
Local Tribe de Mexico
South side · on the sand
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
Ordered for a big group; 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| 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.
Sizes are what the places publish; a few don’t list them, so we keep those in.
Two or three places within a short walk of each other that sleep your group between them, so everyone is together without one huge villa.


South side near the south entrance, Selva Maaku · 1 min apart on foot
Sleeps 15 together · from about US$85 a head a night


Centro · 2 min apart on foot
Sleeps 16 together · from about US$60 a head a night

South side, Cocos Norte hilltop · 1 min apart on foot
Sleeps 18 together · from about US$98 a head a night

North side · 1 min apart on foot
Sleeps 15 together · from about US$51 a head a night

North end, Colina La Iguana · 1 min apart on foot
Sleeps 20 together · from about US$92 a head a night

North end, on the hill · 1 min apart on foot
Sleeps 14 together · from about US$54 a head a night
About a hundred metres or less from the sea.

South side · on the sand

North side · 260 m to the sea

Centro · 360 m to the sea

Centro · 280 m to the sea

Centro · 620 m to the sea

Centro · 100 m to the sea
Honest budget picks, hostels included.

Centro · from US$113

North side · from US$38

Centro · from US$68

Centro · from US$12

South side · from US$25

Centro · from US$130
Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.

Centro · about US$5 a head

South side · sleeps 12

South side · about US$15 a head

North side · sleeps 16
Centro · about US$27 a head
Centro · about US$36 a head
A pool, and the sea from it.

Centro · from US$113

South side

South side · from US$300

Centro · from US$68

Centro · from US$12

Centro · from US$166
For when you don't want a whole house.

Centro · from US$113

South side

South side · from US$300

North side · from US$38

Centro · from US$68

Centro · from US$166

Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
17 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 124 don't sleep 12
This month around North side
Stay · North side
Small set of rooms on Calle Pelícanos at the north end, listed on Airbnb by room, including one that sleeps four or five.
Stay · North Side (by bridge)
Simple, very clean, great-value rooms; busy street can be loud.
Stay · North Side (by bridge)
Owner-run bungalows with many repeat guests; some units fan-only.
Stay · North side
Eight air-conditioned rooms around a pool with a children's pool and ocean-view terrace, on Calle Miramar. About seven minutes' walk to the beach and plaza. Free parking.

The heart of town: the plaza, taco stands, bars and the main beach a block away. Lively, and loud on weekend nights.
48 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 64 don't sleep 12
Stay · Centro (south hillside)
Quiet adults-only hotel up a steep hill; whole property can be booked as an 8BR private villa from $1,600.
Stay · Centro beachfront
Across from the surf break, two minutes to the plaza: full estate $876, Horizon 4BR $670, Garden Casita $355.
Stay · Centro hillside (above main beach)
Oceanfront estate with panoramic views of the beach and the surf break, 3 minutes from town.

Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
17 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 63 don't sleep 12
Stay · South side
Ten shipping-container rooms on stilts with ocean views, a pool, a jungle spa and a restaurant on the south-end beachfront. Rooms can be booked together for up to 20.

The sheltered cove south of town, through the cemetery path. Calmer water, families and swimmers.
1 of 14 stays fit · feels calm · 8 don't sleep 12

Inland along the river and the town entrance: everyday Sayulita, the soccer field and quieter, local streets.
1 of 41 stays fit · feels mixed · 29 don't sleep 12
Stay · Up the valley
Three-star hotel on Calle Cerrito with a pool, parking and Wi-Fi, a short walk from the market and the plaza.
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.