Sayulita Itinerary & Travel Guide- Best Sayulita Restaurants, Places to Stay & Things to Do

Everything you need to have the best vacation ever with the best places to go, things to do, food to eat, and places to stay in Sayulita!

Planning a beach vacation in Mexico?

Sayulita is one of the best places to visit in Mexico. It’s a small surf town, set on a beautiful beach surrounded by the jungle, and full of friendly locals and tourists.

Until recent years, Sayulita was one of the best-kept secrets in Mexico, with most of the visitors being from local Mexican families and surfers. Now a popular vacation place for tourists from the United State and Europe, Sayulita attracts those who want to get away from the crowds in the neighboring big resort areas and are looking for something a little different.

Start your day with organic Mexican coffee while watching the sunrise over the ocean. Then, drive your golf cart down to the beach for surfing or a walk on the beach. Spend some time lazing by our pool, have lunch in town, then return to the beach.

In the evening at your casa, make some margaritas and have a Mexican dinner while watching the sunset. If you are staying in a hotel, go out to one of the great restaurants. We closed out the days by watching the sunset over the ocean.

Sayulita is a great vacation for families, couples, or friends traveling together, who want to go to a friendly and beautiful small town with lots of culture and character.

If you’re wondering where to stay, where to eat, and what to do in Sayulita Mexico, I can help you…

There are lots of great restaurants in Sayulita- from local Mexican food to healthy food and food from around the world. For cooking at the casa, little markets, fruit, and vegetable shops, tortillarias (little stores that make homemade tortillas), are all over the town.

Lots of accommodation options are available, whether you would like to stay in an ocean view or jungle view villa (known as a “Casa”) or a beautiful beachfront hotel.

There are so many fun things to do in Sayulita, and one of the most popular is to enjoy the beautiful Sayulita Beaches, where you can lounge in the sun, surf, paddleboard…

Note: After a second trip to Sayulita over Christias break, I am now only recommending a Sayulita vacation outside of prime travel times like Christmas break. The town is too small to handle and becomes way to crowded when the hotels and rentals are at full capacity.

Keep reading this Sayulita Travel Guide to find out more. You can use the links below to book your entire trip!

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Sayulita Trip Planning

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Where is Sayulita, Mexico?

Sayulita, Mexico is a village on the Pacific Ocean and is less than one hour south of Puerto Vallarta.

How to get to Sayulita

Before leaving home, book a driver to pick you up and take you to your accommodations in Sayulita.

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Sayulita, Mexico Travel Tip:

Confirm that your driver will be waiting for you outside, and don’t stop and talk to the hagglers that tell you that you need to check in at their desk. If you are staying in a villa, make sure to stop at a grocery store (ask about this when you book your driver online), like La Comer in Bucerias, which is on your way to Sayulita. The markets there are very small, so you will want to stock up, especially if you are traveling with kids.

How to get around Sayulita

Getting around Sayulita is fun when you rent a golf cart (and parking is much easier than with a car.) For 4 or less people, get a 4 seater cart, and for 5 or 6 people, rent a 6 seater golf cart.

The best place to rent a golf cart in Sayulita is Riviera Golf Carts. Make sure to book well in advance because they sell out. The staff at Riviera is friendly, they offer some of the best prices in town, and their carts are some of the most powerful, so they will easily make it up the insanely steep hills.

What to pack for Sayulita

Sayulita is very casual. Everyone wears shorts, t-shirts, and tank tops, with flip flops or sandals. You can plan on packing light, and you won’t need anything formal.

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Which area to stay in Sayulita

The best area to stay in Sayulita is in the North part of town, with the exception of one beautiful oceanfront hotel on the south side (see below.)

Where to stay in Sayulita

Rent a casa up in the hills with an ocean view or stay in a hotel on the beach.

Looking for the best place to stay in Sayulita?

Click here to search for a house on VRBO or HomeAway
Click here to read reviews search for the perfect place to stay on Booking.com
Stay at Villa Amor– A beautiful resort with oceanfront villas and a 2 level pool Click here for the latest prices

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Sayulita Beaches

The beach in Sayulita is a crescent shape and you can walk from one end to the other. The main beach is in the town center and there are lots of chairs and umbrellas you can rent, as well as bars and restaurants on the beach. This is the main area for surfing. The north end of the beach is quiet and backs up to large houses and the jungle.

Gavin surfing on Sayulita Beach

Fun things to do in Sayulita

Rent beach chairs and umbrellas at La Costeno.

Surf in Sayulita! Rent boards at the little shop on Calle Marlin, to the right of Tierra Viva restaurant.

Rent paddleboards at Stand Up Paddle Mexico on Calle Marlin.

Sayulita Beach from the quiet North end

Walk the length of Sayulita beach in the morning.

Walk south along the ocean past Villa Amor through the Sayulita Cemetery to Playa de Los Muertos

Walk to the northernmost point on the beach, up and over the rocks, and down the trail to the next secluded beach.

Visit the town of San Pancho, about 4 miles north of town (take a taxi or shuttle).

Take a yoga class at one of the many studios. Click here for top-rated yoga studios in Sayulita

Dance to a salsa band at night at Davalu.

Take a guided hike to Monkey mountain. Click here to book a hike

Shop for products at a pharmacy. You can buy popular beauty products for a lot less money than in the US. Two popular beauty products to buy in Mexico are Lumigan (same as Latisse in the US), and Retin-A

Shop at the Farmers Market on Fridays 10-2.

Get a Massage at Nirvana Massage. You can go to one of their studios, get a massage on the beach or, better yet, have the massage therapist/s come to you casa or hotel room! Maggie is amazing!

