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.

28 staysUnder $800 Parking Heated pool Ocean view On the beach 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.

Casa de Las Abuelas

Outside Sayulita: Punta del Burro, ~20 min south · about US$49 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.

2 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 5 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

Stay · Central, direct beach access

Casa Pata Salada

Hillside complex of nine casitas above the main beach, each with a kitchen, air conditioning and an ocean-view patio, with a pool; a minute to the sand and four to the plaza.

5 min from the plazaSleeps 5From $139

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.

17 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 end

The only one-bedroom unit in the Pájaro de Fuego complex on the quiet north end, with a private terrace, bay views and use of the complex's two pools (one heated in winter) and round rooftop terrace; sleeps four, pets welcome.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $175

Stay · North Side (quiet north)

Aqua Reef Sayulita Condos

Breezy, spotless condos with pool and jacuzzi near the north beach.

14 min from the plazaFrom $200

Stay · North Side beachfront

Casa Los Osos at Las Gemelas

Beachfront villa with heated pool in the Las Gemelas complex.

11 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $445

The south side

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

1 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 6 are over budget, 27 don't publish a price

Stay · South end of main beach

Casa Pata Salada

Beachfront 1BR casitas from $167; many stairs to some units.

5 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $167

Playa los Muertos

The sheltered cove south of town, through the cemetery path. Calmer water, families and swimmers.

2 of 14 stays fit · feels calm · 3 are over budget, 3 don't publish a price

Stay · Los Muertos

Tokipa at Punta Sayulita

Beachfront villa property at the point with eight villas, two pools, a beach bar and spa, near Playa Los Muertos.

22 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $210

Stay · Steps from beach

Casa Chloe

Immaculate 3BR steps from the beach.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $500

Nanzal hill

Villas with big ocean views on the hill above the north beach. Steep: golf-cart country.

1 of 36 stays fit · feels quiet · 2 are over budget, 8 don't publish a price

This week around Nanzal

**Casa Infinito**Christopher P. · 5 days

Stay · Nanzal Hill, north side

Villa Violeta

Brand-new villa with expansive views.

21 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $499

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.

5 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet · 8 are over budget, 5 don't publish a price

Stay · Punta Tokipa

Punta Tokipa

Gated oceanfront community, formerly Punta Sayulita, with 24-hour security and a beach club with a restaurant and infinity pools. Homes and villas here are mostly for sale, with some rentals.

19 min from the plazaSleeps 14From $350

Stay · Outside Sayulita: Punta del Burro, ~20 min south

Casa de Las Abuelas

Four-bedroom beachfront house in a gated community at Punta del Burro, with chef and staff included; sleeps 11.

16 min from the plazaSleeps 11From $543

Stay · Outside Sayulita: Burros, ~20 min south

Casa Mar de Grecia

Beachfront homes about 20 minutes' drive from Sayulita, just south of Punta de Mita, steps from a surf break. A three-bedroom lower unit sleeps six; a six-bedroom house sleeps twelve.

238 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $500

Stay · Punta Tokipa (Punta Sayulita)

Casa Panorama & Villas Tokipa

Gated oceanfront community: 6BR Casa Panorama from $2,800; 1-2BR eco villas from $350.

19 min from the plazaSleeps 14From $350

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