7-Day Sayulita Itinerary: The Perfect Week in Mexico’s Surf Town

7-Day Itinerary for Sayulita: Food, Fun, and Adventure

Get ready to fall in love with Sayulita, a vibrant surf town in the heart of Riviera Nayarit with colorful streets, boho vibes, and endless coastlines. Here, you’ll find amazing street food, friendly locals, surf spots, and views that feel straight out of a postcard. This town has something for any type of trip — foodies, adventure seekers, or beach bums, Sayulita is your ultimate getaway.

Here's what my itinerary looked like for a week in Sayulita, but feel free to mix and match your favorite activities and dining spots to create your perfect getaway — whether you're there for a few days or a whole week.

Day 1: Arrival and Settling In

Morning: We flew into Puerto Vallarta and drove to Sayulita. The drive took about 45 minutes to an hour. We had arranged for a driver in advance, but taxis and buses are available if you prefer.

Afternoon: We picked up our golf cart rental from Ocean Golf Carts. Brenda, who rented us the cart, was awesome and gave us some great local tips. Golf carts are definitely the best way to get around Sayulita and I highly recommend that.

Midday: We walked around the local shops and explored the colorful streets of Sayulita. The main city center is filled with artisanal shops and local crafts to check out.

Dinner: We had dinner at Mary’s, which is so highly recommended as a must-try local dining experience. While it didn’t quite live up to the hype for us, it was affordable and I'd be willing to give it another shot.

Night: We chilled at our hotel, Rivieria Sayulita, and rested up for the exciting week ahead.

Day 2: Yoga, Market, and Beach

Morning: Woke up and got breakfast at Anchor Cafe. This spot has light and fresh meals, perfect for kicking off the day. Tried the chia pudding smoothie and it was heavenly. We also met a fellow traveler friend here, which was nice.

Mid-Morning: It was a rainy day, so we headed off to Yoga Los Sueños for a relaxing yoga session. Sayulita is a yogi's paradise with open-air classes that let you enjoy the beautiful surroundings even in the rain.

Afternoon: We hit up the Mercado del Pueblo Farmers Market, which is only open on Fridays. Grabbed some fresh juice there and then made our way to Playa los Muertos for a chill beach day. Took the golf cart, and thank goodness because it was super muddy from the rain. We rented some cheap chairs and hung out under an umbrella while it drizzled a bit.

Evening: We had dinner at La Rustica with our new friend Roy, enjoying their amazing wood-fired pizzas. Despite the wait, the friendly service and delicious pizzas made it worth it. We got margaritas at the bar while we waited and those were delish.

Night: We watched a mariachi band play in the town square, soaking in the local culture and lively atmosphere. Then went to Escondido Bar for a little night cap and some fun card games.

Day 3: Surfing and Nightlife

Morning: We went back to Anchor Cafe for a quick bite to fuel up before surfing.

Mid-Morning: We hit the waves for a surf session with Juan from Barracuda Surf Coach. Highly recommend him, he was amazing. I think surfing is a must-do in Sayulita — and it’s fun for all experience levels.

Afternoon: We met up with some friends we made after their fishing trip and my friends enjoyed fresh fish ceviche at a local restaurant that cooked up their catch. Then we headed to one of their hotels, Amor Boutique, and relaxed on the patio by the beach with drinks from the hotel beachside bar.

Evening: Golf carted over to watch the sunset at Playa Carricitos, my favorite beach for stunning sunsets and a serene atmosphere.

Dinner: We ate at Sur38, which has delicious tapas and a great vegetarian selection. After dinner, we hopped around town for drinks at Cava and YamBak, getting a taste of Sayulita’s nightlife.

Day 4: Surfing and Relaxation

Morning: We started the day with breakfast at Miscelánea, a cute spot with an indoor/outdoor patio.

Mid-Morning: We went surfing again with Juan because we had such a great time the first day and then refreshed with smoothie bowls at Orangy. Orangy’s juice and smoothie bowls were a good pick-me-up after hitting the waves.

Afternoon: We spent time soaking up the sun on Sayulita Beach (though we avoided the beach peddlers by sticking to the quieter ends).

Evening: We headed back to Playa Carricitos for another beautiful sunset and we wanted to show our friend the spot. This beach quickly became our favorite spot for sunset watching. There was a local surfer catching waves, so it was fun to watch him in action.

Dinner: We enjoyed a delicious Thai dinner at Achara, getting a full spread for the table including the papaya salad, chicken wings, spring rolls, pad Thai, and Panang curry – all so good!

Day 5: Horseback Riding and Carnival Fun

Morning: We had breakfast at Northswell Sabor Natural, a family-run spot with delicious vegan and vegetarian options. Recommended by our surf instructor.

Mid-Morning: Hung out at Sayulita Beach and just relaxed during the day.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening: We went on a horseback riding tour with Mi Chaparrita, which took us through the jungle to the beach and back again. The tour ended with a tequila tasting session, where we learned about different tequilas and the tequila-making process. They also shuttled us to and from, which was so nice.

Dinner: We at dinner at Bichos, a Mexican spot with fresh corn tortillas and a salsa bar. Recommended by our golf cart driver.

Night: We visited the local carnival, rode some rides and played some games. We finished the night with Rollado ice cream tacos - the perfect nighttime treat.

Day 6: Snorkeling and Whale Watching

Morning: We left early for a snorkeling tour with Chica Locca Tours, enjoying lunch on the boat. The snorkeling wasn't great due to poor visibility, but it turned into an incredible whale-watching experience. We saw a mama humpback teaching her baby how to breach the water—it was absolutely magical!

Evening: We got back from the tour and showered and got ready for drinks at Sayulinda Hotel, soaking in the stunning views from the rooftop.

Dinner: We then went to a Mediterranean spot at Alto Alto, an aesthetically pleasing spot with delicious food and a great atmosphere.

Day 7: Hiking and Farewells

Morning: We hiked Monkey Mountain for stunning views of the entire landscape. This hike offers breathtaking scenery and was a great way to start our last full day in Sayulita.

Mid-Day: We said goodbye to our friend Roy and had lunch at El Itacate. El Itacate’s tacos and friendly vibes made it a perfect lunch spot - my favorite sit down Mexican spot to eat.

Late Afternoon/Evening: We rode through the jungle to Playa Patzcuarito for yet another sunset. This remote beach is really nice and was actually the same place we went horseback riding two days prior.

Dinner: We got back and ate at Tukari and then strolled around, enjoying a paleta and listening to local music. Tukari’s Mediterranean-style food was delicious, and the local music added a charming touch to our last night.

Day 8: Departure

Morning: We started our last day with yoga at The Rose Room, another great studio in Sayulita.

Breakfast: We enjoyed a meal at the Don Bonito hotel (the restaurant/bar that the Rose Room is in), taking in our last breakfast in this beautiful town.

Early Afternoon: We then hit the road to the airport to head home.

Enjoy your adventure in Sayulita, filled with delicious food, exciting activities, and plenty of relaxation! For a deeper dive into all the activities and spots we went to, visit here.

Tip for Sayulita: Avoid drinking tap water and stuck to filtered or bottled water the entire time. The town's rapid tourism growth has outpaced its infrastructure, especially in sewage management, leading to sewage being disposed of in the ocean where people swim and surf. So also check the conditions before you get in the ocean.