Use this Sayulita itinerary for 3, 5, 7 days trip!
In this Sayulita itinerary, you will learn how many days you need in Sayulita with a day-by-day account of what to do and see!
I recently visited Sayulita (for business and to see friends), and Iโve updated this post about new restaurants, hotels, and things to do in Sayulita.
Sayulita is growing so fast and I understand why โ I originally wanted to visit for two weeks and ended up staying for 2 years. It is a place where many visitors are drawn to stay longer.
However, if you only have a week, 5 days, or 3 days in Sayulita, this itinerary will work for you. I only included the most important things to do that you can realistically cover for a certain time frame but feel free to look at more resources about Sayulita travel in this blog.
โ Add these to your Sayulita itinerary
- Adults-only activity:ย Authentic tequila tasting
- Best for families with kids:ย ATV adventureย andย Canopy Zipline
- Off-the-beaten-path:ย Monkey Mountain hike
- Must do:ย Marietas Islands boat cruise
- Best for foodies:ย Street food tour in Sayulita
๐บ๏ธ Sayulita itinerary Day 1
Check-in time in Sayulita is always after 3:00 pm. If you arrive before this time, you can inform your hostel or Airbnb host and ask if you can leave your stuff until check-in.
If youโre taking a bus, most places are quite a walk (considering you have all the luggage) from the Sayulita bus station. Some accommodations offer free pick-up service at the bus station.
If you arrive between 9:00 am โ 2:00 pm, you can go to Sayulitaโs Friday Market. Itโs only open on Fridays (closed in low season) and this is where the locals gather every week to shop, dine, and chat!
Sunset at Sayulita main beach
The main beach is an easy walk and stretches from north to south of Sayulita. Upon arrival, this is the first beach to check out. There are many bars and restaurants here and itโs also full of vendors.
The shoreline is big enough for you to lay on the sand and read a book. There are many dogs here as Sayulita is a dog town. Owners like to walk their pets here so get ready for some puppy love!
If you donโt want to lay on the beach, get a beer and watch the sunset. The beachfront bars in Sayulita that I recommend for sunset are:
- Bar La Isla (best drinking spot in Sayulita main beach; extremely local)
- Cocoโs Beach Club (no minimum spend required)
- Barracuda by the beach (great gourmet and easy-to-eat snacks)
- Club de Playa Cameron (super local)
- Frente Al Punto Beach Club (no minimum spend, usually plays live music on weekends, good for families traveling with kids)
Otherwise, feel free to walk the shoreline and see what beachfront bars is attractive to you! The list above is what I frequent but my friends and I love Bar La Isla.
The good thing about any of these bars is that itโs so easy to chat with people you donโt know especially when you are traveling alone!
Dinner at El Itacate
No matter what time of the day, El Itacate is the first restaurant to explore in Sayulita. This place is famous for its very own Itacate, which is tacos in fried cheese. Instead of tortillas, they actually use cheese for your tacos!
Itacate opened their second floor last year so thereโs extra room for everyone. I still love their tables by the streets where you can observe local life. Thereโs always a long line here but their service is fast and efficient. You donโt need to call for reservation.
โจ Local tip: While waiting in line, get some cocktails at the bar next door called La Mariscal.
Explore the Sayulita nightlife
Sayulita is known as a party town and my Sayulita nightlife guide will give you a glimpse of the best bars to go to. People usually go out from 10:00 PM and the plaza can get super packed!
Actually, parties in Sayulita are more street parties and socialization. Itโs not a club setup. Although there are many DJs and events during the weekend. Just walk around and see where people are headed!
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๐งณ Sayulita Itinerary Day 2
Brunch at a local chefโs home
Letโs say you partied Friday night and didnโt wake up for breakfast โ brunch is always a good idea and a local will always welcome you in her home!
This is one of the best local experiences in Sayulita if you really want to get to know our community. You just need to book it in advance since sheโs always busy but you can come any time of the day or week for brunch or breakfast.
Day drinking at Aloha
๐ Delfines 12
Locals go to Aloha on Saturdays as early as 10:00 AM. Itโs a really small place so you might have difficulties getting a table. But hey โ locals would always invite you to their tables!
This is a great place for cheap beers and also hangover snacks. They have a specialized small menu. If you are a fan of shrimp cocktails, they have the best one in town!
