Sayulita Travel Guide, The Village That Stole My Heart

I was lucky enough to spend a month in Mexico in December 2025, squeezed between two contracts, one in the US and one in New Zealand. I got to explore Jalisco, Nayarit, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, and honestly, I fell hard for the village of Sayulita and everything around it. Full confession, we were only supposed to stay 5 days, but we ended up changing our plans entirely and cancelled our last hotel in Puerto Vallarta just to go back for another week. That month in Mexico was squeezed between a US harvest on a J1 visa and a season in New Zealand on my Working Holiday Visa, if you’re curious how either of those actually works.

Where It Is and How to Get There

Sayulita is a small fishing village on the Pacific coast of Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta. And getting there could not be easier. Fly into Puerto Vallarta, then it’s about an hour to Sayulita by car or shuttle (the ride is 60 MXN). If you’re chasing the cheapest fare, I’ve got 10 tips to find the best flight that have saved me hundreds over the years.

sayulita travel guide Beachfront view in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit

The Vibe

Life in Sayulita moves so slow. Me, who’s used to road tripping and packing up every two days, discovered a whole new way to travel there, and honestly, I loved it.

Waking up without an alarm, wandering the streets, grabbing a coffee at a local coffee shop before heading to the beach to read until your stomach tells you it’s time to eat. Finding tacos on the street and eating them while watching the town wake up around you, then heading back for a swim, or going for a hike, or hopping on a bus to check out another village nearby. Ending the day with a margarita (or three), trying a different spot for dinner, and stargazing on the beach before heading back to the hotel.

This is the first destination that’s ever charmed me so much that I actually feel a little pang in my chest not knowing if I’ll ever get the chance to go back.

Colorful streets of Sayulita on Mexico's Riviera Nayarit

Everyone gets around on foot, the village is tiny, you can walk the whole thing in about 30 minutes. There were quite a few American tourists during our first week since it was Christmas break, but when we came back in early January there were barely any tourists at all. I think it’s still a pretty under the radar destination, most people stick to Puerto Vallarta instead.

After all that time there, I basically became a local guide, so here’s my full list of favorite spots in Sayulita.

Where to Stay

Amaia Boutique Hotel is such a great place to stay in Sayulita. The rooms are bright, the hotel is really cute, and with only a handful of rooms, it feels wonderfully intimate. Housekeeping comes every three days and the staff are incredibly attentive, they really take care of their guests.

You can add breakfast, served at the restaurant just across the square, which makes mornings very easy.

The location is perfect too, right in the town center and just a five minute walk from the main beach.

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My Favorite Spots in Sayulita

Coffee spot: Café Coyote. There’s a tiny terrace where you can post up for hours with a cold brew.
Best shrimp tacos: Mary’s Traditional Mexican Cuisine. Tacos run about 45 to 50 MXN, so properly cheap for how good they are. Do not skip the chipotle sauce, it might be the best combo I’ve ever had.
Best street food: Tacos Al Pastor Tal Ivan. I still dream about their mushroom quesadillas.
Best beach: Playa Carrecitos, about a 20 minute walk from downtown. You’ll probably have the whole place to yourself, it’s straight up postcard material.
Another stunning beach: the Sayulita beachfront. Skip the crowded sunbeds and walk about 15 minutes to the right to find your own quiet spot. Stay near the Sayulita Turtle Camp, where baby turtles get released every December. You can even help release them for free, it’s incredible.
Best margaritas: Luna’s. Honestly the cheapest and best in town, and trust me, I’ve compared a lot of bars to say that. Happy hour runs all day, every day, 50 MXN a margarita (compared to 150+ MXN in Yucatan). They squeeze the limes fresh and make them on the rocks right in front of you.
Best aguas frescas: something you have to try while you’re there, jamaica and horchata are my favorites. Head to Sayulita Aguas Frescas & Raspados, just before the bridge. The best churros in town are right nearby too.