Quick guide to Sayulita Mexico
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Located about 30 miles northwest of Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, the once quaint fishing village of Sayulita has transformed into a travel hotspot for surfers, expats and foreigners looking for oceanview vacation property.
And, in recent years, Sayulita has become a hub for travel bloggers and online entrepreneurs seeking a low cost lifestyle combined with lazy days on the beach. Ironically, we first learned about this slow-paced coastal town because a few of our travel blogger friends have spent extended periods of time here.
There was a time, not so long ago, when Sayulita was considered an off-the-beaten-path destination. In fact, many residents still feel it should be labeled as such. I’m not so sure.
Why travel to Sayulita?
The appeal of Sayulita is that, unlike other Mexican resort towns, tourists can actually mingle with locals and eat and shop where they do. Mexican families live, work and socialize here, which creates an interesting atmosphere, especially at the sidewalk cafes and beach bars.
Yes, you will see a lot of foreigners roaming the streets. However, what we like about Sayulita is that although it is touristy, it’s not a tourist trap. At least, not on the same level as Puerto Vallarta.
You can eat real tacos at streetside restaurants and pay the same price as the locals (most of the time). You can surf all day and party all night, or simply read a book by the pool.
Sayulita doesn’t have an agenda – and we dig that.
Things to do in Sayulita
Like most coastal towns, Sayulita has a lot to offer beach lovers and water sport enthusiasts. Surfing is the big attraction but there’s plenty of water activities to keep you busy, including stand-up paddle boarding, sport fishing, sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
It is a great beach to learn to surf, with consistent waves and the break located on the main stretch of beach in front of the town center. For the more advanced surfer, the Riviera Nayarit coast is dotted with beaches and secret surf spots, so you can organize day trips to get away from the crowds.
You can rent boards and equipment directly on the main beach.
Get your Guide to Sayulita here.
We didn’t end up surfing on our trip to Sayulita.
If you visit during the winter months, from November to March, you may get lucky and spot humpback whales breaching from Sayulita’s shore. Or, you can join a whale watching tour and get up close to these gentle giants in their natural habitat.
Popular land activities include horseback riding on the beach, canopy and ATV tours, jungle hikes, yoga retreats, day spas and golfing at the nearby courses. Keep in mind, Puerto Vallarta is less than an hour away, so you can access most activities that cater to the Puerto Vallarta visitor.
There is a shopping area in the center of town with over 45 locally-owned shops offering a variety of merchandise. There are a few boutique stores and art galleries around town, most located within 4 blocks of each other. On Sundays, Sayulita hosts a small street fair that offers local handicrafts, clothing and homecooked food.
Prices are not expensive but don’t expect to find super cheap prices or excessive haggling like you’d find in Central America and Southeast Asia.
There are several ATM’s in town that dispense both US dollars and Mexican pesos. However, these ATM’s commonly run out of cash, so it’s best to bring some extra cash with you.
Another fun thing to do in Sayulita is rent a golf cart or ATV and explore the town.
There are some great lookout spots and quiet beaches just outside the town that are too far to reach by walking, so renting a golf cart is a fairly cheap (and fun) way to experience these spots.
Like most tourist destinations, there are some companies that will overcharge tourists for tours, activities and equipment rentals. Opportunistic people live everywhere, so it’s wise to do your homework and ask for referrals.
The majority of companies in town are reputable, but you may want to ask for a receipt when shopping at the stores.
We were overcharged 3 times at one of the stores that looks similar to a 7/11 – I can’t remember the name of the store. It wasn’t a big deal, in the range of 20-30 pesos, but it still pissed me off.
How’s the beach in Sayulita?
Surprisingly, we weren’t that impressed with the main stretch of beach. We found the sand to be quite dirty and dusty. In some sections, it didn’t feel like sand at all. Every time we left the beach we felt dirty from head to toe.
On numerous occasions, at different sections on the main beach, our boys dug up dog pooh with their little shovels and stepped on broken glass (fortunately they wore sandals). There was a strong smell of dog urine and sewage floating in the air, which was not very pleasant.
Update – we’ve been told that the sewage situation in Sayulita has gotten pretty bad. You may want to investigate further before booking your trip. We have not returned to Sayulita since our trip in 2015, so our info is now dated.
That said, the bright pink and yellow sunsets are outstanding!
The beach has a fun vibe in the evenings, so I can see why it’s popular with younger crowds (and why we kept finding beer bottles in the sand). And, as you can see in the above photo, it’s pretty easy on the eyes at pink hour.
