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.
15 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
Villa Joya
Two-bedroom condo in the Los Almendros complex at the north end, with shared pool, elevator and daily housekeeping. About four minutes to the beach, ten to the plaza.
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 Las Orquideas Garden View
Two-bedroom suite with a private heated dipping pool and palapa balconies, on the north side about 100 steps from the beach.
Stay · North Side beachfront
Casa Los Osos at Las Gemelas
Beachfront villa with heated pool in the Las Gemelas complex.
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)
Villa Rana Verde
Three separate architect-designed villas about half a mile from the village; combine for 4-7 bedrooms; kid-friendly.
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.