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.

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.

60 staysfamily of 4 Under $350 Heated pool 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

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 · 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.

22 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $210

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.

22 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

**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)

La Puesta Sayulita

Polished hotel on the quiet north end of the beach with immaculate rooms and standout service.

19 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $218

Stay · North Side (C. Chiripa)

Los Almendros

Gated complex of about two dozen villas on a quiet flat street at the north end, around a big shared pool and gardens, three blocks from the beach. Villas have two to six bedrooms.

13 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $190

Stay · North end

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.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $175

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.

13 min from the plazaSleeps 5From $170

The south side

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

13 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 17 don't sleep 4, 18 are over budget, 27 don't publish a price

Stay · South (residential)

Villa Vargas Sayulita

Spotless group villa with private pool and an attentive host.

8 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $300

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 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.

10 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $350

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 · 20 don't sleep 4, 18 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

Caivama

Modern complex of two-bedroom condos with private plunge pools, a rooftop infinity pool, hot tub and gym, about two blocks from the beach and plaza.

3 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $150

Nanzal hill

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

1 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

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

Stay · Nanzal

Casa Verde

Three-bedroom house on the quiet north end with a heated pool, an indoor dipping pool beside the living room and sunset views. A short cobblestone path leads to the beach.

23 min from the plaza$$$Sleeps 6From $250

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.

2 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

Casa Rosalita

A three-storey hacienda-style house in a gated compound on the quiet north end, five minutes from the beach: a heated pool before a jaguar-and-sharks mural, a pool bar, three kitchens and a sea-view rooftop. Sleeps eight to ten, from US$300 a night.

16 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $300

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.

4 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet · 9 don't sleep 4, 20 are over budget, 5 don't publish a price

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.

19 min from the plazaSleeps 14From $350

Stay · Ocean view

Casa Mariposa

2BR with panoramic ocean and beach views.

7 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $165

Stay · Punta Tokipa (Punta Sayulita)

Casa Panorama & Villas Tokipa

Gated oceanfront community: 6BR Casa Panorama from $2,800; 1-2BR eco villas from $350.

19 min from the plazaSleeps 14From $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.

49 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $180

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