If you’re planning a trip to Sayulita, you are about to make a solid choice!
This town is worth your time. Actually, I think time slows down here. So even if you only have a few days, you’ll walk away feeling relaxed and hopefully not hung over because they also know how to make a mean margarita and can party with the best of them.
This laid-back beach town has a special little place in my heart, you may need to make some space in yours too! Being there, brought back similar feelings of going to summer camp (but adult style). Riding around on a golf cart, meeting new friendly faces, and chilling out on the beach without a care in the world.
*Just between you and I, what first introduced me to this place was a little show called Bachelor in Paradise, which was filmed there. While going on their dates, they highlighted parts of the area, and the cool vibe is what brought this schoolgirl to the yard. Bachelor in Paradise is a guilty pleasure, so please don’t tell anyone 😉
Ok let’s get this part out of the way, so we can focus on all the reasons why we loved Sayulita. A common question people have when traveling to Mexico is, “is it safe?”. Short answer as far as Sayulita is concerned, is Yes. “Are there criminals?” Sure, but I think of them more as opportunists…so don’t provide that opportunity. Just keep your money out of easy reach and don’t go walking around late at night down dark streets. Do all the things you do to stay safe in large cities you visit in your own country; and remember, the Mexican government wants tourists to come here time and time again. They take your and my safety seriously.
Sayulita is a small town in the southern part of the Riviera Nayarit State in Mexico on the Pacific Coast. Originally a small fishing village that over time has become a bohemian surfers paradise that can accommodate both low and high-budget travellers. During the off-season, the population sits around 3500 and then shoots way up between the months of November to May when weather conditions are ideal.
The most common way to get to Sayulita is to fly into Puerto Vallarta and take a taxi or Uber. You can negotiate with the taxis or just punch Sayulita into your Uber App to get rates. They do not allow Uber into the airport, so you’ll have to walk outside of the airport and across the pedestrian bridge for pick-up. Expect to pay around 600-700 pesos. This is also where you can hop on the bus (around 60 pesos) to Sayulita. Depending on the time of day, you should arrive within an hour (longer for the bus because of multiple stops). Same options if you are already in PV. If you want to catch the bus from there, you’ll have to head across from the cruise port to the Highway 200 Walmart. Look for the green and white bus with Sayulita on the front. They run every 20min from 6am to 10:30pm.
There is plenty of accommodation. They have beautiful boutique hotels, and some cool hostels. Vacation rentals can be found all over town as well, for small or large groups and of course some high-end retreats just on the outskirts of town. We found El Oasis on Airbnb.
Sayulita in a nutshell? Think surfers, yoga, hippies, backpackers, and retreat-goers. All roads lead to relaxation and good vibes.
Sayulita Golf Cart Rentals
Follow the vibrant alley up to their shop!
One of our favourite things about our time in Sayulita would have to be renting a golf cart and touring around town. Locals & tourists love this mode of transportation. To be honest, the cost was more than I had anticipated but still worth it. You’ll get a better deal if you rent it for a longer period (most places have a 2-3 day minimum).
Maneuvering through the streets and parking was a breeze. We brought our portable speaker with us everywhere we went. With sweet tunes playing and the sun shining upon us, we explored streets and neighbourhoods we would have missed on foot. It made me smile to see families and people with their dogs driving around enjoying life. We even turned it into a fun date! One day we grabbed some chairs and an umbrella, our giant “To Go” margarita cups…hopped on our carts and headed to our favourite margarita hut to fill up and then hit the beach for the day!
*If this is something you think you’ll want to do, be sure to book ahead of time if you’re going during the busy season.
Local Markets
Check out the Local Markets. The Hippie Market is in town located by the baseball stadium. The stalls line the street under colourful flags and a canopy of trees which provides shelter from the sun. It’s open daily. You can find a bit of everything here from jewelry and crafts to clothing and souvenirs.
The Mercado Del Pueblo (farmers market) is open Fridays 10-2pm. This is the place to get high-quality local produce, treats and beauty products and crafts. There are close to 80 stalls to look over and a little something for everyone.
The Tiaguis (meaning open-air) Market is open on Sundays only. Displaying some of the beautiful handmade art and crafts from the local Huicholes people of Nayarit.
Unlike the shops in town, these markets are a great place to practice your haggling skills and support the local people.
Surfing and Yoga
There is a plenitude of surf and Yoga schools to choose from. You can rent a board or take a lesson. Sayulita is a great place for beginners and intermediate surfers. They have both private and group lessons to choose from, meeting you at whatever skill level you land in.