We didn’t end up swimming in the ocean because our boys are still too small and we worried about the waves and strong undertow. We enjoyed the convenience of having a pool at our apartment rental, so we reserved our swimming time for the pool instead of the ocean.
Is Sayulita safe?
Mexico has a love-hate relationship with the media. On the one hand, Mexico has some of the best beaches and archaeological sites in the Americas. On the other hand, there’s no shortage of bad press coming out of Mexico, with cases of kidnapping, robbery and homicide often making the headlines.
The reality is that the majority of these incidents are related to organized crime and gang violence, and most occur far from tourist zones. But they still make tourists nervous.
Yes. Sayulita is safe and friendly.
Tourism drives the local economy, so residents are very welcoming and English is widely understood. The town has a few streets that look intimidating at night, but most people roaming the streets at that hour are fellow tourists getting their drink on. Still, common sense and basic safety measures should be practiced (ie. – don’t get shit-faced drunk and flash your cash everywhere).
Note – there are a lot of stray dogs roaming the streets and beach. Most are friendly, but some bite. We met a guy who was bitten in the hand by an aggressive dog, so use caution when approaching dogs.
Get your Guide to Sayulita here.
What about the food in Sayulita?
The food scene in Sayulita is fantastic. I think the restaurant and cafe culture left the biggest impression on us. We were pleasantly surprised at how many good food options are available for such a small town.
Every day we would eat at least two meals at a restaurant. Because we visited in the shoulder season (late May to early June), a few of the top recommended restaurants had closed down for the summer.
Nevertheless, most restaurants remained open and we were treated to some tasty meals.
We loved that many of the taco joints provided a variety of hot sauces, fresh herbs, pickled onions, grilled jalapeno peppers, re-fried beans and tortilla chips.
Our favorite restaurants are (in no particular order):
- El Itacate – outstanding tacos. Lots of variety, including Mahi Mahi, pork and steak. It’s not really a restaurant though, you eat on the street. Great spot for lunch.
- Sayulita Cafe – good choice for dinner. Tasty Mexican cuisine. Friendly service. Yummy Chile Rellenos. Not cheap, but this is the place for a nice diner.
- ChocoBanana – fresh coffee, smoothies and excellent breakfast (french toast bread pudding is heavenly). Sidewalk tables that face the main square. Fun atmosphere, lots of expats frequent this spot.
- Tacos on the Street – cheap and delicious tacos. Small, open-aired restaurant. Nice spot for young kids to play.
- Burrito Revolution – delicious and filling burritos. Great spot for lunch. Get ’em spicy!
- Panino’s – good place for breakfast. Fresh baked pastries and bread. Slow service, be prepared to wait.
- Don Pedro’s Restaurant – best restaurant views in town, located right on the beach. Seafood and Mexican cuisine. On the higher price scale, but good value.
- The Real Fish Taco – yummy fish tacos. Located in the heart of town, near the beach.
- Medusa – fun atmosphere, kid friendly. It was the closest restaurant to our apartment, so we visited multiple times. Food is good, but not great.
- La Terrazola – you dine at this restaurant for its great location directly on the beach. The grilled fish was great but the traditional Mexican cuisine was average.
Salad Niçoise with seared peppercorn ahi tuna at Don Pedro’s Restaurant.
Where to stay in Sayulita?
Sayulita has plenty of accommodations available that fit any lifestyle, budget and timeline. Thanks to foreign investment, hundreds of beautiful vacation properties have been built over the past ten years. Most of these are available for rent on websites like VRBO and VacationRentals.com.
We rented a spacious 2 bedroom apartment that was located about a 10 minute walk from the town center. The beach was only 5 minutes away. It wasn’t cheap, but we wanted a nice place with a pool. The photo above was taken from our 2nd floor balcony.
Here’s the link to the apartment – http://www.vrbo.com/314868
There are lots of cheap apartment rentals and hotels in the town center. Search for hotel deals here.
When is the best time to visit Sayulita?
The most popular time to visit is during the winter, from November to April. Sayulita gets very busy during this time, so accommodation prices are higher and availability is limited.
We visited at the end of May, which is just outside the busy season, but still not too hot. The hot and rainy months are from June to August. Prices are cheaper but many shops and restaurants close for the off season. Another good time is October, before the busy season starts.
But let’s get serious, there’s never a bad time to visit!
How to get to Sayulita?
Conveniently located less than an hour drive from Puerto Vallarta Airport, there are plenty of international flights coming and going each day.
