Sayulita is a cute little beach town on the Pacific coast of Mexico. It’s a surfing hot spot with laid-back vibes that’s safe and walkable with lots of healthy (and naughty) food options.
It’s everything you can imagine for a hippie colorful “pueblo magico” (magical town). A magical town described by the Mexican government is “a place with symbols and legends, towns with a history“. They’re places that “show the national identity in each of its corners, with a magic that emanates from its attractions; visiting them is an opportunity to discover the charm of Mexico“.
After spending a week falling in love 💗 with Sayulita, I put together this Ultimate Guide to Sayulita to help you plan your next getaway in Mexico!
What to Know Before You Go
- ATMs are located all over the city in Spanish and English
- 15-20% tips are the norm
- Pack comfortable walking sandals or sneakers as the streets are either broken or cobblestone and it’s very hilly
- Many hotels, restaurants, and stores accept foreign currency or take VISA and AMEX cards
- Holidays book up quickly (Día de Muertos, Christmas, New Year, Dia de la Independence)
Travel Insurance
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Pros of SafetyWing Travel Insurance
- The monthly subscription model
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Cons of SafetyWing Travel Insurance
- Not as many travel insurance perks as other companies
- No coverage for personal electronics
Read this post The Best Travel Insurance for Every Type of Traveler for an in-depth review of the top 3 travel insurances.
How to Get to Sayulita
Sayulita is about an hour from Puerto Vallarta. Fly into Puerto Vallarta Airport and from here you’ve got a few options to get to Sayulita. You can grab a taxi, hire a driver, take an Uber/Didi, or catch the bus. Hiring a driver is about $75 USD one-way and taking the bus is $2.50 USD. Ask your hotel beforehand if they offer complimentary airport pickup or if they can arrange for you. Oftentimes if other guests are arriving around the same time you can organize to split the cost.
Getting Around Sayulita
Sayulita is quite small and super walkable. You’ll see people whizzing by in golf carts all over town. Some hotels that are further up in the hills offer them to guests to rent but they aren’t very cheap. They also offer complimentary bicycles which is a fun way to get around and get to some of the further beaches.
The streets are covered in cobblestone and it’s a bit hilly, so I’d suggest a comfortable pair of sandals or sneakers for getting around.
Best Things to Do in Sayulita
Massage on the Beach
There are countless massage booths along the main beach in Sayulita and you’ll be offered over and over again by the women walking down the beach. It’s 100% worth it and extremely cheap – no need to really haggle. But which one do you pick? I selected a massage stand that was away from the crowds and noise at the south end of the beach. I listened to the ocean waves crashing while receiving an hour massage for about $20 USD.
Sayulinda Rooftop Pool
The Sayulinda Hotel in Sayulita offers a day pass to their rooftop pool and it is stunning. It’s a great place to hang out for the day if you’re tired of the beach (the beach vendors can be overwhelming). If the infinity pool overlooking the ocean isn’t enough there is a garden lounge with ping-pong and cornhole, cabanas, pool chairs, and my favorite…swings that sit over the pool! The day pass is 600 pesos and you can use 400 of those pesos for drinks but the only downside is they don’t have any food. However, since you’re right in the main plaza, you can grab food before you come and bring it up.
Shop
Shopping is super popular in Sayulita because of the local handmade crafts, boho-chic boutiques, and endless art galleries offering beaded work, crafts, sculptures, and paintings.
Sayulita Beaches
Obviously, you can not come to Sayulita and not go to the beach, but did you know there are multiple beaches to explore aside from Sayulita’s main beach?
Sayulita Beach is the main beach that you can access directly from downtown. It’s easy to grab a chair but for a nice location and view, you’ll need to arrive early. A chair typically gives you access to a beachfront bathroom pass and most offer food and drink service. Although there will be hundreds of vendors walking by all day selling snacks, drinks, blankets, bracelets, etc.
Playa de Los Muertos (the “beach of the dead”) sits right off the town’s local cemetery and is about a 15-minute walk from downtown. If you follow the main beach all the way south, you’ll come to a dirt road that you follow past the cemetery. At the bottom of the hill on the right-hand side, you’ll find the entrance to Playa de Los Muertos. There’s usually a stand on the lefthand side that sells coconuts, fresh fruit, and other snacks.
Playa Carracitos is an even more secluded beach that you’ll find south of Playa de Los Muertos and Sayulita Beach. It’s further down the dirt road and through the jungle about 20 minutes walking. It’s really off the grid with no vendors, food, restrooms, or any type of facility.
North Beach is north of Sayulita Beach with access to the neighboring pueblo San Pancho. If you’re looking at the ocean from downtown just head to the right, it’s about a 90-minute walk to San Pancho but the beach walk is lovely. It’s less crowded, has clear waters, and is quite relaxing.
People Watch in the Plaza
During the day street vendors set up food stands, shops, and pop-up art installations. At night you’ll find street musicians, street talent from fire to juggling, and this is where all the main events happen. Don’t forget to snap a picture in front of the colorful Sayulita sign!
Take Photos at the Colorful Flag Street
This is arguably one of the most famous picture spots for first-time visitors to Sayulita. The beautiful colorful flags known as papel picado, are strung above the street between palm trees. It gets pretty busy and full of tourists, so if you want to snap a picture underneath these beautiful colorful flags, arrive before 9 am. You’ll find the street has a bit less traffic and not as many pedestrians walking.
Where to Eat in Sayulita
There are so many delicious and adorable restaurants in Sayulita that I made an entirely separate post for them! So if you want details about each place, please click here for the 14 Best Restaurants in Sayulita.
Day Trips
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a quick hour bus ride away from Sayulita and while it’s a bit more touristy it’s a fun day trip. There is no shortage of food in PV, whether you want a taco stand on the beach, mango chili lime snack, or a fancy meal with oceanfront views – you’ll find it all here. Spend the day walking along the boardwalk and shopping along the beach. Wander up the streets away from the beach to check out boutiques, bars, and incredible street art and installations scattered throughout the town.
Punta de Mita
Located on the peninsula, Punta de Mita is mostly taken over by fancy resorts. If you’re not staying here, the “downtown shopping area” is nothing to write home about but this is where many of the best tours start. There’s whale watching (December-April), sea fishing, paddle boarding, and horseback riding on the beach. Many of the resorts offer day passes but keep in mind they have stricter requirements for entry.
I hope my Ultimate Guide to Sayulita helps you plan an amazing trip to this colorful little town. If you found this post helpful, please help me out by sharing it on social media. Share it on your Instagram Story and tag me @the_jjadventures or Pin It to one of your travel Pinterest boards!
