Stay · East (near bus station)
Hotel Riviera Sayulita
Very clean family hotel 7 minutes' walk from 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.
Prices are the lowest night each place publishes, usually in low season; places that don’t publish one aren’t shown under a budget.
Up the valley
Inland along the river and the town entrance: everyday Sayulita, the soccer field and quieter, local streets.
7 of 41 stays fit · feels mixed · 17 don't sleep 6, 9 are over budget, 20 don't publish a price
Stay · East hillside (C. de Cielo)
Casa Brava
Ocean, town and jungle views; guesthouse from $110, main house $250, whole property $450. Steep hill.
Stay · Up the valley
Casa Brava Guesthouse
Hilltop compound with a main house, guest house and studio loft, each with its own pool or plunge pool and panoramic ocean and jungle views. About a 10-minute walk to town.
Stay · Tamarindo neighborhood
Casa Tamarindo
Upstairs two-bedroom unit of a classic Mexican house about a 5-minute walk from town, with three queen beds, A/C, a terrace, private kitchen and a mature fruit garden. Budget-friendly.
Stay · Up the valley
Casa Terramar
Hilltop villa with three separate casitas around a deep private pool, with mountain, jungle and ocean views. Rent one casita or all three; about a 5 to 10 minute walk to the north beach and town.
Stay · Up the valley
The Point Bungalows
Second-floor bungalow on Avenida Revolución with jungle views, a kitchenette and secure gated parking, which is rare here. About eight minutes' walk to the beach and plaza; sleeps up to six.
Stay · Up the valley
Villa Los Corales
Small hotel of studios and apartments on Calle Coral, with a pool, rooftop terrace and spa services. About five minutes' walk to the beach.
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.