf breaks at different beaches, which I’ll talk more about below. 

The layout of Sayulita

Sayulita has been unofficially split into North Sayulita and South Sayulita. The two areas are divided by the Sayulita River which empties into the ocean on the town’s main beach.

• 📍 Downtown / Centro – this is the heart of Sayulita, and everything branches out from the town’s main square, Sayulita Plaza. You’ll find the majority of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops in this area. This means it can be quite noisy and very busy all day and night. The beach access points from Downtown are the busiest areas, with bars, restaurants and lounges lined up. 

• 📍 North Sayulita – the area north of the Sayulita River is a quieter, leafier area. There is a larger concentration of big holiday house rentals and boutique hotels. This stretch of beach is much quieter too. If we had our time again, we would stay in North Sayulita. You’re still within walking distance of the centre, but it’s not as full on. 

• 📍 South Sayulita – close to the centre, with an easy walk to all the action, but not as loud. We stayed in this area, towards the Punta de Mita road. The south section of the beach is the best spot for surfers, and the streets just behind the coast were quite nice with a laidback neighbourhood feel, but still plenty of accommodation options. 

Where to stay in Sayulita

Based on the above summary of the different areas of Sayulita, you can choose which one seems like your kind of vibe. 

There are sooo many amazing places to stay in Sayulita. The hostels, hotels and apartments all have great design, so brace yourself for a difficult decision!

Below are some of my recommendations for accommodations for a variety of budgets. I’ve included the area they are located in too. 

BUDGET 

• 💰 La Redonda Hostel 📍 Downtown | located right in the centre of Sayulita, this ultra-social hostel is consistently ranked as one of the best in town, if you’re looking for a party. There is a fun and friendly environment with nightly events, breakfast included daily and tours and surf rentals. It’s affordable, and if you don’t mind noise at night because you’re out and about at the party, this is a good option.
  • Book via Hostelworld | Booking.com

• 💰 Viajero Hostel 📍 South Sayulita | Viajero is a popular hostel chain in Latin America, and their Sayulita property is highly rated. It’s a classic party hostel with lots of social activities, a rooftop pool, bar and cafe. It’s ultra clean, and the rooms and amenities are nice and modern.
  • Book via Hostelworld | Booking.com

• 💰 Casa Pepe Hostel Boutique 📍 Downtown | another chain that has a few other locations around Mexico. Their hostel in Sayulita is designed with classic Mexican styling and design, and it is gorgeous! They have a rooftop pool, cafe, and daily social activities (not just parties, think yoga classes, surf tours, painting activities, etc.). The rooms and amenities are modern, with dorms and private rooms available.
  • Book via Hostelworld | Booking.com

• 💰 Casa Love 📍 Downtown | not a hostel, but an amazing and affordable private option if you’re a couple or friends that don’t want to stay in a dorm room. This hotel is excellent value for money, with a stunning rooftop overlooking the ocean, simple but vibey rooms with the typical Sayulita styling and a shared communal kitchen.
  • Book via Booking.com

• 💰 Casa Pia 📍 Downtown | another very good value hotel with private rooms for not much more than the cost of two dorm beds. Simple but very nicely decorated rooms, with a light, bright, tropical style. The hotel is just on the back corner of the Downtown area, and reviews mention it being very quiet, despite being easy walking distance to all the action!
  • Book via Booking.com | Expedia

MID-RANGE

• 💰💰 Nomada Wellness Hotel 📍 Downtown | this stunning multi-level hotel is designed like a true Mexican hacienda, with terracotta tones, cactus gardens and earthy styling. With a rooftop pool, outdoor bath tubs and ocean views, this is a true gem. It’s just steps back from the beach, there is a shared kitchen and outdoor dining area and lovely gardens.
  • Book via Booking.com | Expedia

• 💰💰 La Bohème 📍 South Sayulita | close but not too close. This stunning bohemian gem is just on the outskirts of town in South Sayulita, easy walking distance to the action but far enough away to be a quiet retreat. The boho styling and vibes are impeccable, as the name suggests, and they have a gorgeous pool and lovely gardens.
  • Book via Booking.com | Expedia

