
Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · 130 m to the sea
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
Ordered for one; every side is still here.
Centro and the plazaNights out, and walking to everythingPlaza 1 minBeach 3 minFeels livelyMost US$110–350
Up the valleyBudget stays and everyday local lifePlaza 13 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$80–250
The south sideThe plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walkPlaza 7 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$130–400
The north sideFamilies and groups: palms, pools and the long beachPlaza 10 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$150–450
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| 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 |
| Up the valley | 13 min | 3 min | mixed | US$80–250 | 41 | Budget stays and everyday local life |
| South side | 7 min | 3 min | mixed | US$130–400 | 95 | The plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walk |
| North side | 10 min | 3 min | calm | US$150–450 | 169 | Families and groups: palms, pools and the long beach |
| 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 |
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.
About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

Centro · 130 m to the sea

Centro · 360 m to the sea
North side · 110 m to the sea
Honest budget picks, hostels included.

Around town · from US$93

Centro · from US$113

Centro · from US$12

North side · from US$68
Centro · from US$115
North side · from US$70
Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.

Centro · about US$5 a head
A pool, and the sea from it.

Centro · from US$113

Centro · from US$200

Centro · from US$12

North side · from US$68
North side · from US$160
For when you don't want a whole house.

Around town · from US$93

Centro · from US$113

North side · from US$68
Centro · from US$115
North side · from US$70
North side · from US$160

The heart of town: the plaza, taco stands, bars and the main beach a block away. Lively, and loud on weekend nights.
4 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 18 are over budget, 44 don't publish a price
Stay · Centro (south hillside)
Quiet adults-only hotel up a steep hill; whole property can be booked as an 8BR private villa from $1,600.
Stay · Centro south hillside (oceanfront)
Oceanfront 4BR from $850, casita $200, palapa casita $230. Steep stairs to the beach.
Stay · Centro East (Pelícanos)
Community-focused hostel with daily activities.

Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
2 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 18 are over budget, 27 don't publish a price
Stay · South side
Mid-range hotel of about 18 studios and suites on the road to Higuera Blanca, roughly ten minutes' walk from the plaza. Has pools, including one for children, air-conditioned rooms, free breakfast and limited free parking.

Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
3 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 54 are over budget, 35 don't publish a price
This month around North side
Stay · North Side (quiet north)
Homey suites 5 minutes from the beach and 10 from town. Not wheelchair accessible.
Stay · North Side
Owner-run hotel with a homemade Mexican breakfast each morning. Bar next door has Wednesday karaoke.
Stay · North side
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.
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 · South edge (Libramiento Punta Mita)
Spotless, quiet hotel about 10 minutes' walk from the center.
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.