The Ultimate Sayulita Travel Guide: Eat, Drink, Stay & Play
WHAT IS SAYULITA LIKE
Sayulita is this small little surf town in Riviera Nayarit that draws in people from all over the world. It’s got colorful lively streets, local artisanal shops, and stunning beaches. The whole place has an awesome bohemian vibe and vibrant culture, which I personally love. It’s the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure!
HOW TO GET AROUND SAYULITA
Flying In
Getting to Sayulita is super easy. Fly into Puerto Vallarta, and from there it's about a 45-minute to 1-hour drive to the town. I recommend booking a driver in advance so you're all set when you land, but you can also grab a taxi or hop on a bus from the airport. The place we were staying at helped us arrange transportation to and from the hotel.
Getting Around Sayulita
Once you're in Sayulita, the best way to get around is by golf cart. We rented ours from Ocean Golf Carts—Brenda was awesome and gave us some great local tips! Some hotels rent out golf carts too, so check that out for possible discounts. We had the best time cruising around town in our golf cart all week, but Sayulita is very walkable, so that's also an option.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
I think it just depends on what you want to do while visiting, but overall the best time to visit Sayulita is from November to April when the weather is warm and dry—perfect for beach days and outdoor fun (you'll be doing a lot of that). It's also great for catching consistent waves if you're into surfing, which is a big appeal of Sayu. If you want to avoid the crowds and maybe snag some lower prices, try going in May or October. I went in February and had just one rainy day when we landed, but the rest were sunny. We were able to take two beginner surf lessons and had pretty steady waves both times.
FUN THINGS TO DO
I honestly can't pick a favorite thing in Sayulita because I did so much during my week there. We packed in tons of activities and still found time to relax, watch breathtaking sunsets, dine at incredible local spots, and soak up the sun.
Here’s a list of everything we did (which was a lot) so you can pull some ideas of what you might want to do:
Take a Surf Lesson or Two
Surfing is probably the most popular activity in Sayulita for a reason, and it's an absolute must! We loved surfing so much that we did it twice, and we would have done it even more if the waves hadn't been too intense for beginners on other days. There are so many surf instructors in Sayulita, but I cannot recommend Juan from Barracuda Surf Coach enough. A friend who went to Sayulita with a girls' group two weeks before me conveniently recommended him, and I'm so glad she did because he is the absolute best.
*I’d definitely recommend going with an instructor if you're a beginner or even somewhat intermediate. It’s not only safer but also way more fun since they can help you read the waves and pick the best ones to catch. One of our friends on the trip was a novice and decided to rent a board and go on his own. He got trapped under the waves for so long that he was scared he was going to drown. So just keep that in mind if you’re wanting to surf.
Go Horseback Riding
We went on a horseback riding tour with Mi Chaparrita, which took us through the jungle to the beach and back. It was a beautiful trek and completely worth the cost. Our tour host was hilarious and made the ride even more enjoyable. The tour ended with a tequila tasting, where we learned about different tequilas, the history of tequila in Mexico, and the tequila-making process. It was the perfect way to wrap up the experience. They also provide shuttle service to and from pickup points in Sayulita, so you don't have to worry about getting there and back.
Get Zen in a Yoga Class
I tried out two yoga studios in Sayulita: The Rose Room and Yoga Los Sueños, both of which were highly recommended. Both were amazing, and Sayulita is seriously a yogi's paradise. Lots of people do retreats here with the talented instructors, so you really can't go wrong with any of the spots you choose. It's also perfect for a rainy day! Both classes were open-air, so you get to enjoy the beautiful location without feeling stuck inside.
Shop the Boho Boutiques, Art Galleries, & Street Peddlers
This is another great rainy day activity, but it's also awesome no matter the weather. Sayulita has so many cute local boutiques, art galleries, and fun artsy activities. Just head into town and wander around; you'll find plenty of unique items and cool art to check out and admire. I took home a beautiful moon and sun moi y toi ring, a trendy beach hat, beach candies from a peddler on the beach, and Mexican chocolates to give as gifts. There is also no shortage of local street peddlers that come around while you are sitting at Sayulita beach.
Go Snorkeling & Whale Watching
This ended up being beyond magical. We booked a snorkeling tour, which was pretty average due to visibility, but it turned into the most amazing whale-watching experience. We just happened to visit Sayulita during whale-watching season, so I highly recommend doing a whale-watching tour if you want to be mesmerized. We saw a mama humpback teaching her baby how to breach the water over and over again. It was a pinch-me moment. We did the Marieta Island Tour with Chica Locca Tours, and it was unforgettable.