Yogis and yoga lovers come from all over the world to do retreats here. There are many classes at all times of the day, both indoors and out on the beach.
Beach Day All Day!
If you’re going to Sayulita, spending time on the beach is a must. If you like to be amongst a lot of people and be right in the city center of town, then Playa Sayulita is the one for you. It’s a fun place where you can utilize the provided chairs and umbrellas, order up a cocktail or two and watch surfers ride the waves. You will be approached regularly by local vendors selling on the beach. This can be both a good and bad thing. For instance, if you would like your hair braided or would enjoy a massage, then you are in luck. I didn’t even realize I was hungry until a gentleman selling grilled prawns on a stick walked on over to me and lowered them toward my face. You may be thinking, hmmm… I really would like some chips or a cookie right now, and if you just wait a few minutes; they will appear! All joking aside, we found it a bit much after a while, but I can respect their hustle.
Los Muertos Beach is popular with families. This beach is good for swimming. It’s a nice short 10min walk on the left side of town. Beside it lies a graveyard that many people like to visit and there’s room to park your car or cart for 100 pesos a day.
North Beach was easily our favourite beach. You won’t have a hard time finding a place to lay down your blanket, just make sure to bring everything you need with you and try to search out a washroom, so you don’t find yourself in a panic like I did. There are a few restaurants and bars, so plan to grab some lunch or a cerveza so you can use the facilities. Some places will charge you a fee, which is completely understandable. You will still see vendors here, just on a lesser scale.
*Disclaimer* This may be TMI, so feel free to skip the following paragraph.
The warnings regarding those commercials you see about not drinking the water in Mexico is a real thing! I’ll spare you the details, just trust me when I say to bring all the things…and by things, I mean charcoal pills and grape seed extract pills to take daily for preventative measures and Imodium and Pepto for the “Oops it’s too late, I need help pills” …or whatever solutions are best for you. I’m not sure if it was brushing my teeth in the sink water or the many many street Tacos I ate (I will always and forever eat street food by the way) but despite my belief that I had a warrior stomach, those little bacteria proved me wrong. Luckily it was short-lived, but I learned a valuable lesson.
Monkey Mountain
Hike up Monkey Mountain (Cerro del Mono). One of the alluring qualities of Sayulita is having both the beaches and the mountains right at your fingertips or should I say feet? Choosing to go with a guide will allow you to fully relax, knowing that you won’t get lost. Also, you will learn things about the flora and fauna of the region and hear about some of the history of the people (before you get too excited, there aren’t any monkeys up on this mountain, the name exists as is, due to a lost in translation situation). It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the top and 1hr for the return, give or take some time depending on how fast your pace is and if you are stopping to smell the roses. The view from the top will be worth all the effort.
Murals
Take in all the colourful Murals all over town. I love how the people in Sayulita don’t hold back, they embrace colour, utilizing every wall and building to express it! We felt giddy walking around pointing out murals to each other! We spotted them on convenience stores, Barber & Tattoo shops, Bars, Restaurants, alleyways you name it! You’ll notice a common thread throughout our blogs…we love Murals! We seek them out everywhere we go! Murals are our favourite way to appreciate Art and it can be done globally. They can transform and breathe life onto a building. Murals are a sincere way to memorialize people and historic events…a picture is worth a thousand words, and by making it permanent, these stories can be told far into the future. There’s probably some in your local community too!
San Pancho
Spend a day in San Pancho (San Francisco). Just a short drive (4 miles) from Sayulita. If you want a quieter locale that’s a gentle nod to what Sayulita used to be, this place may be more your speed. San Pancho is an artsy bohemian community full of musicians, writers, and spiritual and Naturopathic healers supporting one another collectively, working to preserve the ecosystem they live in. Tuesdays are a great day to come if you are a Market enthusiast. The beaches here are beautiful and you most likely won’t have to wait in line to get a table.
The Shops
The shops in Sayulita are aesthetically beautiful. It’s nice to be in a town that has good quality products and clothing that you won’t regret buying when you’re back home unpacking from your trip. My husband and I enjoyed discovering these boutiques and art galleries all over Sayulita. Some of these esteemed items are intricate Huichol beadwork (larger pieces taking up to 9 months to complete), pottery from Oaxaca, hand-made textiles, wood crafts, leather and amber products from the Chiapas people and local art and clothing. We loved so many things, it made for a difficult decision trying to decide what to bring home with us.
