You may have already read our surf guide to the small town of Sayulita in Nayarit, Mexico. If you have, then you already know that we recently spent a few weeks there. But Sayulita is worth visiting even if surfing isn’t the main reason for your trip, so I also wanted to share a more general travel guide covering our three weeks in this beautiful part of Mexico.
Besides spending plenty of time in the water, we explored the surrounding area, visited neighboring towns, discovered quiet beaches, and enjoyed lots of amazing food. Here’s everything you should know before planning your own trip.
Why We Chose Sayulita
To be completely honest, Mexico had never really been on my travel bucket list. My impression of the country was mostly based on what I’d seen and heard about places like Tulum and Cancún—large resorts, party destinations, and heavy tourism. That’s simply not our style.
Whenever we travel, we prefer to stay somewhere a little longer, settle into a daily routine, and experience a destination beyond the typical tourist attractions.
Surfing was definitely the main reason we chose Sayulita, but we also wanted a destination that offered plenty to do outside the water. During our research, it quickly became clear that Sayulita and the surrounding area had so much more to offer.
Another important factor was finding the right balance between being too touristy and too remote. We didn’t want to end up somewhere overcrowded or overpriced, but we also needed access to vegan food, supermarkets, and reliable internet.
The internet situation in Sayulita—and the Nayarit region in general—is actually something worth mentioning. Mobile reception can be inconsistent, and some nearby areas have little to no signal at all. If you’re planning to work remotely during your stay, I highly recommend booking accommodation with Starlink internet.
Luckily, Sayulita has plenty of restaurants and cafés offering vegan options, several smaller grocery stores, and two larger supermarkets within about a 30-minute drive. Once we realized that reliable internet was also manageable, the decision was easy—we booked our trip.
Is Sayulita Safe?
One of the biggest questions we had before traveling—and one that many people asked us afterward—was whether Sayulita is actually safe.
Mexico often gets a bad reputation, and it’s easy to assume the entire country is unsafe. Of course, we can only speak from our own experience in Sayulita, but throughout our entire stay, we felt completely comfortable.
We also spoke to several expats living there, and everyone—especially the women we met—told us the same thing: Sayulita feels very safe, and they never worry about being robbed, scammed, or walking around town.
As always, it’s important to use common sense while traveling, but we’ve never found ourselves in a situation that made us feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Things to Do in Sayulita
We’ve already shared everything about surfing in our dedicated surf guide, but there’s so much more to enjoy in Sayulita. Even if you’ve never surfed before—or don’t plan to—you’ll still have a wonderful time here.
That said, if you’ve ever wanted to give surfing a try, this is a fantastic place to do it. We can wholeheartedly recommend Fernando at Stalla Surf Center, whether you’re a complete beginner or already at an intermediate level like us.
Beyond surfing, Sayulita is simply a wonderful beach destination. The town’s main beach stretches for roughly 1.5 kilometers and offers several different sections. Some areas are quieter and more relaxed, while others are lined with beach restaurants and cafés where you can spend the entire day.
You’ll also find local vendors walking along the beach selling fresh coconuts, ice cream, oysters, and other snacks.
If swimming is your priority, I’d recommend heading toward either end of the beach, where the waves are generally calmer. You can also cool off in the water near the surf break whenever the conditions allow.
The town itself is just as charming. Small colorful streets are filled with cafés, restaurants, local boutiques, and artisan shops. We especially loved browsing the local craft markets and trying tacos and other Mexican specialties from the small street food stands.
Despite its relatively small size, Sayulita also has a surprisingly great fitness scene. You’ll find gyms, yoga studios, reformer Pilates classes, and even a newly opened padel court. Whether you enjoy staying active or simply relaxing on the beach, there’s something for everyone.
Places to Visit Near Sayulita
While you definitely don’t need a car to get around Sayulita itself, I would highly recommend renting one if you’re staying for more than a few days.
The surrounding area has so much to offer, and having a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
One of our favorite nearby towns was San Pancho, which we visited several times during our stay. It has a similar laid-back atmosphere, great restaurants and cafés, beautiful boutiques, a gorgeous beach, and a few lovely beach clubs. The surf there is generally better suited for shortboarders, but it’s still worth visiting even if you’re not surfing.
We also spent time exploring some of the quieter beaches nearby. We simply searched Google Maps for hidden spots in the area and ended up finding some beautiful places.
Our personal favorites were Playa Pátzcuaro Sur, Playa Carrecitos and Playa Patzcuaritos.
There are also plenty of other activities around Sayulita that we didn’t have time to try ourselves, including:
- Hiking (Monkey Mountain is one of the most popular trails)
- Horseback riding
- Day trips to the Marietas Islands
- Day trips to Puerto Vallarta or Lo de Marcos
- Project Tortuga, where you can help protect sea turtles
- ATV tours
- Ziplining
Our Favorite Restaurants & Cafés in Sayulita
Since we’re both vegan, all of the places listed below either serve vegan dishes or offer vegan-friendly options.
For cafés, this mostly means they offer plant-based milk alternatives, though not every café serves vegan food. Some restaurants didn’t list vegan dishes on the menu, but whenever we asked, they were more than happy to prepare something for us.
Our Favorite Cafés in Sayulita:
- Café Coyote
- Schmoutzi
- Anchor Café
- ChiChili Helado Vegano (veganes Eis)
- La Barrita de Sayulita
- Flores & Colores
- Cafeteria Northswell Sabor Natural
- Julia’s
Our Favorite Restaurants in Sayulita:
- Cafeteria Northswell Sabor Natural
- Papa Omar
- Tacos Al Pastor Diaz
- Naty’s Kitchen
- Miscelanea Sayulita
- Bichos
