Stay · side of town
Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
Walks are our rough estimates from the middle of the side; prices are the middle half of what stays publish (68 of them).
Our picks and the ones with photos first.
Stay · Gated community
Four-bedroom villa in the gated Selva Maaku development just south of town, built for groups: a heated pool and hot tub ringed by three fire pits, a pool house with a wet bar and a chef's kitchen; sleeps twelve, with five baths.
Stay · South side near the south entrance, Selva Maaku
Three-bedroom house with a saltwater pool, a garden and a bungalow on the roof, inside a gated estate with round-the-clock security; sleeps seven, with two kitchens and three and a half baths.
Stay · Gated community (5 min to town)
Four-bedroom villa for big groups in a private development in the jungle south of town, with a saltwater pool, hot tub, wood sauna, cold plunge and fire pit; sleeps twelve, with five baths and a pool house.
Stay · South-east edge
Lush, peaceful wellness guesthouse a walk from the center.
Stay · South end of main beach
Six kinds of suite across the street from the calm south end of the beach, five minutes from the plaza: kitchenettes, bay-view balconies, a shared pool, and penthouses with their own infinity pools. Rates from about US$115.
Stay · South of the plaza, edge of town on a ridge
Main house 3BR plus 1BR bungalow on a large property; from $175-550.
Stay · South coast (Ojo de Agua)
4BR villa plus two 2BR casitas; popular for retreats; quieter and drier than town.
Stay · South (residential)
Spotless group villa with private pool and an attentive host.
Stay · South-central, on a small hill above the surf break
Four-bedroom gated house two blocks from the beach, with a heated salt-water pool, waterfall, six-hole mini-golf, roof palapa and ocean views. Breakfast and coffee included.
All 95 in South side, with filters for size, budget and pool
Our picks on this side of town.
Eat & drink · South (Av. Revolución)
Upscale Thai with excellent pad thai, curries, fresh rolls and a banana cheesecake. Accepts cards.
Eat & drink · South end of main beach
A deck three metres above the sand at the calm south end of the main beach, run by a family of local fishermen: ceviche, seared tuna and the day's catch, cocktails made with house shrubs, and a 3 to 5pm happy hour.
Eat & drink · South (Av. Revolución)
Family-owned breakfast spot with porch seating; chilaquiles and smoothies are the draws.
Eat & drink · South (Av. Revolución)
Owner-run Indian restaurant away from the center; thali plates, lentils and naan. Bring your own wine.
Eat & drink · South (Av. Revolución)
Local-favorite seafood a short walk from the center; octopus, ceviche and pastor fish tacos. Charcoal-grilled seafood Saturdays after 4pm.
Eat & drink · South end of main beach
Southern main-beach club with fresh whole fish and standout service. Hosts groups and can arrange tours.
Centro and the plazaNights out, and walking to everything · 1 min to the plaza
The north sideFamilies and groups: palms, pools and the long beach · 10 min to the plaza
Playa los MuertosCalm water for swimming and small kids · 11 min to the plaza
Nanzal hillBig views from the hill; you'll want a cart · 20 min to the plaza
Up the valleyBudget stays and everyday local life · 13 min to the plazaCompare all six side by side · Our guide to the sides of town