There is also a fish taco place next door called The Real Fish Taco and Aloha will allow you to order food from there as long as you order drinks with them.
Sunset at Carricitos Beach: must add to your Sayulita itinerary
Letโs be real: if you got drunk in Aloha and ended up meeting 100 people, youโll probably have time to go all the way to Carricitos for sunset.
But if you managed to discipline yourself (or you have a golf cart rented), Carricitos is the best beach in town! I go here every day but only during sunset. Itโs super remote and dogs love it!
Itโs a 20-minute walk from town so if youโre spending long hours here, make sure to bring drinks and snacks โ there are no stores along the way.
โจ Local tip: On your way to Carricitos, pass by Camachoโs Mini Market. Itโs the cheapest place for 6-pack Mexican beers and itโs on the way to Carricitos!
If youโre walking, you can start your walk from Niรฑos Heroes Street. You will pass by a hotel with a big whale mural.
At the end of this street, you will see an uphill road to the right at Jacarandas Street, and follow that path. There will be a fork street: take the left side.
The beginning of this trail will be a jungle walk. Follow the path until you reach another fork. Turn right. You can follow this direction via Google maps.
Dinner at Maryโs Traditional Mexican Cuisine
๐ Av. Revoluciรณn 36
If this is your first time in Mexico, a good Mexican restaurant in Sayulita that I recommend is Maryโs. 90% of their menu is Mexican โ mole, tacos, quesadillas, soups are their specialty.
Donโt forget to try Jalapeรฑo poppers because theyโre my favorite! You can have a good plate at Maryโs for $100 MXN ($4.25 USD).
For those who are into deep exploration of Mexican food, try Maryโs famous mole. You can choose your own meat and there are also vegetarian options.
10:30 PM โ go to some secret weekend parties
As for Saturdays, let your take feet you anywhere or follow the locals. The good place to start is the Sayulita plaza where you will see lots of street performances and music.
Saturdays in Sayulita is full of surprises so if you want to party (or just experience the local nightlife), head out and walk around. You will surely find something youโd be interested to do.
๐งญ Sayulita Itinerary Day 3
Brunch at Organi-k
๐ Av. Revoluciรณn 21B
Sundays are supposed to be chill but that doesnโt mean that the town is sleepy and inactive. Jumpstart your day with a healthy breakfast bowl (or a power smoothie) at Organi-k.
This is usually a takeaway spot but they also have a few tables inside. Their coffee is great too but I only come here for the superfoods (I really love their ginger and turmeric shot).
Itโs right next to the Sayulita bridge so you wonโt miss it! If youโre lucky, pick the outside bar seat for a great people-watching session.
Walk around town
Take your Organi-k to go and walk around town. The whole Sayulita can be explored within 30 minutes โ itโs really not that big!
There are many interesting things to see and do such as cool cafes, small streets, hidden restaurants, quirky food carts. Sayulita is so nice to look at!
This is also a great time to do your town photo sessions. If youโd like a professional photographer to take you to great spots (and also give you amazing memories in photos), I can recommend some friends โ just contact me!
Sunset hike to Patzcuarito Beach
I am always recommending sunset sessions by the beach in this Sayulita itinerary because we do have the best beaches in the state. What makes them great? The journey!
To get to Patzucarito, you will walk through jungle paths (they are flat, donโt worry). Golf carts are not allowed to go all the way here so you really have to hike!
Patcuarito is super remote and many tourists in Sayulita donโt come here. This is my favorite sunset beach spot in Sayulita so I hope you can go!
Dinner at a local taqueria
Now is the time to explore the best street tacos in Sayulita โ we have a lot! Tacos Ivan and Tacos Diaz are right next to each other (by the plaza) so you can choose to eat in any of them. Better yet, try both!
For tacos al pastor, I would always go for Tacos Diaz but for asada, I choose Tacos Ivan! Both have tables and chairs but I suggest you get a beer at the bar next door (Barrilito) then sit down at the plaza to eat your tacos!
Chill nights at Cava mezcaleria
๐ Ave Revolution 54A
Cava is a really small place but has over 100+ mezcal types. Bero, the owner is Mexican. She went all around the country to find small family-owned mezcal producers so the products here are locally sourced.
She wonโt even share the location of these producers because it was hard work for her to find them! If you want to try a private tasting session, they also use these local and artisanal products. These guys can come to your accommodation for a private tasting!
