Sayulita City
Beach town in Nayarit, popular surf destination
A Pacific-side surf town where point breaks pull longboarders and mercados spill out tacos and ceviche. Visitors stroll color-washed streets, hop boats to nearby reefs, and join evening live music at beach bars.
Sayulita at a Glance#
Costs: $60-140 per day (budget to mid-high) - wide range: budget hostels to upscale villas. Expect midrange prices.
Safety: Generally safe, tourist-aware - generally safe for tourists; take normal precautions against petty theft.
Best Time: November to April (dry, prime surf season) - dry season brings best surfing, sun and smaller mosquitos.
Why Visit Sayulita?#
This Pacific surf town draws beach lovers and creative types with reliable breaks, colorful streets and a laid-back arts scene. Surf schools and local markets sit beside taquerías and cevicherías serving fresh seafood and street tacos, while galleries and yoga classes shape the town’s bohemian vibe. Visitors come for the mix of surf culture, culinary simplicity and a compact center where live music and sunsets are easy to find.
Best Things to Do in Sayulita#
Sayulita Bucket List#
Sayulita Beach (Playa Sayulita) - Main surf beach with colorful vendors, surf schools and a lively town atmosphere.
Sayulita Plaza and Church - Central square and parish church where festivals and local life concentrate daily.
Local surf schools - Multiple surf schools offering beginner lessons and board rentals for visitors.
Playa las Cuevas - Small beach southwest of town accessible by foot or boat for quieter sunbathing.
Sayulita street art alleys - Narrow lanes adorned with vibrant murals by regional and international artists.
San Pancho (San Francisco) day visit - Nearby quieter beach village with an active cultural center and relaxed cafés.
Marietas Islands (Islas Marietas) - Protected marine reserve reachable by boat for snorkeling and whale-watching tours.
Punta Mita - Upscale beach peninsula with luxury resorts, surf breaks and coastal walks to visit.
Best Time to Visit Sayulita#
Sayulita is tropical Pacific coast: a distinct dry season with sunshine and a wet, stormy season. Visit in the dry months for surf and sun; pick shoulder months for fewer crowds but more heat.
November - April
24-31°C (75-88°F)
Sunny, warm and pleasantly breezy - ideal for beach time, surfing and strolling the town without heavy tropical rains.
May - October
24-32°C (75-90°F)
Afternoon thundershowers and very humid air - lush surroundings and fewer tourists, but plan around daily downpours.
March - May
25-34°C (77-93°F)
Pre-monsoon heat ramps up with sticky humidity - beach mornings are great, afternoons often cloud up into storms.
Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 15°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1056 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (225 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is the hottest month, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Heavy rain (265 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (291 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Sayulita#
Sayulita is a popular surf town north of Puerto Vallarta and is most easily reached via Puerto Vallarta’s Gustavo Díaz Ordaz Airport (PVR). Public colectivos and regional buses from Puerto Vallarta provide cheap, frequent links; private transfers and taxis are faster and more comfortable.
Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR): The closest major airport to Sayulita is Puerto Vallarta’s PVR. From PVR the drive to Sayulita is about 40-60 minutes depending on traffic. Options include airport taxis (fixed-rate or shared shuttles), prebooked private transfers, or local colectivos from Puerto Vallarta.
Tepic International Airport (TPQ): Tepic is farther inland and usually results in a longer ground transfer (roughly 1.5-2 hours by road) to Sayulita; it is a possible alternative if flights to Tepic suit your itinerary.
Train: There is no passenger rail service to Sayulita; rail is not used for travel in this part of Nayarit/Jalisco.
Bus / Collectivo: From Puerto Vallarta local colectivos (shared passenger vans) and buses run to Sayulita from the city centre and from the Puerto Vallarta bus station; typical colectivo fares from PV downtown are modest (a few dozen MXN) and travel time is about 45-60 minutes. There are also private shuttle services and larger bus lines that serve Sayulita from regional hubs.
How to Get Around Sayulita#
Sayulita is easiest to reach from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) by colectivo, bus or private shuttle. Within town, walking and short tuk-tuk/ride options handle most local travel-collectivos are the cheapest way to arrive from Puerto Vallarta.
- Collectivo (shared van) (MXN ~40-120 (approx.)) - Collectivos run frequently from Puerto Vallarta and the airport area to Sayulita; they are inexpensive and drop you near the town centre. They fill quickly and leave when full-bring small change and expect basic comfort.
- Bus / coach (MXN ~50-150) - Buses from Puerto Vallarta’s main bus station and regional coaches serve Sayulita from other towns along the Riviera Nayarit. Coaches are comfortable and affordable-check schedules at Puerto Vallarta’s station or with carriers online.
- Airport taxi / private transfer (MXN ~700-1800 (approx. private transfer/taxi from PVR)) - Taxis and private shuttle services from PVR offer door-to-door service and are the most convenient for arrival with luggage or in a group. Prebooked shuttles are common and often quote a fixed rate; taxis may be metered or fixed-price.
- Car hire (USD ~25-70/day (approx.)) - Renting a car gives freedom to explore the Riviera Nayarit coastline and inland towns. Parking in Sayulita can be limited in peak season-arrive early for easier parking and watch for local parking rules.
- Walking - Sayulita’s centre is compact and pedestrian-friendly; most restaurants, shops and beaches are within easy walking distance. Walking is the best way to get around the town itself-wear comfortable footwear for sandy streets.
Where to Stay in Sayulita#
Central Sayulita - $30-80/night
Popular surf town with many boutique hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals. Small hotels fill quickly in high season; book beachfront rooms well in advance.
Beachfront/Old Town - $80-200/night
Popular surf town with many boutique hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals. Small hotels fill quickly in high season; book beachfront rooms well in advance.
Premium beachfront villas - $200+/night
Popular surf town with many boutique hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals. Small hotels fill quickly in high season; book beachfront rooms well in advance.
Where to Eat in Sayulita#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Sayulita’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Sayulita#
Sayulita has a lively shopping scene for a small town: artisanal boutiques, surf shops and galleries line the streets around the plaza. You’ll find handmade jewelry, beachwear and homewares from local and regional artisans. Markets and pop-up stalls are common, especially on weekends and during the high season-great for souvenirs and locally made goods.
Nightlife in Sayulita#
Sayulita offers one of the livelier nightlife scenes on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, with beachfront bars, live music venues and informal late-night gatherings around the plaza. Expect a mix of surf bars, cocktail bars and occasional DJ nights. The scene is tourist-friendly but still relaxed; peak season brings the most activity, while weekdays are much quieter.
