Things to do in Sayulita
Surf a lesson, walk to Los Muertos through the cemetery, watch the sunset from the main beach, see turtles released at dusk in season, browse Huichol art, and take a boat to the Marietas Islands.
Start here · Centro · 1 min from the plaza
Sayulita Plaza
The town's central square, ringed by cafés, bars and taco stands. Evenings bring food carts, vendors and street performers, and it is decorated for Day of the Dead and the December fiestas.
What to know
- Humpback whales are in the bay from about mid-December to March, peaking in January and February; tours with a biologist run about US$50 to 90. mexicotravelandleisure.com
- Marietas Islands trips cost about US$90 to 140 including the park fee. The Hidden Beach takes about 200 visitors a day, so book three to five days ahead. mexicotravelandleisure.com
- Turtle hatchling releases happen at sunset in the nesting season, busiest in August and September, and cost from nothing to about US$10. mexicotravelandleisure.com
- Allow at least four hours for the Monkey Mountain hike, start early to beat the heat, and wear closed shoes. jonnymelon.com
Sayulita Bird Watching
Birding tours led by Vidal Prado, running since 2008, from a two-to-three-hour early-morning outing near town with binoculars supplied to full-day trips toward San Blas and San Sebastián del Oeste. Free pickup in Sayulita and San Pancho on the local tour.
Chica Locca Tours
Central Sayulita boat trips year-round, boats up to 60 people
Sayulita Adventures
Tour operator booking sailing trips to the Marietas Islands, fishing, zip-lining, snorkeling, whale watching, horseback riding and scuba around Sayulita and Punta de Mita.
Sayulita Tours
Local tour desk at Revolución and Pelícanos booking horseback rides on jungle and beach trails, ATV tours, zip-lining, Marietas Islands boat trips and sportfishing.
Fishing Sayulita
Captain Regis Cadena's sport-fishing trips on the Thunnus, a shaded 26-foot panga: six hours with live bait for up to four anglers, MX$9,000 in cash. Mahi-mahi, tuna, sailfish and roosterfish by season; drinks included when booked through his site.
Rancho Manuel
Multi-generation Sayulita family running private horseback rides through jungle and beaches, plus sportfishing, snorkeling and seasonal whale-watching trips.
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.
La Orca de Sayulita
Sayulita's whale researchers since 2014: three-hour humpback trips with a biologist and a hydrophone on a small panga, eight guests at most, from MX$1,600 a person, leaving the south end of the beach at 8:30am, noon and 3:30pm from December to March.
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.
Sayulita Entourage
Dive operation that began as Sayulita Diving School, running PADI courses, dive trips and small-group panga excursions to the Marietas Islands away from the big tour boats.
Oceano Adventure
Dive and ocean outfit running private, small-group scuba and snorkel trips (six guests max) to the Marietas and other sites, plus PADI courses and surf outings.
Discover
Old directory/booking site for Sayulita, apparently stale since 2017.
EcoHike Sayulita - Hiking & Biking Tours
Local outfit running guided jungle walks around Sayulita, from an easy morning hike to the harder Monkey Mountain climb (about 5.5 miles, 3 hours, transport included). Also offers sunset and night hikes, mountain-bike rides that end at a beach, and private family groups.
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.
Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita
Volunteer-run camp led by a local biologist that moves olive ridley nests to a protected hatchery and releases hatchlings at sunset, roughly June to February. Watch quietly, no flash.
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.
Natikari - Rancho Verde
Private nature reserve outside town where a biologist guide leads birding walks, a birdsong breakfast and longer jungle hikes, plus a gentle donkey outing for children. Tours include pickup from set points in Sayulita and support local conservation.
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.
Sayulita Turtle Camp
Volunteer-run nonprofit sea turtle nest protection and hatchling release camp, seasonal (nesting Aug-Dec).
Cachasol Farm Distillery
Six-acre farm distillery about 8 minutes south of town on the Punta Mita road, making raicilla and tequila. Runs guided distillery tours with tastings and a meal, cooking and cocktail workshops, and shorter bar tastings. Reservations needed.
Tip: See what's on tonight for live music, markets and salsa nights.
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.