Sayulita Travel Guide: 2 weeks turned 2 years in paradise

๐Ÿ‘‹ Hola! My name is Trisha! This Sayulita travel guide is a culmination of my 2 years of living in Sayulita stint so I hope this helps you on your trip!

๐Ÿ“ฌ Reader Mail: Hi Trisha! I see that you are currently in Mexico and Iโ€™ve looked all over for your Sayulita travel guide and didnโ€™t see any. Are you still there?

I am planning to visit from San Diego in a month. I got a direct flight! Can you please recommend anything (place to stay, food, etc) in Sayulita? I hope you are going to be there when I arrive! Iโ€™d love to meet you!

โ€“ Christine Franklin, USA

I traveled here three years ago and never left. The vibe in Sayulita is so different that you barely can differentiate between traveling and living here โ€“ everyone knows each other. There is a deep desire to be involved in the community.

The bulk of my round-the-world travels involves living with local families, which I mostly did in South American countries like Colombia and Argentina. I also did a few in the Middle East where I stayed with a Jordanian family for 5 weeks to teach English.

When I first arrived in Mexico, my goal was to do more local content for my blog but the branding of my personal travel blog is way different than what I had in mind. In this blog post, I will try my best to explain everything you need to know about Sayulita and you can always reach out to me if you have any questions.

First, letโ€™s answer all your burning questions about my home in Nayarit.

See also:

sayulita
Pin this image to Pinterest and save it for your trip to Sayulita!

๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿฝ Sayulita at a glance

  • Currency: The currency in Mexico is called the New Mexican peso (MXN). As of 03 Feb 2020, US$1 = $20 MXN. The travel budget in Sayulita will be discussed in this article, too.
  • Electricity socket: Mexico uses types A and B but in Sayulita, type A is more common. See all plug types here to know what to pack!
  • Visa: Mexico is no longer giving 180 days visas so if your goal is to stay here for 6 months, that wonโ€™t be possible anymore.
  • Wifi: The fastest speed of wifi in Sayulita is 20 MBPS for most Airbnbs. There are only a few establishments that have fiber-optic Internet. Unfortunately, Sayulitaโ€™s infrastructure is not yet ready for high-speed wifi.

โœˆ๏ธ Sayulita travel guide: trip planning

The busiest season in Sayulita is from October 15 โ€“ June 1. During this time, you will experience nice weather while enjoying the sun. This is actually the season when more Americans and Canadians come to Sayulita.

If you want fewer foreigners or tourists, come during the low season (June 1 โ€“ October 15) where most people in town are only locals. Expect extreme humid weather โ€“ the summer heat is unbearable here!

You can easily put $35 โ€“ $50 USD per day as your Sayulita travel budget, depending on the type of traveler that you are. Hostel costs are about $15 USD, Airbnbs at $35 USD (for 2 people), and hotels can be up to $45 USD.

sayulita

Airbnb is the preferred way to book here as it really depends if you want simple accommodation or big villas with pools.

As for food, you can always get tacos (ehem) for as low as $1 USD. Restaurants range from $7 โ€“ $10 USD. If youโ€™re staying in an accommodation with a kitchen (like a hostel or Airbnb), you can buy ingredients in the market for meals for as low as $100 MXN ($5 USD) per meal for 1 person.

There are many free things to do in Sayulita so you donโ€™t have to worry about paying for tours. If you are to book tours, they usually start from $100 USD depending on the tour you want to avail. This is mostly for outdoor adventures like Monkey Mountain or surfing trips.

Transportation budget? Forget about it. Sayulita is a walking town so join the fun! If you are not a person who is not a fan of walking, you can rent a golf cart for $50 USD per day.

sayulita nayarit
Photo: Anna Faustino

What to pack for Sayulita

Season-wise, there are only two in Sayulita: the low season which is summer (from June 1 to October 20th), and the high season which is winter (October 20th โ€“ May 30th). This is how we determine the seasons but it has nothing to do with the weather.

During the low season, 50% of the bars and restaurants close and you will only see locals. The high season starts from dia de los muertos, Christmas, New Year, etc).

Please note that you will only bring summer clothes during your vacation in Sayulita so if you can just travel with a backpack, that is going to be more convenient for you!

