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?

Centro and the plazaNights out, and walking to everythingPlaza 1 minBeach 3 minFeels livelyMost US$110–350
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
Playa los MuertosCalm water for swimming and small kidsPlaza 11 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$200–900
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
Centro	1 min	3 min	lively	US$110–350	112	Nights out, and walking to everything
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
Los Muertos	11 min	3 min	calm	US$200–900	14	Calm water for swimming and small kids
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.

20 staysGood for kids Heated pool Pets ok Parking Ocean view 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.

Small hotels

For when you don't want a whole house.

Every stay, by side

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.

1 of 112 stays fit · feels lively

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

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.

11 of 169 stays fit · feels calm

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 Side (quiet north)

Aqua Reef Sayulita Condos

Breezy, spotless condos with pool and jacuzzi near the north beach.

14 min from the plazaFrom $200

Stay · North side

Aqua Reef Sayulita Condos

Newer north-side building with three 3-bedroom apartments sharing a pool and rooftop jacuzzi, about three blocks from the beach and a 7-minute walk to the plaza.

14 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $200

Stay · North side

Casa Tecolote Upper

Upper two-bedroom unit of Casa Tecolote, on a quiet dead-end street with a shared solar-heated saltwater pool and outdoor kitchen. About a five-minute walk to the beach and town.

10 min from the plaza$$$Sleeps 4From $300

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

The south side

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

4 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed

Stay · Gated community (5 min to town)

Four-bedroom villa for big groups in a private development in the jungle south of town, with a saltwater pool, hot tub, wood sauna, cold plunge and fire pit; sleeps twelve, with five baths and a pool house.

19 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $795

Stay · South side

El Oasis

Compound of six casas sharing a waterfall pool and palapa lounge bar on the south side, under a 10-minute walk to the plaza and beach. Rent one casa or all nine bedrooms (24 guests).

8 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $125

Stay · South coast (Ojo de Agua)

Villa Valentin

4BR villa plus two 2BR casitas; popular for retreats; quieter and drier than town.

30 min from the plazaSleeps 18From $2395

Stay · South side

Casa Almas

Three-bedroom, three-level hillside house with a heated saltwater pool and waterfall, rooftop pergola with soaking tub, and ocean views. Renovated in 2023, five minutes' walk to town.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $275

Papel picado over the street at the town entrance

Up the valley

Inland along the river and the town entrance: everyday Sayulita, the soccer field and quieter, local streets.

2 of 41 stays fit · feels mixed

Stay · Up the valley

Loma Verde

Four-bedroom, four-bath apartment over two floors with five terraces and a rooftop heated saltwater infinity pool. About 7 minutes' walk to the north beach.

15 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $895

Stay · Up the valley

Villa Alta Mira

4BR with dedicated concierge.

20 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $495

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

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

Cinética

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.