Nestled on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, you’ll find the small but vibrant beachside town of Sayulita. It is a unique clashing of worlds. Sun-kissed surfers, laid-back backpackers, and well-dressed vacationers share its cobbled streets with the fun-loving locals who call Sayulita home. The relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and buzzing nightlife scene make it an excellent travel destination, especially for my fellow backpackers. It quickly became one of my favorite beach towns in Mexico, up there with Puerto Escondido and Isla Holbox.

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Table of Contents

• How To Get To Sayulita
• Where To Stay in Sayulita
• Getting Around Sayulita
• The Best Things To Do in Sayulita
• Best Places to Eat in Sayulita
• Nightlife in Sayulita

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How To Get To Sayulita

The quickest way to get to Sayulita is by flying into Puerto Vallarta’s airport. The local bus that goes to and from Sayulita passes by the airport and costs 55 pesos. Just ask around if you aren’t sure where it stops. The buses usually don’t let you put your luggage in the undercarriage, so be prepared to squeeze onto the bus with your backpack or suitcase. Ride the bus all the way to the final stop, Sayulita’s bus terminal. From there, it’ll be a short walk to whichever hostel you’re staying in.

If you are traveling overland, there are direct buses to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. I didn’t really have any interest in visiting Puerto Vallarta so I came straight from Guadalajara. Two buses that service this route are Primera Plus and Vallarta Plus. Both are nice and cost around 700-800 pesos. If you’re coming from Puerto Vallarta, just catch the 55 peso local bus up to Sayulita.

Where To Stay in Sayulita

Sayulita has a ton of accommodation options catering to any budget. Of course, as a backpacker, you’ll be looking for the best hostel in Sayulita. That distinction is honestly pretty tough to earn. Every hostel I stayed at or visited in Sayulita was elite in its own way. Here are a few of my favorite hostels in Sayulita.

Casa Paraiso / Viajero Sayulita

• Viajero Hostel Sayulita is nestled on a hill overlooking the town, beach, and the jungle that surrounds Sayulita. It’s got arguably the best rooftop in town and they take full advantage with events and parties throughout the week. This is a hostel that has it all, and is perfect for any type of backpacker.

Casa Pepe

• Those who’ve traveled around Mexico might be familiar with the Casa Pepe hostel chain. They are my favorite hostel in Mexico City, and their Sayulita location lives up to that standard. The rooftop boasts a pool, as well as other common areas for meeting travelers. Casa Pepe is right on the main road, but just far enough out of the city center where you won’t hear all the chaos going on if you’re trying to sleep.

Selina Sayulita

• Located right in the heart of town, Selina Sayulita is where it’s at if you want to be close to the action. Selina is the biggest hostel chain in the world but I find them to be pretty hit-or-miss. I didn’t stay at the Selina in Sayulita but did attend a few of their events like salsa nights. They’ve got a great location right in town, but that means it can be pretty loud. My friends who stayed at Selina said that you’ll hear everything that goes on in the hostel and in town. I usually associate Selinas with digital nomads and getting a decent sleep but this Selina definitely had more of a party vibe.

La Redonda Hostel

• La Redonda is located in the heart of town and just a few short blocks from the beach. Like Selina, the location is fantastic, but it can be noisy. This is definitely a surf and party hostel, and if you plan on getting any sleep, you might want to look elsewhere. However, the social atmosphere and the fun vibes of this place make it a great hostel for meeting people and partying.

A few other hostels to consider are the ITH Amazing Hostel and the female-only hostel My Sister’s House.

Getting Around in Sayulita

Sayulita is not a big town. One can walk pretty much across the entire town within 30 minutes. If you’re staying in the center, it won’t take more than 10 minutes to walk anywhere you want to go. Just watch your step on the uneven cobbled roads. Good luck to those of y’all traveling with a suitcase.

However, there are other alternatives, albeit expensive ones, if you want to avoid walking in the sizzling Sayulita heat. Renting a scooter or a golf cart are the two most popular. We asked around at a few places because we thought it’d be laughs for a few of us to pitch in what we expected to be around $5 each to rent a golf cart. Nope. On average, the pricing started at 1300 pesos ($75 USD) per day. We still considered it, but found out that the golf carts are restricted to Sayulita, and we couldn’t cruise it up the coast like we had hoped. If you’re a young, healthy backpacker, there really is no need to have one in town, which is very small and walkable.

The other option was scooters, similarly priced but infinitely more worth it. Although you’ll have to split the cost between two people instead of 4-6 for a golf cart, you can actually skip town on a scooter. Make a plan and get a full day out of it, maybe hitting Cerro del Mono, San Pancho, or other secluded spots along the coast.

Overall, I think your two legs should get you around just fine.