Best time to visit Sayulita

Before deciding when to visit Sayulita, please note that we have two seasons: high season and low season. We donโ€™t have a shoulder season here but from the beginning of COVID, I realized that people are still visiting even during the low season.

High season (October 15 โ€“ June 21)

This is the high season in Sayulita when Canadians and Americans escape the harsh winter in their countries. High season starts during the week of dia de los muertos, a big holiday in Mexico. The weather starts to be cool (18 degrees celsius) with occasional rains. But the sun is always up! Everything is open and the town is busier.

If you are to travel to Sayulita at this time, you need to book your accommodation at least 3-6 months in advance since hotels in Sayulita get easily booked. As for COVID during high season, nobody really cares and everyone just ignores the number of COVID cases. Since Americans and Canadians love to go to Sayulita at this time, Mexico does not want to interrupt tourism so no COVID talks, lockdowns or closures.

Low season (June 21 โ€“ October 15)

Very very very hot. Iโ€™m not kidding. Last year, I stayed here in Sayulita all summer and suffered from the heat and humidity! This is a time when restaurants close for renovations and people who live in Sayulita travel.

50% of the bars and restaurants are closed not because of COVID but because itโ€™s justโ€ฆ too hot. There arenโ€™t a lot of people at this time anyway. Establishment owners also go to their second homes (either in the US or Europe where the weather is better).

I donโ€™t recommend you to travel to Sayulita in this period because it will be very hard to find accommodations and restaurants with air conditioning. AC is still not very common in Sayulita. If you are easily irritated by heat, go another time!

solo female travel in sayulita
Lola, my dog, loves to swim. Her favorite beach is Carricitos! | Instagram: @psimonmyway

How to get to Sayulita Mexico

The airport that serves Sayulita is Puerto Vallarta International Airport. From the airport, it will take you 40 minutes to an hour to get to Sayulita. The following airlines and destinations fly direct from the US to Puerto Vallarta:

  • Austin: American Airlines, 2h 07m
  • Charlotte: American Airlines, 4h 08m
  • Chicago: American Airlines and United Airlines, 4h 05m
  • Dallas: American Airlines,  2h, 32m
  • Denver: Frontier Airlines, 3h 24m
  • Detroit: Delta Airlines, 4h 13m
  • Houston: United Airlines, 2h 27m
  • Las Vegas: Frontier Airlines, 3h 13m
  • Los Angeles: Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, 2h 59m
  • Minneapolis: Delta Airlines, 4h 16m
  • Phoenix: American Airlines, 2h 24m
  • Portland: Alaska Airlines, 4h 53m
  • San Diego: Alakas Airlines, 2h 52m
  • San Francisco: Alaska Airlines, 3h 50m
  • San Jose: Alaska Airlines, 3h 38m
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We have many trusted drivers! Head to my Mexico blog called Mexico Insider and see your options!

You can take the bus outside Puerto Vallarta Internationational Airport. All you have to do is to cross the bridge and you will see the Compostela buses there that say โ€œSayulita.โ€

This costs $40 MXN ($2 USD est) and it will go directly to the bus station in Sayulita. The trip takes an hour and a half though Sayulita is only 40 minutes by private car.

Ubers are not allowed in Puerto Vallarta Airport so if you take a regular taxi inside, they will charge you at least $1,200 MXN ($58 USD).

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Sayulita map and layout

The thing with Sayulita hotels, Airbnbs or Vrbos, you wonโ€™t really know what the exact locationโ€™s like unless youโ€™ve been to Sayulita.

Note that this is a hilly and jungly town โ€“ some pretty accommodations are way deep in the jungle or have very bad road conditions.

Letโ€™s say you already found accommodation you like: my advice is to put the address on Google maps and then see how far it is from Sayulita plaza.

The plaza is the center of town and itโ€™s probably the place youโ€™ll frequent so itโ€™s a great point of reference.

Most accommodations wonโ€™t show you the address unless the booking is already confirmed. Sayulita accommodations always have names in the format of โ€œCasa ____โ€ (i.e. Casa Iguana, Casa Vecino, Casa Rosa, etc).

things to do in sayulita
One of the best spots to see the sunset is the main beach.

These casas are usually on Google maps so if the casa name is available on the listing, put that on Google maps first then see directions to the plaza.

This way, you can be sure if you need a golf cart or if itโ€™s within walking distance of everything you need. Accommodations like this can be very attractive online but know where it is located first!

