Stay · North side
Artist's House
Colourful three-bedroom house a few minutes' flat walk from the north beach and the left break, with two kitchens, A/C and an upper terrace with peek-a-boo ocean views.
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?
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
Compare the sides in a table
| 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.
The north side
Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
21 of 169 stays fit · feels calm
This month around North side
Stay · North Side (quiet north)
Aqua Reef Sayulita Condos
Breezy, spotless condos with pool and jacuzzi near the north beach.
Stay · North Side (by bridge)
Macondo Bungalows
Owner-run bungalows with many repeat guests; some units fan-only.
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.
Stay · North side
Casa De La Vida
Three-bedroom north-end house with kiddie and adult pools, a big veranda and bay views; a short walk down a lane to the beach.
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.
Stay · North end beachfront
El Palacio & Casa Milagros
Casa Milagros (3BR, from $750) and El Palacio (4BR, from $1,100) rent separately or together as 7BR Villa Milagros (from $1,850) on the private north end of the beach.
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.
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.
Stay · Across from north beach
Quetzal Luxury Condos
1-4BR luxury suites across the street from the north beach.
Stay · North side
Rosetitta
One-bedroom apartment attached to a larger villa, with its own entrance, kitchen, patio and AC. Under two blocks from the beach and plaza.
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.
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.
Stay · Unspecified (quiet, walk to everything)
Villa Rosetta
Family-friendly 3-4BR with separate apartment.
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
Villas del Corazon
Large house of up to ten bedrooms with a heated pool, wraparound decks and a surf break out front, about three minutes from the plaza. Suits big groups and weddings.
Stay · North side
El palmar del Camaron
Informal camping zone on the north side, known as the late-night spot for electrocumbia and electronic music after the bars in town. Bring your own gear.
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.