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
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| 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.
Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
13 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed
Stay · South end of main beach
Six kinds of suite across the street from the calm south end of the beach, five minutes from the plaza: kitchenettes, bay-view balconies, a shared pool, and penthouses with their own infinity pools. Rates from about US$115.
Stay · South side
Ten shipping-container rooms on stilts with ocean views, a pool, a jungle spa and a restaurant on the south-end beachfront. Rooms can be booked together for up to 20.
Stay · South side
Open-air villas of one to three bedrooms stacked up the hillside at the south end of the bay, with ocean views, a two-level pool and a beachfront bistro and bar. About five minutes on foot to Playa los Muertos.
Stay · South side
Private ground-floor suite in a family home on the south side, remodelled in 2024: a king bedroom, full kitchen and air conditioning, close to town but quiet.
Stay · South side
One-bedroom casita with a king bed and outdoor shower on Gringo Hill, about a six-minute walk to the plaza and beach.
Stay · South side
Three-bedroom penthouse condo in the Casa Galeria complex, with a private rooftop terrace, bar and hot tub, a shared pool and a three-minute walk to the beach and plaza. Sleeps six.
Stay · South end of main beach
Beachfront 1BR casitas from $167; many stairs to some units.
Stay · South coast
Beachfront estate south of town: full estate $1,099, Villa Luisa 3BR $599, Villa Pietro 2BR $499.
Stay · South end of main beach
Oceanfront studios from $167 and a 2BR penthouse from $543, a block from the plaza.
Stay · South side
Vacation rental condos and penthouses on Niños Héroes, mostly three-bedroom units sleeping up to eight with full kitchens, plus a smaller one-bedroom. Some buildings have saltwater pools and a shared rooftop with a kitchen and sunset views. The beach is about a six-minute walk.
Stay · South side
Two private villas on the south end sleeping up to 15, with jungle and ocean views, a pool and jacuzzi in the lower villa, and an event patio used for 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.
