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.
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
This month around North side
Stay · North Side (by bridge)
Casa Pia
Simple, very clean, great-value rooms; busy street can be loud.
Stay · North Side
Hotel Playa Azul Sayulita
Clean, inexpensive rooms; staff hard to reach and lower rooms have little window.
Stay · North Side (by bridge)
Macondo Bungalows
Owner-run bungalows with many repeat guests; some units fan-only.
Stay · North side
Trópico Sayulita
Small set of rooms on Calle Pelícanos at the north end, listed on Airbnb by room, including one that sleeps four or five.
Stay · North side
Bookstore Lofts
Three one-bedroom lofts and a two-bedroom apartment above the Libreria bookstore on the quiet north end. Queen beds, skylights, and morning coffee from the Libreria cafe in winter.
Stay · North side, a few blocks from the beach
Casa Sorpresa
Walled hacienda-style house with two air-conditioned master suites, a saltwater pool with a waterfall and tropical gardens, three minutes from the beach. Sleeps six; five-night minimum.
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
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.
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
Lemon House Sayulita
Two-bedroom house sleeping six, with a pool, on Calle Miramar at the north end. Allows one dog.
Stay · North side
Rancho Mi Chaparrita
Seven-room guesthouse and family-run ranch on the Higuera Blanca road, about five minutes' walk from the plaza. Also runs horse rides, zipline, quad tours and fishing trips.
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.