The bay faces west, so in Sayulita the sun goes down into the Pacific every evening of the year, and dinner can be timed around it. The trick is to sit down before the light goes, not after, and to know which kind of view you're after: sand and surf, the whole curve of the bay, or the plaza lit up below you.
This guide starts with timing, then goes from the beach up: the tables on the sand, the deck over the water on the way to Los Muertos, the rooftops and the balconies above the square. Prices at these places run well above the taco stands; that's what the view costs.
Timing the table
Sayulita keeps the same clock all year, so sunset only moves with the seasons: about 6:20pm in early December, the earliest, and about 7:45pm at the start of July, the latest. After the sun drops, the sky keeps its colour for roughly another 25 minutes. Tonight's time is below.
Book for 30 to 45 minutes before sunset, so you've ordered by the time it matters. In high season, from November to April, the front-row tables at the well-known places go days ahead, and a weeknight is easier than a Saturday.
- 6:20pm
- sunset in early December
- 7:45pm
- sunset at the start of July
- 25 min
- of afterglow once the sun is down
On the sand
The simplest view is the best one: a table at the edge of the beach, the surf a few metres away and the sun straight ahead. Don Pedro's, a big palapa in the middle of the bay, is the classic, and it fills up for sunset. Toward the south end, The Dock has tables on the sand and a deck about three metres up, with happy hour from 3 to 5pm.
At the quiet north end, Mazo is the beachfront restaurant of La Puesta hotel, cooking the day's catch from breakfast to dinner with the sunset off to the side. Across the river, Bar La Isla is a sand-floor palapa that's good at golden hour and cheaper, and Alas Blancas at the end of Delfines has tables right on the sand.
Don Pedro's Restaurant & Bar
The big beachfront palapa in the middle of the bay; the classic sunset dinner. Book ahead for groups.
The Dock Sayulita
South-end tables on the sand and a raised deck; seafood mains from about 200 pesos to 700 for steak.
Mazo Sayulita
La Puesta hotel's beachfront restaurant at the quiet north end, built around the day's catch.
Bar La Isla
Sand-floor palapa on the north beach with aguachile and margaritas; casual and cheaper.
Alas Blancas Restaurante
Tables on the sand at the beach end of Delfines, for seafood with the sunset.
Over the water, toward Los Muertos
Sí Señor sits on a wooden deck among the trees on the road to Playa de los Muertos, next to Villa Amor, looking straight out over the rocks and across the whole bay. It's open from breakfast to dinner, and the evening menu runs to grilled octopus, whole red snapper and lobster, with candles and string lights once the sun is down.
It's a special-occasion price: expect around 450 pesos for a main. The deck can feel cool and shady after sunset, and the walk back into town along the beach road is dark in places.
Sí Señor Sayulita
Deck over the water on the way to Los Muertos, with the widest view of the bay; open 9am to 10pm.
Playa los Muertos
The cove just beyond; come early for a swim and walk up for dinner.
Rooftops above town
From a roof in the centre you see the town's palapas and palms running down to the water, with the sunset over the top. Alto Alto, a two-level rooftop on Revolución, serves a Mediterranean dinner from 5pm: mezze to share, shawarma, spanakopita and grilled shrimp, with plates mostly between about 150 and 300 pesos.
The roof of Hotel Sayulinda on Gaviota is the highest point in the centre, with a pool, hammocks and a bar facing the sunset; the bar is open to visitors, and a pool day pass costs extra. Kabuki, up a staircase over the plaza, is a treehouse-style room for creative rolls and cocktails, with happy hours from 4 to 7pm and again late.
Alto Alto Rooftop Restaurant
Two-level rooftop with sunset views and a Mediterranean dinner menu from 5pm.
Sayulinda Hotel
Rooftop pool bar on the hotel's top floor, the highest spot in the centre; drinks and snacks for the sunset.
Kabuki
Treehouse-style dining up over the plaza; sushi, crispy rice and good cocktails. Closed Tuesdays.
Balconies over the plaza
After dark, a different view takes over: the plaza filling with families, buskers and the taco smoke, seen from above. Xochi, on the square under a palapa roof, is a special-occasion Mexican restaurant with salsa made at the table and a tuna tiradito that's the house signature.
Sayulita Café, the long-running home of the chile relleno, has a terrace above the main street and a margarita happy hour from 4 to 5pm. For just a drink with the view, Barrilito's balcony looks straight over the square.
Xochi
Open-air terrace on the plaza for a special dinner; tableside salsa and tuna tiradito.
Sayulita Café
Chiles rellenos, fajitas and fish tacos on a terrace above the main street.
Barrilito Sayulita
Plaza bar with a balcony over the square, for a drink before or after.
Which view, for which night
Each kind of view suits a different evening. Pick by who you're with and how long you want to stay, then book accordingly.
On the sand
- The sun straight ahead, feet near the surf
- Relaxed and good with kids
- Mains about 200 to 450 pesos
Rooftop
- The town and the bay below you
- Cocktails first, dinner after
- Busy; book the edge tables
Over the water
- The whole curve of the bay
- The anniversary or proposal table
- Special-occasion prices
Questions people ask
What time is sunset in Sayulita?
Between about 6:20pm in early December and about 7:45pm at the start of July, local time. Sayulita is on UTC-6 all year with no daylight saving.
Which restaurant in Sayulita has the best view?
For the whole bay, Sí Señor on the road to Los Muertos. For sunset on the sand, Don Pedro's, The Dock or Mazo. For a rooftop, Alto Alto or the Sayulinda roof bar.
Do I need to book a sunset table in Sayulita?
In high season, November to April, yes, at the well-known places: book a day or more ahead and ask for a table by the water. In the quieter months you can often walk in.
How much does a dinner with a view cost in Sayulita?
At beachfront restaurants a main runs from about 200 pesos; at Sí Señor expect around 450. Drinks at sunset add up, so look for happy hours.
Are there rooftop restaurants in Sayulita?
Yes. Alto Alto on Revolución is a two-level rooftop restaurant, Hotel Sayulinda has a rooftop pool bar open to visitors, and Kabuki is upstairs over the plaza.
Written by sayulita.co from our own research, checked against 12 sources. Nothing here is paid for. Photos: ; ; ; . See something out of date? Tell us.