Sayulita
An hour north of Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita strings papel picado flags over cobbled streets, sells fish tacos at every third doorway and serves a gentle, sand-bottomed wave that seems designed by a surf school.
- Best forSurfers · Groups of friends · Couples
- In September30°C · 26 rainy days · sea 32°C
- Ideal stay3–5 nights
- Approx. flying time~2h 55m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyMXNMexican peso
- LanguageSpanish
- Local time02:308h behind the UK
- PlugsType A / BBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+52
Why go
A former fishing village on the Nayarit coast turned surf town, Sayulita is small, loud and colourful, with cobbled streets running down to a beach where the wave breaks gently over sand. Jungle-covered hills press in behind. Days go on surfboards, in taco queues and in the shade of the plaza; evenings involve live music and a crowd that skews young, international and disinclined to make an early night of it.
It sits about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, so it pairs easily with a flight there and works as a base or as a few nights in a longer coastal run. December to April is dry and warm, while the summer months bring heat, humidity and rain. Those wanting calm should look at neighbouring San Pancho or stay up the hill, because the town centre does not go quiet early.
- Ideal stay
- 3–5 nights
- The vibe
- Sociable, barefoot, faintly bohemian
From our guides
It's the sociable one on this list — expect mezcal, live music and a plaza that hums into the night. For quiet, walk twenty minutes to Playa de los Muertos. December to April is dry and reliable.
Featured in Ten laid-back tropical surf towns for slow mornings
Things to do
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The main beach break
A forgiving, sand-bottomed wave that suits first-timers and longboarders alike. Boards and lessons are easy to arrange along the beachfront.
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Playa de los Muertos
A small sheltered cove twenty minutes' walk south past the cemetery, calmer and quieter than the town beach, with snorkelling at the rocky ends.
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Fish tacos
Battered fish and shrimp tacos are the staple here, sold from stalls and doorways all day. Add the pickled onions and the smoky salsa.
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Huichol art
Shops around the plaza sell Wixárika beadwork and yarn paintings, made by an Indigenous people whose homeland lies in the mountains inland.
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Monkey Mountain
Cerro del Mono, a hot two-hour scramble inland, ends on a granite dome with long views over the coast. Start early and carry water.
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San Pancho
The next village north, ten minutes away, with a wider beach, fewer bars and a noticeably slower pace. Easy to reach by local bus.
Getting there
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Fly to
Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
Nearest airport to Sayulita, about 29km away as the crow flies.
-
Then
To Sayulita
About an hour by car, taxi or shared shuttle north from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) along the coast road.
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On the ground
Getting around
The village is small and walkable on cobbles, golf carts serve as local taxis, and Playa de los Muertos is a 20-minute walk from the plaza.
Public transport: Frequent local buses run the coast road between Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita and San Pancho.
Flights
Los Angeles Sayulita, Mexico
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Roughly 2h 55m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 26°C in January to 30°C in July. Driest March to May and December; wettest in August, with rain on about 26 days. The sea is warmest in September at around 32°C, coolest at 25°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
September30° · rain 26 days · sea 32°Hot and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Highlighted months are warm and mostly dry — November to May. Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Boutique hotels, surf hostels, casitas and a large number of holiday rentals up the hills. Big resorts sit further down the coast, and the village itself stays low rise.
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Best base overall
Sayulita centre
The cobbled blocks around the plaza, walking distance to the surf break, the taco stands and the music. It is noisy until late and the streets flood in the rainy months.
Find stays in Sayulita centre -
Best with children
Playa Camarones
The quieter northern end of the beach, a short walk from the plaza, with calmer sand and rental houses. Still close enough to eat in town without a taxi.
Find stays in Playa Camarones -
Quietest
San Pancho
The next village north, with a wider beach, a slower pace and better restaurants than its size suggests. The surf here is stronger, so it suits swimmers less.
Find stays in San Pancho -
Best value
Bucerias
Half an hour south towards Puerto Vallarta, with long flat sand, cheaper condos and a decent bus service. The wave is gone, so surfers should stay put.
Find stays in Bucerias
Worth knowing before you book: The December to April dry season is busiest, with Christmas, Easter and the spring music festival booked months ahead. Rental houses often quote weekly and add a cleaning fee.
Search everything else in Sayulita by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Puerto Vallarta is the nearest airport, about an hour away by road. Public buses run frequently and cost a fraction of a private transfer.
- Cash or card
- Larger restaurants take cards, but stalls, taxis and small shops want pesos in cash. Withdraw before the weekend, when machines run dry.
- Swimming
- The bay is gentle, though rip currents form near the river mouth and the rocks. Watch where the surf schools put their beginners.
- Crowds
- Mexican holidays, Christmas and Semana Santa fill the town completely. Book accommodation months ahead for any of those weeks.
- Water
- Drink bottled or filtered water, as most visitors do. Refill stations are common and work out cheaper than buying by the bottle.
Similar places
Siargao
PhilippinesAlso for surfers and groups of friends · 28°C in September (30°C here) · cheaper to stay
Uluwatu
Bali, IndonesiaAlso for surfers and couples · 28°C in September (30°C here) · cheaper to stay
South coast
Sri LankaAlso for surfers and couples · 28°C in September (30°C here) · cheaper to stay
Further afield
Mexico City
Mexico · 679km away →
Austin
Texas →
Mérida and the Yucatán
Mexico →
Coachella
California, USA →
New Orleans
Louisiana →
Caye Caulker
Belize →Elsewhere in Mexico
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Sayulita?
For warm, mostly dry days, November to May. That means highs of 20–34°C with rain on six days a month or fewer. Daytime highs run from about 26°C in January to 30°C in July. Driest March to May and December; wettest in August, with rain on about 26 days. The sea is warmest in September at around 32°C, coolest at 25°C.
How long should I spend in Sayulita?
Our suggestion: 3–5 nights.
How do I get to Sayulita?
About an hour by car, taxi or shared shuttle north from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) along the coast road.
Do I need a car in Sayulita?
No. Frequent local buses run the coast road between Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita and San Pancho.
What currency and language are used in Sayulita?
Currency: Mexican peso (MXN). Language: Spanish. Plugs: type A and B.
Who is Sayulita best for?
Best for surfers, groups of friends and couples. In a phrase: sociable, barefoot, faintly bohemian.