My first time in Sayulita was a day trip from Puerto Vallarta with a friend. We walked over to Playa Las Cuevas (I recommend this), hung out at a beach club, and explored town for a bit. It was a fun introduction, but this time, I stayed for a full week in February, to get a deeper feel.
Longboard Heaven
My Airbnb was at Longboard Heaven, a collection of apartments up the hill from the middle of town. It was a good spot—close enough to the thick of things but just far enough to feel a little removed from the constant energy of the center. I was expecting more noise at night, whether it be music or dogs or chickens, but I didn’t hear much there and slept peacefully.
Echoes of La Punta
The main beach in Sayulita reminded me quite a bit of being at La Punta in Puerto Escondido—the geography, the surf break, the clubs, the birds, etc. Sayulita is quite a bit more built out of course, with a lot more people overall.
I really enjoyed the weather while I was here, which seemed a little cooler than Bucerías, maybe due to the jungle and all the tree cover that keeps the heat down. Mornings in February were actually pretty cool and on the edge of chilly sometimes, and then warmed up quickly. I liked it.
Groceries & Markets
Sayulita has some decent mini-supers, and I was able to find most of what I needed but not everything. The one I went back to most was aptly named Mini Super Sayulita. Next time, I might try ordering from the Chedraui in Bucerías for some of the harder-to-find items. There’s also a good Friday Market in town, which is worth checking out for fresh produce and local goods.
Exploring Different Areas
- Northside: More relaxed than the main center, with a less frenetic atmosphere and nice beach. Plenty of shade in the mornings and a good selection of cafes and restaurants.
- Playa Los Muertos: A nice, secluded alternative to the main beach, which gets pretty crowded. I walked over there a couple of times. The waves are pretty gentle, so there tends to be more kids.
Food
A few of the more memorable food moments for me were:
- Double Smash Burger at Baby’s Burgers. I guess they only do smash burgers at certain times during the week. They have very little seating, so I sat at the bar across the street, where they made me a very good mezcalita.
- Tres Leches Cake at Pasteles de Mimi. This was the real deal. She just has a little table across from the plaza.
- Honey Mary at YAH-YAH Cafe. This is an egg dish with cheese, turkey, bacon, and avocado, and some honey. They serve it with a little jar of honey so you can add more of your own if you like.
- Mint Chocolate Chip Paleta at Waikika Ice Cream Shop. The ice cream in general was great here. I came back here a couple of times.
- Roast Chicken Meal from Pollos “Yolanda”. I walked by here every day going to and from my Airbnb, and couldn’t resist. It’s basically just a big grill full of chicken in front of a house, and you can get some tasty chicken with tortillas and sides for pretty cheap.
- Coffee at ORGANI-K. There are lots of places to get coffee in town, but I struggled a bit to find a place where I enjoyed hanging out. They have some nice spaces here and I enjoyed sitting at the little bar out in front to watch life go by.
Getting Around
I used Uber for pretty much all my getting in and out of town. Scheduling an Uber worked well for the day trip I took and when I left for Punta de Mita at the end of my stay. Other than that just walked everywhere. There are tons of golf carts in town, though, so you could consider renting one of those if needed.
What’s Missing?
Besides lacking a little bit in the grocery department for me, the main thing I didn’t find here was a good outdoor gym. There are some indoor gyms around, but they were a little out of the way and probably more than I need.
Would I Stay Again?
Absolutely. Next time, I’ll probably try and stay in Northside for a slightly more laid-back experience. I’m tempted to stay longer next time as well, but I think I want to try adding a week in San Pancho first. Either way, I think Sayulita could be a regular shoulder or break stay for me. It’s a good mix of beach, jungle, and lively town energy.
One “to do” that I’ve added to my list for next time is Playa Carricitos, which I heard about too late on this visit.