Tucked away in a quiet little bay about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta is the small surf city often called Sayulita. Vacationers and locals alike flock to this city for its constant smaller sized waves, which makes it excellent for studying surf.
When visiting Sayulita, not solely will you’re keen on the gorgeous surroundings, the colourful streets stuffed with colour are a visible feast for any photographer (or those that simply respect something aesthetic).
The small and conventional grid-style Mexican downtown is backed by the hills behind it, resulting in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain vary.
Whereas this little city does get fairly busy, I might describe it as a superb busy.
The individuals and the thrill simply provides to the colourful ambiance and the 50/50 mixture of vacationers and locals nonetheless makes it really feel authentically Mexican.
The stylish bohemian vibes of this magical place continues to draw increasingly guests yearly.
However what I really like about Sayulita is that the group is a mixture of completely different individuals who mix collectively so effectively.
After we visited, there was undoubtedly a younger crowd, however we have been additionally shocked by the variety of households, retirees and mid-30 and mid-40s {couples} having fun with a trip right here.
So evidently whether or not you’re an aspiring seashore bum, a pair on a romantic vacation or a household trying to have some enjoyable, Sayulita is the proper place to go to.
Sayulita is thought for its eye-catchingly vibrant streets, probably the greatest locations in Mexico to discover ways to surf, the pleasant locals and their contagious smiles and a rising world class gastronomic scene.
This Sayulita journey information will take you thru an outline of this spirited seashore city, the very best issues to do to fill your itinerary, and proposals about the place to remain.
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The place is Sayulita?
You’ll discover Sayulita on Mexico’s pacific coast within the Nayarit state. It’s slightly over 45 minutes northwest of Puerto Vallarta on Freeway 200 (in the event you’re driving your self or arriving by taxi).
It’s also possible to get to Sayulita by bus from Puerto Vallarta for lower than ten bucks!
For those who take the bus from Puerto Vallarta it’ll take you about 1 to 1.5 hours relying on site visitors and time of day. There’s a set roof station on Av Revolucion simply exterior of downtown.
For those who’re arriving by bus together with your baggage, it’s no drawback!
We every had a carry-on dimension curler suitcase, and this was no drawback to roll by way of city from the bus station to the lodge and again.
It’s a pleasing drive when you get out of the town. Winding roads lead you into jungle-like surroundings as you cross cute little rural villages alongside the way in which.
Downtown Sayulita at Night time
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The place to Keep in Sayulita
Resort Peix
My suggestion for the very best lodge in Sayulita is Resort Peix. This boutique 10-room lodge is situated proper on the seashore, in the midst of all of the motion.
The employees make you are feeling like household, and all visitors are assured seashore loungers.
Along with the foyer bar, there’s a grassy courtyard full with hammocks and lounge house.
Resort Peix, Sayulita
Attempt to get a room on the second or third ground with the balconies dealing with the ocean. There’s nothing higher than sipping your morning espresso with the purple and orange dawn backdrop!
However I haven’t even talked about the very best half about this lodge!
The rooftop bar is an absolute should. With 360 diploma views, undoubtedly go to this place for a sundown cocktail.
Journey Tip: since this lodge is actually proper on the seashore, there’s really no direct street. You’ll need to stroll to the very finish of Calle Gaviota and stroll throughout the seashore to the lodge.
View from the rooftop bar
Different Nice Accommodations in Sayulita
A detailed second is the Petit Resort Hafa, which is within the coronary heart of all of the motion. It’s the excellent location for being near all the nice eating places and outlets and solely a pair minutes’ stroll to the seashore.
They’ve additionally obtained an important rooftop terrace and colourful decor to make for some epic Instagram posts! As a result of it’s so near the enjoyable bars although, it may be noisy at night time in the event you’re an early-to-bed traveler.
One other nice possibility in Sayulita is the Casa Nawalli. It’s the very best rated property on Reserving.com and consists of breakfast!
For those who’re in search of finances choices, you may as well discover this excellent spot for round $35 US per night time! It’s even obtained a 9 out of 10 score on Reserving.com!
Learn Extra Right here: The place to Keep in Sayulita for these Chill Seaside City Vibes (finest boutique accommodations, finest locations to remain if you wish to surf, quiet choices/finest choices for {couples}, luxurious villas and locations with the very best rooftop views).
Prime Issues to do in Sayulita
1. Surf
Browsing in Sayulita is a should do exercise. There are a number of surf & rental outlets arrange on the seashore day-after-day, so any vendor you select can be effective.
