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 big group; 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.

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.

14 staysgroup of 12 Under $800 Pets ok Good Wi-Fi Clear all

Next door to each other, for 12

Two or three places within a short walk of each other that sleep your group between them, so everyone is together without one huge villa.

South side near the south entrance, Selva Maaku · 1 min apart on foot
- Casa Mango sleeps 7
- Casa Nicoya sleeps 8
Sleeps 15 together · from about US$85 a head a night
Centro · 2 min apart on foot
- Casa Ambar at Casa Galeria sleeps 6
- Casa Cariño sleeps 10
Sleeps 16 together · from about US$60 a head a night
South side, Cocos Norte hilltop · 1 min apart on foot
- Villa Cassandra Consuelo sleeps 10
- Villa Vargas Sayulita sleeps 8
Sleeps 18 together · from about US$98 a head a night
North side · 1 min apart on foot
- Artist's House sleeps 5
- Casa Gala sleeps 10
Sleeps 15 together · from about US$51 a head a night
North end, Colina La Iguana · 1 min apart on foot
- Casa Abuela sleeps 10
- Villa Encanto sleeps 10
Sleeps 20 together · from about US$92 a head a night
North end, on the hill · 1 min apart on foot
- Casa Magia sleeps 6
- Casa Rosalita sleeps 8
Sleeps 14 together · from about US$54 a head a night

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.

Curved infinity pool above the palm-lined bay of Sayulita

Pool and view

A pool, and the sea from it.

Small hotels

For when you don't want a whole house.

Sayulita Surf Hotel Casa Buena Onda

Centro · from US$289

Every stay, by side

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.

5 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 124 don't sleep 12, 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 · Across from north beach

Quetzal Luxury Condos

1-4BR luxury suites across the street from the north beach.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $196

Stay · North end

Villa Emma

Brand-new north-end villa.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 16From $650

Stay · North end

Villas San Gabriel

Four one-bedroom villas on the quiet north end, with a heated pool, balconies and jungle views. Flat walk to cafes, restaurants and the beach.

13 min from the plazaSleeps 20From $85

Stay · North Side (by bridge)

Macondo Bungalows

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

7 min from the plazaFrom $60

Nanzal hill

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

2 of 36 stays fit · feels quiet · 26 don't sleep 12, 2 are over budget, 8 don't publish a price

This week around Nanzal

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

Stay · North-east hillside

Two villas on a gated hillside estate above the north side, with three pools, a palapa bar and the whole bay below. Casa Piedra Azul sleeps ten from US$714 a night; the seven-bedroom estate sleeps sixteen and hosts weddings of up to 120.

19 min from the plazaSleeps 16From $714

Stay · Nanzal

Andreas Vacation Rentals

Three homes on Avenida del Palmar at the north end, bookable singly or together for up to 12: Casa Mariluna (3 bed), El Templito (2 bed) and Mi Casita (1 bed). Pool access, A/C, direct booking.

23 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $595

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.

4 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 64 don't sleep 12, 5 are over budget, 44 don't publish a price

Stay · Centro

Hotel Hafa

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

1 min from the plazaFrom $68

Stay · Centro

Sayulinda Hotel

Central hotel with a popular rooftop pool and bar.

2 min from the plazaFrom $166

Stay · Centro (Plaza)

Hotel Vogue

Leafy oasis on the square whose thick walls keep out street noise.

1 min from the plazaFrom $150

Stay · Centro

Sayulita Surf Hotel Casa Buena Onda

Small surf-oriented guesthouse with three suites across four bedrooms, a saltwater pool and swim-up bar. A few minutes' walk uphill from the plaza, away from the nightlife noise.

6 min from the plazaFrom $289

The south side

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

3 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 63 don't sleep 12, 6 are over budget, 27 don't publish a price

Stay · Gated community

Casa Llamarada

Four-bedroom villa in the gated Selva Maaku development just south of town, built for groups: a heated pool and hot tub ringed by three fire pits, a pool house with a wet bar and a chef's kitchen; sleeps twelve, with five baths.

19 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $750

Stay · Gated community (5 min to town)

Casa Serene

Four-bedroom villa for big groups in a private development in the jungle south of town, with a saltwater pool, hot tub, wood sauna, cold plunge and fire pit; sleeps twelve, with five baths and a pool house.

19 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $795

Stay · South (hillside)

Viajero Sayulita Hostel

Very social hilltop hostel; lots of stairs.

6 min from the plazaFrom $10

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