I usually do consult calls with clients who are not sure which area of Sayulita to book. For example, my client last week has back problems and his wife booked a deep in the jungles where road conditions are not that good (for his back).

They did not know that it was going to be a big deal since the host did not say anything but for his condition, they needed to cancel and book another one.

Other things you might want to consider are if itโ€™s accessible to families with children, wheelchairs, etc. If you want to be 100% sure about this, we can get on a consult call before you book โ€“ just contact me for a trip-planning service.

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Getting around Sayulita

Sayulita is a small town so everything is walkable. If you are not a fan of walking, the most common mode of transport is the golf cart that you can rent per day.

This will not take you to nearby places like San Pancho, Punta Mita, etc. You can only use this within the town. I got a golf cart because it is really helpful, especially if you live here long-term!

Daily rental starts at $50 USD and can go up to $100 USD, depending on the size and capacity of the cart you are going to rent. Taxis are also available within the town but they are pretty expensive.

The Uber app functions in Sayulita but please take note that these rides can be very expensive. Theyโ€™re cheaper than the normal Sayulita taxis, though.

For example, a ride with a normal taxi from Puerto Vallarta airport to Sayulita starts at $1,000 MXN ($50 USD) while Uber only charges between $500 โ€“ $700 MXN ($28 โ€“ $37 USD).

If you are coming from Sayulita, it can be a bit more complicated as fewer Uber drivers travel this route. In my experience, I always get lucky with Uber so give it a try!

sayulita mexico

If not, I have a trusted driver who takes my Airbnb guests around Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta. Get in touch with me and Iโ€™ll definitely hook you up!

Motorbikes are not a thing because thereโ€™s just too much liability attached to them. The motorbikes you see in Sayulita are not from rentals. They are modes of transportation by the locals.

There is no particular company renting motorbikes in Sayulita but when you arrive and meet people, you can easily ask them which local can rent you a bike for the day.

As for rental cars, there used to be a Budget to rent a car office in Sayulita but since 2020, I have not seen it operating.

Renting a car in Mexico is a little complicated for foreigners so make sure you read the guide in this website before you rent a car.

There are a lot of locals in Sayulita who rent their personal cars for $50 โ€“ $100 USD a day but you need to know these people. I have a local contact who has several cars โ€“ contact me for availability!

sayulita lifestyle

The Sayulita culture

Sayulita is a very small town but it is very family-oriented and you will see kids everywhere. The community here is very close-knit: Mexican families help design the town during major holidays like dia de los muertos.

Locals are very much involved in maintaining the โ€œpueblo magicoโ€ vibe of Sayulita. There is a big population of American and Canadian ex-pats in Sayulita so donโ€™t be surprised if you see a lot of gringos around town. Most of them permanently live here. 80% of the tourists are also Americans and Canadians.

Direct flights from the USA and CA are the reasons why Sayulita is a hotspot for the gringos.

The vibe in Sayulita is very laid back. You will see everyone walking on the streets (or on their golf carts) wearing bikinis and no flip flops.

Surfing culture is big, as Sayulita waves are very friendly to beginner (and professional) surfers.

solo female travel in sayulita

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Sayulita hotels: where to stay

Sayulita is really expensive compared to most of Mexico. The influx of tourists has made prices increase over the years. In Sayulita, the majority of the tourists are Canadians.

In these strange times that we are living in, I noticed how travelers have changed the way they travel. Most of us prefer a minimum 2-week vacation and short-term vacation is decreasing.

Now that the US requires a COVID test for everyone entering the country from January 26, 2021, many Americans find a month-long vacation more practical.

Below are my top vacation home rentals in Sayulita that Iโ€™ve personally stayed in (or filmed for my project).

Foreigners who often visit Sayulita opt for Airbnbs but since I stopped supporting Airbnb this year, I will give you some recommendations on Sayulita hotels that are in good locations.

sayulita retreats
Sayulita is a walking town. The streets are super narrow so it will be a hassle for you to have a car. Rent a golf cart for an extra local experience! / @sayulitasocial

The problem with Airbnb is that they donโ€™t disclose the hidden costs so youโ€™ll end up paying for more. Again, if you need help in finding the best accommodations, just get in touch with me!

