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 friends; 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

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.

24 stays6 friends On the beach A/C Parking Walk to the plaza Clear all

On the sand

About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel

Centro · 360 m to the sea

Under US$150

Honest budget picks, hostels included.

ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel

Centro · from US$12

Houses for everyone

Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.

Pool and view

A pool, and the sea from it.

ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel

Centro · from US$12

Small hotels

For when you don't want a whole house.

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.

3 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 59 don't sleep 6

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 side

Trópico Sayulita

Small set of rooms on Calle Pelícanos at the north end, listed on Airbnb by room, including one that sleeps four or five.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 16

Stay · North side

Casa Ensueño

3BR with expansive ocean views.

5 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $70

Stay · North side

AzulPitaya

Beachfront hotel of 60 rooms on Avenida del Palmar, each with a king bed, balcony and kitchenette. Large heated pool, beach bar and restaurant, co-working space, breakfast included.

6 min from the plazaFrom $160

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.

16 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 40 don't sleep 6

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

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.

3 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $550

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.

2 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $350

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 · 29 don't sleep 6

Stay · South side

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.

8 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $206

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.

5 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $195

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 · 4 don't sleep 6

Stay · Steps from beach

Casa Chloe

Immaculate 3BR steps from the beach.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $500

Stay · Across from beach

Casa Linda Theresia

6BR directly across the street from the beach.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $875

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.