When we knew we were headed to the west coast of Mexico for an intergenerational spring break trip, I knew there were things to do in Sayulita, Mexico that I wanted to experience. This town had been on my radar screen (I honestly don’t know how it got there) for a while. I was drawn to the laidback, artistic life I perceived in the photos and write-ups. I loved the way it was further from the airport, further from the main drag of all-inclusive timeshare resorts, and if I was going to Mexico I wanted to BE in Mexico – if that makes sense.
Mr. Family Trip and I packed the family bags and took our sons to Sayulita ahead of a Puerto Vallarta resort stay (coming soon to the website). We fell in love with this Mexican surf town. Turns out, the photos and write-ups were right.
Mr. Family Trip and I have been to Baja, Los Cabos, Todos Los Santos, Riveria Maya, Chichen Itza, and Cancun (all before this website was started). But Sayulita was something special.
Sayulita offers the real Mexico while also being a place of comfort and ease for tourists. The beach has a feeling we haven’t experienced elsewhere. The town was vibrant, energetic, and fun. This place was big enough to keep us entertained but not so big we felt overwhelmed. Everything was walkable.
With mountains and jungle at its back, the beach is tucked on the Banderas Bay and offers epic waves and sandbars for surfing and playing.
Sayulita has seen an enormous uptick in tourists in the past few years. What started as a place popular with 20-something backpackers for being off the beaten path and offering inexpensive freedom (and partying) has now become a spot where families, seniors, and couples looking for a romantic getaway also come.
Lodging can book up fast, so book early for the best value and selection (although know that you can always camp on the beach if everything else fails). December and January are high seasons and very busy for Sayulita. While July to September can be very hot and rainy. We were there end of April to early May and it was perfect during the day and got a little chilly at night! We loved the weather.
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How to Get to Sayulita, Mexico
Sayulita sits on the west coast of Mexico, a region very popular with residents of Toronto and California. For us on the east coast of North America, we’re traversing the country to get here.
We flew from Virginia to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR). It required two flights and a good chunk of travel time, but comfortable and easy overall.
We took an Uber from the Puerto Vallarta airport to Sayulita. This was around $60 USD and took just over an hour (but the road out of Puerto Vallarta can get congested, so travel times may differ depending on the time of day).
Note that Uber drivers can not enter the PVR airport for pick-up.
Upon leaving the airport, turn left, and take the pedestrian bridge that crosses the highway. At the bottom of the steps, there is a public bus station. Uber drivers pick up there. It is a very quick walk from the airport.
I’ve read some articles that getting an Uber back to Puerto Vallarta is hard, but we didn’t have a problem at all. I think during the tourist season(s) enough drivers are going back and forth often enough to meet demand.
Top Tips for Visiting Sayulita, Mexico
Is Sayulita safe?
As much as anywhere is “safe,” absolutely! We felt very safe and comfortable the entire time we were in Sayulita. Of course, common sense should always prevail. But we felt Sayulita was friendly and didn’t have any concerns while there with our children.
When should I visit?
We were there at the end of April and May and the weather was perfect. I would recommend avoiding major holidays, though. Sayulita is notorious for not having the plumbing to keep up with the sewage accompanying big crowds. While going to a Mexican beach town for a high holiday party may seem like a good idea, everything we have read, learned, and experienced leads us to believe that going during quieter times is the way to fall in love with Sayulita.
Where should I stay?
It depends on your interests and what kind of vacation you want. We stayed in the northern end of town and loved it. It was quiet, accessible, and calm. We were told by someone who lived there that there tended to be more families and intergenerational groups in this area. Downtown is where the nightlife is. Most of the city is walkable, but noise levels compared to access to entertainment may be something you want to consider.
How do I pay for things?
Have cash! Surprisingly, especially after heading to Iceland where you couldn’t give away cash, Sayulita was primarily a cash economy. Many restaurants, bars, and vendors did not accept credit cards.
Should I rent a car?
No. Despite our experience driving in foreign countries and how little that intimidates us, we did not need a car in Sayulita at all. We took Ubers to and from our Airbnb and Puerto Vallarta. Once in Sayulita, we walked.