I am going to give you a quick background on the Sayulita neighborhoods. From here, youโ€™ll get an idea of what to expect in each area.

  • Northside: quieter side and more of a family area. This is where the big houses/villas are located. The beach is pretty quiet here, too.
  • Southside: the Mexican neighborhood where the locals live. The Punta de Mita highway towards Sayulita is a local neighborhood. There are a few hotels here but not as popular with tourists.
  • Jungle: if youโ€™re staying here, you need a golf cart. It is quite a walk to and from town. This is where the fancy vacation villas in Sayulita are but they are away from the center.
  • Center: This is where the action is and it can be loud if you stay in the plaza. Consider Niรฑos Heroes Street โ€“ it is near the plaza but is still quieter than the center.
sayulita retreats

๐ŸŒฎ Best Sayulita restaurants

I love cooking but this little pueblo called Sayulita has a lot of food options to choose from. Ever since I moved here, Iโ€™ve been tempted to try all the best eats in Sayulita theyโ€™re very interesting and delicious.

Compared to the rest of Mexico, this town is a bit more expensive but even if I live here, it wouldnโ€™t hurt to eat out every now and then. For a year living in Sayulita, I feel like itโ€™s not enough time to try all the good restaurants but here are the ones I recommend you to visit when youโ€™re in town!

Gloriaโ€™s Mexican-style breakfast

I go to Gloriaโ€™s when I am craving a big Mexican breakfast. They have this โ€˜bandeja paisaโ€™ plate with beans, eggs, avocado, bread, rice, and meat of your choice. Mexicans like to have heavy breakfast so if you wake up with a hangover, Gloriaโ€™s is your place!

The owner (Gloria) is always there and sheโ€™s very accommodating to guests even if she does not speak English. Gloriaโ€™s restaurant is not on Google maps but itโ€™s just right in front of Jhoul Foods (click for directions). The big breakfast plate that I always order is only for $100 MXN ($5 USD) and it can last me for two meals!

Sayulita Friday Market

๐Ÿ“ Avenida Revolucion

Every Friday, Sayulitaโ€™s mercado del pueblo is open and there are lots of food options here. I make sure to have brunch here every week because you wonโ€™t see these guys often โ€“ they donโ€™t have a permanent โ€˜puestoโ€™ in town. My favorite in the mercado is the paella and the choripan (chorizo sandwich). You can also buy artisanal bread, farm-produced fruits, vegetables, spices, etc if you want to keep some for your home cooking.

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Chilaqueen: street food stall

๐Ÿ“ Avenida Revolucion

Marcela and I met at a random Mexican party in Sayulita and thatโ€™s when I got to know about her chilaquiles food cart. She is a licensed lawyer from Mexico City and decided to leave her job to live a simple life in Sayulita. She opened Chilaqueen, which is a food cart with tables and chairs on the streets and she makes the best chilaquiles!

Be careful though, she does not adjust the spice level for her clients. She believes that when you come to Mexico, you need to adapt to how the Mexicans eat and cook. Spicy food is very iconic in Mexico but Iโ€™m sure sheโ€™ll adjust it for you if you ask nicely.

La Fogonera: best burger in Sayulita

๐Ÿ“ Calle Playa Azul 338

Tamara, Radaii, and Jenny are professional chefs who left their life in Veracruz, Mexico to travel with their food truck. On their travels, they came across Sayulita, loved it, and never left.

Their burgers are really cheap but itโ€™s very filling. I remember one time I visited them and they did not have artisanal bread โ€“ Tamara told me that she was only using the normal Bimbo burger buns that day and she refused to sell me any.

They always strive to serve the best food and this is what I really like about them. They are also so warm, humble hard workers โ€“ I hope you can support them!

Local tip: After your sumptuous burger, make sure to order churros for desserts. Itโ€™s a big plate for sharing and itโ€™s the best churros in town!

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๐Ÿธ Best Sayulita bars

Yambak

๐Ÿ“ Calle Marlin 29

If youโ€™re a beer fan, then Yambakโ€™s is your place (like everyone else). Their beers are more expensive than other bars because they have their own brewery inside the bar but I would honestly pay $60 โ€“ $80 MXN ($3 โ€“ $4 USD approx) for a pint of good beer.

Yambak is also in front of the plaza so itโ€™s a good place to meet people. Their seating arrangement (standing, rather) makes people gather and mingle the entire night.