Should you end up in Cava, the bartenders, David and Miguel are my friends. Sit at the bar and they will gladly chat with you! There are also many people going here alone so you wonโt really be alone.
๐ถ๏ธ Spicy Deal: All-inclusive Sayulita vacation package
Immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of Sayulita, with accommodations, meals, and a wide range of activities all covered.
๐ช Sayulita Itinerary Day 4
Brunch at Anchor Cafe
๐ C. Marlรญn 45
In the middle of Gringo Hill, thereโs a hidden spot called Anchor Cafe where you can get the best brunch! I loved coming to Anchor for working a few hours while eating.
Anchor Cafe is so hidden that you can actually focus and not be obliged to every single person passing by the street. The place is also set-up for digital nomads โ comfortable seating, plugs, and AC!
Spend the day at Mal Paso beach
Mal Paso beach is an easy 45-minute hike because youโll walk through the shoreline of the Sayulita main beach. Go all the way north of the beach (towards San Pancho) and you will get there.
This is a really secluded spot and you will have the beach to yourself. It is the most beautiful beach in Sayulita so if you can be extra adventurous, spend the day here!
Just BYOB and food. There is literally nothing here. Also donโt walk back in the dark as there are no lights on the way. Sunset here is spectacular but I stay til late if I am with a group. One time, I went here with a group of 25 people for a birthday party!
Dinner at Don Pedroโs
๐ Calle Marlรญn 2
On your way back from Mal Paso beach, head south and you will see a great restaurant in a big palapa facing the sea. Don Pedroโs is usually a family restaurant and is good for families traveling with kids.
But if you want a nice Sunday dining option, Don Pedroโs is incredibly affordable for what it is. They have everything from seafood to meat.
There are also International cuisines here if you are tired of eating Mexican food. Try their sushi and their pizza for a change! The prices here are higher than other restaurants in Sayulita but hey โ please treat yourself!
Cocktails at Bar Escondido
๐ Calle Marlรญn 45 A
You can also have drinks and spend the whole night at Don Pedroโs but you donโt want to miss the cocktails at Bar Escondido. That is, if you are lucky to get a table. This place is small and super cozy โ youโll love the ambiance!
Since you are by yourself, you can just order a drink and stand like many other people do when Bar Escondido is full. This way, you can actually chat with other humans.
It is also a very chill place where people are not crazy drunk. Itโs sort of a classy place that serves great cocktails. Itโs also a hidden spot by Gringo Hill (escondido means hidden in English).
Locally, we usually use this spot for Tinder dates. LOL.
๐ซถ Sayulita Itinerary Day 5
Take a surfing class: must add to your Sayulita itinerary
Sayulita is well-known for its super-friendly waves for beginners. The main beach is what we call the learnerโs beach because you can easily ride the waves here. Itโs perfect for newbies!
Surfing is such a big part of the Sayulita culture. You will see the local kids riding big waves here and many old families in Sayulita are surfers.
You may not be interested in learning how to surf but treat it as a good one-hour activity to mingle with locals and get to know the surfing community in town. Who knows? You might end up loving it after just one class!
Brunch at Chocobanana
๐ Delfines 14
Choco Banana is a famous brunch place in Sayulita. It is packed every day as they serve breakfast all day long! If youโre hungover and want a big meal, this place is it!
From American to Israeli breakfast, they have it all! Lots of Mexican breakfast options, too. Their servings are big but I cannot recommend them for sharing.
I think you will be able to finish a plate by yourself! The price range is between $80 MXN ($3.30 USD) to $150 MXN ($6.18 USD).
Chocobanana is also the only restaurant in Sayulita that is plastic-free. All their products are biodegradable and imported from the US.
The owner (who is a great amiga of mine) is a hardcore environmentalist so sheโs highly allergic to plastic. If you want to know about her work in Sayulita, I can definitely set up for you to visit her bird sanctuary.
Dinner Achara Thai
I know you are in Mexico but who doesnโt like Thai food at any time of the day or any part of the world?! Achara is the only Thai restaurant in Sayulita and they do their food well. Believe me, I know my Asian food very well!
The best way to have dinner at Achara is to order all their food and share it. They have big plates and their small menu (4 options per course) will give you the chance to get a variety of Thai dishes.