If anyone in your travel group has mobility concerns, rent a golf cart. Many used electric golf carts to navigate the hills in town.
Can I drink the water?
No. Don’t drink the tap water in Sayulita. You will want to use bottled water.
Are there grocery stores?
Not in the way that we do them here in America! There are a few small stores that sell limited groceries and bottled beverages, but there are a lot of markets that sell fresh fruits and vegetables. There are also fish markets and butchers. You will have the ability to get whatever you want to cook in Sayulita, but it is not going to be a “one-stop super tienda” experience.
Things to do in Sayulita, Mexico
Enjoy the main beach.Â
Right off the downtown area, the Sayulita beach has restaurants, bars, vendors, horseback riding, oceanside massages, and surf lessons all on its shore. We found that the further north on the beach we went, the less crowded it was.
Explore a tucked away, hidden beach.
www.sayulitabeach.com
Take the quick walk over to Playa de los Muertos. It is named as visitors must pass through a cemetery but, as we learned in Puerto Rico, those can be gorgeous.
Take surf lessons.
sayulitasurfschool.com
We’ve already surfed back when we lived at the beach, so we felt comfortable skipping this activity on this vacation. But if you haven’t tried to get up on a surfboard before, this is a great place to try it. (And I highly recommend surf lessons as they are a lot of fun!)
Walk and see the streets and colors.
Don’t miss Slap Street! Located downtown, this street offers a slew of colors and textures to see and behold.
Shop at the markets.
We loved picking up a few trinkets and souvenirs at the markets in Sayulita. While this isn’t usually our style, the stalls kept going with so many interesting, unique, and fun items that are a bargain compared to American prices.
Take a yoga class.
sisterssayulita.com/top-best-yoga-sayulita-studios
Sayulita is a place where a lot of Americans and Canadians go to escape the pace of life “up north.” Yoga has become an important part of the tourist economy here.
For day trips, consider San Pancho or the Marietas Islands.
destinationlesstravel.com/things-to-do-in-san-pancho-mexico
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islas_Marietas_National_Park
We were told by many people that San Pancho is what Sayulita was a decade ago – an undiscovered Mexican beach town.
Las Marietas Islands National Park was on our short list of things to do while in the area. But given the fact that it was a full-day adventure and we were so happy enjoying Sayulita and, afterward, Puerto Vallarta, we decided to let the opportunity pass us by. Will I regret it? Likely.
Where to Eat in Sayulita, Mexico
It is hard to go wrong. There are restaurants tucked all over the place. The price point for dining in Sayulita is fairly cheap compared to beach towns in America, but more expensive than other areas of Mexico. The restaurants use fresh, local ingredients to their best ends.
We waited 15 minutes for a table at Mary’s Tacos (it was delicious and worth it – but cash only!).
We ate in the courtyard, accompanied by live music, at Chaman Creative Kitchen.
We had fresh margaritas of various flavors at Bar Miramar on the beach during sunset. The drinks were creative and strong, and the conversation with the owners was lovely.
We got ice cream and fresh popsicles while we walked through the dusty streets (try Chocobanana).
We had tacos and tried micheladas at Le Camion.
Is Visiting Sayulita, Mexico worth it?
Is Sayulita going to be the most authentic Mexican experience you could have? I don’t think so. This town is overrun by tourists and expats (much as we experienced in Roatan). But does that mean you shouldn’t go?
In between the Canadians and Americans sitting on Instagram-perfect rope swings at bars, somewhere out there swirling in dust kicked up from the roads, is Mexico. There is a culture here that is undeniable and alluring. There are as many amenities as you want while still feeling as though you’ve escaped from the hamster wheel of life. It is no wonder countless people head here.
The ocean heals. The sand is hot. The town is wide open. The colors around town take you on a journey. And as the breezes gloriously swoop in as the evening hits while the sun starts to go down, a little piece of your heart deep inside unwinds and you can breathe more. You realize the importance of family and of rest. You feel the love of someone’s time spent making handmade tortillas, and you slow down to taste your food while drums beat off in the distance. At that moment, at that minute, you’ve discovered Sayulita and Mexico.
So yeah. It’s worth it.
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