The most convenient way to get to Sayulita is to take a taxi or hire a private car. The town is 30 miles from the Puerto Vallarta Airport, which takes about 35-45 minutes by car.
We’re told that it shouldn’t cost more than $50 USD for a taxi, but make sure you agree on the fare before you leave the airport. More info on how to get to Sayulita here.
You can also take a bus from the airport, which is the cheapest and most adventurous option. It costs about $2 and takes 2-3 times as long, but it’s fairly straightforward. You might still need to take a taxi to your hotel/apartment if it’s located outside the town center. Sayulita is quite hilly, so you may not want to be walking uphill in the hot sun with your luggage.
We hired a private car service, which is very convenient. After a long 5.5 hour flight with two boys under 3 years old, we wanted simplicity and comfort. The driver was waiting for us as we walked out of the airport. The vehicle was a large air-conditioned SUV that was stocked with cold beer (nice touch!). We stopped at the large Mega grocery store on the way to Sayulita, allowing us to stock up on staples like bottled water, coffee, beer and food.
The company we used is Sayulita Suburban Service. We paid $130 US round trip. We feel this is reasonable when compared to the taxi option.
Should you visit Sayulita Mexico?
Sayulita has an interesting vibe. It’s a dusty beach town that allows visitors to mingle with the locals and escape the big all-inclusive resorts of nearby Puerto Vallarta.
But don’t be mistaken – the secret is out on Sayulita. This is not the Sayulita from the 1980’s. The Sayulita of today is open for business.
While it’s still a sleepy surf town, the oceanfront campgrounds and budget accommodations are gradually being phased out for large vacation properties and foreign investment. With this new development comes much improved infrastructure, better accessibility and, ideally, more money for its residents. Some say this will destroy the very thing that makes Sayulita special. Others welcome the progress and change.
What we like about Sayulita is that it’s safe, friendly and intimate. It’s the perfect destination for visitors that want to connect with Mexico on a deeper level. The roads are beat up, the tacos are cheap, the surf is legit and the sun is always shining.
Have you visited Sayulita Mexico? How was your experience?
Share your feedback and travel tips in the comments section below!
You’ve sold me! Dave and I are looking for a place to settle down for a bit, maybe we’ll follow in the footsteps of the other travel bloggers and give it a try ourselves. it’s looks wonderful.
It’s a fun spot. I think you guys would love it. Lots to do, great food and killer sunsets!
Awesome article, Sayulita is just amazing, that’s why Olivia Newton-John’s Ex was hiding out there.
Sadly Sayulita has gone drastically down hill. I am referring to the Raw sewage from the River that gets pumped into the ocean. Sayulita was just given the great award of the 2nd highest count of Ecoli per million in all of Mexico. I live here and don’t swim or Surf in Sayulita.
Is anything being done about the sewage problem.? Are there places/food we should avoid? We have plans for a one-month stay for Winter 2018
I have reserved 14 days in February at Casa Naomi on calle de Manuel Plascencia. So disappointed to hear about the ecoli problem.
Can you tell me more……..much appreciated
How did it go? Did you get sick?
Yes .. our family has plans to be there in January 2018 and bringing a 4 year old…Where are the cleanest beaches.. anymore concerns?
What was your experience? Did you get ill?
Gross, thanks for sharing
I have a lot of friends from Canada that spend the winter months surfing in Sayulita… so I’ve only seen it over Skype! But I think I could definitely spend a few months there – the food looks awesome!
There’s certainly a lot of Canadians down there! Especially from the west coast. Flights down are pretty cheap, so it’s a good option. You should make it happen!
Great article on my “happy place”! Although it certainly has been discovered, it still holds charm and has a great vibe. When walking down the sidewalk in the village, you are likely to hear many languages. Lots of info can be found here http://www.sayulitalife.com 🙂
Great site – very informative.
That is a beautiful sunset! Great article! Makes me want to visit!
Thanks for the info on Sayulita.
I may visit there with my visiting daughter about May 19 or so.
Great blog. It really nice. Thanks for your blog.
Sayulita seems beautiful! Thanks for sharing those beautiful images! Will add it to my travel shortlist!
Just visited there in July – lovely place but you might want to check out the pollution info that most Spanish folks are aware of – the beaches are very polluted from industrial waste and can produce respiratory illnesses difficult to treat with antibiotics – otherwise a beautiful place!
We are considering a stay at the Iberostar Punta Mita. I’m just wondering what type of transportation would be availble from there to Sayulita?