Bar Don Pato

๐Ÿ“ Calle Marlin 12

I remember being at Don Pato every day during my first month in Sayulita. This is where everyone ends up at night because something is happening nightly! If you are out of options and looking for something to do after midnight, Don Pato is your place!

Le Zouave

๐Ÿ“ Calle Jose Mariscal 3-5

Zouave is a little nook in between Yambak and Cava. You wonโ€™t miss it because of its loud red and Moroccan-like structure. It looks like an upper-class bar but most people who hang out here are expats. Zouave has a nice set-up inside but they also have high tables and chairs and outside for people watching.

sayulita nightlife

El Barrilito

๐Ÿ“Calle Jose Mariscal 9

Letโ€™s call Barrilito the chill version of Yambak. It has a very similar set-up as they are on the same street but Barrilito is way smaller. People come here any time of the day because their seats are arranged in a way that enables you to people watch. This is located in a very busy street in Sayulita (literally in front of the plaza) so you wonโ€™t miss it.

Bar Escondido

๐Ÿ“Calle Marlin 45-A

Escondido means โ€œhiddenโ€ in Spanish. Surely, Bar Escondido fits that branding. Located in the steep streets of Gringo Hill, Bar Escondido is one of those bars that are always there but you wonโ€™t feel that theyโ€™re there.

Sometimes, youโ€™ll feel that socialization is too much and yet you have the urge to drink โ€“ Bar Escondidoโ€™s is definitely the right place for that mood.

sayulita nightlife

๐ŸŽ‰ ๐Ÿฅณ Bonus: Use the code PSIMONMYWAY10 upon checkout for a 10% discount on all the local things to do in Sayulita!

๐Ÿ„โ€โ™€๏ธ Things to do in Sayulita

Watch the sunset at Carricitos beach

Carricitos is my favorite beach in Sayulita and I come here every day with my dog, Lola. Itโ€™s quite a hike to get there โ€“ if you are walking from the center of Sayulita town, it can take you 20-30 minutes depending on your speed.

The walk is a canopy forest where you can see hundreds of fireflies during its season (August-September). Swimming in Carricitos is possible but waves can get really aggressive, most days, out of nowhere. This beach is not necessarily for good swimmers.

There are days when the tide is low and everyone can enjoy a dip. However, be mindful of certain conditions. I had a bad experience here when one person I know almost drowned but donโ€™t let this discourage you. Sitting by the beach and bringing beers is your thing if you donโ€™t want to swim.

sayulita things to do
Carricitos Beach is one of the quietest beaches in Sayulita.

Take surfing lessons

Surfing is one of the best things to do in Sayulita. In fact, some people come to town only for surfing! When I came here in May, it was the best time to learn as the waves are really low and are perfect for beginners. Most of my friends who tried it the first time were able to ride right away.

These waves are really friendly! There are many surf schools in Sayulita but they are pretty expensive. It can cost up to $35 per hour. In my case, I took surf lessons with a young Mexican guy who works at the beach.

Sayulita Surfing Lessons
Sergio is always hands-on with his clients even if he has extra staff!

Heโ€™s not a teacher but he is very good at it so I casually asked him if he can teach me some longboard techniques.

Just for fun, he agreed without even asking me for a fee! Of course, I still paid him at a minimum amount but if you donโ€™t want to pay for expensive surf lessons in Sayulita and still want to learn with a teacher, make friends with the locals at the beach.

Private breakfast at a localโ€™s home

My friend Macarena, who is a chef from Argentina is one of those people who opened her home to tourists by providing private breakfast.

This experience is not only about food but Macarena also shares some insider tips about the beauty of living in Sayulita.

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Macarena converted her courtyard into a mini cafe! | Photo: Jonny Melon

You will get a full-service breakfast at a localโ€™s home โ€“ itโ€™s the best way to get to know the Sayulita lifestyle.

Get a home service massage at your accommodation

I should tell you this now but massages are expensive in Sayulita. Theyโ€™re all at $600 MXN ($30 USD) per hour but they are all pretty good.I can recommend a massage parlor by the beach that does deep tissue massage โ€“ just get in touch with me and Iโ€™ll connect you to them with a special price!

things to do in sayulita

Tequila or mezcal tasting

Sayulita is very close to the birthplace of tequila. The town is actually called Tequila in the state of Jalisco.

sayulita mezcal tasting
The mezcal that he serves were sourced from small family mezcal producers all over Mexico.

