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
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
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
Nanzal hillBig views from the hill; you'll want a cartPlaza 20 minBeach 3 minFeels quietMost US$200–600
Up the valleyBudget stays and everyday local lifePlaza 13 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$80–250| Side | Walk to the plaza | Walk to the beach | Feels | Most stays a night | Stays | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Nanzal | 20 min | 3 min | quiet | US$200–600 | 36 | Big views from the hill; you'll want a cart |
| 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. Pool, A/C and kitchen show the stays we know have them; a place that doesn’t say isn’t a no, it just isn’t listed here.
Villas with big ocean views on the hill above the north beach. Steep: golf-cart country.
22 of 36 stays fit · feels quiet · 2 are over budget, 8 don't publish a price
This week around Nanzal
Stay · North-east hillside
Two villas on a gated hillside estate above the north side, with three pools, a palapa bar and the whole bay below. Casa Piedra Azul sleeps ten from US$714 a night; the seven-bedroom estate sleeps sixteen and hosts weddings of up to 120.
Stay · Nanzal
Three homes on Avenida del Palmar at the north end, bookable singly or together for up to 12: Casa Mariluna (3 bed), El Templito (2 bed) and Mi Casita (1 bed). Pool access, A/C, direct booking.
Stay · Nanzal
Two-bedroom condo in the Maraica complex on the north side, steps from the north beach, with a shared pool, a roof terrace with wet bar and fibre internet. Sleeps four.
Stay · Nanzal
Three-bedroom hillside villa on the quieter north side with an infinity pool and ocean views from every room; the north beach is about 150 yards away.
Stay · Nanzal
Four-bedroom villa in Punta Sayulita with a private pool and terraces, with on-site concierge and optional extras like yoga or surf lessons.
Stay · Nanzal
Two-bedroom hillside house on Nanzal Hill with an infinity salt-water pool and ocean views from every room. Stairs next to the property lead down to the beach in about eight minutes.
Stay · Nanzal
Two-bedroom townhouse in the ten-unit gated Maraica complex on the north end, across the street from the beach, with a shared pool and a private rooftop deck with grill.
Stay · Nanzal
Three-bedroom house on the quiet north end with a heated pool, an indoor dipping pool beside the living room and sunset views. A short cobblestone path leads to the beach.
Stay · Possibly Nanzal hill
Two-bedroom casita beside the Cancion del Mar house on a hillside, with jungle and ocean views and an infinity pool. Walkable to town and the beach.
Stay · Nanzal
Three-bedroom beachfront house on the quiet north side, with a private dipping pool, palapa bar, rooftop terrace and steps to the sand. Sleeps up to six.
Stay · Between Nanzal and Gringo Hill, Margarita del Cielo
One-bedroom villa at Margarita del Cielo with a full kitchen, queen bed and daybed. Shares the complex's pool, barbecue and pizza oven.
Stay · Between Nanzal and Gringo Hill, Margarita del Cielo
Studio at Margarita del Cielo with a queen bed, daybed and kitchenette. Shares the complex pool, barbecue and pizza oven.
Stay · Between Nanzal and Gringo Hill, Margarita del Cielo
Studio at Margarita del Cielo with a queen bed, daybed, kitchenette and a terrace. Shares the complex pool, barbecue and pizza oven.
Stay · Nanzal
Gated 21-unit condo community on the quiet north side with an infinity pool and the town's only grass tennis court. Several units rent out, a flat 10 minutes to the plaza and under 3 to the beach.
Stay · Nanzal
Three-bedroom architect-designed villa high above town with a private plunge pool and views over the beach, ocean and jungle. Each bedroom is a king suite with its own bathroom.
Stay · Nanzal
Pair of private beachfront houses on Avenida del Palmar with a shared privacy wall: Casa Gallo has four bedrooms and a pool, Casita del Mar three and a dipping pool.
Stay · Nanzal
Three-bedroom two-level condo in the gated Monte Rosa complex on the north side, across from the north beach. Shared salt-water infinity pool, ocean views and a rooftop patio; about 10 minutes' walk to the plaza.
Stay · Nanzal
Beachfront complex of four rentals (7 bedrooms in all) sharing one pool. Casa Flor de la Playa opens straight onto the sand; the others reach it by a jungle path. Rent together or apart.
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.
