Surf, swim, stretch, and the town's own culture. Our picks first, then everything we've mapped.
Practical
Surf · Centro
A family surf school on Calle Marlín since 2002: a 90-minute lesson plus an hour's free practice (MX$1,790 alone, less in a group), and if you don't stand up, the second is free. Rentals, multi-day courses and lessons at La Lancha too.
Stand up or the second lesson is free
Surf · North side
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.
Boats & diving · South side
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.
Surf · Centro
Diego Cadena's surf shop in the Sayulinda hotel, a block from the break: 90-minute coaching plus an hour of free surf from MX$1,400 each, boards from MX$150 an hour or MX$600 a day, with lockers and showers, and fishing trips on the boat.
Surf · North side
Locally owned school for surf and stand-up paddle lessons and rentals, with guided sessions for more experienced surfers.
Surf · Centro
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.
Wellness · North side
An open-air yoga studio under a palm-thatched roof above the Don Bonito hotel, two minutes from the north beach: vinyasa at 8 and 9:30am on weekdays, 9:30 at weekends, and slower evening classes Mondays and Wednesdays. MX$300 a class, mats provided, no booking.
Surf · North side
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.
Lessons, boards and the people who shape them. Read our guide
Surf · Centro
A family surf school on Calle Marlín since 2002: a 90-minute lesson plus an hour's free practice (MX$1,790 alone, less in a group), and if you don't stand up, the second is free. Rentals, multi-day courses and lessons at La Lancha too.
Stand up or the second lesson is free
Surf · North side
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.
Surf · Centro
Diego Cadena's surf shop in the Sayulinda hotel, a block from the break: 90-minute coaching plus an hour of free surf from MX$1,400 each, boards from MX$150 an hour or MX$600 a day, with lockers and showers, and fishing trips on the boat.
Surf · North side
Locally owned school for surf and stand-up paddle lessons and rentals, with guided sessions for more experienced surfers.
Surf · Centro
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.
Surf · North side
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.
Surf · Centro
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 · North side
Private, bilingual lessons with Joel Barraza, a local competitive longboarder: first waves for beginners and style coaching for longboarders.
Fishing trips, dives and snorkelling off the islands.
Boats & diving · South side
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.
Boats & diving · South side
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.
Yoga with a view, massage, temazcal and a good facial. Read our guide
Wellness · North side
An open-air yoga studio under a palm-thatched roof above the Don Bonito hotel, two minutes from the north beach: vinyasa at 8 and 9:30am on weekdays, 9:30 at weekends, and slower evening classes Mondays and Wednesdays. MX$300 a class, mats provided, no booking.
Wellness · North side
Yoga school with an ocean-view shala, running regular classes, 200-hour teacher trainings and retreats. Retreat guests get a pool, a gym and vegetarian meals.
Wellness · South side
European-trained stylists John and Graziella cut and color hair, including weddings and shoots. The salon moved to a bigger space just off the Punta de Mita highway.
Wellness · South side
Deep-tissue and sports massage, rehab work and medical acupuncture from a Canadian-trained therapist. House calls to rentals and hotels are available.
Wellness · Centro
Heated studio above Brisa on Av. Revolución for hot yoga, 26&2, hot sculpt and HIIT Pilates; a one-week unlimited pass suits visitors. Pauses in August and September.
Wellness · North side
Pickleball club on Calle Miramar with two lit outdoor hard courts, daily drop-in play, several leagues and lessons for all levels. Paddles can be rented, and there is a pro shop, showers and a bar with shaded seating.
Wellness · South side
Reformer Pilates studio on the Punta de Mita road with six reformers, so group classes never exceed six people. Certified instructors give hands-on corrections; private sessions available, and classes are booked ahead by WhatsApp or Instagram.
Wellness · Up the valley
Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy inside Warriors Fitness, run since 2020 by local instructor Tavo Moctezuma. It teaches gi and no-gi classes in Spanish and English for ages 3 and up, with private lessons and kids' and adults' competition teams.
Jungle hikes, birding at dawn and the turtle camp.
Nature & tours · Around town
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.
Nature & tours · Up the valley
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.
Nature & tours · Centro
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.
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