Playa Escondida
Around town · on the sand
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.
Prices are the lowest night each place publishes, usually in low season; places that don’t publish one aren’t shown under a budget. 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.
On the sand
About a hundred metres or less from the sea.
Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · 130 m to the sea
El Cielo de Sayulita
Up the valley · 420 m to the sea
La Puesta Sayulita
North side · 80 m to the sea
Pájaro de Fuego 406
North side · 100 m to the sea
Punta Tokipa
Around town · on the sand
Under US$150
Honest budget picks, hostels included.
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Centro · from US$12
Sayulita Trailer Park & Bungalows
North side · from US$25
Amari Boutique Hotel Sayulita
North side · from US$89
Casa de la Ballena
Centro · from US$130
Casa Del Sol
North side · from US$150
Casa Ensueño
North side · from US$70
Houses for everyone
Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.
Punta Tokipa
Around town · about US$25 a head
Local Tribe de Mexico
South side · about US$15 a head
Tokipa at Punta Sayulita
Los Muertos · about US$18 a head
Ágora Lofts
Centro · about US$35 a head
Casa Caracol
Centro · about US$35 a head
Casa Mitch & Miguel
North side · about US$35 a head
Pool and view
A pool, and the sea from it.
Playa Escondida
Around town · from US$165
Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · from US$200
El Cielo de Sayulita
Up the valley · from US$260
La Puesta Sayulita
North side · from US$218
Pájaro de Fuego 406
North side · from US$175
Punta Tokipa
Around town · from US$350
Small hotels
For when you don't want a whole house.
El Cielo de Sayulita
Up the valley · from US$260
La Puesta Sayulita
North side · from US$218
Local Tribe de Mexico
South side · from US$300
Villa Amor
South side · from US$206
Sayulita Trailer Park & Bungalows
North side · from US$25
Amari Boutique Hotel Sayulita
North side · from US$89
Every stay, by side
Playa los Muertos
The sheltered cove south of town, through the cemetery path. Calmer water, families and swimmers.
3 of 14 stays fit · feels calm · 3 don't sleep 4, 6 are over budget, 3 don't publish a price
Stay · Los Muertos
Tokipa at Punta Sayulita
Beachfront villa property at the point with eight villas, two pools, a beach bar and spa, near Playa Los Muertos.
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.
Stay · Near beach (walk to downtown)
Villa Tranquila
Panoramic bay views: 3BR $650, 2BR $475, king studio $225.
The north side
Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
29 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 35 don't sleep 4, 54 are over budget, 35 don't publish a price
This month around North side
Stay · North end (Av. del Palmar)
La Puesta Sayulita
Polished hotel on the quiet north end of the beach with immaculate rooms and standout service.
Stay · North end
Pájaro de Fuego 406
The only one-bedroom unit in the Pájaro de Fuego complex on the quiet north end, with a private terrace, bay views and use of the complex's two pools (one heated in winter) and round rooftop terrace; sleeps four, pets welcome.
Stay · North side
Villa Joya
Two-bedroom condo in the Los Almendros complex at the north end, with shared pool, elevator and daily housekeeping. About four minutes to the beach, ten to the plaza.
Stay · North side
Casa Alma
Two-bedroom jungle treehouse-style home in the eco-minded Casa Ipomea complex on the north side, about 500 m from the beach, with a shared saltwater lap pool.
The south side
Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
4 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 17 don't sleep 4, 18 are over budget, 27 don't publish a price
Stay · South side
Local Tribe de Mexico
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
Villa Amor
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
Casa Malva at Casa Galeria
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
Casa Pata Salada
Beachfront 1BR casitas from $167; many stairs to some units.
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.
9 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 20 don't sleep 4, 18 are over budget, 44 don't publish a price
Stay · Centro south hillside (oceanfront)
Casa Bougainvillea
Oceanfront 4BR from $850, casita $200, palapa casita $230. Steep stairs to the beach.
Stay · Centro
Ágora Lofts
Four lofts above Plaza Ágora near the beach end of the main street, with balconies and king beds. Restaurant Matiz and boutiques are downstairs.
Stay · Centro south hillside
Casa Higuera
2BR villa $280, Casa Sofia 3BR $308, casitas $120-142; close to town.
Nanzal hill
Villas with big ocean views on the hill above the north beach. Steep: golf-cart country.
3 of 36 stays fit · feels quiet · 11 don't sleep 4, 13 are over budget, 8 don't publish a price
This week around Nanzal
Stay · Nanzal
Casa Camille
Two-bedroom condo in the Maraica complex on the north side, steps from the north beach, with a shared pool, a roof terrace with wet bar and fibre internet. Sleeps four.
Stay · Nanzal
Casa Escondida
Four-bedroom villa in Punta Sayulita with a private pool and terraces, with on-site concierge and optional extras like yoga or surf lessons.
Stay · Nanzal
Casa Manantial at Maraica
Two-bedroom townhouse in the ten-unit gated Maraica complex on the north end, across the street from the beach, with a shared pool and a private rooftop deck with grill.
Up the valley
Inland along the river and the town entrance: everyday Sayulita, the soccer field and quieter, local streets.
1 of 41 stays fit · feels mixed · 11 don't sleep 4, 4 are over budget, 20 don't publish a price
Stay · Up the valley
El Cielo de Sayulita
Hillside complex of 12 two-bedroom, two-bath apartments above town with a rooftop infinity pool, gym and wide views over town and the Pacific. Pet-friendly, self check-in.
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.
5 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet · 9 don't sleep 4, 20 are over budget, 5 don't publish a price
Stay · South outskirts (Playa Escondida)
Playa Escondida
Adults-oriented jungle hideaway on its own cove just south of town: thatched bungalows open to the breeze, an ocean-view infinity pool, two restaurants and a bakery. No TVs, and Wi-Fi only in common areas.
Stay · Punta Tokipa
Punta Tokipa
Gated oceanfront community, formerly Punta Sayulita, with 24-hour security and a beach club with a restaurant and infinity pools. Homes and villas here are mostly for sale, with some rentals.
Stay · Punta Tokipa (Punta Sayulita)
Casa Panorama & Villas Tokipa
Gated oceanfront community: 6BR Casa Panorama from $2,800; 1-2BR eco villas from $350.
Stay · Around town
Cinética
Boutique guesthouse of five independent casitas, each with a full kitchen, set in jungle above Playas Patzcuaro and Patzcuarito southwest of town. Has a pool and shaded palapa and takes stays from a few nights to a whole winter.
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.