Sayulita Surf Guide
A popular and beautiful town in Nayarit, Sayulita is a go-to for surfers from all over the Americas.
Quick Facts
Chill and party vibes, absolutely beautiful little town
Tons of schools and classes for beginners
Has the most crowded wave I’ve ever seen I think
Best waves in winter, but a year-round spot
Introduction to Sayulita
Located on the Riviera Nayarit, Sayulita is an awesome surf town on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Just an hour from the airport in Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita is home to a rich surf scene. Enjoy the consistent beginner waves during every season, find local Huichol art, and eat some of the delicious and healthy food. Sayulita has one of the best selections of surf camps in Mexico, and you can also find a ton of places to do yoga and practice meditation in between surfing and eating tacos!
Sayulita Surf Season
Sayulita is known for being an amazing spot regardless of the time of year. Look at the yellow line in the image. It’s hard to find a swell chart that consistent. Generally, the best waves come in the winter months (October-April). Because of Sayulita’s orientation toward the north, it cuts down the S and SW swells, protecting you from the open ocean. There’s more wind in the winter, but nothing too strong usually. You may also notice its a relatively small swell. Sayulita is definitely geared toward beginner surfers and schools, but you will find other waves to catch outside of town. The breaks are mostly beach breaks, and don’t have a lot of rocks or reef close to shore. There are sand banks to watch out for, but the sandy bottom makes it a beginner’s paradise.
Where to Surf in Sayulita
By far the most popular spot in Sayulita itself is the Sandbar. This is a beginner surf spot that is often wildly crowded during busy season (winter). Seriously, it can get super crowded. There are also the Sayulita Right and Left waves at the river mouths. These are a bit bigger, but often max out at about chest high. The river breaks are often less crowded, but still will have a full lineup when there are waves. Overall, the whole main beach is super busy, but also offers insanely consistent waves, especially for beginners.
Crowds - Super crowded
Surfer Level - Beginners
Ideal Swell - W/SW
Ideal Wind - E/NE
Break Type - Sandbar beach break
Consistency - 90%
Be Aware: Sand bar, crazy busy
Surf Camps, Classes, and Lessons in Sayulita
Sayulita is perhaps the best place in Mexico to go for classes and beginner surf camps. Just a ton of waves and options you won’t find everywhere else.
WildMex - A staple of Sayulita, they offer surf camps and surf classes all around the area. They have classes in Sayulita, Punta Mita, San Pancho, and Puerto Vallarta. In addition to a surf school, they also offer both foamie and hard board rentals. Their instructors are ISA certified, and they have solid housing and 7 day and 10 day progressive surf camps.
Variant Surf - Offers surf camps in Punta Barros, which is nice if you want something slightly quieter than lessons on the main beach in town. They have been around since 2013, and strive to offer super personalized surf lessons and classes. Even if you don’t stay with them, their classes are worth checking out.
Sayulita Cruz - Sayulita Cruz offers bespoke, custom surf and stay experiences in the area. They specialize in overall wellness retreats and camps, so you can do a surf and yoga camp with them. In addition to surfing and yoga, they will take you out to restaurants and activities that fit your personal needs and desires.
Surf’n Sayulita - Around since 2005, they offer classes right in Sayulita for beginners or intermediates. They have both private and group classes, are family friendly, and are available as surf guides if you want to take day trips to other beaches to surf!
Nearby Surf Spots
The Cove
The Bahia Cove is just oustide of town, and a bit exposed, so make sure to watch the wind forecast. You need a ride from a fishing boat to get there, but it’s probably the best intermediate break in the area.
Crowds - Quiet
Surfer Level - Intermediate
Ideal Swell - W/SW
Ideal Wind - E/NE, Low
Break Type - Reef
Consistency - 60%
Be Aware: Rocky, shallow reef at low tide
La Lancha
Located just south in Punta Mita, La Lancha is one of the best spots in town. Just at the northern edge of the bay, it’s a popular place for beginner surfers. The break has a nice A-frame that’s mainly ridden left, and a right-hander on the other side.