We selected the boys who run Sayulita Surf College as a result of it was proper in entrance of our lodge.
We paid for a lesson which was SO price it. The teacher got here within the water with us for an hour and helped us get the texture for the waves.
After our lesson we have been snug sufficient to remain out on the water by ourselves and rented boards to continue to learn surf the subsequent day!
December by way of April is the very best time to surf in Sayulita.
By this time of yr, the storm and wet season is well-over, and the swells from the north create excellent, constant waves for each left and proper break factors.
My finest tip for studying surf in Sayulita: in the event you’re standing on the seashore wanting on the ocean, keep to the left. That is the place the sandy backside is.
For those who enterprise to the correct, the waves are greater, however extra constant. Nonetheless, there are tons of rocks and its not very deep; so in the event you’re simply studying and fall off your board quite a bit, it’s gonna damage!
Sayulita Professional Tip: we noticed everybody sporting these water footwear which allowed them to discover ways to surf within the higher waves on the rocky facet of the seashore. Subsequent time we go to Sayulita, I’ll undoubtedly be getting a pair.
Additionally, I actually want I had a rash guard to guard my pores and skin. It will get tough while you’re simply studying, since you’re up and down a lot.
They’re over $100 at shops on the town, however this top-rated one on Amazon goes for less expensive!
2. Go to the Secret Seaside
Playa de los Muertos is the very best seashore in Sayulita, particularly for swimming. Whereas there have been issues over sewage making its approach into the primary seashore, this has since been cleaned up (as of late 2019).
Nonetheless, in the event you’re nonetheless not satisfied, head to Playa de los Muertos, the place it’s secluded sufficient from the primary seashore and has its personal cove with crystal clear water.
This seashore is actually a hidden gem in Sayulita; there have been solely 3 different individuals once we visited!
The principle seashore on the town is certainly busy, so I extremely advocate a go to to Playa de los Muertos. It’s a quieter and calmer space.
To get there, head west alongside the seashore till you hit the tip. You’ll need to step up on to Pescadores street. To get right here, climb up the rocks which were positioned to create pure steps.
Observe this street handed a pair good accommodations and also you’ll ultimately come to a fork within the street, however search for the hand painted indicators which have arrows pointing you to Play de los Muertos.
You’ll stroll on the street that takes you handed the native cemetery – decelerate on this half. Take a couple of moments in silence and observe the fantastically vibrant sanctuaries in-built honor of family members who’ve left us.
Discovering this cemetery was one other hidden gem of Sayulita; it was so humbling to see how a lot love and care the residents put into making their family members’ graves so vivid, clear and colourful.
As you proceed to observe the indicators you’ll ultimately discover the seashore! It’s solely a few 15 minute stroll from the primary seashore on the town.
You’ll cross a few quiet seashore eating places, however maintain strolling towards the water after which head to the correct. You’ll see some large rock formations – climb over them!
As quickly as you get on prime of them maintain trying to the correct and also you’ll see the non-public calm seashore space.
Giant rock formations and small cliffs create a peaceful and alluring inlet. We performed across the within the crystal clear and heat water for a pair hours.
For the reason that water is so clear and calm, it’s the excellent spot to go snorkeling round right here. Don’t neglect to convey your snorkel gear! Take a look at this game-changer one-piece snorkel and masks set that features an attachment spot in your GoPro.
Learn Subsequent: The Greatest Seashores to Go to in and Round Puerto Vallarta
3. Wander Round Downtown Sayulita
It is best to completely ensure that your Sayulita itinerary consists of strolling the colourful streets of this picturesque city each throughout the day and at night time. Simply meander round and soak up all the gorgeous avenue artwork, verify the markets for distinctive artisan decor, clothes and trinkets.
You’ll shortly see why wandering and admiring the streets is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Sayulita – each few toes you’ll doubtless see somebody stopped of their tracks taking an image of one thing! It’s simply that fairly right here.
Make sure to discover the swing bar and luxuriate in a drink!
For dinner, we actually loved Emiliano’s. Av Revolucion appears to be slightly quieter and attracts extra of the 30-something crowd. Whereas Calle Jose Mariscal is slightly busier with a youthful crowd.
Additionally, everybody right here rents golf carts to cruise round in! There are most likely extra golf carts than automobiles or bikes. I’d say in the event you’re staying on the town for greater than a pair nights, a golf cart is perhaps a pleasant break while you begin to determine the place all the pieces is.
