Casa Higuera
Centro · 130 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?
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.
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.
Under US$150
Honest budget picks, hostels included.
Casa Cereza
South side · from US$150
El Oasis
South side · from US$125
Hotel Hafa
Centro · from US$68
Macondo Bungalows
North side · from US$60
Caivama
Centro · from US$150
Caivama
Centro · from US$150
Houses for everyone
Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.
Casa Mariposa
Ocean view · about US$17 a head
Pool and view
A pool, and the sea from it.
Casa Mango
South side · from US$395
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
Caivama
Centro · from US$150
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
Hotel Vogue two-bedroom suite
Centro · from US$150
Hotel Vogue
Centro · from US$150
Ximena Hotel Boutique
North side · from US$150
Every stay, by side
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.
13 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 5 are over budget, 44 don't publish a price
Stay · Centro
Caivama
Modern complex of two-bedroom condos with private plunge pools, a rooftop infinity pool, hot tub and gym, about two blocks from the beach and plaza.
Stay · Centro
Caivama
Hillside complex of 26 two-bedroom residences with plunge pools and a rooftop infinity pool, gym and yoga room. A block from the plaza and about three from the beach.
The north side
Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
2 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 9 are over budget, 35 don't publish a price
This month around North side
Stay · North Side (by bridge)
Macondo Bungalows
Owner-run bungalows with many repeat guests; some units fan-only.
Stay · North Side (near bus station)
Ximena Hotel Boutique
Newer hotel with big rooms and a rooftop pool, a block from the bus station.
The south side
Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
12 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 6 are over budget, 27 don't publish a price
Stay · South side
Casa Cereza
Two-bedroom house on a quiet south-end street, about four minutes' walk to the plaza and beach, with a private garden, outdoor shower and air-conditioned rooms. No pool; sleeps four.
Stay · South side near the south entrance, Selva Maaku
Casa Mango
Three-bedroom house with a saltwater pool, a garden and a bungalow on the roof, inside a gated estate with round-the-clock security; sleeps seven, with two kitchens and three and a half baths.
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.
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.
1 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet · 8 are over budget, 5 don't publish a price
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.