Crowds - Fairly Crowded
Surfer Level - Beginner+
Ideal Swell - W/SW
Ideal Wind - E/NE
Break Type - Left reef
Consistency - 60%
Be Aware: Beginners, reef
Stinky’s
A half hour outside of Sayulita, Stinky’s is a popular break. Tons of whitewash for beginners, but also decently long rides for intermediates. Best at low tide!
Crowds - Somewhat
Surfer Level - Beginner, Intermediate
Ideal Swell - S for the good swells
Ideal Wind - E/NE
Break Type - Reef and Beach
Consistency - 70%
Be Aware: Rocks and reef
Punta Burros
A bit far, but a ton of camps and schools as it is super consistent and less busy. Sometimes goes hollow during strong summer swells. Also can wedge in winter nicely.
Crowds - Somewhat
Surfer Level - Intermediate
Ideal Swell - S in summer, NW in winter
Ideal Wind - E/NE
Break Type - Beach Break
Consistency - 80%
Be Aware: Can have rips
Other Things to Do in Sayulita
Honestly, with how mellow a lot of the surf is, you should surf every day! But, if you want something different, here are a few options:
Go Hiking - Spend some more time oustide with a nice hike around the area! This hike starts in Sayulita and they take you through the surrounding jungle. You’ll get amazing views of the Pacific, have a short yoga class, and explore the beaches.
Visit the Islands - Go check out Marietas Islands and go snorkeling. The Marietas Islands limit the amount of people that can visit every day in order to protect the wildlife, so book in advance! Located in Banderas Bay, the Marietas Islands are absolutely stunning, and you’ll get the chance to see a ton of local Mexican wildlife. You can find economic shared tours, or more pricy private tours.
ATVs - There are a ton of ATV tours in the area. If you need to get your thrill on, they’re legitimately super fun! This is definitely best for families or those seeking some adventure.
Snorkel and Dive - Sayulita has some awesome snorkeling and diving, especially at the Marietas Islands. You can find SCUBA tours and snorkeling tours at reasonable rates to explore the incredible wildlife in this protected area.
Whale Watching - This is a seasonal activity. From December to March, the whales pass through Bandera’s Bay, and a whale watching tour will leave you almost guaranteed to spot some blue whales, grey whales, sperm whales, and/or humpback whales. You also might see some turtles and dolphins!
Where to Stay in Sayulita
If you don’t want to stay at one of the many surf camps in Sayulita, don’t worry! We have you covered. There’s no shortage of accommodations in Sayulita. Be aware that staying near the center of town means you might hear the loud music playing until the early hours of the morning!
Casa Lotería
3 Star Hotel in the Center
Casa Lotería is the place to stay if you want to be right in the middle of the action. Located right on the central plaza in Sayulita, Casa Lotería has a large swimming pool, private parking, and spacious junior suites and family suites.
Haramara Gardens
Luxury retreat-vibe hotel 10 minutes from the beach
Haramara Gardens is a relatively new hotel offering a retreat experience. They emphasize physical comfort, emotional wellness, and spirituality. They offer yoga retreats, have a full healing center and beautiful spa, and offer temazcal ceremonies. A little bit out of town, this hotel is much quieter and more peaceful than the ones in town.
Selina Sayulita
Backpacker-style hostel with coworking space and fun events
Selina is a growing hostel company all over Latin America. Like their other locations, Selina Sayulita is a hostel located right in town, just a block from the plaza principal. Offering dorm-style accommodations and a swimming pool, Selina is the place to be if you want to save money and be at the beach every day. They also have fun live music, meditation classes, and other events.
ITH Sayulita
One of the cheapest options in Sayulita, a hostel right in the center of town
One of the most affordable options in Sayulita, ITH Sayulita Amazing Hostel is located in the center of town a few blocks from the main beach. They rent bicycles to get around, have a poo to use, and common areas. This is a great place to stay in Sayulita if you’re on a budget, or if you want to meet other travelers.
Mi Otra Casa
House-style suites slightly out of town with beautiful views
At first glance, Mi Otra Casa looks like a giant house. It’s just out of town, but an easy walk to the center. Guests always comment how conveniently it is located. This boutique hotel includes breakfast, smart TVs, grills, and pools. It is adults-only, so no families!