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The Best Things To Do in Sayulita

I spent a week in Sayulita, expecting not to do much besides be a beach bum and eat good food. I was surprised at just how busy I was able to keep in such a small, laid-back town. Aside from the main beach of Sayulita, there are plenty of hidden spots to explore. Public transportation can get you up and down the coast if you want to explore some of the lesser-traveled towns, and there are a fair bit of excursions an adventurous traveler can take on. Here are some of the best things to do in Sayulita.

Visit the Charming Village of San Pancho

A fifteen-minute bus ride from Sayulita will take you to the charming town of San Francisco, colloquially referred to as San Pancho. Catch a bus from Sayulita’s terminal. The bus costs 27 pesos and it will drop you off on the main highway outside of San Pancho. After about 15 minutes of walking, you’ll find yourself on the beach. San Pancho’s beach is nicer, less crowded, and more tranquil than Sayulita’s. There’s also a laguna with crocodiles right next to the beach, a gorgeous spot to catch the sunset.

The town of San Pancho itself doesn’t have too much to do, but there are a few nice restaurants, boutiques, and a more laid-back nightlife scene than Sayulita. If Sayulita proves to be too loud and crazy for your relaxing beach holiday, then San Pancho might be a good alternative.

Catch the Sunset at Carricitos Beach

A 30-minute hike from the center of Sayulita town will take you to Playa Carricitos. This secluded beach is your best bet for catching a stunning sunset. The hike is steep in some short stretches, but overall, very doable for anyone. It’s worth the walk. I’d say Playa Carricitos was my favorite of the beaches I visited while in Sayulita.

Sayulita Artisanal Market

Aside from beaching and eating, the best thing to do in Sayulita town itself is to go shopping. If you’re a budget backpacker like me, don’t even bother walking into those trendy-looking boutiques in town. I mean, $150 for a Hawaiian shirt? That’s dollars by the way.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly shopping area, there is an artisanal market in Sayulita selling all sorts of things, from clothing to traditional Mexican trinkets. The main stretch of the market is a narrow, dirt path lined with stalls, but the shops spread out much further. All of the streets around the market are usually lined with tables selling more artisanal products, so be sure to have a wander.

Hike Up Cerro del Mono

The most popular hike to do in the area is up Monkey Mountain, or Cerro del Mono. Many tour agencies in Sayulita will offer excursions to Cerro del Mono, a convenient but pretty over-priced option. It is possible to catch a local bus and get off close to the trailhead instead. The hike is 7 kilometers round trip, so expect to spend at least a few hours taking on this trek. The views from the top will give you a stunning panoramic of the ocean, jungles, and little towns that dot this section of Mexico’s Pacific Coast.

Go Surfing in Sayulita

Sayulita is a surf town, after all. The beach in Sayulita is popular among surfers, and there are no shortage of places on the beach and in town renting surfboards or offering lessons. The average cost seemed to be $10 USD an hour or $30 for an entire day to rent a surfboard. Lessons were typically around $80 to $120. Be sure to check the inclusions, as a more expensive lesson might include board rental and even transportation to another surf beach. La Lancha is the main alternative to Sayulita’s main beach. Most surf shops will also offer trips to La Lancha and elsewhere.

Take a Boat Trip to Islas Marietas

The most popular day trip from Sayulita is hopping on a boat and heading to Islas Marietas. Most people will opt to book a guided tour for the simplicity, but it is possible to sort things out on your own for much cheaper. From Sayulita, head to Bucerias and then wait for a bus to Punta de Mita. There, one can hire a fishing boat to take them to Islas Marietas. Try to go early to beat the huge crowds coming from Puerto Vallarta and elsewhere along the coast. December to March is the season to go if you’re hoping to see humpback whales.

For divers, the Islas Marietas is also the go-to destination in the area. You can find tour agencies offering group diving trips.

Best Street Food and Restaurants in Sayulita

One of my favorite things about Sayulita was its abundance of amazing restaurants and street food options. The food in Sayulita was absolutely bangin’ and I took full advantage. Here are a few of my favorite restaurants in Sayulita.

Best Mexican Food in Sayulita:

For authentic, affordable Mexican street food, Tacos Toño can’t be beat. Their quesadillas are massive and worth every peso. In the mood for seafood? Hit up El Rinconcito for some unbeatable seafood tacos at a fraction of the price most restaurants in Sayulita charge. In front of El Rinconcito is a birria stand called Birria Patty. They close early in the afternoon, though, so catch them early to get your birria fix. Along the square, you’ll find Tacos Tal Ivan and Tacos Diaz, reliable options for al pastor and more at any time of day.

For authentic Mexican in a sit-down restaurant setting, I’d recommend Mary’s or Luna’s. Mary’s is an icon in Sayulita, and you’ll often find long lines around dinnertime. The food is worth the wait, though. They are easily the best seafood tacos and burritos in town. Luna’s is also good, but I typically went there for a pre-dinner snack during their happy hours. A few others that looked good are Kahlo and Xochi, although both were a bit out of my budget.

