Stay · North end (Av. del Palmar)
Casablanca Sayulita Hotel
Spotless rooms around a central pool with a short path to the north beach. Suites from $145; the 3BR Casablanca Beach House starts at $500.
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. 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.
The north side
Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
37 of 169 stays fit · feels calm
This month around North side
Stay · North end beachfront
Casa Rosada
New luxury beachfront villa with full-time staff who arrange activities and transport.
Stay · North end (Av. del Palmar)
La Puesta Sayulita
Polished hotel on the quiet north end of the beach with immaculate rooms and standout service.
Stay · North end beachfront
Villa del Oso
Seven-bedroom oceanfront estate on the quiet north beach, sleeping 16, with a heated infinity pool, jacuzzi, full staff including a chef, and lawns that host weddings of around 100 guests.
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 (quiet north)
Aqua Reef Sayulita Condos
Breezy, spotless condos with pool and jacuzzi near the north beach.
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 end, beachfront compound
Casa Mitch
Three-bedroom house in a private gated community of three homes overlooking the bay, with a shared pool and its own private pool. Sleeps eight to ten; a house manager can arrange chefs and tours.
Stay · North side
Casablanca Beach House
Three-bedroom main house of the Casablanca beachfront property, directly on the sand with a heated beach-edge pool and a large palapa. Three king suites plus bunks.
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
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 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 · North end hillside
Monte Rosa
Condo featured on HGTV with sweeping bay views in a gated complex.
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, 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 · 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 side
Villas Amalia Hotel
Simple hotel with a pool and rooms with kitchens, near the north end on Calle Sábalo. About three minutes' walk to the beach.
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.
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.
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.