That property looks great! I’m pretty sure you can just hire a taxi, that would be my first choice.
Thanks for sharing such information about that place. We are going for a Mexico trip soon and hope your trip suggestion may helpful for us to have a great trip there. For fast transport we booked a little van there from Unittravel.
I have my finger on the ‘rent’ button for a home here this February. But we are serious beach people and when I read you comments about the beach I became reluctant. We have been going to the Yucatan Peninsula for years but the seaweed on the beaches has driven us away. Thoughts? Suggestions for other towns? thx
The beaches on the west coast of Mexico are very different than the Caribbean. We live on the west coast, so we’re used to Pacific beaches. The sand is brown and thick, not white and silky. We’ve visited the Yucatan many times and we prefer the beaches over there.
Have you visited Costa Rica before? It has a good balance of beautiful beaches, tropical rainforest, adventure activities and beach town vibes.
Also, depending on where you live, I’d recommend the South Pacific islands. More expensive and further away, but that’s the sacrifice.
Your post is helpful. Which hotel would you recommend and which beach was the nicest? Thanks.
Hello, what is the water situation there? And food, just in terms of, well, you know. stomach issues.
The water situation in Sayulita is fine. We stayed at a nice apartment and our boys had baths/showers/brush teeth without worry. We drank bottled water just to play it safe.
We got deathly ill and had to leave early. There was raw sewage floating to the beach and water. YUK!
As a US citizen I receive a six months visa on arrival automatically, and this can be reset simply by crossing a border and coming back … indefinitely.
Sure, come surf the Sayulita sewage system! The “new” sewer system was outdated before it was finished. The population is three times what the predictions were when it was designed. Then there are the local holidays, most recently Flag day, that draw people from all over the region. This overloads the sewage system even more. Travel over the Sayulita river as it winds its way to the surfing beach. Those floating dark masses aren’t debri from the jungle, they are raw sewage on its way to ocean. Oh, yes, that smell that you encounter when surfing the outgoing tide in Sayullita doesn’t just smell like sewage, it is sewage. How ironic that the very reason that this lovely town made its reputation on, i.e. the mellow longboard waves, is now one of the unhealthiest spots that I’ve ever surfed. A friend of mine spent a week w dry heaves and fever after a recent session at Sayulita.
Hi, headed to Sayulita next week. Did you worry about the water, or eating veggies that had been washed etc.? I’m not neurotic but just want to be smart. Thanks!
Hi Jessie – we did not worry about the water. We still drank bottle water to be on the safe side, but we showers and washing dishes, etc was fine.
Yes, it’s still Mexico, after all…I’ve been many times to Sayulita and every time in our group, it seems somebody gets a bout of stomach issues. I always error on the cautious side down there and usually come out OK. Absolutely don’t drink any water out of the faucets. Ice at all restaurants downtown is purified and OK. I’m cautious with all raw veggies at restaurants even though they all tell you they’re OK. Better safe than sorry.
Agreed. Always better to be safe than sorry, especially when you’re unsure.
Do you have any thoughts about renting a car at the airport and driving up to Sayulita? Reasonably decent road? Crime? We are attending a wedding there but will also spend time in Puerto Vallarta itself.
The roads are in good shape. I can’t comment on crime because we didn’t rent a car, but it did not feel unsafe.
Thank you for this.
We are thinking of going as a family with two teenage daughters in July. Is that a horrible time to go? Going to stay in a vacation rental on “Gringo Hill”, is it WAY TOO HOT? and are all the stores/restaurants closed???
I have 2 Casas in Sayulita and have lived there for 2 years. Yes it is getting busy and no one should ever go over easter. Dec to July are great times to go. This pollution thing is a little stretched as the river drys up from Dec to July. Is it hot in Aug, Sept and Oct, yes but the temp drops at night, The morning are just beautiful with empty beaches. The heat starts at 11 am and goes till 6 pm, If your lucky thunderstorms roll in and a little rain cools it down. That happens at 5 pm everyday. The water is very warm, 90 degrees, walk in bath water. Depending on where you are from, you love it or hate it. The restaurants are great, lots of choices. When you first walk on the beach you see surfboards, bikini girls and you instantly go back to the 60’s. Pretty cool. While sayulita’s town beach can get crowded there is one empty beach after another. There is no crime, it is safe. Sayulita is a magico town now, untouched by highrise hotels and no corporations, if you want that Puerto Vallarta is 30 minutes away. It is refreshing to find that little Mexican pueblo on the beach with out all the Glitz of a big tourist town. There is so much more to share with you but I must say I hope you don’t go, I like Sayulita just the way it is and I want no more people please. I wont stop you though but I am afraid you’ll do what I did and buy a villa because you will never want to leave. Safe to say you will leave when it gets too hot, but you will come back.
