Reasons Why You Should Visit Sayulita, Mexico

Sayulita is a magical little surf town located on the Pacific coast at the south end of the Nayarit state and north of Banderas Bay. It is conveniently located about 1 hour north of Puerto Vallarta. It has a vibe all its own and is one of the places you dream of returning to after you have left. This friendly boho beach town does not know a stranger and is welcoming to locals and tourists alike. The town is small enough that you can walk everywhere or even rent a golf cart. They are everywhere! The contagious laid-back vibe of this town will have you forgetting about work in no time. We spent 3 amazing days here and thanks to local friends, we got some great insider tips on where to eat and what to do!

The Food is Amazing

Sayulita is a foodie paradise. There are so many great places it is hard to try them all in three days but I think we got a great start! The morning before we left to head back to the airport, we had a fantastic breakfast at Alquimista. Their coffee is superb and they have excellent breakfast burritos. They serve Mexican comfort food and are also open for lunch and dinner. North Side Cafe – located just steps from the beach offers delicious smoothies, croissants, and organic breakfast wraps and cuisine. Organi-K was a great stop we stumbled on to for breakfast. They specialize in organic juices, Acai Bowls, Poke Bowls, and smoothies. Who says eating healthy doesn’t taste good!?

For lunch, a popular local spot is Mary’s for delicious authentic Mexican cuisine. You can’t go wrong when ordering anything off this menu. Also, Check out Naty’s Cocina for amazing tacos and egg dishes. This no-frills kitchen has a walk-up window lined up with locals. When in Sayulita, you must try Hibiscus water. It is available at most restaurants and so refreshing. Tierra Viva is a great spot offering a wonderful rooftop atmosphere and delicious seafood, sushi, and Mexican fusion. There is also an Iguana tree right outside the restaurant. If you’re lucky enough, you may spot one! Achara is a bustling and chic Thai restaurant right in the center of town. We gorged on delicious Thai cuisine until we thought we might bust – but it was so worth it. This was a great last dinner to end our amazing stay in Sayulita. They also have the best craft cocktails! Last but not least – do not leave Sayulita without trying street tacos. They can be found all over town – enjoyable for lunch, dinner or an anytime snack!

Sayulita Has Great Beaches

Sayulita Beach is lively, lined with a diverse crowd of surfers, families, and people young and old. The waves are consistent making it an excellent surf location (people flock from all over to surf here!). Don’t miss coming here at sunset. Watching the sunset providing a perfect backdrop to the ocean is amazing and it is so stunning that it gets applause from its beachfront audience. The vibe on the beach is so laid-back. Walk barefoot from a beachfront bar straight into the ocean. You must head to Club De Playa Camaron. This beach bar has a great bohemian atmosphere and a relaxed vibe.

To escape some of the crowds and for more calm water, head to the “hidden” beach Playa de los Muertos. Located south of the main beach, walk past a resort, up a dirt road and through a cemetery to this more secluded spot. You’ll find a couple of bar stands where you can get a Margarita or your drink of choice. You can also rent beach chairs and an umbrella to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach.

Sayulita is Colorful and Vibrant

The town itself is a work of art with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, street murals, and artistic flags overhead. I found it impossible not to constantly take pictures. Visit Sayulita Plaza in the city center. This lively square has a large “Sayulita” sign, Sayulita’s colorful cathedral, and colorful pom poms draped on the trees overhead.

Don’t miss going to nearby iconic Selfie Street and take your photo underneath the colorful flags (papel picado). Stroll the streets of Sayulita and admire the colorful street art.

You’ll Love the Shopping

Sayulita has unique and artsy boutiques full of boho-chic fashion, handicrafts, jewelry and housewares, art galleries, and open air markets. Check out local handicrafts at the open-air “Hippie Market.” Luckily, you won’t find chain retailers here! Sayulita does an excellent job of supporting its locals.

Sayulita has great Nightlife

You can’t go wrong finding a great bar in Sayulita. The bars are lively, with rooftop bars and open-air with people spilling out into the streets. People travel from nearby towns to Sayulita, just for the nightlife. The streets have an energetic and youthful feel at night. You’ll see a mix of locals, expats, and tourists all having a great time. Don’t miss heading to the beach for some great bars as well.

It’s Easy to be Active

The most popular outdoor activity has to be surfing. Sayulita is known for its great surf scene. You can find surf and paddle board rentals all over town and on the beach. You can rent by the day or hour. If you’re not so sure about your surf technique, take a lesson!

Sayulita is surrounded by jungle, ocean, and mountains (Sierra Madre Mountains) so it’s easy to find lots to do. Hike up monkey Mountain. This 4.5-mile hike will provide you with fabulous views of the ocean and the jungle.

Getting to Sayulita

Fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), which is located roughly 45 minutes to an hour away from Sayulita by ground transportation. Uber or taxi will cost you around 700 pesos ($35 US dollars). A cheaper way (though less convenient) way to get to Sayulita is by bus. The Compostela bus line leaves every 20 minutes. The journey takes one to one and a half hours due to frequent stops. This will only set you back $46 pesos ($2 US dollars)!

Where to Stay in Sayulita

Sayulita has so many reasonable lodging options. There are a variety of boutique hotels, condos, and Airbnb stays. You won’t find large-scale chain hotels along the beach, which further adds to Sayulita’s charm. Even some of the more luxurious boutique hotels are reasonable

I hope you found this hope helpful and inspirational in your Mexico travel planning!

Cheers!

Angela