How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Sayulita, Mexico

Mornings start early in Sayulita, Mexico, a pocket-sized village carved out where the jungle, mountains, and tranquil Pacific converge: Yogis align their chakras with the rising sun, surfers set out to maximize ride time, and hikers embark on trailheads.

But nights go long here, too. In the bars that ring the town’s central plaza, live bands keep locals and vacationers singing along, tequila in hand, until 2 or 3 a.m. 

It’s the best of those worlds—charged with close community energy—that has brought boho travelers to Sayulita for decades, as far back as the 1960s, when the town’s few inhabitants survived selling coconuts.

“It’s a tiny town, but once you get here, it feels like a totally different energy. There are always people in the street, there’s always music, and the town is super-colorful,” says Diane Hicks, a yoga instructor who hosts secluded beachfront sessions through her Wanderlust Sayulita tours. “That’s what draws people in—it’s just so vibrant and colorful.”

With a crosstown walk time of just 20 minutes, it’s easy to fill a few-day itinerary with healthful activities. Just keep in mind the village’s winking nickname—Stayulita—as you plan: It’s not uncommon for a weekend trip here to turn into an extended life chapter.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Anjali Casa Divina

Located just a few minutes up the hill from the main plaza, Anjali Casa Divina is close to the action, but far enough to feel serene—and most of its 10 suites offer an ocean view. The boutique hotel is intimate, like a well-appointed rental house, with a curving pool and patio space in the back, a raised yoga studio, and lush greenery all around. 

Don Bonito

Don Bonito is the choice for design-minded travelers in Sayulita, outfitted with stylish, minimalist furnishings like hand-embroidered lamps and rattan armchairs. Its location on the north side is the calmest in town and just steps from the beach. 

Haramara Retreat

Haramara Retreat, set on a private beach a 20-minute walk from the Sayulita Plaza, is a local institution, offering a full schedule of yoga retreats as well as non-retreat reservations for visitors who simply want to enjoy the rustic casitas, saltwater infinity pool, and palapa restaurant, which serves a food menu based on what’s fresh at the market daily.

Hotelito Los Sueños

Hotelito Los Sueños, which translates to “little hotel of dreams,” is a favorite for its affordable pricing and yoga studio built under a broad palm-thatched roof. The pool set in the central courtyard—one of two on the property—is a gathering place, and the beach is only five minutes away on foot. 

Sayulinda Hotel

It’s hard to beat the setting of Sayulinda Hotel, sandwiched on the doorstep of both the town plaza and the main strip of beach. Guests will love the bright pops of Mexican decor and lively rooftop bar with an infinity pool that faces the ocean.

Best Things to Do

Hike Monkey Mountain.

This 4.3-mile out-and-back trail is one of the most popular hikes in town for a reason: The views from the top are spectacular, extending out to the coastline of Riviera Nayarit and the sapphire-blue ocean. The trail starts off moderate before growing steep and rocky at the end. 

Go deep on wellness.

The hippie culture of Sayulita has made it a wellness mecca, with traditional Mexican rituals like cacao ceremonies and temazcales—a Mayan sauna—and more yoga studios than a midsized city. “People are just moving at a different pace here,” says Hicks. “Part of yoga is being able to slow down and be present, and in Sayulita, you’re forced to do that.”

Have a beach day.

Playa Sayulita is the main beach in town, teeming with activity just two blocks from the plaza. But for a proper beach day on the region’s coarse sand, walk 10 minutes to the west to Playa Los Muertos, where the crowds are thinner and the vibe more relaxed.

Take a surf lesson.

With a gentle wave set up by a coral reef break, Sayulita is the perfect place to pick up surfing, and the large number of surf schools create an inspiring environment for newbies. “It’s really accessible,” says Jorge Frías, a surf instructor with WildMex, a local tour company. “The wave is mellow and it’s fair on beginners. It’s not as harsh as other breaks.”

Go whale watching.

The mix of warm and cool currents in the waters off the coast of Nayarit, the state where Sayulita is located, create a unique marine environment that’s drawn in migrating humpback whales for centuries. Scientists estimate the creatures arrive in the thousands each year from December to March to mate and nurse their young. Whale-watching expeditions, like the biologist-led La Orca de Sayulita, know exactly where to take visitors to see the humpbacks crest and spray magnificently. 

Best Nightlife

The Plaza

Nightlife in Sayulita revolves around the plaza, a cobblestone square with a canopy of flags overhead and palm trees lining the edges. “Everything is walking distance and you can walk around and see what calls you the most,” says Frías. He recommends Yambak, a brewery with a well-reviewed pale ale. Or try Cava, a small agave bar with creative cocktails that’s a go-to for Hicks.

Bar Don Pato

When the plaza’s smaller bars start to close, everyone heads to Don Pato—a three-story hot spot—for the last hours of partying. Different bands rotate in nightly for a new scene, from cumbia to reggaeton to indie cover groups.

Best Restaurants

Tacos Around the Plaza

Along with the bars, the plaza in Sayulita is known for its great hole-in-the-wall taquerias on every corner. There’s Tacos al Pastor Diaz, with a glistening trompo out front heralding its signature dish: tacos al pastor. Or Tacos Prieto’s, where they hand-press tortillas for raved-about fish tacos. Bichos is a bit more refined, with a wood-fired brisket taco speciality. 

La Rústica

La Rústica, set in a beautiful sand-toned dining room right off the plaza, is a top option for a nicer sit-down evening. The wood-fired oven is at the heart of a menu headlined by pizzas, pastas, and, of course, local seafood. Six different margaritas and a commendable wine list pair well with it all.

La Panga Seafood & Grill

The fishermen behind La Panga Seafood & Grill serve their freshest haul every day in this casual spot just down the road from the plaza. Highlights include tuna sashimi, a cheesy marlin burrito, and a Louisiana-style shrimp boil, complete with corn on the cob and potatoes. 

Chaman Mexican Creative Kitchen

Located in the quieter northern section of town, Chaman Mexican Creative Kitchen is an all-day oasis set in a garden with lights and dreamcatchers strung from the trees. The menu has all the holistic lifestyle favorites: acai bowls and overflowing avocado toasts on sourdough for brunch, grilled fish and portobello burgers for dinner. 

Miscelánea Cafe

Miscelánea is a can’t-miss for all breakfast needs. The espresso and cold brew are good quality and strong and the bakery offerings, like a slice of daintily iced lemon and blueberry cake, are a perfect only-on-vacation treat. 

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Sayulita is from November to May, when the weather is dry and temperatures are ideal, hovering between 62 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. June to October is considered the rainy season, with regular downpours that can, at times, flood the town’s small streets. August is the wettest month of the year. But on the bright side, consistent rain makes for especially verdant jungle foliage.

How to Get There

Sayulita is about 25 miles up the coast from Puerto Vallarta and its busy international airport. To make the drive, official taxis are available as you leave the airport, or Ubers are reliable and relatively inexpensive. Alternatively, the Compostela bus line runs multiple times an hour to Sayulita from just outside the airport for about 60 pesos ($3 USD). The bus can be hailed from the side of the main road outside the airport, reached after crossing the pedestrian bridge at the airport exit.

How to Get Around

Sayulita is so small that a car is unnecessary—even the most secluded beaches and the remote Haramara Retreat are reachable on foot in well under an hour. Still, golf carts are common, especially for those staying uphill. They are available for rent at several agencies in town.