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 big group; 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.
The north side
Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
20 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 124 don't sleep 12, 9 are over budget, 35 don't publish a price
This month around North side
Stay · North beach
Casas Palmar & Tocayo
Casa Palmar 4BR $700, condo 3BR $500, penthouse 1BR $250; Casa Tocayo 4BR $700, Vista 3BR $425, Playa 1BR $200; combine for 8BR.
Stay · North end beachfront
Gallo del Mar Oceanfront Estate
Historic, newly renovated 7BR beach house (from $2,000) plus Casita del Mar 1-3BR with dipping pool (from $600).
Stay · North Side beachfront
Las Hamacas
Six 3BR beachfront homes from $375-450 each; rent the whole complex for groups up to 38.
Stay · North Side beachfront
Los Delfines
Gated beachfront complex of 1-3BR homes from $180 (Bella Ola 1) to $425 (Copa de Oro, Numero Uno).
Stay · Across from north beach
Quetzal Luxury Condos
1-4BR luxury suites across the street from the north beach.
Stay · North Side beachfront
Villas del Palmar
Gated beachfront complex on the north side with 24-hour security and a shared pool on the sand. Suites, penthouses and whole villas for rent; about five minutes' walk to the plaza.
Stay · North end
Villas San Gabriel
Four one-bedroom villas on the quiet north end, with a heated pool, balconies and jungle views. Flat walk to cafes, restaurants and the beach.
Stay · North Side (by bridge)
Casa Pia
Simple, very clean, great-value rooms; busy street can be loud.
Stay · North Side (beachfront)
Sayulita Trailer Park & Bungalows
Palm-shaded beachfront campground with RV hookups and renovated bungalows; good for long stays.
Stay · North Side (quiet north)
Amari Boutique Hotel Sayulita
Serene, romantic boutique hotel two blocks from the north beach with a sauna and cold plunge.
Stay · North Side (by bridge)
Macondo Bungalows
Owner-run bungalows with many repeat guests; some units fan-only.
Stay · North Side (quiet north)
Mar y Sueños Suites
Homey suites 5 minutes from the beach and 10 from town. Not wheelchair accessible.
Stay · North side
Los Encantos Hotel y Suites
Eight air-conditioned rooms around a pool with a children's pool and ocean-view terrace, on Calle Miramar. About seven minutes' walk to the beach and plaza. Free parking.
Stay · North Side
Hotel Diamante Sayulita
Owner-run hotel with a homemade Mexican breakfast each morning. Bar next door has Wednesday karaoke.
Stay · North Side (near bus station)
Ximena Hotel Boutique
Newer hotel with big rooms and a rooftop pool, a block from the bus station.
Stay · North side
AzulPitaya
Beachfront hotel of 60 rooms on Avenida del Palmar, each with a king bed, balcony and kitchenette. Large heated pool, beach bar and restaurant, co-working space, breakfast 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.