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. 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.

36 staysPets ok Walk to the plaza Good Wi-Fi Pool Clear all

On the sand

About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

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.

17 of 112 stays fit · feels lively

Stay · Centro

Hotel Hafa

Stylish small hotel in the middle of town; expect nightlife noise.

1 min from the plazaFrom $68

Stay · Centro

Sayulinda Hotel

Central hotel with a popular rooftop pool and bar.

2 min from the plazaFrom $166

Stay · Centro

Caivama

Modern complex of two-bedroom condos with private plunge pools, a rooftop infinity pool, hot tub and gym, about two blocks from the beach and plaza.

3 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $150

Stay · Centro

Four-bedroom house on Calle Pelícanos in the middle of town, wrapped in a big street-art mural, with a dipping pool, a palapa roof terrace and polished-concrete rooms; sleeps ten, with tacos, coffee and a minimarket on the street.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 10

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.

4 of 169 stays fit · feels calm

This month around North side

**Sunset from Las Sirenas beach club on the north side**Christopher P. · 13 days

**Sunset from the north beach**Christopher P. · 13 days

Stay · North Side (by bridge)

Macondo Bungalows

Owner-run bungalows with many repeat guests; some units fan-only.

7 min from the plazaFrom $60

Stay · North Side (near bus station)

Ximena Hotel Boutique

Newer hotel with big rooms and a rooftop pool, a block from the bus station.

8 min from the plazaFrom $150

Stay · North side

Villas del Corazon

Large house of up to ten bedrooms with a heated pool, wraparound decks and a surf break out front, about three minutes from the plaza. Suits big groups and weddings.

6 min from the plazaFrom $995

Stay · North side

Lemon House Sayulita

Two-bedroom house sleeping six, with a pool, on Calle Miramar at the north end. Allows one dog.

8 min from the plazaSleeps 6

The south side

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

14 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed

Stay · South side

Casa Cereza

Two-bedroom house on a quiet south-end street, about four minutes' walk to the plaza and beach, with a private garden, outdoor shower and air-conditioned rooms. No pool; sleeps four.

8 min from the plaza$$Sleeps 4From $150

Stay · South side near the south entrance, Selva Maaku

Casa Mango

Three-bedroom house with a saltwater pool, a garden and a bungalow on the roof, inside a gated estate with round-the-clock security; sleeps seven, with two kitchens and three and a half baths.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 7From $395

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 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

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.

1 of 39 stays fit · feels quiet

Stay · Ocean view

Casa Mariposa

2BR with panoramic ocean and beach views.

7 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $165

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.