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 a family; every side is still here.
Playa los MuertosCalm water for swimming and small kidsPlaza 11 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$200–900
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
Centro and the plazaNights out, and walking to everythingPlaza 1 minBeach 3 minFeels livelyMost US$110–350
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Muertos | 11 min | 3 min | calm | US$200–900 | 14 | Calm water for swimming and small kids |
| 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 |
| Centro | 1 min | 3 min | lively | US$110–350 | 112 | Nights out, and walking to everything |
| 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 south side
Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
16 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 17 don't sleep 4
Stay · Gated community (5 min to town)
Casa Serene
Four-bedroom villa for big groups in a private development in the jungle south of town, with a saltwater pool, hot tub, wood sauna, cold plunge and fire pit; sleeps twelve, with five baths and a pool house.
Stay · South side
El Oasis
Compound of six casas sharing a waterfall pool and palapa lounge bar on the south side, under a 10-minute walk to the plaza and beach. Rent one casa or all nine bedrooms (24 guests).
Stay · South of the plaza, edge of town on a ridge
Villa Karuna & Sol Agua
Main house 3BR plus 1BR bungalow on a large property; from $175-550.
Stay · South coast (Ojo de Agua)
Villa Valentin
4BR villa plus two 2BR casitas; popular for retreats; quieter and drier than town.
Stay · South side
Casa Almas
Three-bedroom, three-level hillside house with a heated saltwater pool and waterfall, rooftop pergola with soaking tub, and ocean views. Renovated in 2023, five minutes' walk to town.
Stay · South side
Casa Bonita
Gated three-bedroom house on Gringo Hill with a heated pool and a small kids' pool, roughly a five-minute walk down to the plaza. Sleeps up to eight.
Stay · South side, El Oasis hill
Casa Sandia
Two-bedroom house on the hill above the plaza, with a lit pool, gardens and views of the Pacific and Monkey Mountain. Can also be rented as two separate levels.
Stay · South side, El Oasis hill
Casa Sandia Main Level
One-bedroom lower level of Casa Sandia on the hill above the plaza, with a kitchen, outdoor shower and BBQ, and shared use of the lit pool. Ocean and jungle views.
Stay · South side
Casita at Casa Candiles
Remodelled two-bedroom casita on a south-side hilltop with its own private pool and ocean views. Walkable to town and the beach.
Stay · South side
Corona Del Mar
Two-bedroom, two-bath hilltop house with bay views and a big covered terrace with hammocks. About eight minutes' walk to the plaza and beach; two-night minimum.
Stay · South coast
Sempre Avanti
Beachfront estate south of town: full estate $1,099, Villa Luisa 3BR $599, Villa Pietro 2BR $499.
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.