• 💰💰 Avela Boutique Hotel 📍 South Sayulita | a gorgeous boutique hotel in the true sense. Just a handful of rooms with friendly, attentive staff. Located in South Sayulita, away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown, but still within easy walking distance. The pool looks like it belongs in a resort of a much higher calibre! Rooms are spacious, light and bright with the typical Sayulita tropical style. Breakfast is included daily.
  • Book via Booking.com | Expedia

• 💰💰 Nuiya Hoteles Centro 📍 North Sayulita | a leafy oasis in Northern Sayulita. This property has a pool, multiple open-air common spaces and tropical gardens. Guests have access to a communal kitchen area, and the rooms have a simple, earthy style. Quiet but convenient.
  • Book via Booking.com | Expedia

• 💰💰 Casa Nawalli 📍 North Sayulita | adults only hotel and pickleball retreat. The style here is a bit outdated, but colourful and clean. The grounds and pickleball are what really attract people, with a pool, wellness centre and cafe, tucked away at the northern end of town.
  • Book via Booking.com | Expedia

BOUTIQUE

• 💰💰💰 Residencia Tropical Don Bonito 📍 North Sayulita | this is one of the OG boutique hotels in Sayulita. They made the industrial, tropical vibe cool, and they are still providing a gorgeous oasis in the north of Sayulita today. Tucked away in a quiet part of town, you can skip the noisy nightlife, but still be just a short walk from the beach. The hotel has a pool, a great on-site cafe where breakfast is included and yoga classes.
  • Book via Booking.com | Expedia

• 💰💰💰 Hotel Boutique Siete Lunas 📍 South Sayulita | if you want to get away from it all, this is the place. Perched on a forested hill in South Sayulita, the elevated ocean views here are second to none, best experienced from the infinity pool. The higher category rooms are free-standing palm thatched bungalows with patios overlooking the ocean. Dreamy!
  • Book via Booking.com | Expedia

• 💰💰💰 Casa Selva Sayulita 📍 North Sayulita | another spot to really get away from it all. Tucked in the jungle at the northern edge of Sayulita, this tropical haven brings the outside in. Treehouse-style rooms are nestled in the canopy, made with wood and natural materials. The property has a pool surrounded by greenery, and breakfast is included daily.
  • Book via Booking.com | Expedia

• 💰💰💰 Hotel AzulPitaya 📍 Downtown | this hotel doesn’t have the ‘vibe’ some of the newer properties around Sayulita do, but what it does have is an unbeatable beachfront location. You are literally on the sand, and can float in the pool looking at the ocean. For some people, that’s all they want on holidays, and this is a great place to do that.
  • Book via Booking.com

• 💰💰💰 Sayulinda Hotel📍 Downtown | a bright, colourful Frida Kahlo-esque hotel in the heart of downtown. There is a rooftop pool and bar with sweeping ocean views, and the downstairs reception and common spaces are like an indoor jungle.
  • Book via Booking.com | Expedia

Airbnb is a great resource for accommodation in Sayulita. There are so many private villas for rent, as well as apartment-style rooms in shared buildings. Just be sure to look at the location very carefully, based on which area you decide you want to stay in. The further from town you get, the hillier the roads get, so you could be up for a steep, hot walk if you stay too far out. 

Best time to visit Sayulita

Sayulita generally follows Mexico’s standard wet and dry seasons.

The best time to visit is between November – April when the days are usually dry and the temperatures are milder.

Of this time, December – March is the best weather-wise, with daily temperatures averaging 80° F / 27° C.

However, it is extremely busy at this time of year. 

Sayulita is a very popular destination with American and Canadian travellers, as well as domestic tourists, and it can be crowded, with limited accommodation availability. 

The Christmas and New Year period is the worst, as well as Semana Santa (Easter). If there’s one thing you take away from this Sayulita travel guide – avoid these times!

We visited in March and found it very very crowded, although the weather was lovely. 

By April, temperatures begin to soar, and it is very hot in May and June. The rainy season usually begins in earnest by July and continues until October, with hurricanes possible during this time. 

How long to stay

It completely depends if Sayulita is your only vacation destination, or if you’re visiting as part of a broader trip in Mexico or the Jalisco/Nayarit region. 

You could easily spend at least 5 nights in Sayulita, and I wouldn’t recommend much less than this. 

Despite there not being a ton of specific activities to do, it’s an easy place to fall into a rhythm, and time moves fast.

Enjoying the cafes, surfing, watching sunsets on the beach and trying all the great restaurants, you could easily stay for a week, with plenty of time to relax too. 

