Playa Escondida
Around town · on the sand
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 family; every side is still here.
Playa los MuertosCalm water for swimming and small kidsPlaza 11 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$200–900
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
Centro and the plazaNights out, and walking to everythingPlaza 1 minBeach 3 minFeels livelyMost US$110–350
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Muertos | 11 min | 3 min | calm | US$200–900 | 14 | Calm water for swimming and small kids |
| 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 |
| Centro | 1 min | 3 min | lively | US$110–350 | 112 | Nights out, and walking to everything |
| 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.
Sizes are what the places publish; a few don’t list them, so we keep those in. 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.
Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · 130 m to the sea
Casa Mis Amores
South side · 280 m to the sea
Casa Nicoya
Centro · 390 m to the sea
Casa Rosada
North side · 50 m to the sea
El Cielo de Sayulita
Up the valley · 420 m to the sea
Under US$150
Honest budget picks, hostels included.
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Centro · from US$12
Sayulita Trailer Park & Bungalows
North side · from US$25
Amari Boutique Hotel Sayulita
North side · from US$89
Casa de la Ballena
Centro · from US$130
Casa Del Sol
North side · from US$150
Casa Ensueño
North side · from US$70
Houses for everyone
Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.
Casa Mis Amores
South side · about US$250 a head
Casa Rosada
North side · about US$250 a head
Punta Tokipa
Around town · about US$25 a head
Villa del Oso
North side · about US$194 a head
Andreas Vacation Rentals
Nanzal · about US$50 a head
Buddha Beach Villa
Centro · about US$55 a head
Pool and view
A pool, and the sea from it.
Playa Escondida
Around town · from US$165
Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · from US$200
Casa Mis Amores
South side · from US$3500
Casa Nicoya
Centro · from US$625
Casa Rosada
North side · from US$3000
El Cielo de Sayulita
Up the valley · from US$260
Small hotels
For when you don't want a whole house.
El Cielo de Sayulita
Up the valley · from US$260
La Joya Sayulita
Around town · from US$490
La Puesta Sayulita
North side · from US$218
Local Tribe de Mexico
South side · from US$300
Villa Amor
South side · from US$206
Sayulita Trailer Park & Bungalows
North side · from US$25
Every stay, by side
Playa los Muertos
The sheltered cove south of town, through the cemetery path. Calmer water, families and swimmers.
8 of 14 stays fit · feels calm · 3 don't sleep 4
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.
The north side
Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
53 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 35 don't sleep 4
This month around North side
Stay · North end beachfront
Casa Rosada
New luxury beachfront villa with full-time staff who arrange activities and transport.
Stay · North end (Av. del Palmar)
La Puesta Sayulita
Polished hotel on the quiet north end of the beach with immaculate rooms and standout service.
Stay · North end
Pájaro de Fuego 406
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.
Stay · North end beachfront
Villa del Oso
Seven-bedroom oceanfront estate on the quiet north beach, sleeping 16, with a heated infinity pool, jacuzzi, full staff including a chef, and lawns that host weddings of around 100 guests.
The south side
Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
6 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 17 don't sleep 4
Stay · South side
Local Tribe de Mexico
Ten shipping-container rooms on stilts with ocean views, a pool, a jungle spa and a restaurant on the south-end beachfront. Rooms can be booked together for up to 20.
Stay · South side
Villa Amor
Open-air villas of one to three bedrooms stacked up the hillside at the south end of the bay, with ocean views, a two-level pool and a beachfront bistro and bar. About five minutes on foot to Playa los Muertos.
Stay · South side
Casa Malva at Casa Galeria
Three-bedroom penthouse condo in the Casa Galeria complex, with a private rooftop terrace, bar and hot tub, a shared pool and a three-minute walk to the beach and plaza. Sleeps six.
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.
19 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 20 don't sleep 4
Stay · Centro south hillside (oceanfront)
Casa Bougainvillea
Oceanfront 4BR from $850, casita $200, palapa casita $230. Steep stairs to the beach.
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.
Stay · Centro
Buddha Beach Villa
Four-bedroom beachfront villa on three levels overlooking the main beach in the centre of town, with a bar, sky lounge and carved Thai doors. Sleeps ten.
Stay · Centro
Ágora Lofts
Four lofts above Plaza Ágora near the beach end of the main street, with balconies and king beds. Restaurant Matiz and boutiques are downstairs.
Nanzal hill
Villas with big ocean views on the hill above the north beach. Steep: golf-cart country.
7 of 36 stays fit · feels quiet · 11 don't sleep 4
This week around Nanzal
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.
Stay · Nanzal
Casa Camille
Two-bedroom condo in the Maraica complex on the north side, steps from the north beach, with a shared pool, a roof terrace with wet bar and fibre internet. Sleeps four.
Stay · Nanzal
Casa Escondida
Four-bedroom villa in Punta Sayulita with a private pool and terraces, with on-site concierge and optional extras like yoga or surf lessons.
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 · 11 don't sleep 4
Stay · Up the valley
El Cielo de Sayulita
Hillside complex of 12 two-bedroom, two-bath apartments above town with a rooftop infinity pool, gym and wide views over town and the Pacific. Pet-friendly, self check-in.
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.
15 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet · 9 don't sleep 4
Stay · South outskirts (Playa Escondida)
Playa Escondida
Adults-oriented jungle hideaway on its own cove just south of town: thatched bungalows open to the breeze, an ocean-view infinity pool, two restaurants and a bakery. No TVs, and Wi-Fi only in common areas.
Stay · South outskirts (Playa Escondida)
La Joya Sayulita
Jungle-and-ocean retreat with its own beach and excellent restaurant.
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.
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.
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.