On the Nayarit coast, near Jalisco, the Magic Town of Sayulita is a paradise for surfing and has many other attractions that we invite you to discover with this complete guide.
1. Where is Sayulita?
Sayulita is a small and picturesque beach town located in the Bay of Banderas, in the extreme south of the state of Nayarit, 41 km. from the Jalisco city of Puerto Vallarta. The Bay of Banderas has become a popular beach destination due to the beauty of its coasts and its jungle, as well as its excellent surfing conditions. To go from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita you have to access the Coastal Highway 200 and then take a deviation of about 6 km. leading to the Magic Town. The state capital, Tepic, is 128 km away. from Sayulita.
2. What is the history of the town?
During pre-Columbian times, the territory was inhabited by various indigenous ethnic groups, the majority being the Tecosquines. In 1524 the first Spaniard arrived on the Nayarit coasts, Captain Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura, the nephew of Hernán Cortés, whom the Indians would kill with arrows after his ship was shipwrecked. Until the 60s of the 20th century, the town of Sayulita was only a handful of palm houses, whose inhabitants lived off the coquito harvest. Towards 1965 an incipient tourist activity began with the opening of the La Varas-Vallarta highway. Late in the 20th century, Sayulita was consolidating itself as a beach destination with the installation of hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other tourist services. In 2015 Sayulita was named a Magic Town.
3. How is the climate of Sayulita?
The Bay of Banderas is a territory with a tropical climate, with hot summers and winters in which it cools a bit. The average annual temperature is 25.5 ° C, with July, August and September being the hottest months, with the thermometer hovering around 29 ° C. The first quarter of the year offers the coolest temperatures, which vary between 22 and 23 ° C. However, in winter there can be moments of heat of the order of 29 ° C, as well as night "frosts" of 16 ° C. In Sayulita it rains 1,185 mm a year, which falls mainly between July and September, and a little less in June and October. Between November and May there is practically no rain.
4. What can I see and do in Sayulita?
The first thing you have to do in Sayulita is to settle in the best hotel you can afford; The most expensive ones, of course, are those that are on the shore of the beach and the prices go down as you go into the town and move away from the coast. We recommend you reserve a while to get to know the pleasant town; then everything will be the beach, fun, good food and sports on land, sea and air. On Sayulita's main beach you will find excellent restaurants and facilities for surfing, boat trips, whale and dolphin watching, bird watching, diving and snorkeling. A very convenient option for supporters of maximum comfort is to rent a golf cart to move from one place to another without having to walk. Two specific places that you cannot miss on your trip to Sayulita are the Playa de los Muertos and the Islas Marietas. The delicacies of Nayarit cuisine, particularly the sarandeado fish, will surely captivate you.
5. What is the town of Sayulita like?
Sayulita is a picturesque town, with modest houses and friendly people whose life revolves around tourism and fishing. To take the pulse of the town, it is convenient that you walk through its cobbled streets, visit its simple zócalo with its inevitable kiosk and admire the small church located on one side of the square and that constitutes the spiritual center of the population. The town is located between the beach and a group of small elevations from which there are splendid views, especially at sunrise and sunset. The green of the exuberant vegetation, the green and turquoise tones of the Pacific Ocean, and the soft white and ocher of the sand are a postcard worth seeing.
6. What is the main beach like?
The land profile of Sayulita's main beach has in its central part a large blunt arrow that goes into the sea, forming a wide sandy area that draws two beach arches and provides different spaces for the enjoyment of tourists. In some sectors of the beach it is possible to take shelter from the inclement sun under the coconut trees; while in others you will have to resort to the resource of the umbrella. Sayulita is one of the main destinations in the Bay of Banderas for surfing because of its adequate and continuous waves. In front of the beach there are comfortable hotels that will be happy to provide you with all the comforts, as well as restaurants where you can relax and enjoy the fresh delicacies of the Pacific.