Surfing in Sayulita

Sayulita is busy, it’s crowded and in our opinion, quite overrun with gringo tourists and expats.

BUT, but Sayulita is undeniably one of the best places to (learn to) surf in Mexico.

Brayden surfed all over Mexico, and Sayulita was by far the most enjoyable place. The waves are gentle and consistent, and whether you’re just starting, in the intermediate stage, or a pro, there’s a break for everyone. 

LESSONS

If you’re learning or want to improve your surfing in Sayulita, I would recommend taking at least a couple of lessons. 

It’s a good way to get familiar with the beach and different breaks and feel more confident in the water. 

There are signs all over town for lessons, but I would strongly suggest going with one of the reputable and well-rated schools.

There is a huge party culture in Sayulita, and if you don’t do your research you may end up with a crappy and hungover instructor who is more interested in the girls on the beach than teaching you how to surf!

Try these schools: 

• 🏄🏽 Marea
• 🏄🏽 Lunazul
• 🏄🏽 WildMex

Expect to pay between 1,200 – 2,000 pesos (~ $65 – $95 USD) for a lesson, depending on whether they are group or private. 

🏄🏼‍♀️ Book a private surf lesson with WildMex

BOARD RENTALS

You can rent boards everywhere in Sayulita. There are surf schools all over town and stacks of boards lined up on the beach. 

All the reputable surf schools offer good quality board rentals. Expect to pay around 150 pesos per hour (~ $8 USD) or around 500 pesos (~ $30 USD) for a day. 

SURF BREAKS

The main surf spot in Sayulita is on Playa Sayulita.

This long beach has a few different surf breaks, depending on conditions. Generally, the southern end of the beach is the best for beginners, but the surf schools can point you in the right direction depending on the tides and swell. 

The other main breaks in the area are at Punta de Mita, about half an hour south. This rocky peninsula has a few popular surf beaches, the most well-known being La Lancha. 

SURF TRIPS

All the surf schools offer surf trips to other breaks in the area, like La Lancha in Punta de Mita. You can book a group trip to La Lancha with Marea online.

They include transport to the best break of the day, board rental and you can add on an optional lesson if you need one. 

🏄🏽 Book a surf trip day to La Lancha in Puta de Mita

Sayulita beaches

• 🏖️ Playa Sayulita – the main beach in town stretches on for quite a while. The southern end is the best for surfing and swimming, but it’s also the busiest with lots of restaurants, bars and vendors along the beach. The water gets cleaner and the beach quieter the further north you go, but it can be rough for swimming.

• 🏖️ Playa los Muertos – known as the ‘Beach of the Dead’ for its location next to a cemetery, this small bay is a much calmer place for swimming. There aren’t any surfers here, and it’s a more relaxed vibe with fewer vendors.. It’s a 10-minute walk from town through Villa Amor.

• 🏖️ Playa Carricitos – on the southern side of Punta Sayulita, Carricitos is a big, open sandy beach. It’s exposed to the open ocean, so the water can be incredibly rough here. Be very careful if you want to swim. It’s a great place for a long beach walk, to see the sunset year-round, and to relax in a quiet area. It’s about a 30-minute walk through the jungle from town. Follow this trail.

• 🏖️ Playa Patzquarito – a natural extension of Playa Carricitos, we spent some time here as it was closer to where we were staying in South Sayulita. We had a lovely walk through a jungle track (follow this route), and it was a gorgeous spot for a sunset. If you’re worried about walking back through the jungle in the dark, join this sunset hiking tour and go with a group.

• 🏖️ Playa Malposo – if you walk north past the end of Playa Sayulita, there is a jungle trail to reach Playa Malposo. This vast sandy beach is pretty rough, so it’s not great for swimming, but it is a beautiful beach and never crowded. Beware of robberies around this area and don’t leave your things unattended.

• 🏖️ Playa Las Cuevas – not as far as Malpaso but in the same direction, you can follow the jungle trail and come out at a small, secluded beach with a couple of sea caves. Time your visit for low tide to explore the caves.  

Best things to do in Sayulita​​

Surfing and beaches are the most popular things to do in Sayulita, and for most visitors (ourselves included) your time in town will pretty much revolve around those two things. Oh, and food too!

But there are a handful of other activities worth adding to your Sayulita itinerary.

