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.

75 staysjust you Under $800 Walk to the plaza 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.

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

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.

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

Stay · Centro (south hillside)

Distrito 88 - Adults Only

Quiet adults-only hotel up a steep hill; whole property can be booked as an 8BR private villa from $1,600.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 21From $113

Stay · Centro

Amaia Sayulita Boutique Hotel

Small hotel of eight rooms and a suite right on the main plaza, with a heated garden pool, air conditioning and good bedding. You're in the middle of town, so expect plaza noise.

1 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $79

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 · Gringo Hill

Casa Nicoya

Four-bedroom hilltop home on Gringo Hill, a main house plus a separate casita, with a pool, ocean views and a 5-7 minute walk to the plaza.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $625

The south side

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

24 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 6 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-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 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.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 7From $395

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

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.

2 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

Stay · Steps from beach

Casa Chloe

Immaculate 3BR steps from the beach.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $500

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

Stay · Ocean view

Casa Mariposa

2BR with panoramic ocean and beach views.

7 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $165

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