Getting to Sayulita
If you’re arriving via plane to Mexico, you’ll want to book your tickets to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR). You can find direct flights from many cities in North America, as well as connecting flights through Mexico City. From there, you have a few options to get the 22 miles to Sayulita:
Public Transportation - The bus is definitely the cheapest way to get from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita. You can find the bus across the main road at the airport, and they will take you right down to Sayulita. It takes about 2 hours, but costs under $5 per person.
Taxi/Uber - Ubers are not permitted at the airport, so you’ll have to cross the pedestrian bridge to get to the other side of the highway. An Uber to Sayulita will cost around 600-800 pesos depending on the time of year. You can also take a taxi right from the airport for about 1,200-1,400 pesos.
Private Transfer - You can get a private transfer from the airport to your accommodation in Sayulita for $50-100 each way, depending on the type of car. If you’re bringing your own board(s), you’ll obviously want to book a bigger car like a SUV or minivan. This is the most comfortable, fastest way to get there.
Car Rental - Finally, you can rent a car to get to Sayulita. As covered below, you don’t necessarily need a car once in town as you can walk or ride a bike to everything. However, if you want the freedom and to explore the surrounding areas, there are multiple car companies. The road is all highway and relatively safe. You’ll drive north past Punta Mita and into Sayulita. If you hit San Pancho, you’ve gone too far!
Restaurants in Sayulita
Organi-k - A hippy chic place in town. It is part art gallery, and hosts tons of healthy food. Honestly the best food in Sayulita before or after a surf session! They also have great coffees and smoothies worth trying.
Cocos Beach Club - A popular tourist spot that might not have the cheapest prices in town. But you can enjoy some food and beers right on the beach. They have tons of craft beer from local Mexican breweries, delicious grilled meat, and Mexican appetizers.
Taco and Tequila Tour - If you want to be social and try the different food offerings in Sayulita, there are several food tours you can take. You can take a taco and tequila tour, or a cheaper taco tour. We’ve done these in several places across Central America, and it’s always a fun way to meet other travelers, try local cuisine, and explore different restaurants in the area!
Mary’s Tacos - Known for their fish and shrimp tacos in Sayulita, Mary’s makes super fresh and delicious local Mexican food. They have more than just tacos. Try some of their delicious rice bowls after a surf session and you won’t be disappointed!
Anchor Cafe - A popular spot for smoothie bowls, smoothies, and other vegetarian friendly meals. Try the avocado toasts, delicious bagels, or some of their pan de elote con queso.
Travel Tips
Noise Levels
Like many party towns in Mexico, Sayulita can get loud. Especially on weekends and during high travel seasons, music will absolutely blast from the bars and clubs. If you are a light sleeper or have children traveling with you, you might consider staying out of the center of town a little bit.
Getting Around Sayulita
You don’t really need a car to get around Sayulita. It’s super walkable, and there are plenty of taxis. A lot of hotels will also have either free bikes or will be able to rent you some. If exploration of the surrounding area is your thing, a car rental will be helpful. Getting to Puerto Vallarta, San Pancho, or the surf spots like Stinky’s and La Lancha in Punta Mita will definitely be easier with a car.
Spending Money and ATMS
As a fairly touristy town, you will be able to spend foreign currencies like Euros and US Dollars in many parts of Sayulita. We generally recommend using the local currency, as the exchange rate offered will be better from your bank than a local business. For safety reasons, we always recommend not using the ATMs sitting out on the street, usually from the company Multiva. Instead, try to find an ATM inside a bank. In Sayulita there are several Intercam banks right in town. You also might consider getting a Wise card for the best currency exchange rates.
Doctors and Hospitals
What type of doctor you need depends on what is going on. At many pharmacies a doctor will be present to assist with illnesses, cuts, and small things. We like the Farmacia Similares on Avenida Revolución. It’s a large, trustworthy chain. If you need more care, Sayulita Health is in town next to the gas station. They are part of the bigger hospital network in Punta Mita, and offer solid care.
Be sure to check out our Resources page for tips on traveling, spending money, support, and more.
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