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.

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.

13 staysUnder $350 Heated pool Pets ok Good for kids Clear all

On the sand

About a hundred metres or less from 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.

1 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 18 are over budget, 44 don't publish a price

Stay · Centro south hillside

Casa Higuera

2BR villa $280, Casa Sofia 3BR $308, casitas $120-142; close to town.

3 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $128

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.

7 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 54 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 Side (quiet north)

Aqua Reef Sayulita Condos

Breezy, spotless condos with pool and jacuzzi near the north beach.

14 min from the plazaFrom $200

Stay · North side

Aqua Reef Sayulita Condos

Newer north-side building with three 3-bedroom apartments sharing a pool and rooftop jacuzzi, about three blocks from the beach and a 7-minute walk to the plaza.

14 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $200

Stay · North side

Casa Tecolote Upper

Upper two-bedroom unit of Casa Tecolote, on a quiet dead-end street with a shared solar-heated saltwater pool and outdoor kitchen. About a five-minute walk to the beach and town.

10 min from the plaza$$$Sleeps 4From $300

Stay · North end (Av. del Palmar)

Pájaro de Fuego

Condo complex across the road from the north beach with two big pools, one heated in winter, plus 24-hour security and daily housekeeping. Units run from one to four bedrooms; expect stairs.

20 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $250

The south side

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

3 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 18 are over budget, 27 don't publish a price

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 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.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $275

Stay · South side

Casa Montaña

Newer two-bedroom house on a quiet cobbled cul-de-sac, with a private salt-water pool, mountain views from the upper deck and fibre internet. About a ten-minute flat walk to the beach.

10 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $165

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.

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

Stay · Up the valley

El Manguito CobHouse

Two-bedroom cob-style cabin with round windows, a private pool and a tropical garden. Sleeps up to four, has on-site parking and accepts pets.

12 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $135

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 · 20 are over budget, 5 don't publish a price

Stay · Around town

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.

49 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $180

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.