Stay · Centro south hillside (oceanfront)
Casa Bougainvillea
Oceanfront 4BR from $850, casita $200, palapa casita $230. Steep stairs to the beach.
Pick your side of town
Where you stay shapes the trip: the plaza’s buzz, a quiet palm grove on the north beach, or a view from the hill. Already booked? See what’s around your stay
Which side?
Ordered for friends; every side is still here.
The north sideFamilies and groups: palms, pools and the long beachPlaza 10 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$150–450
Nanzal hillBig views from the hill; you'll want a cartPlaza 20 minBeach 3 minFeels quietMost US$200–600
Centro and the plazaNights out, and walking to everythingPlaza 1 minBeach 3 minFeels livelyMost US$110–350
The south sideThe plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walkPlaza 7 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$130–400
Playa los MuertosCalm water for swimming and small kidsPlaza 11 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$200–900
Up the valleyBudget stays and everyday local lifePlaza 13 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$80–250
Compare the sides in a table
| Side | Walk to the plaza | Walk to the beach | Feels | Most stays a night | Stays | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North side | 10 min | 3 min | calm | US$150–450 | 169 | Families and groups: palms, pools and the long beach |
| Nanzal | 20 min | 3 min | quiet | US$200–600 | 36 | Big views from the hill; you'll want a cart |
| Centro | 1 min | 3 min | lively | US$110–350 | 112 | Nights out, and walking to everything |
| South side | 7 min | 3 min | mixed | US$130–400 | 95 | The plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walk |
| Los Muertos | 11 min | 3 min | calm | US$200–900 | 14 | Calm water for swimming and small kids |
| Up the valley | 13 min | 3 min | mixed | US$80–250 | 41 | Budget stays and everyday local life |
Walks are on foot from the middle of each side, roughly; carts take about a third of the time. Prices are what places publish, the middle half of them.
Sizes are what the places publish; a few don’t list them, so we keep those in.
Centro and the plaza
The heart of town: the plaza, taco stands, bars and the main beach a block away. Lively, and loud on weekend nights.
25 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 40 don't sleep 6
Stay · Gringo Hill
Casa Nicoya
Four-bedroom hilltop home on Gringo Hill, a main house plus a separate casita, with a pool, ocean views and a 5-7 minute walk to the plaza.
Stay · Centro
Buddha Beach Villa
Four-bedroom beachfront villa on three levels overlooking the main beach in the centre of town, with a bar, sky lounge and carved Thai doors. Sleeps ten.
Stay · Centro
Ágora Lofts
Four lofts above Plaza Ágora near the beach end of the main street, with balconies and king beds. Restaurant Matiz and boutiques are downstairs.
Stay · Centro beachfront
Casa Campana
Across from the surf break, two minutes to the plaza: full estate $876, Horizon 4BR $670, Garden Casita $355.
Stay · Centro south hillside
Casa Higuera
2BR villa $280, Casa Sofia 3BR $308, casitas $120-142; close to town.
Stay · Centro
Casa Lily
Two-bedroom, two-bath home in the Ipomea development on the north end, with a private terrace, a glimpse of the ocean and a shared lap pool. Short walk to the beach and town.
Stay · Centro
Casa Playa
Three-bedroom beachfront bungalow right on the main beach with a palapa roof, hot tub and reserved beach space; daily maid service and a three-night minimum.
Stay · Centro East (Pelícanos)
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Community-focused hostel with daily activities.
Stay · Centro
Conrad Punta de Mita
Beachfront Conrad resort in Punta de Mita with wedding ballrooms, garden and beach ceremony spaces, plus seven restaurants and bars, a spa and a golf course.
Stay · Centro
Hotel El Edén
Simple hotel a minute's walk from the beach and two from the plaza, with air conditioning, a rooftop terrace and luggage storage.
Stay · Main Beach
Casa Love Sayulita
Beautifully decorated rooms steps from the beach; very loud at night.
Stay · Main Beach
Sayulita Beach House Hotel
Unbeatable location by the beach; ask about noise and room condition when you book.
Stay · Main Beach
Seres Sayulita Beach Hotel
Beach-access-only hotel under renovation; loud club nearby.
Stay · Centro
Villas Manchineel
Small hotel of villas in the beachside block between Calle Pelícanos and Valle de las Gaviotas, just north of the centre.
Requests to book go straight to the owner or manager on WhatsApp; we don’t take payments or a cut. Owners and managers can claim a listing.