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 a couple; every side is still here.

The south sideThe plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walkPlaza 7 minBeach 3 minFeels mixedMost US$130–400
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 north sideFamilies and groups: palms, pools and the long beachPlaza 10 minBeach 3 minFeels calmMost US$150–450
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
South side	7 min	3 min	mixed	US$130–400	95	The plaza and a quiet cove, both a short walk
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
North side	10 min	3 min	calm	US$150–450	169	Families and groups: palms, pools and the long beach
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. 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.

126 staysa couple Pool Good Wi-Fi Walk to the plaza Clear all

On the sand

About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

Hillside pool terrace with tables and ocean view

ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel

Centro · 360 m to the sea

Under US$150

Honest budget picks, hostels included.

Houses for everyone

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

Casa Vecino Sayulita Guesthouse

South side · sleeps 12

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

The south side

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

47 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed

Stay · South end of main beach

Six kinds of suite across the street from the calm south end of the beach, five minutes from the plaza: kitchenettes, bay-view balconies, a shared pool, and penthouses with their own infinity pools. Rates from about US$115.

7 min from the plazaSleeps 10From $139

Stay · South (residential)

Villa Vargas Sayulita

Spotless group villa with private pool and an attentive host.

8 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $300

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.

3 min from the plaza$$$$Sleeps 10From $550

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

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.

57 of 112 stays fit · feels lively

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.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 21From $113

Stay · Centro

Amaia Sayulita Boutique Hotel

Small hotel of eight rooms and a suite right on the main plaza, with a heated garden pool, air conditioning and good bedding. You're in the middle of town, so expect plaza noise.

1 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $79

Stay · Centro

Casa Ambar at Casa Galeria

Two-bedroom condo in the Casa Galeria complex, two blocks from the plaza and beach, with a shared salt-water pool, air conditioning and secured parking. Sleeps six.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $165

Stay · Centro south hillside (oceanfront)

Casa Bougainvillea

Oceanfront 4BR from $850, casita $200, palapa casita $230. Steep stairs to the beach.

5 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $200

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.

16 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 end (Av. del Palmar)

Casablanca Sayulita Hotel

Spotless rooms around a central pool with a short path to the north beach. Suites from $145; the 3BR Casablanca Beach House starts at $500.

14 min from the plazaSleeps 2From $145

Stay · North Side

Hotel Playa Azul Sayulita

Clean, inexpensive rooms; staff hard to reach and lower rooms have little window.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 4

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

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.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 16

Playa los Muertos

The sheltered cove south of town, through the cemetery path. Calmer water, families and swimmers.

3 of 14 stays fit · feels calm

Stay · Playa Los Muertos

Amor Boutique Hotel

About 27 palapa-roofed villas stepped down the cliff between town and Playa de los Muertos, each designed differently, most looking out over the bay: a shared pool, plunge pools in four, free surfboards and yoga. Villas from about US$312 a night; expect many stairs.

8 min from the plazaSleeps 2From $312

Stay · Steps from beach

Casa Chloe

Immaculate 3BR steps from the beach.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $500

Stay · Across from beach

Casa Linda Theresia

6BR directly across the street from the beach.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 12From $875

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 · East side, quiet mixed neighbourhood

Casa Las Chicaz

Three-bedroom house over three levels in a quiet mixed neighbourhood, with a salt-water pool, jungle views and air conditioning in the bedrooms. Short walk to the beach and plaza.

6 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $175

Stay · Up the valley

Bellavista Sayulita Boutique Hotel

Three-star hotel on Calle Cerrito with a pool, parking and Wi-Fi, a short walk from the market and the plaza.

11 min from the plaza

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.