The tequila in Mexico is not the same as the ones you have back home and David is the most reliable and genuine person to tell you about tequila and mezcal! He recently finished a certification in mixology and now opened his own tasting business in Sayulita.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Money and costs

The currency in Mexico is called the Mexican peso (MXN). $1 USD = $18.67 MXN. To understand this conversion, Iโ€™m going to give you an idea about some basic prices:

  • Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the center: $11 USD
  • 1 cocktail drink in a downtown club: $5 USD
  • 1 beer in neighborhood pub (500ml or 1pt.): $1.87 USD
  • Cappuccino in a specialty coffee shop: $4 USD
  • 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes: $3.50 USD

Money exchange: does Sayulita accept USD?

Money exchange in Sayulita is very low. If you google USD to MXN, the conversion rate is $1 USD = between $18 โ€“ $19 MXN. However, if you exchange US dollars or Canadian dollars in Sayulita, they do it for only $16 MXN per USD or $14 MXN per CAD.

I donโ€™t really recommend that you exchange money here in Sayulita because you will lose a lot but in case of an emergency, most stores (mini tiendas) give you better rates. There is a money exchange house near the plaza but as I said, their rates are very low.

If you will arrive at Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta, it is better to exchange money in Vallarta. Itโ€™s a big city with malls and lots of money exchange houses (casa de cambio) so youโ€™ll get better rates there.

Banks and ATMs in Sayulita

There are lots of ATM machines all over town but depending on your bank, these machines charge from $5 โ€“ $7 USD withdrawal fees.

There is a big bank near the Sayulita town entrance that only charges $3 USD per withdrawal but itโ€™s quite a walk from town (about 15 . minutes from the plaza). This bank is right next to Saint Lukeโ€™s Medical Center and Sayulita Fit in Avenida Revolucion.

Credit/debit cards

Sayulita is still a little backward in terms of the use of credit/debit cards so make sure you have cash when you come. Most restaurants and convenience stores accept credit/debit cards, however, small shops and restaurants still operate in cash. Some will even charge you 3% for paying with a credit card!

Tipping

Tipping is not mandatory in Sayulita but it is very much encouraged. I live here but I still tip. Mexican salary is very low so most workers are dependent on tips. Imagine, some servers only earn $200 MXN ($10 USD) for 8 hours of work! 10% is the most decent tip but if you liked the service, feel free to give more.

moving to Sayulita

โœจ Useful Sayulita travel tips

The cheapest and best fruit and vegetable store is Carolinaโ€™s

I exclusively just go to Carolinaโ€™s because their fruits and vegetables are good and new. Not only that โ€“ for some reason, they are the cheapest vegetable place in town! I also can request special vegetables here (like Asian squash). One time, I asked them why they donโ€™t sell this kind of squash (Mexico only uses the zucchini) and the owner told me he can get it for me with 2 daysโ€™ notice!

Change your USD in this store

There is a money exchange center in Sayulita but the rates are so low I donโ€™t really exchange USD there. I change my USD in a store called Jhoul Foods. I used to live next to this store and got to know the owner. He gives me a better USD exchange rate to peso so make sure you are friendly enough so heโ€™ll give you better rates!

Sayulita Mexico

Best places to buy alcohol in Sayulita

I have two favorite places to buy beers in town because theyโ€™re cheaper. One is Camachoโ€™s, which is in the southern part of town (at Niรฑos Heroes Street). For the northerners, buy your beers at Chewbacca. Camachos and Chewbaccas are not big places but are mini-markets. They are what we call โ€œmini super tiendaโ€ in Mexico.

Best ATMs in Sayulita

The best place to take cash is at the Intercam bank, the only bank in Sayulita. Everyone goes there to take cash so I canโ€™t really guarantee there will always be cash available. Another good ATM machine is inside Don Pedroโ€™s restaurant. They have two cash machines there that dispense Mexican pesos and USD. Itโ€™s also a very safe place to withdraw since itโ€™s inside the restaurant. You can withdraw there even at night!

