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Sayulita packs a lot into a small footprint. Most visitors come for the surf, but the town also has secluded beaches, whale watching, a jungle hike and a lively market scene, all within a 15-minute walk of the main plaza. Here are the things to do in Sayulita that are actually worth your time.
Things to Do in Sayulita: Beaches and Surf
Surf at Playa Sayulita
The main beach, Playa Sayulita, is one of the easiest places in Mexico to learn to surf. The sand-bottom break produces gentle waist-to-chest-high waves for most of the year, and a 90-minute group lesson costs 800 to 1,200 MXN (about US$45 to 65) including board and rash guard. Several schools line the sand near the river mouth, including Lunazul Surf School and Wildmex, and most open around 8 am. Book your lesson through the where to stay guide to lock in a morning slot before the onshore wind picks up.
Swim at Playa de los Muertos
Playa de los Muertos is a smaller, calmer beach at the north end of town, reached by a 10-minute walk past the cemetery that gives the beach its name. The water here is protected from the main swell, so it’s the best spot in Sayulita for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding with kids. It has no surf, which keeps it quieter than the main beach. Bring water and shade, as there are only a couple of small palapa vendors.
Hike to Playa Carricitos
Carricitos is the most secluded beach in Sayulita, a 25-minute walk north of the main beach along a dirt track past Playa de los Muertos. It’s a short but steep trail with no facilities, so carry water. The reward is an empty stretch of sand with stronger waves, popular with experienced surfers and couples looking for quiet. Go at low tide to avoid scrambling over the rocks at the north end.
Things to Do in Sayulita: Ocean Adventures
Whale Watching in Bahía de Banderas
Between December and March, humpback whales migrate into Bahía de Banderas to calve, and Sayulita is one of the closest launch points. Tours run in small pangas and zodiacs, with La Orca de Sayulita leading trips with a marine biologist on board. Expect to pay 1,100 to 1,600 MXN (US$60 to 85) per person for a two-to-three-hour outing, and book for early morning when the water is calmest. Binoculars and a zoom lens help, but whales often surface within 100 meters of the boat.
Boat Trip to the Islas Marietas
The Islas Marietas, a protected national park 30 minutes offshore near Punta de Mita, are famous for the Playa Escondida (Hidden Beach), a sandy cove inside a collapsed crater. Access is restricted to 116 visitors a day, and the hidden beach itself requires a permit and a short swim through a cave. Most operators run snorkeling-only tours for 1,400 to 1,800 MXN (US$75 to 95) including gear, park fee and lunch. Book at least a week ahead in high season.
Climb Monkey Mountain (Cerro del Mono)
Monkey Mountain is a 4.5 km (2.8 mile) round-trip hike that climbs about 260 meters to a lookout over Sayulita, Punta de Mita and the bay. The trailhead is a 10-minute walk east of town, and the full loop takes two to three hours. It’s unshaded and steep in places, so start before 9 am and carry a liter of water. There’s no entrance fee, but you’ll share the trail with ATVs near the top. Combine it with a beach afternoon using the things to do list.
Things to Do in Sayulita: Town Life
Browse the Mercado del Pueblo
The Mercado del Pueblo, two blocks from the main plaza, is the town’s daily food and craft market. It opens around 9 am and runs into the early afternoon, with stalls selling fresh tortillas, tropical fruit, handmade Huichol beadwork and woven textiles. Prices are lower than the beachfront shops, and most vendors take cash only, so bring small bills. It’s a good spot to buy a gift before your events and festivals article’s recommended day trips. See our travel tips guide for practical details.
Rent a Golf Cart and Explore the Town
Golf carts are the default way to get around Sayulita, and rentals cost 700 to 1,000 MXN (US$40 to 55) a day from shops around the plaza. They’re useful for reaching the north-side beaches and hillside rentals, though the town center is narrow enough that walking is faster for short trips. Streets get clogged after 5 pm, so return the cart before the evening rush. Check our neighborhoods page before choosing where to drop your bags. See our weather by month guide for the monthly data.
Day Trip to San Pancho
San Pancho (San Francisco), 10 minutes north by car, is Sayulita’s quieter neighbor with a long beach, a turtle sanctuary and fewer crowds. The colectivo bus runs between the two towns for about 20 MXN each way. Many people use it as a half-day escape when Sayulita’s beach fills up. Our best time to visit guide covers the timing, and the where to stay page lists the best areas to stay if you’d rather sleep in the calm. Start with our Sayulita travel guide for the full overview.
