Things to Do in Sayulita: Surf, Beaches and Town Streets

Where Sayulita is and how to get there from Puerto Vallarta

Sayulita sits on the Pacific coast in Nayarit, a little over 45 minutes northwest of Puerto Vallarta on Highway 200 if you drive or take a taxi. Buses from Puerto Vallarta take about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic and time of day, and they drop passengers at a covered station on Avenida Revolución just outside downtown.

Arriving with a carry-on roller bag is workable, since the walk from the bus station into town is short. If you are driving, the road winds past small rural villages into jungle scenery once you clear the city. Puerto Vallarta's airport, Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International, is the closest one, about an hour away by road.

Once you are in town, orient yourself with a look at the grid before you commit to a route: the streets are short and the beaches sit at the west end of them. Use a Sayulita map to find Calle Delfines, Calle Gaviota and the plaza before you set out.

How many days Sayulita needs and how to lay out a day

Two full days cover the core: one for a surf lesson and the main beach, one for the town center, the market and a second beach. Add a third if you want the Monkey Mountain hike or a beach day at Playa de los Muertos without rushing. Day trips to San Pancho or the Marietas Islands each eat a half day on their own.

A workable pattern starts early, because the waves get crowded as the morning goes on and swimmers make it harder to catch one. Surf first, walk the center through the midday heat, then head to a beach in the afternoon and stay for the light.

Learn to surf on Sayulita's main beach

Sayulita's main beach is the place to learn, with a gentle beach break that suits beginners and surf schools set up on the sand every day. You can either book a lesson or simply rent a board, and the trade-off is time versus money: an instructor gets you standing sooner, while a rental lets you practice on your own schedule.

Surf and rental stalls operate on the beach itself, so you can compare what is available in person rather than booking far ahead. One school, Sayulita Surf School, is set up on the beach and offers lessons with an instructor in the water.

The break works for a range of levels, from longboard and shortboard to paddle board, and the left side of the main beach holds a sandbar that beginners use. Expect the water to get more crowded as the morning goes on and swimmers join the lineup.

Walk the center: the plaza letters, Calle Delfines and the street art

The center is small and best done on foot. Start at the Sayulita plaza, where the big colorful letters make the town's classic photo stop, then find Calle Delfines, the street hung with papel picado that shows up in every Sayulita feed. Go in the morning if you want the street quiet and the light soft.

Murals run through the side streets, including a representation of a Huichol man native to Nayarit, and colorful facades turn up on almost every block. Shops, cafés and restaurants with terraces line the streets around the plaza, so the walk doubles as a browse.

When the center feels too busy, walk out along Avenida el Palmar, which is noticeably quieter, then turn onto Islas Marías street to reach the northern beach. The town runs on a lively mix of visitors and residents rather than feeling like a resort strip.

Browse the hippie market at the bridge and the Friday market

The hippie market sits at the bridge in town, a dirt path lined with stalls selling jewelry, souvenirs and things for the house. It is the easiest place to pick up a small gift without leaving the center.

A separate Friday market brings in organic produce, fresh cheeses, baked bread and vegan food, along with locally made clothing. It runs from November through May, so check the current schedule before you plan a morning around it.

For a broader look at what is sold where, from handicrafts to beachwear, see our guide to shopping in Sayulita. Budget some cash for market stalls, since small vendors are the likeliest place to need it.

Swim at Playa de los Muertos

Playa de los Muertos, the Beach of the Dead, is a small cove set under a rock shelter with calm water, which makes it the pick for a swim rather than a surf session. It takes its nickname from the cemetery behind it. Food stalls stand in for restaurants and serve local seafood.

Because the cove is compact and the water is sheltered, it draws a crowd, so arrive earlier in the day if you want space on the sand. It is a short ride or a walk from the center, which makes it easy to pair with a morning in town.

Walk north to Playa Norte and Playa Malpaso

Playa Norte is the quiet stretch just north of the main beach, reached by walking Avenida el Palmar and turning onto Islas Marías street. It is essentially an extension of the main beach, with almost nobody on it and a handful of couples walking dogs in the morning.

From the far end of Playa Norte, a path continues about 20 minutes to Playa Malpaso, a larger and very tranquil beach beside Playa Las Cuevas. The entrance is not obvious from the sand, so follow the shoreline north and look for the trail rather than expecting a signed turn.

Neither beach has much in the way of services, so carry water and snacks and plan to walk back the way you came. The round trip on foot makes a half day if you stop to swim.

Sunset and rough surf at Playa Carricitos

Playa Carricitos is about 40 minutes on foot from central Sayulita, with a path that cuts through the jungle, and it is often nearly empty. The waves here are strong, so treat it as a place to look at rather than a swimming beach, and bring your own water and snacks because there are no services.

The reward is the light at the end of the day, since the beach faces southwest and is a known spot for watching the sun drop. If you want more options for where to end the afternoon, see our notes on Watching the Sunset in Sayulita.

Hike Cerro del Mono (Monkey Mountain)

Cerro del Mono, known in English as Monkey Mountain, is a hike above town rather than a stroll, so set aside a morning. The climb rewards you with views back over Sayulita and the coastline.

Plan the hike for early in the day, when the heat is lower and the trail is quieter, and carry more water than you think you need. Skip it if you are short on time, since the beaches and the center fill two days comfortably on their own.

Day trips: San Pancho, La Lancha and the Marietas Islands

San Pancho, officially San Francisco, lies about 7 km north of Sayulita and has a calmer beach of its own plus a solid cluster of restaurants. It works as a half-day escape from the town's bustle.

La Lancha, about 10 km away near Punta Mita, is a surf beach for more experienced riders than the main beach in town. Book it as a separate session rather than squeezing it between other stops.

The Islas Marietas are the other big trip out of Sayulita and take their own half day by boat. Between San Pancho, La Lancha and the islands, pick one per day instead of trying to chain them.

If you are comparing Pacific coast towns before you commit, our things to do in Cabo San Lucas and things to do in Acapulco pages show how other beach destinations lay out their days. Sayulita's advantage is that the surf, the center and several beaches all sit within walking distance.

What things cost and how to pay in town

Surf lessons, board rentals and market stalls are the main variable expenses, and the town runs on a mix of cash and card. Carry pesos for the beach vendors, market tables and food stalls at Playa de los Muertos, where small operators are common.

Ask at the surf stalls on the beach and at the market for the current price before you commit, since rates change by season and by operator. The Riviera Nayarit coastline has plenty of competing operators, which makes it worth comparing two or three quotes on the sand.

Which Sayulita day fits your trip?

If you have one day, surf the main beach in the morning, walk Calle Delfines and the plaza at midday, and finish at Playa de los Muertos or Carricitos for the light. With two days, add the hippie market, Playa Norte and the 20-minute walk to Malpaso, and save Monkey Mountain or San Pancho for a third.

Skip the day trips if your time is tight, because the town itself covers surf, streets and several beaches without a car. Book the Marietas Islands or La Lancha only when you have a full half day to give them.