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.

11 stays6 friends Heated pool On the beach Pets ok Clear all

On the sand

About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

Casa Mar de Grecia

Outside Sayulita: Burros, ~20 min south · from US$500

Under US$150

Honest budget picks, hostels included.

Houses for everyone

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

Pool and view

A pool, and the sea from it.

Casa Mar de Grecia

Outside Sayulita: Burros, ~20 min south · from US$500

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.

5 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

El Palacio & Casa Milagros

Casa Milagros (3BR, from $750) and El Palacio (4BR, from $1,100) rent separately or together as 7BR Villa Milagros (from $1,850) on the private north end of the beach.

24 min from the plazaSleeps 18From $1000

Stay · North side

Pool Side Condo

Two-bedroom, two-bath north-end condo with terraces over the ocean and jungle, a guest pool and rooftop gardens. Short walk to the quiet north beach.

20 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $190

Stay · Across from north beach

Quetzal Luxury Condos

1-4BR luxury suites across the street from the north beach.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $196

Stay · North side, Pájaro de Fuego complex

Villa Lucia

Penthouse in the Pájaro de Fuego complex with a private pool and views over the bay and town. Upper floor with stairs and no elevator; complex has large shared pools.

17 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $305

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.

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

Stay · Centro south hillside

Casa Higuera

2BR villa $280, Casa Sofia 3BR $308, casitas $120-142; close to town.

3 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $128

Stay · Centro (steps to sand)

Hacienda Camino al Mar

Centrally located 7BR villa steps from the sand.

304 min from the plazaSleeps 16From $950

The south side

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

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

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.

1 of 14 stays fit · feels calm · 4 don't sleep 6

Stay · Los Muertos hillside

Villa Pelicanos

Nine beachfront bedrooms near Playa Los Muertos; featured in Architectural Digest.

14 min from the plazaSleeps 18From $2200

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.

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

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

Stay · Around town

Boutique guesthouse of five independent casitas, each with a full kitchen, set in jungle above Playas Patzcuaro and Patzcuarito southwest of town. Has a pool and shaded palapa and takes stays from a few nights to a whole winter.

49 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $180

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.