Sayulita is a small surf town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in the state of Nayarit, on the stretch of shoreline known as the Riviera Nayarit. It sits north of Puerto Vallarta and its airport, close enough for an easy arrival day but far enough to feel like its own place. This guide is the short version of everything a first-time visitor usually asks us.
The town in brief
Sayulita grew from a coconut-ranching village into one of the best-known beach towns on this coast. Surfers have been coming since the 1960s, and in 2015 Mexico’s tourism authorities named it a Pueblo Mágico, a designation given to towns with a distinct character and cultural value. Today the town centre is compact and walkable: a plaza, a main beach, streets of shops, cafés, taquerías and restaurants, and a relaxed pace that changes with the seasons.
When to come
The dry season runs roughly from November to May, with sunny days and lower humidity. From June to October the weather turns warmer and wetter, usually with short afternoon or evening storms, and the jungle around town turns green. Winter is busiest; the late summer and early autumn months are the quietest. Our guide to the best time to visit Sayulita goes month by month.
Getting here
Most visitors fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR). The drive north to Sayulita typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. Taxis, private transfers and a regional bus all make the trip; details are in getting from the airport to Sayulita.
Beaches and surf
The main beach is the centre of town life, with a gentle beginner surf zone and busier breaks nearby. A short walk south brings you to a calmer, more sheltered cove, and there are wilder, quieter beaches further along the coast. See our beach guide and surfing for beginners.
Beyond town
San Pancho, Lo de Marcos and the Punta de Mita peninsula are all within an easy drive, and boat trips run to the protected Islas Marietas. Start with day trips from Sayulita.
A few practical notes
- Carry some cash in pesos: many small businesses prefer it.
- Ride-hailing apps are not a reliable way to get around Sayulita; local taxis and pre-arranged drivers are.
- Ocean conditions change quickly. Swim where others swim, respect flags and ropes, and ask locally before heading to a remote beach.
- Book holiday weeks such as Christmas, New Year and Semana Santa well ahead.
Staying at Casa Tigre
Casa Tigre is a brand-new, townhouse-style modern home in Sayulita with a private rooftop garden and heated plunge pool: a quiet base to come back to after a day in town. Explore the residence or see booking details.