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.

87 stays6 friends On the beach Parking Good Wi-Fi 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

Sayulita Trailer Park & Bungalows

North side · from US$25

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.

Sayulita Trailer Park & Bungalows

North side · from US$25

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.

45 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 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 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

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

Brisa del Mar

Beachfront three-bedroom villa in the Los Delfines complex on the north side, with a private heated plunge pool, palapa patio and ocean views. Flat walk to town; daily maid service.

12 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $425

Nanzal hill

Villas with big ocean views on the hill above the north beach. Steep: golf-cart country.

4 of 36 stays fit · feels quiet · 17 don't sleep 6

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

Casita del Mar Beach Escape

Three-bedroom beachfront house on the quiet north side, with a private dipping pool, palapa bar, rooftop terrace and steps to the sand. Sleeps up to six.

24 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $600

Stay · Nanzal

Casa Gallo & Casita del Mar

Pair of private beachfront houses on Avenida del Palmar with a shared privacy wall: Casa Gallo has four bedrooms and a pool, Casita del Mar three and a dipping pool.

23 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $400

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.

14 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.

7 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 29 don't sleep 6

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 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

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 · 4 don't sleep 6

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

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.

13 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet · 12 don't sleep 6

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.