Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · 130 m to the sea
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 friends; 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
Compare the sides in a table
| 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.
On the sand
About a hundred metres or less from the sea.
Casa Nicoya
Centro · 390 m to the sea
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Centro · 360 m to the sea
Conrad Punta de Mita
Centro · 620 m to the sea
Casa Ensueño
North side · 310 m to the sea
Casa Higuera
Centro · 130 m to the sea
Under US$150
Honest budget picks, hostels included.
El Oasis
South side · from US$125
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Centro · from US$12
Casa Ensueño
North side · from US$70
Casa Higuera
Centro · from US$128
Casa Marbella
Centro · from US$100
Houses for everyone
Sleeps ten or more, with the price worked out a head.
Casa El Mirador
Centro · about US$36 a head
Casa Linda Theresia
Los Muertos · about US$73 a head
Casa Mariposa
Ocean view · about US$17 a head
Casa Palma Chueca
South side · about US$41 a head
Casa Sonadora
South side · about US$83 a head
Villa Zafiros Estate
Centro · about US$50 a head
Pool and view
A pool, and the sea from it.
Casa Bougainvillea
Centro · from US$200
Casa Mango
South side · from US$395
Casa Nicoya
Centro · from US$625
El Oasis
South side · from US$125
ITH Sayulita Amazing Surf Hostel
Centro · from US$12
Sayulinda Hotel
Centro · from US$166
Small hotels
For when you don't want a whole house.
Sayulinda Hotel
Centro · from US$166
Casa El Mirador
Centro · from US$499
Every stay, by side
The north side
Calmer streets behind the long north beach, palm groves and villas, with a flat walk into the plaza.
2 of 169 stays fit · feels calm · 59 don't sleep 6
This month around North side
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.
11 of 112 stays fit · feels lively · 40 don't sleep 6
Stay · Centro south hillside (oceanfront)
Casa Bougainvillea
Oceanfront 4BR from $850, casita $200, palapa casita $230. Steep stairs to the beach.
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.
Stay · Centro (2 blocks to beach)
Casa Deseo
Modern 3BR in the center with rooftop pool and ocean views.
The south side
Hillside lanes between the plaza and Los Muertos: views, guesthouses and a short walk down to the beach.
9 of 95 stays fit · feels mixed · 29 don't sleep 6
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.
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).
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.
Stay · South side
Casa Campana at El Oasis
Three-bedroom house on the south side with 360-degree views, a waterfall pool, roof terrace with soaking tub and housekeeping three times a week. Under ten minutes' walk to town.
Playa los Muertos
The sheltered cove south of town, through the cemetery path. Calmer water, families and swimmers.
1 of 14 stays fit · feels calm · 4 don't sleep 6
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 · 12 don't sleep 6
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.