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 couple; every side is still here.

The south sideThe plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walkPlaza 7 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$130–400
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 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
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
South side	7 min	3 min	mixed	US$130–400	95	The plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walk
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
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
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.

56 staysa couple Under $800 Good for kids Walk to the plaza Clear all

On the sand

About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

Hillside pool terrace with tables and ocean view

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

The south side

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

17 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 6 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-central, on a small hill above the surf break

Casa Cariño

Four-bedroom gated house two blocks from the beach, with a heated salt-water pool, waterfall, six-hole mini-golf, roof palapa and ocean views. Breakfast and coffee included.

3 min from the plaza$$$$Sleeps 10From $550

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

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.

29 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 5 are over budget, 44 don't publish a price

Stay · Centro

Casa Ambar at Casa Galeria

Two-bedroom condo in the Casa Galeria complex, two blocks from the plaza and beach, with a shared salt-water pool, air conditioning and secured parking. Sleeps six.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $165

Stay · Centro (near beach)

One of Sayulita's first hotels, on Calle Delfines about thirty steps from the main beach: eleven air-conditioned rooms named after local beaches, MX$550 to $2,700 a night, the best with hammock balconies. Self check-in at 3pm; no pool, and the street is loud at weekends.

2 min from the plazaSleeps 3From $31

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

Hotel Hafa

Stylish small hotel in the middle of town; expect nightlife noise.

1 min from the plazaFrom $68

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.

8 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 9 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 (by bridge)

Macondo Bungalows

Owner-run bungalows with many repeat guests; some units fan-only.

7 min from the plazaFrom $60

Stay · North side

Los Encantos Hotel y Suites

Eight air-conditioned rooms around a pool with a children's pool and ocean-view terrace, on Calle Miramar. About seven minutes' walk to the beach and plaza. Free parking.

7 min from the plazaFrom $66

Stay · 100 yards to beach

Casa Azul

Gorgeous 3BR close to the beach.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $400

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 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

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.

1 of 41 stays fit · feels mixed · 1 are over budget, 20 don't publish a price

Stay · Tamarindo neighborhood

Casa Tamarindo

Upstairs two-bedroom unit of a classic Mexican house about a 5-minute walk from town, with three queen beds, A/C, a terrace, private kitchen and a mature fruit garden. Budget-friendly.

7 min from the plaza$Sleeps 6From $75

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