So, this might be a better option if you already met friends after a few days in Sayulita. This is where big groups hang out and everyone loves this place!
If you are going on your own, I do that a lot in Achara so JUST GO and have a nice Thai plate by yourself. Donโt forget to try their cocktails too. They are really good!
2 for 1 at Yambak from 8:00 PM: must add to your Sayulita itinerary
๐ Calle Marlรญn 29
You may not want to drink on a Tuesday night but 2 for 1 at Yambak is a social gathering! Yambak is the most famous bar in Sayulita because of its very strategic location (by the plaza).
Not only that you will get 2 drinks for the price of 1 but you will also get to meet all the locals living in Sayulita. I swear, this is a Tuesday ritual and all of us do it!
Through the years I was living in Sayulita, it had become mandatory for us to go to 2 for 1 and we all dress up for it! I really encourage you to go because you will meet so many people!
๐๏ธ Sayulita Itinerary Day 6
Breakfast at Alquimista
๐ Av. Revoluciรณn 89
Wednesday traditions are for chilaquiles at Alquimista. Chilaquiles is a typical Mexican breakfast perfect for hangovers. You can request extra spicy for a guaranteed kick!
You will also love Alquimista since itโs a curb-side restaurant (at the bottom of Libertad Street) where their tables and chairs are set outside.
Apart from chilaquiles, they have all types of traditional Mexican breakfasts that you can try but I really recommend you go for the chilaquiles! This is the best place for it!
๐๐ฝ Related: The best coffee shops in Sayulita
Marietas Islands boat trip: must add to your Sayulita itinerary
โฐ from 9:30 AM โ 2:00 PM
The Marietas Islands are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so Wednesday is a great day to go on a boat tour and visit it! Donโt miss this when you go to Sayulita. This is really important!
You probably heard about his hidden beach on Instagram and yes, it is in Riviera Nayarit! Located in Punta de Mita, Marietas Islands tours depart from Sayulita 5 times a week.
You just need to reserve in advance if you want to do this because there are only 14 slots per fishermen allowed daily. Marietas is a federal protected area.
You can book this Marietas Islands tour with a local fisherman that I am supporting in Sayulita. I personally know these guys so I can vouch for them.
Late lunch at Tierra Viva
โฐ Calle Marlรญn 10
Tierra Viva specializes in gourmet dishes โ with elaborate preparations and aesthetically balanced presentations of their food. Just look at the difference between their chilaquiles (pictured below) and the one from Alquimista.
I love having brunch here by myself (and with the dogs) because itโs super quiet and I often bring a book with me. Itโs also on the street going to the beach so feel free to lay on the sand after eating!
They also have a large 2-floor space thatโs in one of the shaded streets of Sayulita. They donโt have AC but you can definitely sit on the second floor surrounded by trees.
Their menu is also divided into breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is only served at certain hours.
Get a home service massage at your accommodation
Finish your Sayulita itinerary by getting a massage at your Airbnb. My local contact will bring a massage bed to your place at any time you request.
She comes to my house every week and I guarantee you that she is good! Apart from massages, she also have other services like facial and stone treatments.
Farewell party at Atico
Atico has live bands almost every day and itโs a local hangout! Most of the people working here live in Sayulita. This is actually the hub of young people living in town and I promise you everyone is super-friendly here.
Whatever drinks you want to have, they have it at Atico! They also have a small food menu for dinner. Hanging out at Atico and watching the live band is the best way to end your trip to Sayulita!
๐ด Sayulita Itinerary Day 7
Finally, please make sure you already booked your taxi transport from Sayulita to Puerto Vallarta Airport. You donโt want to miss your flight!
Also make sure that you leave Sayulita at least 3 hours before your flight. Lastly, I hope you enjoy your trip to Sayulita. If you ever need me to connect you with cool people, contact me, and I will make an intro!
๐๐ฝ Is 5 days in Sayulita enough?
Yes, absolutely! Some people visit Sayulita for the weekend (3 days) so within 5 days, you will have enough time to make the most out of your trip to Sayulita.
This Sayulita itinerary is flexible so feel free to mix around the activities in this article. However, there are time-sensitive activities, for example, the 2 for 1 in Yambak every Tuesday.
If booking a Marietas Islands tour, please note that the islands are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Otherwise, all excursions in this post are flexible for any day!
โ๏ธ Is Sayulita worth visiting for a few days?