1. Soak up the Sayulita vibe

Sayulita isn’t jam-packed with sights to see or tons of tours to do.

The beauty of this place is its laidback vibe, colourful streets and general surf-eat-party-repeat lifestyle. There is great energy in Sayulita and always something happening around town.

Take some time to wander around the colourful streets, the most famous is Calle los Delfines leading down towards the beach, lined with colourful flags.

Sayulita Plaza is the heart of town, and you’ll find a cute old church, some fantastic murals and the typical Mexican ‘Sayulita’ letters.

Every Friday, the market comes to town and you can browse crafts, fresh produce and souvenirs. It’s located here, near the bridge.

We stumbled across a local baseball game happening at the small stadium which was a very important event! It was a lot of fun, and all the locals were totally engrossed in the game.

Be sure to walk across the river into North Sayulita. There are permanent artisan market stalls lined up here around the baseball stadium, and it’s a nice leafy area.

2. Sunsets on the beach

Sunsets are famous in Sayulia, but you can only see the actual sun setting on the horizon for some of the year.

From around April – October, the flaming ball is visible from the main beach. But from November – March, it is concealed by Punta Sayulita.

But, that doesn’t stop everyone from heading down to the beach to enjoy the last light of the day and watch the sky glow up. It will quickly become part of your Sayulita routine and it’s a really nice way to end your day. And for some, begin your night!

If you want to see the actual sunset year-round, Playa Carricitos or Playa Patzcuarito have a front-row seat. Just be careful walking back through the jungle in the dark.

3. Marietas Islands

If you do one proper activity or day tour in Sayulita, make it a visit to the Marietas Islands.

Protected as part of the Marietas Islands National Marine Park, this is a fantastic place for snorkelling, diving and even whale watching during the winter season.

But what really draws people to the Marietas Islands is the unique and iconic Hidden Beach.

Created by military test bombing in the early 1900s, this beach is inside an open-air cavern, invisible from the outside. You can only reach the beach by swimming through a tunnel at low tide.

However there are very strict limits on how many people can visit the beach each day, and most tours don’t include it as a standard. Due to the limited numbers, it is an additional fee payable on the day of your tour, only if the operator can secure places to access the beach.

There are a lot of booze cruises leaving from Sayulita (more on that below), but if you’re actually interested in experiencing the nature and marine life of las Islas Marietas, I would opt for this tour instead. You can enquire about the possibility of adding Hidden Beach, pending availability on the day.

🤿 Book your Islas Marietas snorkelling tour
🫧 Book scuba diving at Islas Marietas

4. Hike Money Mountain

Cerro del Mono, aka Monkey Mountain, is a 3-hour hike offering stunning views over Banderas Bay.

Prepare to work up a sweat and get your legs pumping, it is very steep in parts, and with Sayulita’s hot weather, the hike can be a slog.

It is recommended to go with a local guide as the trailhead is outside of Sayulita town, and it’s easy to get lost. If you don’t have a golf cart or any method of transport, you’ll need to organise a taxi anyway, so it’s best to jump on a tour and hike with a group.

This tour is a great choice, offering both morning and sunset options.

If you’re not up for a trek up a mountain, this tour is a more leisurely, family-friendly hiking experience in the jungle around Sayulita.

🥾 Book your Monkey Mountain hike

5. Turtle release

From August to December each year, you can help a freshly hatched turtle make its way into the ocean.

A couple of different local NGOs patrol the beach throughout the nesting season, collecting clutches of eggs and transporting them to a safe hatchery on the northern end of Playa Sayulita.

Each evening at sunset, the newly hatched babies get released into the ocean to start their lives! Hatchlings usually peak between November – December.

Look for Campamento Tortugero at the northern end of the main beach, and check their Facebook page for updates each season.

If you are lucky enough to participate in a turtle release, please do not touch the turtles! The bacteria and toxins on our hands can be deadly to them. Besides, they are wild animals and not just for an Instagram photo. Please follow all the instructions of the NGO to make sure this activity is positive for you and the turtles.

6. Do yoga

Sayulita is known for surfing and yoga. If you’d prefer the more relaxing alternative, there are so many great studios around town.

Check out Yoga Los Sueños and The Rose Room.

If you have the option, try and choose local yoga teachers. There are a lot of expats in town offering classes, but it’s much better to support local instructors.

