The beaches in and around Sayulita
The main beach for surf and people-watching, Los Muertos for calm water, and quieter coves a jungle walk away. Some have no services, so bring water.
Start here · Centro · 5 min from the plaza
Playa Sayulita
The main town beach, a long sandy bay whose gentle waves make it a learn-to-surf hub. Lined with loungers, surf schools and restaurants; check water-quality notices after heavy rain.
What to know
- Playa de los Muertos is a 10 to 15 minute walk south of the main beach, past the cemetery; a taxi costs about 10 to 20 pesos. mexicotravelandleisure.com
- Carricitos is a 20 to 30 minute walk over the headland, with no services at all, and its waves are often too big for swimming. mexicotravelandleisure.com
- In the federal health agency's summer 2026 beach sampling, no beach in Nayarit was rated unfit for swimming. cronica.com.mx
- All beaches in Mexico are federal land with free public access; a wall blocking the path to Los Muertos was torn down in June 2025. politica.expansion.mx
the Heartbeat of the Wave
Surf school working from the main beach off Calle Gaviotas, where the gentle river-mouth right suits beginners.
The Picnic Company
Puerto Vallarta-based company that sets up styled picnics, proposals, birthdays and small events on beaches across the bay, Sayulita included, handling permits, catering, drinks and decor.
Los Muertos Cemetery, Sayulita
Small hillside town cemetery with brightly painted graves under jungle trees, on the footpath to Playa de los Muertos. Families decorate it for Day of the Dead; walk through quietly and respectfully.
Playa los Muertos
Small, sheltered cove just south of town, reached by a short walk through the hillside cemetery. Calm water good for swimming, paddleboarding and snorkeling; popular with Mexican families.
Sayulita Beach Church
Small Christian congregation that gathers outdoors by the sea rather than in a building. Its site says meetings are starting again soon, so check its social pages for the next one.
Playa Sayulita Norte (North Beach)
The quieter northern end of the main bay, about a ten-minute walk from town, backed by villas and palms. Calmer for a swim on small days, but watch for rip currents near the headland.
Playa Carricitos
Wide, quiet golden-sand beach backed by jungle, about a 20–30-minute walk north of town via Niños Héroes and a steep hill. Powerful waves make swimming risky; come for the walk and sunsets.
Playa Questos Sayulita
Surf-side stretch of sand in front of the village's two camping parks, with rougher waves for surfers and stronger swimmers.
Playa Las Cuevas
Horseshoe cove with white sand and clear water about two miles north of Sayulita, framed by cliffs and small caves. Reached by a jungle trail with some rock scrambling, or from San Pancho.
Playa Patzcuarito
Remote black-sand beach south of Sayulita, reached on foot or by a short drive plus a walk. Quiet, and popular for sunset.
Playa Malpaso
Secluded beach between Sayulita and San Pancho, reached by a jungle trail of about 20 minutes from the north end of town. Rocks, small caves and palms; no services, so bring water and go early.
Patricias Surf Shop
Sayulita's first surf school, run by the Southworth family since the 1990s right on the beach in front of the main break, beside a beach restaurant and fishing tours.
Surf'n Sayulita
A surf school on Calle Gaviota teaching since 2005 with ISA-certified instructors: a beach briefing, then 90 minutes in the water, board and rash guard included, from MX$1,200 each for three or more. Day trips to a jungle beach end with fish tacos.
Costeño Surf School
Long-running local surf school on the main beach with two- and four-hour private or group lessons, surf trips around Banderas Bay, and rentals of surfboards, longboards and SUPs.
Hippie Market
Everyday open-air row of artisan stalls near the plaza selling Huichol beadwork, woven bags, hats, jewelry and souvenirs. Good for browsing after a beach day.
Marea Surf School
A surf school by the river, started in 2015 with an umbrella and four boards: local instructors, never more than four students each, 90-minute lessons on the main beach from MX$1,200, or the open-top truck to La Lancha's jungle beach at 2pm.
Sea Sayulita
Small adventure outfit planning surf lessons at quieter spots away from the main beach, waterfall hikes, surf trips and beach fires, with transport included.
WildMex Surf School & Adventure Center
A big outfitter on Calle Pelícanos, open 7:30am to 8:30pm: two-hour lessons on Sayulita's sandbar (from US$65), 300-plus rental boards with free swaps, a surf shuttle to La Lancha, Malpaso mountain-bike rides and Marietas trips. Shops in San Pancho and Punta de Mita too.
SayuParke
Public children's playground in fenced part of sports field, entrance C. Playa Azul.
Sayulita bike adventure
Guided mountain-bike rides and rentals out of town, on jungle singletrack toward San Pancho and quiet beaches. Rides run about two hours.
Pampariyutsi Galería de Arte Wixárika
Gallery of Wixárika (Huichol) art on Av. Revolución, where you can buy pieces in a shop rather than from beach vendors.
Tip: After heavy rain, check water-quality notices before swimming near the river mouth.
Written by sayulita.co from our own research, checked October 2026; nothing here is paid for. Owners can claim their place to add photos and hours.