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 a couple; every side is still here.
The south sideThe plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walkPlaza 7 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$130–400
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 north sideFamilies and groups: palms, pools and the long beachPlaza 10 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$150–450
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South side | 7 min | 3 min | mixed | US$130–400 | 95 | The plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walk |
| 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 |
| North side | 10 min | 3 min | calm | US$150–450 | 169 | Families and groups: palms, pools and the long beach |
| 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.
16 of 112 stays fit · feels lively
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 East (Pelícanos)
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Community-focused hostel with daily activities.
Stay · Centro
Caivama
Modern complex of two-bedroom condos with private plunge pools, a rooftop infinity pool, hot tub and gym, about two blocks from the beach and plaza.
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
Caivama
Hillside complex of 26 two-bedroom residences with plunge pools and a rooftop infinity pool, gym and yoga room. A block from the plaza and about three from the beach.
Stay · Centro (2 blocks to beach)
Casa Deseo
Modern 3BR in the center with rooftop pool and ocean views.
Stay · Centro south hillside
Casa Higuera
2BR villa $280, Casa Sofia 3BR $308, casitas $120-142; close to town.
Stay · Centro
Casa Marbella
Two casitas that rent separately or together, two blocks from the plaza, with bay views from a shared rooftop sundeck. Two bedrooms in all, with housekeeping included.
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.