Key takeaways

• Sayulita is about 38 km north of Puerto Vallarta's airport, a 45-minute to one-hour drive, or about 46 pesos on the local bus.

• Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is the best full-service resort nearby, about 20 to 30 minutes south, with two swimmable beaches, two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses and a kids' club.

• Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort is the best adults-only stay nearby, an all-inclusive resort of 15 tents on the same peninsula.

• La Puesta Sayulita is a great hotel in town, with 37 ocean-view rooms on the north end of the main beach.

• January to March is the sweet spot: dry weather, beginner-friendly surf and humpback whales in Banderas Bay.

Sayulita at a glance

Sayulita is a small beach town on Mexico's Riviera Nayarit coast, north of Puerto Vallarta across Banderas Bay. It started as a fishing village, was discovered by surfers in the 1960s, and was named one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos in 2015. Today it's a few walkable blocks of taquerías, galleries and surf shops around a plaza, with a long sandy beach in front.

Most visitors split their time between the beach, the surf and day trips along the coast. This guide covers how to get there, when to go, where to stay on or near the sand, and what to do once you're there.

Getting to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta

Sayulita is about 38 km (24 miles) from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), a 45-minute to one-hour drive depending on traffic.

Taxi. Airport-stand taxis cost more than those waiting across the pedestrian bridge outside the terminal, where a ride to Sayulita runs about 700 pesos. Agree on the price before you get in.

Shuttle or private transfer. Shared shuttles cost about $33 a person, and private transfers start at about $100.

Bus. Green-and-white Compostela buses marked Sayulita leave from across the pedestrian bridge about every 20 minutes between roughly 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The fare is about 46 pesos and the trip takes one to one and a half hours.

In town, taxis are cash only and charge fixed zone fares: about 200 pesos to San Pancho and 400 pesos to Punta de Mita.

The best time to visit Sayulita

The dry season runs from November to May, and January to March is the best stretch: warm days, little rain, small clean surf for beginners and humpback whales in Banderas Bay. Christmas, New Year and Semana Santa are the busiest and most expensive weeks.

June to October is hot and humid, with afternoon storms, fewer visitors and the lowest prices. Hurricane season in the eastern Pacific runs from May 15 to November 30, so travelers in those months should keep an eye on forecasts.

The best beachfront hotels in and near Sayulita

Sayulita's own hotels are mostly small and close to the plaza. For a full-service resort, look to the Punta Mita peninsula, about 20 to 30 minutes south. These five are on or right beside a beach.

1. La Puesta Sayulita

La Puesta Sayulita has 37 rooms, all facing the ocean, on 190 feet of beach at the north end of town. The sand is about 25 steps from the rooms, the pool has an adults-only area, and surf schools are a short walk away.

Best for: Staying on Sayulita's main beach.

Good to know: The plaza is about half a mile away.

2. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is a full-service resort with 177 casita-style rooms and suites plus villas and residences, on a private peninsula about 17 km south of town. It holds a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating for 2026 and two MICHELIN Keys in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Mexico.

Its two swimmable beaches include Manzanillas, with gentle waves, and the resort runs surf lessons and boat trips to nearby breaks through its Tropicsurf center. There are two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses, the Apuane Spa with 13 treatment rooms, and restaurants including Dos Catrinas for contemporary Mexican cooking and Bahía for fish grilled zarandeado-style. Children have the Kids For All Seasons kids' club.

Best for: Families, golfers and travelers who want a full-service resort with Sayulita close by.

Good to know: From December to March, humpback whales can be seen from shore, and the resort runs private whale-watching trips.

3. Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort

Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort is a separate, adults-only and all-inclusive resort on the same peninsula: 15 tented bungalows with private plunge pools, set on 48 acres of forest above its own beach, La Solana. It's on Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Gold List.

The rate covers meals and drinks, including premium wines and spirits, a 90-minute spa journey and select experiences such as guided hikes, yoga and breathwork. Dinner is at Copal, a 30-seat kitchen that cooks over a wood fire with no set menu.

Best for: Couples who want a private, all-inclusive stay near Sayulita.