For a really unique experience, combine a yoga class with a guided hike through the jungle with Wanderlust Sayulita. You’ll take a class on a remote beach, connecting with Sayulita’s beautiful nature.

🧘🏼‍♀️ Book your jungle hike and yoga experience

7. Visit San Pancho

Officially called San Francisco de Nayarit, the neighbouring town of San Pancho is described by many as ‘the Sayulita of 20 years ago’.

More laidback, fewer crowds and none of the rowdy party vibe of Sayulita, we loved San Pancho.

We actually stayed here for a few days after our time in Sayulita and we much preferred it.

San Pancho was way less busy and full on than Sayulita, and it felt like an authentic version of what people think Sayulita is. A bit hippy, very tranquil, with a yoga/spiritual vibe and a strong community feel with strong environmental ethics.

The only downside of San Pancho is that the surf is generally much bigger and rougher. It’s not a great spot to learn and is really only suitable for the pros (depending on the swell and conditions).

Whether you decide to stay in San Pancho or just visit for the day, it’s worth visiting.

You can actually hike there along the beach from Sayulita if you’re up for a walk. Otherwise, you can take the bus from the Compostela station, or jump in a taxi.

🌈 Plan your day trip with our comprehensive San Pancho travel guide

8. Catamaran tour

For another fun day out on the water, join a catamaran tour.

You can expect a bit of snorkelling, a bit of whale watching (in winter) and plenty of chances to jump into the water, enjoy some beverages in the sun and have a good time with your fellow travellers.

Some tours actually visit the Marietas Islands, but it is less about the islands themselves and more about the open bar and party. So you could easily do the tour I mentioned above and this one, and have very different experiences.

Chica Locca is the most popular company, with fun boats with waterslides and all kinds of gear for kayaking, SUPing, snorkelling, inflatables, etc.

They offer a tour to the Marietas Islands, as well as a cruise down south to Yelapa via Puerto Vallarta on their ‘Limousine of the Sea’ mega yacht!

Tours start at $130 USD and usually include everything – open bar all day, snacks, lunch, all gear and activities.

🍻 Book a party booze cruise to Marietas Islands
🛥️ Book an all-inclusive mega yacht trip to Yelapa

9. Tequila and raicilla tour

Now I haven’t actually done this activity myself, as it’s only just recently opened, but I wanted to include it here as it looks like a fantastic option.

Normally, you’d need to go to the town of Tequila for an authentic tequila experience (not those Cancun-style tacky tequila tastings that are purely about shots).

However, Cachasol has just opened in the mountains behind Sayulita, and you can tour their gorgeous property with thousands of agave plants and a distillery on-site.

They make tequila, but they specialise in raicilla, a similar spirit made from the agave plant. You’ll get a detailed behind-the-scenes tour of how raicilla is made, a tasting (of course!) of both raicilla and their award-winning tequila, as well as some tasty cocktails and a farm-to-table meal in their gorgeous outdoor setting.

They have several tours throughout the day, but I’d recommend opting for the 5:00 pm option, so you can enjoy the golden hour and sunset from their rancho.

Let me know if you do this, it’s on our list for next visit!

🥃 Book your raicilla and tequila tour

Where to eat in Sayulita

I would highly recommend joining a Sayulita taco tour at the start of your trip. Food tours are my favourite thing to do, and there is so much yumminess to uncover!

Explore the best street stalls, local restaurants and taco joints with a local who is an expert in all things Sayulita food! You’ll learn more about Mexican cuisine and get a whole list of delicious places to return to throughout your time in Sayulita.

🌮 Book your Sayulita taco tour here

Restaurants

• 🐟 Mary’s – if you want seafood tacos, you can’t go past Mary’s! Serving up Baja-style tacos, with a twist, with unique toppings and sauces. There is always a line here but it’s worth the wait.

• 🌯 El Itacate – if you’ve never heard of an ‘itacate’ you’re in for a treat! It is a burrito, but instead of being wrapped in a tortilla, it is encased in a cheese crust. Drool!

• 🍔 La Fogonera – the best burgers in Sayulita! Located in North Sayulita near the baseball field, this laidback food truck is delicious.

• 🌮 Tacos de Pastor Diaz – cheap, quick and delicious tacos al pastor right on the street near the plaza. Can’t go wrong, and open very late for a post-party feed.