Best International Food in Sayulita

Sayulita also has its fair share of international restaurants. Rustica was excellent for Italian food. Organi-K was my go-to lunch spot for smoothies and poke bowls. Tiburon had amazing food with American influence. Sur38 is a fancy spot just a short walk out of town that most people miss. Oh, and definitely grab a burger from Baby’s Burgers. It’s a street stall, but the burgers are amazing. I’ve had my fair share of Mexican street burgers, but Baby’s blew them all away.

You’ll also find a number of cute cafes throughout town. Sayulita is definitely becoming one of Mexico’s best remote work destinations. I was surprised how reliable the Wi-Fi throughout town was, especially compared to bigger beach towns like Puerto Escondido and Tulum that had me ripping my hair out on busy work days. Miscellanea and Organi-K were my two go-tos.

Where To Party in Sayulita: A Nightlife Guide

Work hard, play hard, right? Not that I was doing much work, but Sayulita definitely plays hard. For such a small town, Sayulita has a surprisingly vibrant nightlife scene that goes late into the night. I’d say it is easily one of the best party destinations in Mexico. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect on a night out in Sayulita.

Daytime Partying in Sayulita

It’s hard to resist a cold Corona on the beach, so the drinking culture in Sayulita often starts quite early. There are a number of beach clubs, often with DJs early on in the day and spinning at sunset and well into the night. If you’re looking for some sunshine and a summery atmosphere, I’d say hit up one of these beach clubs. Coco’s Beach Club is a popular one, especially on Fridays. It’s not the cheapest way to go about it, but hey, if you’re on holiday, treat yourself. An alternative would be to pop over to one of the hostels like Viajero or Casa Pepe and have some more budget-friendly drinks by their pool.

Sayulita is very lax about laws in general, so drinking in public won’t cause any problems. One can just grab a beer from a kiosko or an Oxxo and walk around town and the beach and sip on their own bevvies. My favorite thing to do was grab a six-pack of Modelos and hike on over to Playa Carricitos to watch the sunset before stumbling back into town. By then, the atmosphere has livened up significantly, and the parties are already beginning to start.

Happy hours are a huge thing in Sayulita, and up until around 7 PM, you can find 2 for 1 drinks at many places. Luna’s was a personal favorite happy hour of mine. You can even show up at 6:59, order your happy hour drinks, have dinner, and by the time you’re done, you’ll be raring for a boogie. The nightlife centers heavily around Sayulita’s main plaza. Oftentimes, there will be a party in the plaza itself. I’m not sure if it was because I visited during the Feast of Guadalupe, or if Sayulita is always like this, but there was constantly live music and street dancing in the plaza the entire week I was there. It often lasted until midnight or later, and was great for dancing or people-watching.

Hostel Parties and Events in Sayulita

Keep an eye out for hostels hosting events. Most of these events are open to guests and the general public, and you’ll find many locals at these parties as well. Viajero Hostel often has DJs playing on their rooftop. Come for sunset and sway to the vibes and the views. It always makes for a great party. Selina hosts karaoke and salsa nights. With its central location, the parties here grow quickly as passersby join in on the fun. Nearby La Redonda has karaoke nights and other events. There’s always something going on around town. Just ask around. If you’re solo traveling, these events are great for meeting people in a fun setting.

Bars and Clubs in Sayulita

Now, on to the actual clubs. YamBak is the most iconic of Sayulita’s nightlife spots. Take advantage of Tuesdays when Coronas and margaritas are two for one all night. It is the most reliable nightlife spot in town if you’re looking for a guaranteed party. If there isn’t much happening at YamBak, it likely means there’s a big event or party somewhere else. Ask around to find out where.

Close to YamBak are Bar Le Zouave and Barrilito. Both of them usually have a live DJ. Eventually, these parties will spill out onto the streets of the plazas and make for a fantastic vibe. The music stops at around 2-3 AM. YamBak was typically the last place still playing music. Everyone congregates there to snatch the last bits of boogie before heading home or heading to after parties.

Beach After-Party in Sayulita

Once the music stops spinning, it’s time to head back to the beach. Here, you’ll find a few small bars playing music late into the night and selling drinks as long as people are buying. There’ll also be a bonfire with chairs that people sit around and chat at. It’s an amazing way to cap off a night out in Sayulita. I stayed until 5 AM one night and there were still plenty of people up and drinking. Sayulita never sleeps.

Sayulita is definitely a destination to visit before it gets too popular and goes the way of beach towns like Tulum. There is something special about this place that sucks you in. Planning on staying for three days? Scratch that entire plan. You’re a stronger person than I if you find the willpower to make it out of Sayulita before a week’s time. Life is simply better in this vibrant surf town with immaculate vibes.

My Complete Mexico Backpacking Itinerary

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Buy Me A Beer!

If this post helped you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going by buying me a beer! My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated, and allows me to keep writing helpful travel guides and creating travel content to help you all travel the world on a budget.