Plaza Principal
People watch at Plaza Principal. It’s in the town center where you’ll find the colourful Sayulita sign. In the evening people hang out here with a cerveza in hand just enjoying each other’s company and watching the world go by. We enjoyed watching a local group of break dancers that got everyone pumped up and dancing around them. If you haven’t guessed by now, yes you can openly drink in public here.
Beep Beep!
Beep Beep! Are you a VW fan? I used to co-own a white VW Westfalia in my younger years and lived and toured around Canada and the states in it. Whenever I see one, these memories come flooding back! VW Vans & Beetles can be spotted all over Sayulita. They are living their best life there, and it is great to see. If you’re wondering why you don’t see many where you are… well now you know….they have come down south to live in Mexico!
Margaritas, Good Grub and Live Music!
Here’s a list of places that we enjoyed and would make a habit of returning to if we lived in Sayulita:
Alquimista Restaurant
For a budget-friendly Breakfast with friendly service, head to Alquimista Restaurant. Our server even created a makeshift table for us because all their seats were occupied. The food was delicious, and both our meals came in under 300 Pesos with coffee.
Punta Cantaro
Check out Punta Cantaro for margaritas that hit the mark every time! Those guys really get a workout, squeezing those limes from 12pm-8pm on the daily. We were lucky enough to find it on our first day there. It became our go-to place. The guys got to know us well!
The Dock
The Dock is a chill quiet place on the beach where the fishing boats come in. They had some healthy options with a nice atmosphere and view of the bay away from the crowded tourist area. While we were sitting there, we saw a huge iguana running on the beach past a group of big tough looking guys that all screamed and ran around laughing and making fun of one another, which was worth all the pesos!
Street Tacos
Street Tacos, street tacos and more street tacos. They are small and flavourful, and we ate them all…don’t worry…we left you some!
The one place by our Airbnb had the best Pastor Tacos with more sauces than I could choose from. They had a good system going too…one guy assembling the tacos, a woman making fresh tortillas and another guy handling the money. Some people avoid street food, but I say, “just eat the damn tacos already!” 😉
Coco's Beach Club
Coco’s Beach Club. This beach bar tics a lot of boxes, it’s a great place to relax with a cocktail and grab a bite during the day and an even better place to sit and enjoy the sunset. You can hang out down below or head up to the rooftop where the DJ sets the mood as you watch the sun slowly drop below the horizon and take in the afterglow. It’s a bit pricey, but hey look where you are!
Kahlo Restaurant & Bar
So we did a thing… recently there’s been a lot of talk about more eco-friendly ways to consume protien, and insects may be an option. In some countries, insects are commonly eaten and Mexico is one of those places. We decided to be adventurous and give grasshoppers a try on our pizza (just on half). They didn’t skimp on them either… there were so many on there! Did we like them? The flavour was ok, it was chewing the legs that kind of weirded me out. They were simply sundried beforehand, although they had a flavour comparable to being pickled. Our server was from Oaxaca and said they are a great snack on their own with a cerveza. I’m glad we tried it, it was fun, however we probobly won’t be eating them again any time soon.
Yambak Brewery and Bar
Mexico doesn’t always have to be about tequila. If you are seeking out a place to get that microbrewery fix, Yambak will provide. Right in the heart of town lies this fun pit stop where you can sample brews, listen to good tunes, and be surrounded by friendly faces. Come nightfall, a DJ takes over and energy spikes. This little place fills up fast, but that doesn’t stop the party from growing. People just order up their drinks and stand out on the street and join in the crowd.
Pineapple Paradise
Hanging out at Pineapple Paradise made us feel like a local. Hands down, they have the best bartender! Jordon greeted us with a big smile and made us some killer cocktails. My favourite was the Rum punch and Pina colada, Ty was all about the margarita. I must give mention to the food as well! The Cubana sandwich was all that! Jordon shared some stories of the area and took us through some tequila tasting as well. Most nights they have live music from 8-11pm, making this place great day or night!
Atico Hookah Bar
Attico Hookah Bar has the coolest vibe in my opinion. It’s hip and chill. They serve up some great tacos and cocktails and have some of the best live music you’ll find in the area! Music I’d pay to watch again. They really know how to rock the house and encourage everyone to get up and let loose.
Latitude 20 Restaurant and Bar
Latitude 20 has BBQ dialed up to full volume. Their ribs and wings are smoked perfectly. There’s plenty of space inside for larger groups to watch sports on one of their many large screens or to make use of the spacious patio outdoors. They are also another place that has live music almost nightly, playing everything from funk to the blues.
Thanks for stopping by!
Check out these blogs for more cool things to do in Mexico!
