Explore

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?

Compare the sides in a table
SideWalk to the plazaWalk to the beachFeelsMost stays a nightStaysGood for
Centro1 min3 minlivelyUS$110–350112Nights out, and walking to everything
North side10 min3 mincalmUS$150–450169Families and groups: palms, pools and the long beach
South side7 min3 minmixedUS$130–40095The plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walk
Los Muertos11 min3 mincalmUS$200–90014Calm water for swimming and small kids
Nanzal20 min3 minquietUS$200–60036Big views from the hill; you'll want a cart
Up the valley13 min3 minmixedUS$80–25041Budget 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.

Sunset on the long beach, looking north to the hills

The north side

Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.

12 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 9 are over budget, 35 don't publish a price

Stay · North end

Pájaro de Fuego 406

The only one-bedroom unit in the Pájaro de Fuego complex on the quiet north end, with a private terrace, bay views and use of the complex's two pools (one heated in winter) and round rooftop terrace; sleeps four, pets welcome.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $175

Stay · North Side (quiet north)

Aqua Reef Sayulita Condos

Breezy, spotless condos with pool and jacuzzi near the north beach.

14 min from the plazaFrom $200

Stay · North side

Aqua Reef Sayulita Condos

Newer north-side building with three 3-bedroom apartments sharing a pool and rooftop jacuzzi, about three blocks from the beach and a 7-minute walk to the plaza.

14 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $200

Stay · North side

Casa Tecolote Upper

Upper two-bedroom unit of Casa Tecolote, on a quiet dead-end street with a shared solar-heated saltwater pool and outdoor kitchen. About a five-minute walk to the beach and town.

10 min from the plaza$$$Sleeps 4From $300

Stay · North beach

Casa Tulipán

Modern three-bedroom house in a small complex on the quiet north side, with two heated saltwater pools, a rooftop deck with ocean views, a gym and a games room. Seven minutes' walk to the north beach.

15 min from the plaza$$$Sleeps 8From $295

Stay · North end (Av. del Palmar)

Pájaro de Fuego

Condo complex across the road from the north beach with two big pools, one heated in winter, plus 24-hour security and daily housekeeping. Units run from one to four bedrooms; expect stairs.

20 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $250

Stay · North side

Pool Side Condo

Two-bedroom, two-bath north-end condo with terraces over the ocean and jungle, a guest pool and rooftop gardens. Short walk to the quiet north beach.

20 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $190

Stay · Across from north beach

Quetzal Luxury Condos

1-4BR luxury suites across the street from the north beach.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $196

Stay · North end

Villa Emma

Brand-new north-end villa.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 16From $650

Stay · North side, Pájaro de Fuego complex

Villa Lucia

Penthouse in the Pájaro de Fuego complex with a private pool and views over the bay and town. Upper floor with stairs and no elevator; complex has large shared pools.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $305

Stay · North end (Av. del Palmar)

Villa Rana Verde

Three separate architect-designed villas about half a mile from the village; combine for 4-7 bedrooms; kid-friendly.

21 min from the plazaSleeps 11From $500

Stay · North Side (near bus station)

Ximena Hotel Boutique

Newer hotel with big rooms and a rooftop pool, a block from the bus station.

8 min from the plazaFrom $150

← All sides of town

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.