Sayulita, Mexico is a small surf town situated on the Pacific coast just an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. Many people take day trips from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita but we opted to stay in this happy-chic surf town for a couple of nights to experience a more laid-back Mexico.
SEE ALSO: Yelapa, Mexico: The Ultimate Guide to Mexico’s Secluded Beach Town
If you’re looking to eat some delicious tacos, surf till your heart’s content, and relax in a hammock on the beach, then a vacation to Sayulita is a must! I’ll walk you through where to stay, where to eat, and top things to do in Sayulita, Mexico!
How to Get to Sayulita
The closest airport to Sayulita is Puerto Vallarta. It’s super easy to get a taxi from the airport to Sayulita (1hr + $500-$700 pesos, or $25/$35 USD depending on pickup area.) You can also opt for a bus to get to Sayulita, which you can read about here.
HELPFUL HINT: If you walk over the pedestrian bridge and take a taxi on the other side of the highway instead of from the airport terminal it will be much cheaper!
Where to Stay in Sayulita
I found Airbnb to have the best options for places to stay in Sayulita, Mexico. I’ve linked a few of my favorites, including the one we stayed in. The town is small enough that you can walk practically everywhere. Our Airbnb was only a five-minute walk from the beach and it was by no means in the center of town.
HELPFUL HINT: If this is your first time using Airbnb make sure to sign up with this link to receive $65 off your first stay!
Where to Eat in Sayulita
I had some of the most delicious meals in Sayulita. From street tacos to huevos rancheros, you can’t go wrong with authentic Mexican food. Most mornings I would wake up and make my way over to Organi-k for a passionfruit smoothie before hitting the beach to surf. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was one of the best smoothies I’ve ever had.
Feel free to find your favorite spots to eat in Sayulita, or take a look at some of mine!
BREAKFAST + SNACK SPOTS
- Cafe El Espresso (local breakfast spot)
- Miscelanea Sayulita (yummy breakfast spot)
- Organi-k Sayulita (the best smoothies and acai bowls)
- Orangy Smoothies (cute little smoothie stall)
- ChocoBanana (coffee shop with breakfast staples)
- Panino’s (bakery near the beachfront)
- Northside Cafe (try their banana pancakes)
LUNCH + DINNER SPOTS
- El Itacate (great tacos)
- Don Pedro’s Restaurant & Bar (upscale on the beach)
- Tacos Al Pastor Tal Ivan (street tacos)
- La Rustica Sayulita (creative pizzas)
- Restaurant Yeikame (authentic Mexican food)
- Mary’s Traditional Mexican Cuisine
What to Do in Sayulita
Surfing
Sayulita is a great place to learn to surf! In fact, the surf here is the major reason Sayulita, Mexico has been growing in popularity. The waves on the main beach are consistent and rolling so even beginners (like me and my friend Graey) were able to catch some. I would recommend checking out Patricia’s Surf School on the far right side of the beach for surfboard rentals. Patricia is a gem and all of her employees are super friendly and happy to help.
Yoga
Though we didn’t take any yoga classes in Sayulita (Graey is a yoga instructor so we did yoga at our Airbnb) I did see many yoga studios while there. Here are a few to check out.
- Moon Shala
- Paraiso Yoga
- ORO Yoga
Exploring Other Beaches
There are a few beaches around Sayulita that are more secluded than the main beach. Though none of these beaches are good for surfing; they’re more suited for relaxing and swimming.
- Playa De Los Muertos
- Carricitos
- Playa Malpaso
Let me know if you plan on visiting Sayulita anytime soon! As always questions are welcome in the comments. I’m happy to help with trip-related advice.