
Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · 130 m to the sea
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
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| 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.
About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

Centro · 130 m to the sea

South side · 280 m to the sea

North side · 50 m to the sea

North side · 80 m to the sea

North side · 260 m to the sea

Centro · 360 m to the sea
Honest budget picks, hostels included.

Around town · from US$93

Centro · from US$12

North side · from US$68
Centro · from US$115
North side · from US$70
South side · from US$77
Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.

South side · about US$250 a head

North side · about US$250 a head

North side · about US$194 a head

North side · sleeps 16
Centro · about US$59 a head
Around town · about US$42 a head
A pool, and the sea from it.

Centro · from US$200

South side · from US$3500

North side · from US$3000

North side · from US$3100

Centro · from US$12

North side · from US$68
For when you don't want a whole house.

Around town · from US$93

North side · from US$68

Centro · from US$360

North side
Centro · from US$115
North side · from US$70

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 · 35 don't sleep 4
This month around North side
Stay · North end beachfront
New luxury beachfront villa with full-time staff who arrange activities and transport.
Stay · North end beachfront
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.
Stay · North side
Small set of rooms on Calle Pelícanos at the north end, listed on Airbnb by room, including one that sleeps four or five.

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 · 17 don't sleep 4
Stay · South coast
Beachfront estate south of town: full estate $1,099, Villa Luisa 3BR $599, Villa Pietro 2BR $499.
Stay · South side
Mid-range hotel of about 18 studios and suites on the road to Higuera Blanca, roughly ten minutes' walk from the plaza. Has pools, including one for children, air-conditioned rooms, free breakfast and limited free parking.

The heart of town: the plaza, taco stands, bars and the main beach a block away. Lively, and loud on weekend nights.
5 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 20 don't sleep 4
Stay · Centro south hillside (oceanfront)
Oceanfront 4BR from $850, casita $200, palapa casita $230. Steep stairs to the beach.
Stay · Centro East (Pelícanos)
Community-focused hostel with daily activities.
Stay · Centro (hillside)
Small hillside hotel a block from town with 180-degree ocean views.
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.
3 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet · 9 don't sleep 4
Stay · South edge (Libramiento Punta Mita)
Spotless, quiet hotel about 10 minutes' walk from the center.
Stay · Around town
Villa about a mile from the plaza with a heated saltwater pool, ocean views and a mini golf course. Flexible 3 to 5 bedrooms for 6 to 14 guests, daily breakfast included.
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.