Sayulita Travel Guide

Sayulita is a surf and beach village on the Riviera Nayarit, 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta by road. It has a consistent beach break, a relaxed village centre, good tacos, and a community of long-term expats and digital nomads. It’s popular but not yet destroyed — the streets are walkable, there are no all-inclusives, and the pace is slow.

The beach and surfing

The main beach curves through the village centre. The wave is a point break — consistent, generally gentle, and well-suited to beginners. Several surf schools operate on the beach; lessons and board rental are inexpensive. The peak surf months are May–October (larger swells); December–April is more mellow but still surfable.

The village

The town centre is a grid of colourful streets around a small central square. Most of the restaurants, shops, and nightlife are on the four or five main streets. It’s small enough to walk everywhere. The beach restaurants are lively at sunset. For quieter beaches, Playa de los Muertos (15 minutes north on foot) and San Francisco (Sayulita’s bigger, quieter neighbour, 10 km north) offer more space.

Whale watching

Humpback whales enter Banderas Bay — just south of Sayulita — from December to March. Day boat trips from Puerto Vallarta or the small dock at Sayulita reach the whale watching zones. This is the same whale population that passes through Puerto Vallarta.

Getting there

From Puerto Vallarta: the Compostela highway north; turnoff at the Sayulita sign, 2 km down to the village. Buses from Puerto Vallarta’s bus station (Central Camionera) run regularly. Day trips from Puerto Vallarta are easy; many people combine the two.

Practical matters

Sayulita has an ongoing water quality issue at the main beach — bacterial counts sometimes exceed safe swimming levels during and after heavy rain. The issue is being addressed but not yet resolved. Check local reports, particularly after rainfall, before swimming. San Francisco beach to the north is unaffected.

When to go

December–April: dry season, good for non-surfers. May–October: bigger surf, more rain, fewer crowds. January is the peak month for visitor numbers and whale watching.