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 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

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
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.

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.

22 staysjust you Under $350 Walk to the plaza On the beach Ocean view Clear all

On the sand

About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

Hillside pool terrace with tables and ocean view

ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel

Centro · 360 m to the sea

Under US$150

Honest budget picks, hostels included.

ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel

Centro · from US$12

Houses for everyone

Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.

Balcony with jacuzzi and dining set over the bay

Pool and view

A pool, and the sea from it.

ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel

Centro · from US$12

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.

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

Stay · Centro south hillside (oceanfront)

Casa Bougainvillea

Oceanfront 4BR from $850, casita $200, palapa casita $230. Steep stairs to the beach.

5 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $200

Stay · Centro East (Pelícanos)

ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel

Community-focused hostel with daily activities.

6 min from the plazaFrom $12

Stay · Centro (south)

Casa de la Ballena

Tranquil boutique hotel 5 minutes from beach and plaza.

6 min from the plazaFrom $130

Stay · Centro

Ágora Lofts

Four lofts above Plaza Ágora near the beach end of the main street, with balconies and king beds. Restaurant Matiz and boutiques are downstairs.

2 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $350

The south side

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

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

Stay · South end of main beach

Six kinds of suite across the street from the calm south end of the beach, five minutes from the plaza: kitchenettes, bay-view balconies, a shared pool, and penthouses with their own infinity pools. Rates from about US$115.

7 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $139

Stay · South side

Local Tribe de Mexico

Ten shipping-container rooms on stilts with ocean views, a pool, a jungle spa and a restaurant on the south-end beachfront. Rooms can be booked together for up to 20.

8 min from the plazaSleeps 20From $300

Stay · South side

Villa Amor

Open-air villas of one to three bedrooms stacked up the hillside at the south end of the bay, with ocean views, a two-level pool and a beachfront bistro and bar. About five minutes on foot to Playa los Muertos.

8 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $206

Stay · South side

Casa Ballena

One-bedroom casita with a king bed and outdoor shower on Gringo Hill, about a six-minute walk to the plaza and beach.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 2From $125

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.

4 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 side

Casa Ensueño

3BR with expansive ocean views.

5 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $70

Stay · North Side beachfront complex

El Nido

1BR in a north-side beachfront complex.

2 min from the plazaSleeps 2From $190

Stay · North side

AzulPitaya

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.

6 min from the plazaFrom $160

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 · 6 are over budget, 3 don't publish a price

Stay · Playa Los Muertos

Amor Boutique Hotel

About 27 palapa-roofed villas stepped down the cliff between town and Playa de los Muertos, each designed differently, most looking out over the bay: a shared pool, plunge pools in four, free surfboards and yoga. Villas from about US$312 a night; expect many stairs.

8 min from the plazaSleeps 2From $312

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.