Stroll Around the Farmer’s Market
Mercado del Pueblo is a small but charming farmers market in Sayulita, open only on Fridays. It's a great stop to explore local vendors, artisans, craftsmen, and jewelers. You'll find plenty of unique and handmade goodies to take home—or snacks to nibble on.
Wander the Colorful Streets
You’ve got to check out the iconic Slap Street and take photos under the colorful flags. This vibrant street is in almost every photo of Sayulita, and for good reason. It totally captures the town's fun and lively vibe!
Hike Monkey Mountain
This is one of the highest mountains around and the view from the top is stunning. The hike took us about 2-3 hours at a leisurely pace. You can do a tour or hike it on your own. 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. Just a heads up, you won’t have cell service on the hike, so make sure to download the trail map beforehand just in case.
Go Fishing
We didn't do this, but one of our friends we met on the trip said it was the best thing he did the entire trip. He caught a couple of fish and then was able to get them cooked up fresh at a local restaurant, all set up through his tour. So if you're into fishing, definitely give it a try! There are tons of local fishermen who can take you out, plus plenty of tours to choose from. He went through Captain Pablo’s.
Relax at the Beach
If you’re looking for a chill day, head to one of the many beautiful beaches in the city. I’ve listed some of them below, but my favorite by far was Playa Carricitos.
BEACHES IN SAYULITA
Sayulita's beaches are all about epic sunsets, golden sands, and very chill vibes.
Playa Carricitos
My favorite beach in Sayu. It's less crowded, has STUNNING sunsets, and is simply beautiful all around. We took our golf cart as far as we could and then walked the rest of the way through a jungle to get there. This beach has golden sand and clear waters, making it the perfect ‘hidden gem.’ Hardly anyone else was there — we spent two nights sunset seeking, reading books, and watching a local surfer ride the waves here.
Playa Sayulita
We surfed here both times. The beach itself is great, but if you’re looking to relax, it might not be the best spot unless you trek to either end of the beach. There are a lot of peddlers trying to sell you stuff (which I get is how the locals make money), but it can be a little overwhelming since someone will come up to you every 30 seconds or so trying to sell you something - I am not exaggerating. One word of advice: Don’t get the oysters on the beach; so many people warned us about this (if it wasn’t obvious already). I did get a veggie empanada and candy on the beach, and those were fantastic.
Playa los Muertos
A more secluded beach just south of the main beach, accessible by a short walk (or golf cart ride) past a cemetery. This quiet cove is surrounded by rocky outcrops, offering a more peaceful escape from the busyness of Playa Sayulita. You can rent beach umbrellas and chairs, and there's a small bar for drinks. We checked it out on our first day - it was a bit rainy so the ride/trek was super muddy. There was also a parking fee for golf carts in the lot right next to the beach past the cemetery.
Playa Patzcuarito
We ended up at this beach twice—the first time unknowingly by horseback, and again on one of our last days to check out a ‘new beach’ since we didn’t realize we had already been. We rode our golf cart there because it's pretty remote, with a stretch through the jungle that we had to walk through. It's a great place to lay out a towel and catch the sunset - just be mindful that you will have to walk back through the jungle in the dark, so come prepared if you’re up for that.
We didn’t get a chance to check out Playa Malpaso or Playa Escondida. From what I understand, Playa Malpaso offers a mile-long stretch of secluded beach and Playa Escondida is famous for being a "Bachelor in Paradise" filming location and offers day passes for visitors to enjoy its luxurious amenities. Will have to visit next time I’m around. :)
PLACES TO STAY
When we were researching the area for places to stay, so many reviews mentioned how loud their stays were–and based on my experience walking around the city, this is 100% true. But if you pick the right spot, you'll have an amazing time. I personally like it quiet since I won’t be in the room much other than to sleep, but you might be looking for something more lively. Depending on what you want, you can either stay right in the action or find a great place just outside the hustle and bustle (and all of the noise) of downtown.
We booked pretty last minute and managed to get a room at Riviera Sayulita. It was just barely outside the main city center, so it was much quieter. It turned out to be a great pick—the staff was friendly and it had a nice indoor/outdoor pool. While I loved my stay there, there are so many cute spots to check out in Sayulita. Next time, I'd explore some other places that fit my aesthetic a little more that weren't available when we initially booked.
There are some great affordable places to stay and plenty of spots to splurge on too. Here are some I noticed while strolling around, and others we found during our initial research:
Distrito 88 – An adults only hotel with modern design and a relaxed, beachy vibe, featuring elevated terraces, panoramic pool views of the ocean and jungle, and chic, minimalist decor.