7. Does Sayulita have good conditions for surfing?
People go to Sayulita to rest and surf, although if you want a night of clubs and bars, you can also have it at full throttle. The Sayulita Sea offers opportunities for all surfers, regardless of how experienced they are. There are times of more moderate sea, especially in the mornings, in which beginner surfers can practice their entertainment in the best conditions. As the day progresses, the surf can increase, providing the best scenery for the most veteran surfers. In Sayulita there are several surf schools that strive for newbies to solidly learn the fundamentals of the fun sport.
8. Are there good surf schools in the locality?
Lunazul Surf School and Shop is recognized as one of the best surf schools in the bay area. Its objective is that you manage to stand on the table, achieving it with a friendly and fun treatment; They offer preferential prices to couples and groups. Wildmex Surf & Adventure is another recognized school; it is located in front of the river mouth, has excellent equipment and the instructors are very patient with beginners. Sayulita Dive and Surf instructors are distinguished by their punctuality and knowledge of the ocean. There are many other options for learning to surf in Sayulita, such as Surf It Out, I Love Waves, and Sayulita Surf Day Camps.
9. Who can I do boat trips with?
Chica Locca is an operator that offers the most fun boat trips around Sayulita and other places of interest in the Bay of Banderas, and they also take you diving in the Marietas Islands. They have a perfectly conditioned yacht and the service is first class. Ally Cat Sailing Adventures has a beautiful catamaran and its food and beverage service is highly praised, as well as its musical atmosphere. The Mexitreks operator takes you for a ride on land and sea, but if you are the one who wants to take command, she provides you with kayaks, canoes and paddles so you can sweat a bit. If you prefer sailing, you can do your walks with Sayulita Sailing Explorations.
10. What should I do to see whales and dolphins?
The waters of the Bay of Banderas are populated with dolphins and in the winter of the northern hemisphere they are frequented by humpback whales that descend from the frozen Arctic landscapes in search of warmer areas to perpetuate their life cycle. In Sayulita there are several operators that take tourists out to sea, so that those who are passionate about observing biodiversity can admire these nice species. The operator La Orca de Sayulita takes you to live the incredible experience of seeing huge cetaceans with their calves and hearing them "singing". Tours last about 3 hours.
11. Are there good bird watching opportunities?
The jungle that surrounds Sayulita, as well as the beach, are rich in land and marine birds, constituting a true paradise for fans of observing flying species. In the forests it is possible to see flocks of green parakeets with their intense chatter, while the black-necked blue magpies display their striking colors and elegant tails. In the river, the herons are always on the lookout for some prey and in the sea, the frigates sail majestically and the pelicans are on the lookout for a sardine. You can do your bird watching tour with Sayulita Bird or with Birding San Pancho.
12. What other ecotourism activities can I do in Sayulita?
If you dare to go horseback riding or enjoy other ecotourism activities in Sayulita, you have to go to Rancho Mi Chaparrita, located in front of the sea, very close to the center of town. It has 13 zip lines of different heights and extensions from which you have wonderful views of the ocean and the surrounding vegetation. Painted Ponies is also close to Sayulita and has horses and ponies on which you can take comforting tours through the jungle and along the beach. You can also take a walk that takes you to a viewpoint with incredible views.
13. Where can I rent a golf cart?
Golf cart tours have become fashionable and in Sayulita you also have this option. At N ° 13-B, local 3, on Calle Miramar, you will find Town Around, an operator that rents the cart to you easily and quickly. The carts run on gas and are a bit faster than the electric ones. You can rent for different periods and if you have never driven one, do not worry, because it is very simple and the staff will quickly update you on what is necessary. The stroller is comfortable because it allows you to explore the town without having to walk and when you want to go by legs, nothing prevents you.
14. What can I do in Playa los Muertos?
This beach is a bit remote from the town of Sayulita. To get to Playa los Muertos you have to climb a hill, reach the cemetery and go down to where you can see a small sandy area. If you have no problems with walking under the surveillance of tombs during vacation time, it is worth going to this beach, which is special for swimming, since the waters are calm and its wealth of fish ensures a pleasant snorkeling time. You can even take advantage of the passage through the cemetery to appreciate the simplicity of the offerings that the locals make to their dead.
