10 Best Things To Do in Sayulita for First-Time Visitors
Hang ten, Sayulita.
I always get sensory overload trying to plan a new trip, but I spent a week in Sayulita and feel like I really got to experience a lot in my time there. From relaxing to adventuring, I got a little taste of what feels like everything in this little town. As a first-time visitor to Sayulita, here are the top 10 things I would recommend from my time there.
No B.S., here’s the short list of my favorite things in Sayulita:
1. Go surfing: Perfect your surf skills on Sayulita’s world-famous beaches. I hit the waves twice and would’ve gone more if the instructor thought it was beginner-friendly. Check out Juan from Barracuda Surf Coach.
2. Horseback Riding on the Beach: We rode through to the beach and back through the jungle, ending with a complementary tequila tasting. Learned about different tequilas, the history of tequila in Mexico, and the tequila-making process – an unforgettable tour experience with Mi Chaparrita.
3. Whale Watching [December - March]: During this time, if you can catch sight of the humpback whales migrating, it is a pinch me moment. It was absolutely mind-blowing and probably my favorite Sayulita experience. We actually did a snorkeling tour Chica Locca Tours and got lucky with seeing the whales on our cruise back.
4. A Yogi’s Paradise: Open-air yoga sessions here are purifying. Stretch, breathe, and find your zen with the ocean breeze. I tried out two yoga studios in Sayulita: The Rose Room and Yoga Los Sueños, both of which were highly recommended.
5. Hike Monkey Mountain: I love an active vacation so for me, the panoramic views from the top are worth the climb. This is one of the highest mountains around and the hike took us about 2-3 hours at a leisurely pace. You can hike it on your own or do a tour. We went on our own and didn’t have any issues. The worst part was getting there and back with taxis, but the trail directions were pretty clear. You won’t have cell service on the hike, so make sure to download the trail map beforehand just in case.
6. Farmer’s Market on Fridays: Mercado del Pueblo is a really small Farmer’s Market, but it was still fun to stroll through (won’t take you long) and get to see a Farmer’s Market in a different culture.
7. Golf Cart Adventures: Renting a golf cart to cruise around Sayulita’s colorful streets is so much fun. It’s the best way to see the town in my opinion.
8. Eat Tacos - You’re in Mexico, so tacos are a must! For a quick bite, Tacos Al Pastor Diaz is my top pick. If you want to sit down, head to El Itacate. And don’t limit yourself to just Mexican food – La Rustica (wood fired pizza) and Achara (Thai) were my favorite non-Mexican spots that are worth trying!
9. Rooftop Drinks at Sayulinda Hotel: Sipping cocktails at Sayulinda Hotel’s rooftop bar is the perfect way to chill out, especially at sunset – the view is stunning! There’s a fee if you’re not staying at the hotel, but we got a drink voucher with it, so it was definitely worth it.
10. Sunset at Playa Carricitos: Ending the day with a stunning sunset at Playa Carricitos was something out of a movie. I could have gone here every single night and been so content. It’s a bit of a trek, so I do recommend a golf cart if you can.
Cheers to your next adventure in this little slice of paradise!