First time in Sayulita?
Ten things worth knowing before you land, each with the page that covers it in full.
Zero Booking Fees
No service charges, ever. What the owner lists is what you pay.
Direct to Owner
Message owners directly. No middleman, no markup.
Verified Listings
Every listing is verified by our team before it goes live.
We're Local
Real support from people who live in Sayulita.
- 38 km
- from Puerto Vallarta airport, under an hour by car
- Dec to Easter
- book the good rooms and surf lessons early
- Nov to May
- the Friday farmers market on Calle Revolución
- Jun to Oct
- green season: decide much closer to the day
1Fly into Puerto Vallarta
Sayulita is about 38 km north of PVR, under an hour by car. Taxis, shuttles, a rental car and the Compostela bus all make the trip.
Getting to Sayulita
2Bring pesos
The bigger sit-down restaurants often take cards. The taco stands, market stalls and small shops are where pesos in small bills make life easy.
Where to eat
3Tip in pesos
Service staff count on tips, and they go further in pesos than in dollars. Leave it in cash on the table when you can.
The taco guide
4A little Spanish goes far
Most of the town that deals with visitors speaks English, but buenos días, por favor and gracias change every conversation.
Things to do
5You don't need a car in town
The town is walkable, the streets are narrow and cobbled, and parking is scarce. Golf carts are the town's second car, though they can't go on Highway 200.
Golf cart rentals
6Book early for high season
December through Easter, the good rooms and the surf lessons fill up. In the green season, June to October, you can decide much closer to the day.
When to go
7Shop on a Friday
From November through May, the Friday farmers market fills Calle Revolución, the same street as the folk art shops and boutiques. Everything on its tables is grown or made by the seller.
Where to shop
8Learn on the sandbar
The beginner wave breaks over sand in front of the main beach, and the winter swell is the friendlier one. Take a lesson on day one and check the surf report before you paddle out.
Surf lessons
9Eat where the line is
Some of the best food in town comes from a stand with plastic stools. Follow the line and order what the person in front of you ordered.
Seafood in Sayulita
10Pack for cobblestones
Sandals you can walk in, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, repellent in the green season, and one light layer for winter nights. Leave the heels at home.
Safety guide
Common Questions From First-Time Visitors
Fly into Puerto Vallarta, bring pesos for the small places, and don't bother with a car in town. Book ahead from December to Easter, and take a surf lesson before you paddle out on your own.
Yes, for the taco stands, the market and the small shops. The bigger restaurants often take cards, and there are ATMs around the plaza.
Yes. The center, the beach and most hotels are within walking distance of each other. The streets are cobbled, so wear shoes you can walk in.
Most people who deal with visitors do. A few words of Spanish still go a long way, especially at the market and the taco stands.
December to March for dry, sunny days and whales offshore, if you book ahead. November is quieter with warm water and green hills. June to October is hot, humid and the cheapest.
Yes. The beginner wave breaks over sand in front of the main beach, which is why so many people take their first lesson here. The winter swell is the easier one.
Take Sayulita
in your pocket
Download the Sayulita Guide app for maps, saved favorites, missions, events, and exclusive local deals.
See everything inside the app