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.

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.

88 staysfamily of 4 On the beach Parking Pool Kitchen Clear all

On the sand

About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

Balcony with jacuzzi and dining set over the bay

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.

Small hotels

For when you don't want a whole house.

Every stay, by side

Playa los Muertos

The sheltered cove south of town, through the cemetery path. Calmer water, families and swimmers.

4 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.

22 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $210

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

Stay · Los Muertos side (hillside)

Villa Poema de Amor

Whole 7BR villa from $995 or casas (Neruda, Hafiz, Lorca, Zen, Rumi) $150-275. A new condo block next door blocks some views.

10 min from the plazaSleeps 15From $150

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.

46 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 35 don't sleep 4

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 beachfront

Casa Rosada

New luxury beachfront villa with full-time staff who arrange activities and transport.

22 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $3000

Stay · North end

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.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $175

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.

21 min from the plaza$$$$Sleeps 16From $3100

Stay · North side

Villa Joya

Two-bedroom condo in the Los Almendros complex at the north end, with shared pool, elevator and daily housekeeping. About four minutes to the beach, ten to the plaza.

13 min from the plazaSleeps 5From $170

The south side

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

7 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 17 don't sleep 4

Stay · South end of main beach

Hotel Ysuri Sayulita

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 coast (Playa Pátzcuaro)

Casa Mis Amores

Secluded beachfront estate.

35 min from the plazaSleeps 14From $3500

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.

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

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.

13 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.

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 beachfront

Casa Campana

Across from the surf break, two minutes to the plaza: full estate $876, Horizon 4BR $670, Garden Casita $355.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 13From $355

Stay · Centro beachfront

Casa Caracol

Tranquil beachfront retreat in the heart of town.

9 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $350

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

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

Stay · Nanzal Hill, north side

Villa Violeta

Brand-new villa with expansive views.

21 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $499

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

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.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $199

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.

23 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $200

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.

11 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet · 9 don't sleep 4

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.

19 min from the plazaSleeps 14From $350

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.

16 min from the plazaSleeps 11From $543

Stay · Beachfront (private beach)

Casa Hikuri

4BR villa with a private beach.

43 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $1200

Stay · Outside Sayulita: Burros, ~20 min south

Casa Mar de Grecia

Beachfront homes about 20 minutes' drive from Sayulita, just south of Punta de Mita, steps from a surf break. A three-bedroom lower unit sleeps six; a six-bedroom house sleeps twelve.

238 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $500

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.