Sleeps: 2-5 depending on room
Distance from Sayulita Beach: 6 minute walk
Amaia Boutique Hotel – Cozy aesthetic with modern decor, lush greenery, and an outdoor pool area 200m from Sayulita Beach.
Sleeps: 2-4 depending on room
Distance from Sayulita Beach: 3 minute walk
Casa Saturno – A short walk to town, this spot sits on a hill overlooking the coastline with a heated infinity pool that can accommodate larger groups of families.
Sleeps: 11 people
Distance from Sayulita Beach: Short walk
La Joya – Stunning aesthetic with access to a private beach, need I say more?
Sleeps: Sleeps 2-3 depending on room
Distance from Sayulita Beach: 11 minute drive
Anjali Casa Divina – Would stay here for the infinity pool alone.
Sleeps: 2-3 depending on room
Distance from Sayulita Beach: 6 minute walk
Saltwater Pool VRBO – Saltwater pool? Rooftop patio? Yes please.
Sleeps: 3
Distance from Sayulita Beach: 7 minute walk
Laetitia’s Flat Airbnb – A great spot for a couple with a large terrace overlooking a garden and the sea.
Sleeps: 2
Distance from Sayulita Beach: 10 minute walk
BEST PLACES TO EAT
Sayulita has so many great places to eat and since I was there for a full week, I had my fair share of delicious meals. Here are the spots that we ate and some other recommendations as well:
Tacos Al Pastor Diaz – Hands down my favorite street-style tacos in Sayu out of all the places we had Mexican food. So authentic it doesn’t even have any social media. Not an ‘aesthetically pleasing’ meal, but beyond delicious. You will pick your meat of choice, then build your own taco at the bar.
El Itacate – My favorite sit-down Mexican spot in Sayulita. We had fun trying all the different taco spots and really liked the food and the overall vibes here. Every taco came with a side of onions, limes, and a bunch of salsas to mix and match to your liking.
Mary’s – This might be a controversial take, but I feel it has to be said (please don’t hate me)!! Even though Mary’s is on almost every list of places to eat in Sayulita, it wasn’t either of our favorites. Maybe it was that it was so hyped up or maybe it was just the dishes we ordered. On the plus side, Mary’s is really affordable, so I’d definitely give it another shot. Would love to hear if others agree or have had a different experience!
Anchor Cafe – My go-to for a light and fresh meal. Went here many mornings for breakfast/brunch and ate it up. The aesthetic is great, the service is good, and the chia pudding smoothie on a hot day is just perfection.
Miscelánea – Another great breakfast spot with a cute indoor/outdoor patio. It’s easy to miss from the street, but there’s a little path leading to the back.
La Rustica – An Italian spot with amazing wood-fired pizzas. It was really busy, so we had to wait for a seat for three. We grabbed a drink at their bar and just chilled. Once we got seated, the service was friendly but super slow (we thought they forgot about us)! Luckily, we weren’t in a rush, so it was all good. I only took one picture of our drinks here, so I’ve included some photos from their Instagram so you can get an idea of the vibe.
Achara [might be closed now] – Yummy Thai food! We tried a bunch of dishes like the papaya salad, chicken wings, spring rolls, pad Thai, and Panang curry – all so good! But skip the sautéed veggies; they were in a beef broth that wasn’t all that great. Everything else was delicious!
Alto Alto – Another good dinner spot if you’re looking to switch it up from Mexican food. It’s a super aesthetically pleasing Mediterranean spot and the muhammara dip was tasty.
Bichos – Recommended by the place we rented our golf cart. This taqueria has fresh corn tortillas and a salsa bar where you can pick your own toppings and spice level.
Organi-K – A great spot for a healthy and fresh breakfast with delicious acai bowls, smoothies, and Mexican breakfast options! It's a cute open-air spot, but the service was really slow for us and it's pricier compared to surrounding places for a morning bite.
Sur38 – A casual wine bar with tapa-style dishes. Great vegetarian options and a great atmosphere. Try the tlayuda de mole.
Northswell Sabor Natural – Recommended by our surf coach, it’s a family-run vegan and vegetarian spot. Had breakfast burrito on their upstairs deck.
Tukari – An open-air dining spot serving delicious Mediterranean-style food! I will say that my lips were already burned when we went here, and the spicy margarita made it even hotter (but still worth it).
Orangy – Juice and smoothie bowls right in the downtown plaza. Good for a quick and refreshing pick-me-up.
Rollado Ice Cream Tacos – Ice cream tacos, perfect for Mexico! They hand-roll the ice cream with whatever toppings you want and put it in a waffle 'taco’ - such a yummy after dinner treat.
