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.

A couple Family Friends Big group Just me2 4 6 8 10 14 20people

Under $150 Under $350 Under $800Pool Heated pool On the beach Ocean view Walk to the plaza A/C Kitchen Good Wi-Fi Washer Parking Good for kids Pets ok Breakfast included

Prices are the lowest night each place publishes, usually in low season; places that don’t publish one aren’t shown under a budget.

53 staysjust you Under $150 Good Wi-Fi Ocean view Clear all

On the sand

About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel

Centro · 360 m to the sea

Sayulita Trailer Park & Bungalows

North side · 130 m to the sea

Under US$150

Honest budget picks, hostels included.

Houses for everyone

Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.

Pool and view

A pool, and the sea from it.

Small hotels

For when you don't want a whole house.

Every stay, by side

A cobbled street in Centro, lined with palms and shopfronts, running down to the sea

Centro and the plaza

The heart of town: the plaza, taco stands, bars and the main beach a block away. Lively, and loud on weekend nights.

17 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 39 are over budget, 44 don't publish a price

Stay · Centro (south hillside)

Distrito 88 - Adults Only

Quiet adults-only hotel up a steep hill; whole property can be booked as an 8BR private villa from $1,600.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 21From $113

Stay · Centro

Amaia Sayulita Boutique Hotel

Small hotel of eight rooms and a suite right on the main plaza, with a heated garden pool, air conditioning and good bedding. You're in the middle of town, so expect plaza noise.

1 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $79

Stay · Centro

Xocotla

Gay-owned guesthouse of four apartments (two studios and two one-bedrooms) in a jungle garden with a heated pool. About three minutes' walk to the plaza and beach.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $66

Stay · Centro

Hotel Hafa

Stylish small hotel in the middle of town; expect nightlife noise.

1 min from the plazaFrom $68

Papel picado over the street at the town entrance

Up the valley

Inland along the river and the town entrance: everyday Sayulita, the soccer field and quieter, local streets.

4 of 41 stays fit · feels mixed · 9 are over budget, 20 don't publish a price

Stay · East hillside (C. de Cielo)

Casa Brava

Ocean, town and jungle views; guesthouse from $110, main house $250, whole property $450. Steep hill.

11 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $135

Stay · Up the valley

Casa Brava Guesthouse

Hilltop compound with a main house, guest house and studio loft, each with its own pool or plunge pool and panoramic ocean and jungle views. About a 10-minute walk to town.

11 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $135

Stay · Up the valley

Casa Terramar

Hilltop villa with three separate casitas around a deep private pool, with mountain, jungle and ocean views. Rent one casita or all three; about a 5 to 10 minute walk to the north beach and town.

11 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $75

Stay · Hillside

Cielo Casitas

Five 1BR casitas with pool and views.

14 min from the plazaSleeps 3From $110

The south side

Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.

8 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 42 are over budget, 27 don't publish a price

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.

7 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $139

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).

8 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $125

Stay · South side

Casa Ballena

One-bedroom casita with a king bed and outdoor shower on Gringo Hill, about a six-minute walk to the plaza and beach.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 2From $125

Stay · South side

Casa Jacobo

Small group of villas on a hillside on Calle Naranjito, with views over the village and jungle and a five-minute walk to the beach. Daily maid service and an on-site manager.

8 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $89

Sunset on the long beach, looking north to the hills

The north side

Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.

17 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 101 are over budget, 35 don't publish a price

This month around North side

**Sunset from Las Sirenas beach club on the north side**Christopher P. · 12 days

**Sunset from the north beach**Christopher P. · 12 days

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.

14 min from the plazaSleeps 2From $145

Stay · North side

Artist's House

Colourful three-bedroom house a few minutes' flat walk from the north beach and the left break, with two kitchens, A/C and an upper terrace with peek-a-boo ocean views.

12 min from the plazaSleeps 5From $126

Stay · North Side (beachfront)

Sayulita Trailer Park & Bungalows

Palm-shaded beachfront campground with RV hookups and renovated bungalows; good for long stays.

9 min from the plazaFrom $25

Stay · North Side (quiet north)

Amari Boutique Hotel Sayulita

Serene, romantic boutique hotel two blocks from the north beach with a sauna and cold plunge.

14 min from the plazaFrom $89

Playa los Muertos

The sheltered cove south of town, through the cemetery path. Calmer water, families and swimmers.

1 of 14 stays fit · feels calm · 9 are over budget, 3 don't publish a price

Stay · Los Muertos side (hillside)

Villa Poema de Amor

Whole 7BR villa from $995 or casas (Neruda, Hafiz, Lorca, Zen, Rumi) $150-275. A new condo block next door blocks some views.

10 min from the plazaSleeps 15From $150

Nanzal hill

Villas with big ocean views on the hill above the north beach. Steep: golf-cart country.

5 of 36 stays fit · feels quiet · 23 are over budget, 8 don't publish a price

This week around Nanzal

**Casa Infinito**Christopher P. · 5 days

Stay · Nanzal

Casita Jorgito

One-bedroom loft with jungle and ocean views in the quiet north end, a short walk down to the beach. Air conditioning, full kitchen and parking for a car or golf cart.

23 min from the plazaSleeps 2From $120

Stay · Between Nanzal and Gringo Hill, Margarita del Cielo

Cielo Estrella

One-bedroom villa at Margarita del Cielo with a full kitchen, queen bed and daybed. Shares the complex's pool, barbecue and pizza oven.

14 min from the plazaSleeps 3From $89

Stay · Between Nanzal and Gringo Hill, Margarita del Cielo

Cielo Luna

Studio at Margarita del Cielo with a queen bed, daybed and kitchenette. Shares the complex pool, barbecue and pizza oven.

14 min from the plazaSleeps 3From $99

Stay · Between Nanzal and Gringo Hill, Margarita del Cielo

Cielo Pool Suite

Boutique-style suite at Margarita del Cielo with a king bed, ensuite bath and a front deck facing the pool. Shares the complex barbecue and pizza oven.

14 min from the plazaSleeps 2From $99

Further out

The edges of Sayulita and the next towns along the coast: Punta Sayulita, Playa Escondida, San Pancho and beyond. A cart or car ride from the plaza, and often the biggest houses.

1 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet · 29 are over budget, 5 don't publish a price

Stay · Around town

Selva del Mar

Jungle estate of about 15 acres a mile from town, with Bali-style wooden houses such as El Templo. Ten minutes on a jungle path to a private beach.

26 min from the plazaSleeps 2From $140

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