15. What are the attractions of Islas Marietas?
Las Marietas are two uninhabited islands of volcanic origin called Isla Larga and Isla Redonda, located in the Bay of Banderas, near the coast. Tours depart from Sayulita and other beaches in the bay to see the islands and their surroundings, rich in marine life. The intense tourist flow to the ecologically fragile islands reached up to 100,000 visitors a year, forcing environmental authorities to restrict access to protect ecosystems. A few operators have been authorized to take tourists to the islands, whose waters are so clear, that what is 10 meters deep can be seen. The islands are a refuge for the beautiful blue-footed birds.
16. What are the local crafts and gastronomy like?
If you want to take a souvenir from Sayulita, the galleries and handicraft stores offer rebozos, beaded jewelery, Cora and Huichol pieces, and basketry. The star dish of the Nayarit cuisine of the coast is the zarandeado fish, in which a good piece of white meat, such as snapper, is marinated and roasted over a charcoal fire, and served on banana leaves. In Sayulita they prepare this specialty very well, as well as sarandeado shrimp, clams and lobster in all its forms. Other sea delicacies that you can enjoy in Sayulita are the dried shrimp ceviche, the shrimp broth and the fish cracklings.
17. What are the best hotels in Sayulita?
Casablanca is a beach hotel that is one of the best in Sayulita. It has a beach, pool, palapas on the sand and the facilities are very well maintained. Playa Escondida is a nice little hotel with rooms arranged at different heights on the side of a hill. It has all the services, so it is an ideal place to disconnect and rest away from the madding crowd. Amor Boutique Hotel, located in front of the beach on Calle Pescadores, has the rooms practically over the ocean, so what you will see first when you wake up will be the blue of the sea.
18. What can you tell me about cheaper hotels?
In the line of the cheapest accommodations is Villas Chulavista, a hotel located on Saturno 21, which has an outdoor pool and solarium. The Don Miguel Plaza Hotel is conveniently located downtown, on Avenida Revolución 48, has a solarium and accepts pets. Villas Vista Suites, located at Calle Gabriel Rodríguez Peña 30 Oriente, is a rustic-style accommodation about 15 minutes from the beach, walking. Hotel y Suites Los Encantos, in Miramar 13, has a fully equipped kitchen in each studio, is 3 minutes from the beach, has a saltwater pool and a hot tub.
19. What are the best restaurants for marine cuisine?
The best time to eat the fresh fruits of the sea is during the day on the beach in one of the picturesque establishments that are on the beach itself. If you want to make a delicious seafood meal in an informal atmosphere and at reasonable prices, one of the best options in Sayulita is the Estrella de Mar Seafood Restaurant, located on Avenida del Palmar Norte. The highest praise goes to the shrimp tacos, ceviches, fish burgers and marlin quesadillas. The lobster from Don Pedro’s Restaurant is highly appreciated, as well as its seafood pizzas. Sayulita is full of excellent options seafood.
20. What if I feel like eating something other than seafood?
In Sayulita you will not miss your favorite food, even if it is not from the sea. At the Mary’s Restaurant they serve traditional Mexican cuisine in generous portions and at very convenient prices. At La Rústica Sayulita they serve exquisite pizzas, both classic and seafood, and Italian cuisine. In Yeikame you eat very Mexican, from tasty beans to delicious chilaquiles. Mamma Mía is a wine bar that offers Italian delicacies with fresh pasta and very good seasoning. If you fancy an ice cream in Sayulita, you should go to the Wakika Ice Cream Shop, which has among its specialties those of mango and those of the yaka aphrodisiac.
21. Where do I go if I want a time of clubs and bars?
A super nice place to relax and have a cold beer in Sayulita is Palmar Trapiche, located on Avenida del Palmar 10. The bar offers excellent craft beer and Mexican, seafood and international dishes come from the kitchen. The Estela Rooftop is on a large terrace facing the sea in Pelícanos 121, with a magnificent view of the ocean and a great atmosphere; They also have chicken wing service. El Barrilito is a bar with good music, pizzas and wings.
Thinking of buying a new swimsuit to pack towards Sayulita and the Bay of Banderas? We hope that very soon you can meet or visit again this fascinating Mexican beach destination on the Pacific. See you very soon.
If you want to read the complete guide to magical towns click here.