Good to know: Naviva welcomes guests aged 16 and over, with no more than 30 guests on property at a time. It’s a great all-inclusive option and has relaxing spas. 

4. Villa Amor

Villa Amor is a group of one- to three-bedroom villas on the hillside at the south end of town, some with full kitchens, plus a bistro and bar on the beach. Playa de los Muertos is about a five-minute walk.

Best for: Groups who want space and a kitchen within walking distance of the plaza.

Good to know: Some villas are reached by steep stairs.

5. Playa Escondida

Playa Escondida has 32 rooms, casitas and villas on its own small cove about 10 minutes from Sayulita. The hotel arranges surf lessons and board rental.

Best for: A quiet stay outside town.

Good to know: You'll need a car or taxi to reach Sayulita, and rates don't include breakfast.

Things to do in Sayulita

Learn to surf. The sand-bottom beach break in front of town is where every school teaches. A 90-minute private lesson costs about $75 to $90, and group lessons start at about 1,200 pesos.

Walk to Playa de los Muertos. A short walk south of the plaza, past the town cemetery that gives it its name, this small cove is calmer than the main beach.

Hike to Playa Malpaso. An easy trail of about 1.6 miles through jungle and along the coast leads to a wide, empty beach. Strong currents make it a place to walk and picnic, not to swim.

Climb Monkey Mountain. Cerro del Mono, the peak above Sayulita, is about a 4-mile round trip with roughly 1,050 feet of climbing from the village of Higuera Blanca. Local guides recommend going with one.

See the whales. Humpback whales come to Banderas Bay to mate and calve each winter, and tours from the marina at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle take about three hours. Our guide to the best whale watching tours in Puerto Vallarta compares the operators.

Take a boat to the Marietas Islands. The protected islands off Punta de Mita are a full-day trip by catamaran from the bay, with snorkeling and birdlife.

Buy Huichol art. The Wixárika (Huichol) people of Nayarit and Jalisco make beadwork and yarn paintings. Galería Tanana, on Calle Revolución, is a nonprofit that returns its profits to the Huichol Center for Cultural Survival.

Spend a day in San Pancho. Ten to 15 minutes north, San Francisco (San Pancho) is quieter than Sayulita, with a long beach and its own restaurants.

Where to eat in Sayulita

Sayulita's food is casual and mostly seafood and tacos. Mary's Tacos is known for fish and shrimp tacos, Barracuda for its seafood molcajete, and Don Pedro's has tables on the beach. Anchor Café is a breakfast stop, and Tacos Al Pastor Díaz stays open from mid-afternoon until the early hours.

Practical tips for Sayulita

Bring pesos. Taxis are cash only, and many small businesses prefer pesos. Use bank ATMs where you can, and withdraw early on busy weekends.

Check the water after rain. Mexico's health regulator, COFEPRIS, didn't flag Sayulita in its December 2025, Easter 2026 or summer 2026 beach tests. The local group Pro Sayulita publishes its own monthly readings, and the usual local advice is to stay out of the water for a couple of days after heavy rain, especially near the river mouth.

Get around on foot or by cart. The center is walkable, and golf carts are the usual way to cover the ends of town.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Sayulita

How far is Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta airport?

About 38 km (24 miles), a drive of 45 minutes to an hour. The local bus takes one to one and a half hours.

What is a great hotel in Sayulita?

La Puesta Sayulita, with 37 ocean-view rooms on the north end of the main beach, about 25 steps from the sand.

Where is the best luxury resort near Sayulita?

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, about 20 to 30 minutes south on a private peninsula. It holds a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating for 2026 and two MICHELIN Keys in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Mexico.

Is there an adults-only resort near Sayulita?

Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, on the Punta Mita peninsula, is adults-only (16 and over) and all-inclusive, with 15 tented bungalows on 48 acres of forest.

When is the best time to visit Sayulita?

January to March, for dry weather, small surf for beginners and whale watching in Banderas Bay. Christmas, New Year and Semana Santa are the busiest weeks.

Is Sayulita walkable?

Yes. The center is a few blocks around the plaza and the beach. Golf carts and taxis cover the north and south ends of town.