TOTALLY. Sayulita is one of the hot vacation spots in Riviera Nayarit. Even so, itโs still not as crowded as Tulum orย Cancun. Many Americans and Canadians actually live here because of the small-town vibe. Everyone knows everyone!
If you love small-town vibes,ย great beaches, and integrating with local life, Sayulita is worth visiting for a week. Who knows? You might end up moving to Sayulita as I did!
Many readers of this blog ask about the difference between Sayulita versusย Tulum. Apart from being less crowded, Sayulita has jungles, mountains, and hikes that you can do. A lot of people are amazed to see our rich mountains pre-landing!
Although the Caribbean beaches are way different than the Pacific. We donโt have crystal blue waters in Sayulita but the unique jungle beaches make it distinct from the touristy south.
I must warn you thatย Sayulita is getting popularย by the minute and in the years to come, there is a prediction that it will be the next Tulum so come visit now!
๐ When is theย best time to visit Sayulita?
I used to stay from November to May (high season) is a good time but now, I feel likeย Sayulita is okay to visit all year round. The problem with the high season is that itโs super hard to find accommodations and the town can get crowded.
Note that Sayulita is a really small town and has no infrastructure to hold more than 10,000 people at a time. This is actually the actual number of visitors during the high season. Itโs almost the same as the population of Sayulita which is 12,000.
I worked closely with the tourism board of Nayarit and proposed that there is a limit to the daily/weekly/monthly/ visitors to Sayulita but they said there is no way to control that. People will come no matter what and itโs hard to keep track.
Sayulita shares the Puerto Vallarta International Airport with Puerto Vallarta and they are only recording visitors who visit PV. They donโt know which tourists are going to nearby towns like Bucerias, San Pancho, Sayulita, etc โ all of which PVR Airport is serving.
The only problem with visiting during the low season (June-October) is that itโs too hot. Most Americans and Canadians canโt take this kind of heat.
But I assure you that if you go during the low season, traveling will be easier.ย Some restaurantsย close because of the extremely hot weather but I already spent 2 summers in Sayulita and I loved it!
๐ซ Is Sayulita safe?
Sayulita is one of the safest places Iโve lived in, mostly because everyone knows everyone! Even you will end up being friends with many people when you visit.
Itโs such a small town that people go to the same places all the time. We are also not very mindful of our bags and belongings because seriously if you are a local and you want to steal, there is actually no way out.
Everyone knows you and will humiliate you in groups if you do shit. Sayulita has a very close-knit community and you will feel very protected when you visit.
๐ How to get to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport
There areย 6 ways to get to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airportย but I can always connect you to the local driver that I am helping by promoting his services in this blog.
Check out the article above and see how you can get to Sayulita hassle-free, in any form that you want. Plus, I personally know these drivers so your safety is guaranteed.
Thank you for all the great info! I’ll be going solo Aug 19-26, and will definitely be hitting up a lot of these spots. Would love to get the contact info for the fisherman… would love to meet some locals there as well, as I’ve been seriously considering moving to Mexico the last couple years- and Sayulita is one of my top places.
Hello! How do I get in contact with one of the photographers that you mentioned?
so if one isn’t into partying, would you suggest staying in san pancho?
Hi Bonny, yes! Because you can just go to Sayulita if you want to party (10-min taxi ride). Or, if you want a more chill party, San Pancho has them too but not as loud as Sayulita.
This is a great guide. Thank you. May I have the contact info for your driver? I will have 6 guests arriving at one time and 2 later. All 8 will depart at the same time, but we realize we may need two vehicles for this ๐
Hi!
How would I get in touch w/ the masseuse that you recommend? Does she only come to your house or does she work out of a business somewhere as well?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Quinn! For now, she can only go to Airbnb and guest houses. If you are staying in a hotel, we know all the hotels in Sayulita and we can ask permission from them to allow the masseuse to go in. You can check all the Sayulita massage services here.
Oh! Also, thinking about getting a family photo taken and you mentioned you would recommend some local photographers??
Hi, a couple questions!
– how can I get in contact with the fisherman to go to the island? We are traveling to sayulita feb 11-18
– who is your contact for local masseus? Pricing? Do I schedule in advance?
– can we sign up for surfing class?
– I see you mentioned having brunch at a local chefs home – Iโd love to hear more about this!