Sayulita travel tips

Be careful when swimming

Just last week, I faced a very terrifying experience when one of the girls I went to Carricitos Beach with almost drowned. We were watching her from the shore and couldnโ€™t do anything about it. The waves were pretty strong and none of us couldnโ€™t get to her. Good thing a lad from Seattle bravely (and greatly) swam the strong waters to get to her. It was terrifying!

Never leave your bags unattended, but you actually can

This is a protocol everywhere and I usually put it in all of my solo travel articles. But honestly, in Sayulita, I am not hyper-vigilant with my things because I know everyone already. And you probably will after a week of being out and about.

Calle Gaviota (where the Kiosko is) is one of the sketchiest streets in Sayulita

Personally, I never avoided this street because the locals here already know me. I can also handle myself well when it comes to the people living here as I am fluent in Spanish. However, I passed with some girls here one time and they did not feel comfortable with the guys standing in the dark, offering drugs.

things to do in sayulita
Sayulita is a walking town. The streets are super narrow so it will be a hassle for you to have a car. Rent a golf cart for an extra local experience! / @sayulitasocial

Major holidays in Sayulita

Below is a list of major holidays in Mexico where people flock the coast. Please note that in these holidays, Airbnb/hotel prices are double so if you plan to travel Sayulita in this season(s), make sure to book your accommodations in advance!

Based on experience, these are the holidays where I saw Sayulita holding more people than it can. This is a small town so it gets easily crowded during the holidays.

  • Dia de los Muertos (day of the dead): From October 29 โ€“ November 2, Sayulita holds a major celebration for the day of the dead. There will be parades, parties in the plaza til 5am, and huge crowds on the streets.
  • Christmas/New Year: from December 20th until January 2nd, people from all over the world visit Sayulita to spend Christmas and New Year. Tourists usually book in advance so if you are planning to visit Sayulita on these dates, plan ahead.
  • Holy Week (Semana Santa): depending on the holy week dates of the year (usually March or April), semana santa draws crowds from Guadalajara and Mexico City. Itโ€™s better to travel to cities in this period because everyoneโ€™s on the coast!
  • Mexican Independence Day: Mexicans love to celebrate and we all know that. September 15 is Mexicoโ€™s Independence Day and no matter what day of the year it falls, it is always a holiday.
things to do in sayulita
Day of the dead is always big in Sayulita! Small towns are the best places to celebrate dia de muertos.

Whatโ€™s next after Sayulita?

Sayulita is a small town and many people get hooked on staying here long-term. However, if you want to explore more of its neighbors, here are some recommended trips after your vacation in Sayulita:

  • San Pancho: Just 15 minutes away from Sayulita is San Pancho, a small town with the same vibe but more mellow. San Pancho is usually known as a hippie town with lots of artisanal stores and vegan restaurants. The beach is less crowded and lots of surfers love the waves here.
  • Puerto Vallarta: When youโ€™re sick of the beach town life, Puerto Vallarta is just an hour away from Sayulita. This city is very modern with shopping malls, lots of restaurant options, and all-inclusive resort stays.
  • Chacala: An hour south of Sayulita, Chacala is another less popular beach town. Canโ€™t tell you much about it but I will write a blog post when I visit!
  • Lo de Marcos: 20 minutes away from Sayulita, this beach town is not yet popular with tourists but is very limited in terms of restaurants and nightlife. Itโ€™s a good place if you want to disconnect for a few days!
things to do in sayulita
My Wolf dog loves the main beach for sunsets!

โ‰๏ธ Sayulita Frequently Asked Questions

The strange pattern that I find here is that a lot of people know Puerto Vallarta (the airport that serves Sayulita) but those who visit PV skip Sayulita and vice-versa.

Sayulita is a young town so when you look for places to visit in Mexico, it does not really appear in the listicles. Sayulita is only popular by word of mouth, often by Americans and Canadians.

Itโ€™s only 40 minutes from Puerto Vallarta and it has a way different vibe. While PV belongs to the state of Jalisco, Sayulita is in the state of Nayarit. It has less than 3,000 inhabitants and most of them are foreigners.

Sayulita is famous for its surfing culture. The waves at Sayulita main beach are for beginners, hence, people who want to learn how to surf come here. That being said, Sayulita has lots of beaches and you will learn about them as you read this article. This town is very big on outdoor activities โ€“ I swear, you will not run out of things to do!

