Stay · South-central, on a small hill above the surf break
Casa Cariño
Four-bedroom gated house two blocks from the beach, with a heated salt-water pool, waterfall, six-hole mini-golf, roof palapa and ocean views. Breakfast and coffee included.
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?
Ordered for one; every side is still here.
Centro and the plazaNights out, and walking to everythingPlaza 1 minBeach 3 minFeels livelyMost US$110–350
Up the valleyBudget stays and everyday local lifePlaza 13 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$80–250
The south sideThe plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walkPlaza 7 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$130–400
The north sideFamilies and groups: palms, pools and the long beachPlaza 10 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$150–450
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
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 |
| Up the valley | 13 min | 3 min | mixed | US$80–250 | 41 | Budget stays and everyday local life |
| South side | 7 min | 3 min | mixed | US$130–400 | 95 | The plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walk |
| North side | 10 min | 3 min | calm | US$150–450 | 169 | Families and groups: palms, pools and the long beach |
| 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 |
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 south side
Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
6 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed
Stay · South coast
Sempre Avanti
Beachfront estate south of town: full estate $1,099, Villa Luisa 3BR $599, Villa Pietro 2BR $499.
Stay · South side
HOTEL SAMANU SAYULITA
Mid-range hotel of about 18 studios and suites on the road to Higuera Blanca, roughly ten minutes' walk from the plaza. Has pools, including one for children, air-conditioned rooms, free breakfast and limited free parking.
Stay · South side
Hotel Boutique Oz
22-room boutique hotel with a plunge pool, rooftop bar and garden, quirky themed rooms and breakfast included. Close to the restaurants and nightlife.
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.