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 family; every side is still here.

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

88 staysfamily of 4 Walk to the plaza Parking Good Wi-Fi Clear all

On the sand

About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

Balcony with jacuzzi and dining set over the bay

Under US$150

Honest budget picks, hostels included.

ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel

Centro · from US$12

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

Playa los Muertos

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

2 of 14 stays fit · feels calm · 3 don't sleep 4

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

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.

8 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 35 don't sleep 4

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

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

Stay · North side

Casa Ensueño

3BR with expansive ocean views.

5 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $70

Stay · North Side

Casa Luna Llena

North-side ocean-view home close to everything.

7 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $350

Stay · North side, a few blocks from the beach

Casa Sorpresa

Walled hacienda-style house with two air-conditioned master suites, a saltwater pool with a waterfall and tropical gardens, three minutes from the beach. Sleeps six; five-night minimum.

8 min from the plazaSleeps 6From $220

The south side

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

33 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 17 don't sleep 4

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 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

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.

41 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 20 don't sleep 4

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

Stay · Gringo Hill

Casa Nicoya

Four-bedroom hilltop home on Gringo Hill, a main house plus a separate casita, with a pool, ocean views and a 5-7 minute walk to the plaza.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 8From $625

Stay · Centro

Xocotla

Gay-owned guesthouse of four apartments (two studios and two one-bedrooms) in a jungle garden with a heated pool. About three minutes' walk to the plaza and beach.

4 min from the plazaSleeps 4From $66

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.

3 of 41 stays fit · feels mixed · 11 don't sleep 4

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 · Tamarindo neighborhood

Casa Tamarindo

Upstairs two-bedroom unit of a classic Mexican house about a 5-minute walk from town, with three queen beds, A/C, a terrace, private kitchen and a mature fruit garden. Budget-friendly.

7 min from the plaza$Sleeps 6From $75

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 · 9 don't sleep 4

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.