Casa De La Vida
North side · 100 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?
Ordered for friends; every side is still here.
The north sideFamilies and groups: palms, pools and the long beachPlaza 10 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$150–450
Nanzal hillBig views from the hill; you'll want a cartPlaza 20 minBeach 3 minFeels quietMost US$200–600
Centro and the plazaNights out, and walking to everythingPlaza 1 minBeach 3 minFeels livelyMost US$110–350
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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North side | 10 min | 3 min | calm | US$150–450 | 169 | Families and groups: palms, pools and the long beach |
| Nanzal | 20 min | 3 min | quiet | US$200–600 | 36 | Big views from the hill; you'll want a cart |
| Centro | 1 min | 3 min | lively | US$110–350 | 112 | Nights out, and walking to everything |
| 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 |
| 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.
Casa Higuera
Centro · 130 m to the sea
Casa Mucho Gusto
North side · 80 m to the sea
Casa Pata Salada
South side · 70 m to the sea
Casa Silvana
North side · 110 m to the sea
Casa Suerte
North side · 110 m to the sea
Under US$150
Honest budget picks, hostels included.
El Oasis
South side · from US$125
Hotel Hafa
Centro · from US$68
Macondo Bungalows
North side · from US$60
Casa Boho
South side · from US$149
Casa Higuera
Centro · from US$128
Condos del Sol
South side · from US$50
Houses for everyone
Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.
Casa Mariposa
Ocean view · about US$17 a head
Casa Mucho Gusto
North side · about US$35 a head
Casa Silvana
North side · about US$30 a head
Casa Suerte
North side · about US$25 a head
Pájaro de Fuego
North side · about US$25 a head
Quetzal Luxury Condos
North side · about US$16 a head
Pool and view
A pool, and the sea from it.
Casa Rosalita
Up the valley · from US$300
El Oasis
South side · from US$125
Hotel Hafa
Centro · from US$68
Sayulinda Hotel
Centro · from US$166
Macondo Bungalows
North side · from US$60
Aqua Reef Sayulita Condos
North side · from US$200
Small hotels
For when you don't want a whole house.
Hotel Hafa
Centro · from US$68
Sayulinda Hotel
Centro · from US$166
Macondo Bungalows
North side · from US$60
Cinética
Around town · from US$180
Hotel Vogue
Centro · from US$150
Ximena Hotel Boutique
North side · from US$150
Every stay, by side
The north side
Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
14 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 59 don't sleep 6, 54 are over budget, 35 don't publish a price
This month around North side
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.
Stay · North side
Casa De La Vida
Three-bedroom north-end house with kiddie and adult pools, a big veranda and bay views; a short walk down a lane to the beach.
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.
6 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 40 don't sleep 6, 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.
The south side
Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
10 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 29 don't sleep 6, 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).
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.
Stay · South side
Casa Boho
Hilltop house with a private pool and open-plan living, offered in three sizes from 3 to 5 bedrooms. Within about half a mile of the plaza but up a steep hill; a golf cart helps.
Stay · South side
Casa Campana at El Oasis
Three-bedroom house on the south side with 360-degree views, a waterfall pool, roof terrace with soaking tub and housekeeping three times a week. Under ten minutes' walk to town.
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 · 17 don't sleep 6, 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.
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.
2 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet · 12 don't sleep 6, 20 are over budget, 5 don't publish a price
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.
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.