Before you decide to travel solo to Sayulita, think about this: is Sayulita for you? Is this a destination that will fit your travel style? People originally come here to just travel but for some reason, everyone I know (I swear, and that includes me) never left.

There are lots of repeat visitors who eventually end up moving here especially in these strange times. You are going to enter a bubble and itโ€™s not going to burst โ€“ give it a year, I gave it two, HA! This is a family-friendly vacation destination! You will see lots of kids on the streets and often in the plaza. Iโ€™ve never been to Sayulita main beach without not seeing children, theyโ€™re always just there!

The Northside is a family travelerโ€™s favorite in Sayulita. Avenida Palmar is a long street of Airbnbs with great sunset views of the bay of the Banderas and massive vacation rentals. In short, itโ€™s fresa. Sayulita is also a popular weekend destination for Americans since itโ€™s just a flight away from many major US cities. Families always find it easy to spend a weekend in Sayulita with kids.

There is a small big group of Sayulita digital nomads but since the wifi in Sayulita is not that great, it is often skipped by remote workers. Most of them go to Puerto or Nuevo Vallarta as they have better infrastructure. Yogis, health buffs, massage therapists, physical therapists โ€“ if your job is about holistic health, then youโ€™ll fit in! Photographers and creatives are here too as there are a lot of jobs for marketing.

If you are also a wedding planner, a florist, a videographer, etc., Sayulita is a famous wedding destination in Mexico. You will definitely have lots of clients from the USA here.

Sayulita is a very family-oriented town so you can see a lot of families on the beach and many kids running around town every weekend. It has been a destination for family travelers, including Mexican families. Sayulita is only a 4-hour drive from the city of Guadalajara so it serves as the closest vacation spot to Mexicans.

Police are patrolling around town every night to keep the Sayulita environment safe. There arenโ€™t a lot of crimes in town so they are more focused on enforcing laws regarding drug possession.

It is very likely that you will see (and smell) people smoking weed on the streets. People here donโ€™t mind but the police do. Avoid smoking pot in public places and be discreet if you want to use drugs. Youโ€™re a big girl โ€“ you know how the rules are. Sayulitaโ€™s streets are well-lit so donโ€™t worry!

Compared to Puerto Vallarta (and like many small Mexican beach towns), Sayulitaโ€™s prices are higher but not as crazy as Tulum! You can definitely travel Sayulita on a budget. Accommodations can range from $45 โ€“ $500 USD per night. Whatever type of accommodation you need, we have it!

Yes, it is! Although it isnโ€™t like a normal spring break scene that you see in Cancun or Tulum. Sayulita has a very vibrant nightlife โ€“ itโ€™s a town that never sleeps! Here, you will find amazing bars and the music scene in Sayulita is fantastic! I will share with you all the good spots where the cool kids hang out.

If youโ€™re not into partying, thatโ€™s not a problem, too. I know some of you are family vacationers and are looking for a tranquil vacation in Sayulita. Donโ€™t worry about it! You can get away from the bustling party town because all these happen at the center, where the plaza is located. Just look at the map and Google โ€œSayulita plaza.โ€

This way, you will know how far your accommodation will be from the noise and the parties.

Sayulita Mexico

โœˆ๏ธ Ready for your trip to Sayulita? This blog thrives on reader questions so feel free to ask questions about Sayulita travel by using the comment box below. You can also sign up for 1-on-1 coaching with me if you need more help!

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ Sayulita Travel Planning

๐Ÿš‘ Do I need insurance to travel to Sayulita Mexico?
Yes, you do! This is the number one requirement when traveling to Mexico. I use SafetyWing and I only pay $40 USD per month for my digital nomad travel insurance!

โœˆ๏ธ Where can I find cheap flights to Sayulita?
You can find cheap flights to Sayulita Mexico by using WayAway. This is my current flight search favorite and I have proven that flights on this website are way cheaper!

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Where can I find cheap hotels in Sayulita?
Budget travelers, use Hostelworld when looking for accommodations in Japan. A bed in a hostel dorm starts at $25 USD per night. Booking.com is best for boutique hotels while you will find many luxury hotels on Expedia.

๐Ÿš• How do I get to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport?
You can book with a local driver here for as low as $69 USD! Use my code PSIMONMYWAY10 to get a 10% discount upon checkout.

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