El Tiburón – Didn’t get a chance to eat here, but heard it has good food and live music.
Mexicolate – I don’t personally like chocolate, but this was a good spot to grab gifts for people back home! They make cacao and chocolate-everything.
BEST PLACES TO GET A DRINK
Sayulita's definitely a party town if that's your thing (hence all the reviews of loud noise in town). With tons of beachy bars and live music, it's the place to be for a fun night out, especially when it's busy.
Escondido Bar – We went here a couple times and it’s my favorite bar in Sayulita! Chill vibes, open air, great service, good drinks (and mocktails) and has games to play while you drink. Didn’t end up taking photos here surprisingly, so I pulled a few from their Instagram for you to see.
Cava – The drinks here weren’t too sweet, which was great! I got a Paloma and my friend got a margarita and we both liked them. This has more of a ‘local’ hole in the wall vibe to it.
Sayulinda Hotel – You have to pay for a day pass to access the roof if you're not staying here, but the view of the city alone makes it worth it. The day pass also came with a drink voucher, so that was nice as well.
YamBak – According to a few locals, this is the party spot. We went one night and it was an open space that had a live DJ. The drinks are just okay in my opinion, but we still had a great time dancing here.
Atico Bar – Didn’t end up going here, but it has a cute swing and live music, so I’d add it to the list for next time.
Barrilito Sayulita – Didn’t actually go here either, but it is right across the street from Escondido Bar – it has outdoor seats right on the bar, which I personally think would be the best spot in the house.
Bar Don Pato – We walked in and out of this spot but only because it was empty at the time we went. It has live music, so I'd definitely go back on one of those nights.
The great thing about all of these spots is that they're all right next to each other. If you’re not feeling one, you can just hop over to the next one.
DAY TRIPS FROM SAYULITA
The only day trip we took was snorkeling and whale watching, but I've heard great things about these other day trips and would definitely check them out next time.
San Pancho – A beach town with a relaxed vibe, great for dining, shopping, and beach lounging. 5 miles from Sayulita, about 10-15 minutes by car.
Marietas Islands (National Park) – Famous for the Hidden Beach, snorkeling, and wildlife watching. 16 miles from Sayulita, about 1 hour by boat.
Punta de Mita – Known for its luxury resorts, beautiful beaches, and surfing spots. 13 miles from Sayulita, about 25-30 minutes by car.
Puerto Vallarta – Offers a vibrant city experience with shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. 24 miles from Sayulita, about 1 hour by car.
WHAT TO PACK
Besides the clothes you want to pack (I'd suggest keeping it light and bringing a sweater for breezy golf cart rides), here are a few other things I recommend bringing:
Reef-Safe Sunblock/Sunscreen
Rash Guard or Wetsuit (For Surfing)
Sunglasses
Bug Spray
Beach Hat & Baseball Cap
Reusable Water Bottle - Stick to bottled or purified water to avoid stomach issues
Portable Charger
Reusable Bag + Beach Bag
Many places accept cash only, so it's good to have pesos (MXN) on hand
Tums
Activated Charcoal - Didn’t pack this but I heard it’s meant to be good for if you start to get Sayulita stomach (which is very common)*
HEALTH & SAFETY
Sayulita is generally considered safe for tourists. I never personally felt unsafe the whole time I was there, but like anywhere, it’s good to stay aware of your surroundings and use common-sense precautions. On that note, Sayulita is great whether you're traveling solo or with a group. I went with one of my girl friends, but we met couples, families, and solo travelers of all ages from all over enjoying Sayulita.
Sayulita Sickness
*I loved my time in Sayulita, but I have to mention the common problem among visitors called "Sayulita stomach" or the "Sayulita shits." When we walked into one of our yoga classes on the first day and heard everyone (yes, everyone) talking about getting sick on their trips, I was shocked at how common it is. I did avoid drinking tap water and stuck to filtered or bottled water the entire time, which is highly recommended. And fortunately, I didn’t get sick in Sayulita (aside from a rash from the contaminated water and margarita lips from the sun). However, I did become very ill with vomiting and diarrhea the day I got back for like 3-5 days, likely due to contaminated beach water when we were surfing. My friend also vommitted on the flight back and a couple times after landing as well. 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. This happens a lot, so be careful if you plan to do water activities (which we were blissfully or ignorantly unaware of at the time). There are alternative coves for swimming and surfing, but many visitors prefer to just enjoy pools and admire the ocean from the shore. Just stay in the loop about local conditions and take some precautions to make sure you have a stomach-issue free time if you do swim.
That’s a wrap! What was your favorite part of Sayulita + what should I add for next time? :)