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In any other case, all the pieces is certainly walkable, because the downtown is basically only some sq. blocks in dimension.
Tip: I might advocate bringing sufficient money with you in your keep right here. There are many ATMs in entrance of all of the outlets, however we discovered a number of of them to be empty.
Bear in mind, there’s all the time the danger of card skimmer gadgets in busy cities like this one.
4. Store for Handmade Souvenirs
Lining the cobblestone streets of Sayulita are tons of distinctive artisan outlets. From artwork galleries to handcrafted items, the buying right here is incredible.
End up a dreamcatcher, jewellery or a hand-painted clay pot to convey again dwelling. Trying out all of the outlets is an ideal factor to do when it rains in Sayulita, too.
5. Go to a Hippie Farmer’s Market – Mercado del Pueblo
Solely on Fridays from November to April will you discover probably the greatest markets in Mexico. Contemporary fruit, genuine items and stay music make for a enjoyable couple of hours.
That is the place to buy contemporary espresso beans or an array of plant-based meals. And in the event you love canines, this place is pet pleasant and most of the locals have their furry pals hanging out.
Picture courtesy of Riviera Nayarit Guests & Conference Bureau (Riviera Nayarit CVB)
6. Hike up Monkey Mountain
For unbelievable views of each the mountains and the ocean, hike up Cerro del Mono, also referred to as Monkey Mountain. It’s a forty five minute hike, however completely price it in the event you’re in search of the very best place to observe the sundown.
This hike is situated in between Punta de Mita and Sayulita. It’s slightly tough to search out, so the easiest way to expertise this unbelievable hike is by tour. Head into the jungle on this guided tour the place you get to be taught in regards to the historical past of the world and all of the wildlife alongside the way in which.
The panoramic viewpoint on the prime is without doubt one of the finest hidden gems in Sayulita that not many vacationers find out about but.
Picture courtesy of Riviera Nayarit Guests & Conference Bureau (Riviera Nayarit CVB)
7. Discover a Nice Breakfast Spot
There are tons of nice locations to take pleasure in a delicious desayunos. One of the vital fashionable locations is the ChocoBanana, situated smack dab in the midst of downtown Sayulita. We had an important meal there, however there’s a spot off the crushed path I might extremely advocate.
It’s situated within the courtyard of Resort La Morada. The breakfast is cooked contemporary, exterior, proper in entrance of you. The menu is completely different every day as they normally solely provide 2 or 3 selections.
After we visited we loved eggs cooked inside do-it-yourself blue corn tortillas. Extremely advocate! This romantic courtyard restaurant was one in every of our favorites in Sayulita.
San Francisco is one other small surf neighborhood a few 5 minute drive north that’s harking back to Sayulita earlier than it grew to become as fashionable as it’s right this moment.
Domestically often called San Pancho, it’s an important day journey vacation spot to flee the crowds.
Picture courtesy of Riviera Nayarit Guests & Conference Bureau (Riviera Nayarit CVB)
Scorching Springs and waterfalls! In slightly underneath two hours (driving time) you’ll be able to expertise some actually distinctive sizzling springs in the midst of the jungle.
Seek for the El Molote Scorching Springs. It’s a bumpy and rustic street to get there, so head to any of the native tour firms and rent a information.
There are dozens of small cement swimming pools that match 1-2 adults and the recent thermal water fills every pool individually. A neighborhood favourite, for a superb cause!
As Sayulita turns into increasingly fashionable yearly, it’s little doubt that this is without doubt one of the trendiest locations to go to in Mexico proper now. From the proper waves that beckon surfers from everywhere in the world, and the coolness vibes that summon wannabe seashore bum vacationers, Sayulita is changing into a bucket checklist vacation spot for a lot of. Be sure to go to this magical city quickly!
P.S. For those who love Sayulita, you’ll LOVE Holbox Island. It’s mainly the Sayulita of the Caribbean facet of Mexico! It’s a car-free sandbar island with the identical kind of seashore bum vibes and all the colours and thatched-roofs you’ll be able to deal with!
Take a look at some posts about Holbox right here:
12 THINGS TO DO IN HOLBOX FOR THE ULTIMATE MEXICO ISLAND VACATION
VISITING HOLBOX ISLAND, MEXICO | COMPLETE TRAVEL GUIDE AND TIPS
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