Dear Nick,
My name is Jinty and I would like to move to Sayulita but I am on my own and only get $500.00 a month social security so I wanted to know from you could I live on that amount of money? I am a seasoned sailor and an not fussy as to how small a place I live in surly there has to be a little miracle there for me a small piece of land that i could buy and build a little A frame house or rent a spot. Do you think I am dreaming well miracle’s happen every day Please email me and let me know your thoughts.Ar present I live in Florida….
Hi Nick – and the Canucks!
Since you live there, could you perhaps set us all straight regarding the pollution/sickness/dirty beach debate that is going on? I am planning on going in mid-April 2017. What do you say – what is the latest update?
Yes, I would love to hear the latest info as well. We are considering a vacation there in July and need to know the scoop.
Going in March, now I’m worried!
Hi Nick – what you do you mean when you say the river drys up?- So no sewage coming In? Im booked for mid Feb so just checking to prepare myself on what to expect. Thank You-
Thanks for the great article and details, I’m really looking forward to visiting Sayulita next month.
I just wanted to ask when you were there to gauge the prices when seeking quotes from car hire companies etc. Thank you!
We were just in sayulita in November. We took the bus from Puerto Vallarta and spent the day there. We have never been so wanted to check it out and glad we did. It’s a funky cool little Mexican town. We hit it just right as there was a local farmers market taking place. We walked around the town and found a nice quiet section of beach and then walked along the beach to town and where everyone is surfing. And yes the sand on the beach where the surfers are is very dirty but the sand is nice further down. One thing I noticed is lots of dogs running around and dog poop on the sidewalks etc. Make sure you look where you are walking. Too many cars for the roads there too. Obviously not made to handle the increase in traffic. But lots of restaurants and shops. Would definitely go back.
I have travelled to Sayulita over 9 times, beginning in 2006. What most people don’t mention–or don’t realize–is that there is just “something” about Sayulita that draws you in. It is a mystical and magical place and you will be captivated. Sayulita will engulf you in the very best of ways. And you will be drawn back to it. P.S. When you go…find Dona Laura’s tacos. Deliciosos.
Don’t go, it’s the dirtiest beach and bay in Mexico. I was there in Jan. 2017 and when I crossed the small River that empties into the Bay I looked up River and there was a pipe running to capacity emptying raw sewage into the River and hence into the bay. The way the Bay is situated and the prevailing winds an odor could be smelt on the beach and in town.
I’m going in April for my birthday and can’t wait! Thanks for all the helpful info 🙂
How was it?
You should all look into the sickness that plagues Sayulita. 35 out of 40 people at our wedding party have gotten violentally ill, read up before you go!
Lisa is right!
We’ve gone to Sayulita every year since 2006. My daughter was 4 on our first visit and will be 16 this year. We have never gotten sick…and we spend every day at the main beach and eat street food daily. With that said, we don’t drink or brush our teeth with tap water and take probiotic bills daily while visiting. The best way is to rent a house directly from the owners at http://www.sayulitalife.com. I find the descriptions, photos and info on here much more reliable than vrbo or other sites (and cheaper sometimes). We used to go for spring break but it’s become much too crowded so now we go in early June. It’s a little more humid but we always have a pool to cool off in.
It all sounded somewhat good (good for Mexico anyway) until I got to the part of the beaches! The dirty sand, kids playing in the sand digging up dog crap… the odor of urine… YIKES!!! Definite nail in the coffin! Why would anyone want to spend their “holiday / vacation” in those conditions? Not to mention the potential crime, which is absolutely a big red flag! To say that crime does not happen in the beach towns / vacation spots of Mexico is ludicrous! I recommend that others do your research on crime in Mexico! It’s HUGE and not something to take lightly.
I’m continually blown away as to why people will go to a beach town in Mexico with a know sewer problem that filters down to the water and has terrible accounts of massive amounts of folks getting sick. Pick one of the other billion beaches in Mexico and don’t worry about getting sick or swimming in poo.
Hi nice article. We are going to make a day trip from PV. One question what was the name of the restaurant where you had the picture of some salsas and tacos? They looked good. It was at the start of your dining options. Please ket me know. Thank you