Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · 130 m to the sea
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?
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
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 |
| 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.
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.
Under US$150
Honest budget picks, hostels included.
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Centro · from US$12
Casa Makawe
Centro · from US$115
Hotel Diamante Sayulita
North side · from US$70
Pool and view
A pool, and the sea from it.
Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · from US$200
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Centro · from US$12
AzulPitaya
North side · from US$160
Small hotels
For when you don't want a whole house.
Casa Makawe
Centro · from US$115
Hotel Diamante Sayulita
North side · from US$70
AzulPitaya
North side · from US$160
Every stay, by side
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.
3 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 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 East (Pelícanos)
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Community-focused hostel with daily activities.
The north side
Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
2 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 54 are over budget, 35 don't publish a price
This month around North side
Stay · North Side
Hotel Diamante Sayulita
Owner-run hotel with a homemade Mexican breakfast each morning. Bar next door has Wednesday karaoke.
Stay · North side
AzulPitaya
Beachfront hotel of 60 rooms on Avenida del Palmar, each with a king bed, balcony and kitchenette. Large heated pool, beach bar and restaurant, co-working space, breakfast included.
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.