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.

19 staysUnder $350 Good for kids Heated pool Washer 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.

11 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 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 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 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.

6 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 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 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

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.