Things to Do in Sayulita

Sayulita is a small surf town in Nayarit state, 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. It became popular from the early 2000s as a quieter alternative to the hotel strip of Vallarta — a consistent beginner-intermediate surf break, cheap accommodation in the village, and an established yoga and wellness scene. It is more developed and crowded than it once was, particularly December through March, but retains its beach-village character compared to resort Mexico.

Activity overview

Activity	Cost	Season	Duration
Surf lesson (90 min)	~USD $40–60	Year-round	1.5 hours
Board rental	~USD $15–20/day	Year-round	—
Whale watching tour	~USD $55–75/person	Dec–Mar	3 hours
Yoga drop-in class	~USD $15–20	Year-round (peak Nov–Apr)	1–1.5 hours
Water taxi to Playa del Muerto	~MXN $100–150 return	Year-round	—
Punta de Mita surf trip	Taxi ~MXN $300–400 return	Year-round	Half/full day
San Pancho day trip	~MXN $30 (colectivo)	Year-round	Half day

All prices approximate, as of 2026.

Surfing

The main beach has a reliable point break on the north side — best at medium tide, works on most swells. The wave is consistent, generally gentle, and well-suited to beginners and intermediate surfers. Long, forgiving rides are the norm.

Several surf schools operate from the beach: Lunazul Surf School, WildMex, and Sayulita Surf School are established. Lessons approximately USD $40–60 for 90 minutes including board. Board rental approximately USD $15–20/day for longboards and foamies.

Peak surf months: May–October when south swells produce larger, more consistent waves. December–April is mellower — better for beginners but still surfable.

For advanced surfers: Playa de los Muertos (a beach break south of town, 20-minute walk or water taxi) offers faster, more powerful waves. Punta de Mita (30 minutes south by taxi, approximately MXN $300–400 return) has hollow, faster waves over a reef bottom — the best surf near Sayulita for experienced riders. La Lancha (between Sayulita and Punta de Mita) has a right point break that works on larger swells.

Yoga and wellness

Sayulita has a high density of yoga studios and retreat centres, most active November through April when the weather is best and the town fills with international visitors.

Residential retreats: Haramara Retreat (upscale, cliff-top jungle setting, week-long programmes from approximately USD $2,500/week) and Xinalani (south of town, beach location, from approximately USD $1,500/week) are the established options. Both offer daily yoga, meditation, and spa treatments in scenic settings.

Drop-in classes: Studios in town run classes throughout the day (approximately USD $15–20 per session). Paraiso Yoga and Sayulita Yoga offer multiple daily classes. Yoga del Mar has beachside sessions.

Snorkelling at Playa de los Muertos

The “Beach of the Dead” (named for a local legend, not for any macabre reason) has rocky reef edges with decent snorkelling — parrotfish, small reef fish, sea urchins, and occasional rays. The water is clearer than the main beach. Accessible by the cliff path south of town (20-minute walk, moderate difficulty) or by water taxi from the main beach (approximately MXN $100–150 return). Bring your own snorkel gear or rent from shops in town (approximately MXN $100/day).

Whale watching (December–March)

Humpback whales enter Banderas Bay — just south of Sayulita — from December to March to give birth and nurse their calves. Boat tours from Sayulita operate weekly (approximately USD $55–75 per person, 3 hours). Dolphins (bottlenose and spinner) are present year-round and are commonly seen on the tours. Ally Cat Sailing and WildMex are established operators for both whale watching and dolphin tours.

San Pancho (San Francisco)

The next village north, 5 km by road. Quieter than Sayulita, with a better beach for swimming (fewer surfers, less development), good restaurants, and a small arts community. The beach is wider and less crowded. La Ola Rica (beachfront, mains approximately MXN $150–250) and Cielo Rojo (mains approximately MXN $120–200) are the best restaurants.

A 10-minute taxi (approximately MXN $80–100) or colectivo (approximately MXN $30) makes it a natural afternoon excursion. Some visitors prefer to stay in San Pancho and day-trip to Sayulita for the surf and nightlife.

Marietas Islands

The Islas Marietas — a protected national park 30 minutes by boat from Punta de Mita — have the famous Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor), a beach inside a collapsed volcanic crater accessible by swimming through a tunnel. Access is strictly limited to 116 visitors per day by permit. Tours from Sayulita (approximately USD $80–120) include snorkelling and bird watching. Book well ahead — permits sell out, especially December–April. The snorkelling around the islands is excellent even without the Hidden Beach visit — blue-footed boobies, manta rays, and dolphins.

Food and nightlife

Mary’s (on the main square) does good fish and shrimp tacos (approximately MXN $30–50 each). Don Pedro’s (beachfront, mains approximately MXN $180–350) is the upscale sunset dinner option. Barracuda (near the beach, mains approximately MXN $120–200) serves reliable ceviche. Taco stands on the main street sell al pastor, fish, and shrimp tacos (approximately MXN $20–35 each). The main square has a weekend market with food, crafts, and art.

Nightlife is concentrated on the main street — bars and live music, busiest Thursday–Saturday during high season.

Practical tips

• From Puerto Vallarta airport: 50 minutes by taxi (~USD $45–60) or colectivo from the Central Camionera (~MXN $50, 1 hour).
• High season (Dec–Mar): Book accommodation 2–3 weeks ahead. Prices increase 30–50%.
• Water quality: The main beach has periodic water quality advisories due to the river mouth. Check current status after heavy rain. San Pancho beach is unaffected.
• Getting around: The town is walkable. Taxis to Punta de Mita or San Pancho are affordable.

More Sayulita Guides

• Back to Sayulita Guide
• Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide — the nearest city, 45 minutes south, with the main international airport
• Pacific Coast Beaches — how Sayulita and the Riviera Nayarit compare with Mexico’s other coasts
• Solo Travel in Mexico — safety and logistics for independent travellers on the Nayarit coast

Plan your trip: tours in Sayulita · skip-the-queue tickets · travel insurance.

See Also

• Adventure Sports in Mexico — surfing, whale watching, and outdoor activities on Mexico’s Pacific coast
• Best Time to Visit Mexico — when whale watching and surf conditions peak on the Riviera Nayarit