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.
Sizes are what the places publish; a few don’t list them, so we keep those in.
Villas with big ocean views on the hill above the north beach. Steep: golf-cart country.
16 of 36 stays fit · feels quiet
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
Renovated two-bedroom house on the quiet north side with a shared pool, cold plunge and outdoor tub, about five minutes to the beach and ten to the plaza.
Stay · Nanzal
One-bedroom loft with jungle and ocean views in the quiet north end, a short walk down to the beach. Air conditioning, full kitchen and parking for a car or golf cart.
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
Boutique-style suite at Margarita del Cielo with a king bed, ensuite bath and a front deck facing the pool. Shares the complex 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 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.
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.