Cafes and desserts

• ☕️ Anchor –  this is one of Sayulita’s funky, aesthetic cafes. It’s located very close to the plaza and has a good range of brunch and lunch options. The coffee is good, and we loved their avocado toast.

• 🍳 Bonito Café – if you can’t afford to stay at Hotel Don Bonito, you can still enjoy its amazing interior design and styling at their café. The coffee is excellent, and they have healthy and tasty breakfast options.

• 🥑 Miscelanea –  a popular but worthy option, with a good mix of Mexican breakfast dishes like chilaquiles and huevos rancheros, and light healthy options like smoothie bowls and avo toast.

• 🍫 Churros – each evening, you’ll find a churro cart in the plaza. Serving up churros rellenos aka stuffed churros, you can choose what flavour topping you want piped into the middle of your fat churro. Condensed milk, chocolate, caramel… need I say more!

Bars

• 🏖️ Frente Al Punto Beach Club – there are a ton of restaurants and bars lined up along the main beach, but we liked this one the best. It’s set a little bit back from the sand, and the grassy area is really nicely designed with lounges, day beds and yummy cocktails.

• 🍸 Lucid – fantastic cocktails just off the beach. It’s away from the craziness of the plaza, and you can sit down and chat.

• 🥃 El Barrilito – a beloved local spot, right next to the plaza with seats lined up right along the street. You’re in the heart of the action here, perfect for people-watching. Their margaritas are cheap and delicious.

• 🍹 Escondido Bar – just across the street, this is another great option for delicious cocktails, whipped up by their mixologists. I love that they have cards and board games to play. 

Sayulita Mexico travel tips

• 🌊 Ocean water quality – there have been a lot of issues over the years with Sayulita’s beaches being contaminated with sewage. At times, there have been known issues (e.g. a sewerage pipe bursting), but a lot of people swear the problem always exists, and there is a broader issue with the way sewerage is managed in the town that got way too big and way too busy very quickly.
  
  This website from a local surf company is a good indication of the current water quality. If there have been any failed tests by the government’s health department, they will divert their lessons to another beach. I can’t say for sure what the water quality will be like when you visit, but do some Googling before you go to check for the latest updates. Regardless, it’s something you need to be aware of, as a LOT of people get sick when they visit Sayulita.

• 💰 ATMs – there are a lot of ATMs around Sayulita, but most of them are freestanding cashpoints run by private companies, not bank-affiliated ATMs. Avoid those if you can, as there is a higher chance they have been tampered with, and they also charge higher fees and occasionally eat cards. The best ATM to use is the one inside the Intercam Banco. Come to Sayulita with plenty of cash.

• 💳 Credit cards – many larger hotels, restaurants and bars will accept credit cards, but don’t rely on them everywhere. Some places will charge a merchant fee, check before you tap.

• 🧺 Laundry – it’s unusual for accommodations to have washing machines. There are a few laundromats around town of varying quality. This laundry is the best-rated, just be sure to note down what you drop off and make sure you get it all back.

• 🥭 Supermarkets – there aren’t any huge supermarkets in Sayulita. If you want Walmart or Sam’s Club or something of that size, stop in Puerto Vallarta on the way to Sayulita and stock up for the duration of your stay. You will find a lot of mini-mart stores around town, that stock a pretty decent variety of basic groceries. We found enough ingredients for breakfast and basic meals at Super Kiosko. There was also a great place to buy fruit and vegetables opposite the Kiosko, I can’t remember the exact name though, sorry!

• 💧 Water – you can’t drink the water in Sayulita. Many accommodations will provide purified drinking water in large 20-litre jugs. If you don’t have one in your place, it’s worth buying one from a supermarket or convenience store to avoid single-use plastic bottles. It’s cheaper too. 

Sayulita travel guide: A wrap

I hope this Sayulita travel guide has given you a better overview of the town and helped to start piecing together your itinerary. 

Despite it being a little busy and crowded at times, Sayulita is undeniably a fantastic place to visit in Mexico. It has all the elements of a great beach town, and it’s hard not to love it. 

Let me know what you’re most excited about in Sayulita. Are you keen on surfing? All the food? Dreaming about the beautiful boutique hotels? 

If it does sound a bit too busy for your liking, don’t forget about San Pancho just up the road. This was more my vibe, keeping all the best bits of Sayulita without the crowds! 

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