Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · 130 m to the sea
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.
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 Mis Amores
South side · 280 m to the sea
Casa Rosada
North side · 50 m to the sea
Haramara Retreat
Around town · 260 m to the sea
La Joya Sayulita
Around town · on the sand
Villa del Oso
North side · 80 m to the sea
Under US$150
Honest budget picks, hostels included.
Distrito 88 - Adults Only
Centro · from US$113
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Centro · from US$12
Mar y Sueños Suites
North side · from US$68
Casa Makawe
Centro · from US$115
Hotel Diamante Sayulita
North side · from US$70
Viajero Sayulita Hostel
South side · from US$10
Houses for everyone
Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.
Distrito 88 - Adults Only
Centro · about US$5 a head
Casa Cariño
South side · about US$55 a head
Casa Mis Amores
South side · about US$250 a head
Casa Rosada
North side · about US$250 a head
Haramara Retreat
Around town · about US$5 a head
Villa del Oso
North side · about US$194 a head
Pool and view
A pool, and the sea from it.
Distrito 88 - Adults Only
Centro · from US$113
Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · from US$200
Casa Cariño
South side · from US$550
Casa Mis Amores
South side · from US$3500
Casa Rosada
North side · from US$3000
Haramara Retreat
Around town · from US$237
Small hotels
For when you don't want a whole house.
Distrito 88 - Adults Only
Centro · from US$113
La Joya Sayulita
Around town · from US$490
Sayulinda Hotel
Centro · from US$166
Mar y Sueños Suites
North side · from US$68
Mi Otra Casa (MOC)
Centro · from US$360
Hotel Boutique Siete Lunas
Los Muertos
Every stay, by side
The north side
Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
12 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 59 don't sleep 6
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 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.
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.
Nanzal hill
Villas with big ocean views on the hill above the north beach. Steep: golf-cart country.
1 of 36 stays fit · feels quiet · 17 don't sleep 6
This week around Nanzal
Stay · Nanzal
Casa Selva Sayulita
Small jungle hotel at the edge of town in the Nanzal hill area, with canopy cabins, tree houses, a pool and breakfast included. Quiet, with birdsong rather than street noise.
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.
7 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 40 don't sleep 6
Stay · Centro (south hillside)
Distrito 88 - Adults Only
Quiet adults-only hotel up a steep hill; whole property can be booked as an 8BR private villa from $1,600.
Stay · Centro south hillside (oceanfront)
Casa Bougainvillea
Oceanfront 4BR from $850, casita $200, palapa casita $230. Steep stairs to the beach.
Stay · Centro East (Pelícanos)
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Community-focused hostel with daily activities.
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 · 29 don't sleep 6
Stay · South-central, on a small hill above the surf break
Casa Cariño
Four-bedroom gated house two blocks from the beach, with a heated salt-water pool, waterfall, six-hole mini-golf, roof palapa and ocean views. Breakfast and coffee included.
Stay · South coast
Sempre Avanti
Beachfront estate south of town: full estate $1,099, Villa Luisa 3BR $599, Villa Pietro 2BR $499.
Playa los Muertos
The sheltered cove south of town, through the cemetery path. Calmer water, families and swimmers.
1 of 14 stays fit · feels calm · 4 don't sleep 6
Stay · Los Muertos hillside (jungle)
Hotel Boutique Siete Lunas
Jungle rooms with big views, up a steep hillside.
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.
4 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet · 12 don't sleep 6
Stay · South outskirts (Playa Escondida)
Haramara Retreat
Yoga retreat on twelve jungle acres above a private cove south of town, with open-air casitas, hilltop yoga pavilions and three organic meals a day. Hosts group retreats, couples and solo guests.
Stay · South outskirts (Playa Escondida)
La Joya Sayulita
Jungle-and-ocean retreat with its own beach and excellent restaurant.
Stay · Around town
Las Hadas del Mar
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.