Hire a Personal Chef to cook you dinner at your casa. As your property manager for a recommendation.

Homemade tortillas in Sayulita Mexico

Try the amazing freshly made warm tortillas from Tortilleria Calamar on Calle Revolucion.

Lounge in your casa with an ocean view pool.

For more fun things to do in Sayulita, click here

Day trips from Sayulita

Click here to search for an adventurous guided day trip from Sayulita

Where to eat in Sayulita- Top rated Sayulita restaurants

Top rated Mexican food in Sayulita: Sayulita, Mexico Food

*The hours may change, make sure to check the Google listing or call the restaurant before visiting.

Mary’s Traditional Mexican Cuisine Another casual and popular local eater with some of the best fish and shrimp tacos with homemade tortillas. The Sayulita Taco and the Mary’s Taco are delicious. Open all day, closed Sunday mid-afternoon

El Itacate This casual Mexican eatery is famous for their fried cheese that they wrap burritos in as well as their steak tacos. Open 1-9:30 everyday

Yeikame Traditional Mexican Next door to Itacate, this restaurant makes homemade blue corn tortillas, good moles, and homemade soup. Open all day, closed Wednesdays

Mariscos Matiz The Best seafood in town, especially their fish tacos (grilled or fried) and their grilled shrimp tacos. They also have fresh lime margaritas and passion fruit margaritas, which go great with chips and guacamole. Open 5-11 pm, closed Tuesdays

Naty’s Cocina This is a quick stop for tacos & bowls, cafeteria-style. Open 10-3, lunch only closed Sundays.

Tacos EL Tal Ivan The best El Pastor tacos. Ever. According to my boys.

Burrito Revolution This place is popular for its shrimp burrito. We didn’t ever get there, but it gets great reviews. Open 2-11 pm, closed Mondays

El Jakal seafood This was recommended by a good friend of mine for a great seafood Mexican restaurant in the quieter north side.

Alas Blancas For a nice place to eat Mexican and seafood, with your feet on the sand. Another place with great margaritas (traditional or passion fruit.)

Don Pedros This is one of the nicer beachfront restaurants in town and was recommended by many people.

Coco’s Beach Club A great place to enjoy a drink and appetizers in the sand at Happy hour at 5:00.

Yolanda’s Chicken Delicious street food with a great reputation. This is barbequed brick chicken done well and is served with Yolanda’s Spanish rice and tortillas (we skipped the homemade slaw.) Open 11:30-5, closed Mondays

Mexico Eating Tip

With regards to ceviche or other raw fish, in order to help prevent food poisoning, make sure fish in season, or just avoid eating it raw. It’s also a good idea to be careful about where you eat anything raw, including vegetables.

Sayulita Healthy Food

Organi-K Coffee, juices, acai bowls, smoothies, vegan bowl, superfoods, and healthy treats. Open 8a-6p

Anchor Cafe A popular cafe with lots of options for healthy and gourmet food. Open 8-4:30 daily

Orangy Smoothies Come here for smoothies and bowls, juice, or homemade kombucha. Theu also sell organic goodies in their refrigerated case Open 9-4 daily

Iced coffee with caramel and almond milk from Miscellanea

Sayulita Cafes

Miscellanea Sayulita This is a nice brunch and lunch cafe with excellent coffee drinks, baked treats, acai bowls, a good salad… Open 8-3

Yah-Yah Sayulita Cafe break/lunch, GF pastries, vegan ice cream, Mex coffee – open 7-3 (OTHER SIDE)- Tracey rec

Coffee On the Corner– This place is a coffee establishment in a casual open-air setting.

Choco-Banana This place has made quite a name for itself and is known for its hearty breakfasts. Open 6-6 daily

Italian food with a Mexican flare:

La Rustica Italian– If you get tired of Mexican food and are craving some good Italian, you can’t go wrong with one of their Wood-fired pizzas.

Grocery Stores in Sayulita

Terrenal Organic Food Store on Calle Libertad and Punta de Mita Hwy. This store is a gem if you like organic, local, or gourmet food. It is so small but packed with food treasures. This is the only store that I purchased raw vegetables to make salad with. Open 9:30-6 m-sa, 11-4 su http://www.terrenalsayulita.com/we-offer-organic

Alas Blancas Fine Foods & Wine Market near the beach. Organic and specialty items can be found at this store including wines and local coffee. Open 8-11 daily

Sayulita Wine Shop A great place to shop for some of the best wine in town. Open 11-3, 4-8

Organic Select Order online Organic groceries delivered. [email protected] (322) 222-1015

Minisuper Don Rodolfo A friendly store to go to pick up some food items. I was amazed that so many things were packed onto the shelves at this little store. There is a small wine cabinet as well. Open 7a-10p daily

Trancos Butcher Shop (across the street from Don Rodolfo)

Casa Gourmet (on Jose Mariscal) This is a quick stop for fresh bread & pastries.

Jorge’s Market (near the bridge) A quick stop for produce and farm eggs.

Other practical information:

Currency

The currency used in Mexico is pesos. The exchange rate is approximately 20 pesos to 1 US dollar (at the time this post was published.

Electricity

The electrical outlets in Sayulita are the same as in the US, so there’s no need to pack an adaptor unless you have something to plugin that is 3 prongs. If so, bring a 3 to 2 prong adaptor.

Phone plan

Check with your phone plan before leaving home. Many US plans now cover Mexico the same as being anywhere in the US.

Wifi in Sayulita

There is good wifi in Sayulita. Check with your accommodations when booking to make sure there is wifi available in your casa or room.

Airport in Sayulita

The closest airport to Sayulita is the Puerto Vallarta airport.

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Click here to search for a house on VRBO or HomeAway

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