In December of 2017, my husband’s family and I spent a week in Mexico for a Christmas vacation. We flew in and out of Puerto Vallarta and spent the first three nights in Sayulita. These highlights are based on that experience. Want more visual inspiration? Check out the video of the trip. Want more information for what to do in Mexico? Check out my blog on Puerto Vallarta.
Transportation: We flew into the Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport; as you get through customs, there will be lots of taxi services and people trying to sell you things. My advice, just focus on getting outside and don’t be distracted! We pre-ordered a taxi service through Ramos Taxi and it could not have been easier. They picked us up from the airport, stopped at a grocery store so we could get the bulk of our food for the next few days, and drove us to our hotel. A few days later, they picked us up from our hotel and drove us to our hotel in Puerto Vallarta. Other than this, we were able to walk the entire time we were in Sayulita as it is a small town.
Accommodation: We stayed at Los Almendros Sayulita; you rent a specific villa based on your needs within an apartment style complex (includes a pool). The process was similar to an AirBNB experience, and I would recommend it.
1. Beaches
There are plenty of options; the farther North or South you go from the center of town, the more secluded the beaches will become. We stuck with the three closest beaches, but if you have more time, I would recommend venturing out even further. Playa Sayulita, is the most central and populated beach, and has plenty of options for food and drink nearby. Playa De Los Muertos is South, and is the perfect place for swimming as it offers calm, secluded waters and is much less crowded. Playa Norte is North, and provides choppier water for those looking for waves. This was a great place to watch the sunset.
2. Take a Tour
We chose to take a tour with MexiTreks; we chose the kayaking tour to a ‘private’ beach. Our guide picked us up in the center of Sayulita, and we drove to the small town of Los Ayala. We then kayaked to Paradise Beach where we had time to swim and eat our lunch. We also were able to do a small hike, and stood on the edge of the cliffs at ‘Mirador del toro’. It was a fantastic experience!
3. Wander the Town
The best plan of action is to simply wander and find your own small gems, but the following are a few highlights. For shoppers, there are lots of little shops and galleries around town, a popular on being the Mercado del Pueblo (hippie market). In the center of town you will find Sayulita Plaza and the Calle Delfines; also known as flag street with its hundreds of colorful flags. Right next to Bichos (see below), there is the el arbol del iguana (iguana tree), where we saw an iguana hanging out! Finally, on your way to Playa De Los Muertos, you will walk through the Sayulita Cemetery; which was a very different cemetery from what I am used to.
4. Eat
While we ate about half of our meals at our hotel, we did eat at a few different spots. If I could spend my life eating authentic Mexican cuisine, I would. The main highlight being Bichos (possibly the best tacos of my life). It is an outdoor spot where you bring your own beverages and order the filling for your tacos. You then watch them hand make your tortillas and utilize the salsa bar to put your own toppings on. I still dream about those tacos. Wherever you end up, make sure to get your fill of fresh chips, guacamole and salsa. For a treat, check out the local popsicles (paletas) at Wa Kika.
5. Drink
There are lots of places to get your share of cerveza and margaritas; we went to The Break Cafe and Emiliano's.
Foods to Try: EVERYTHING! But keep any eye out for fresh tortillas, fresh fish tacos, manchego cheese, oaxacan cheese (in most of the quesadillas), elote (corn on the cob) and tamales.
Drinks: Agave spirits (the list goes beyond tequila and mezcal).
Notes:
Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN). We were able to utilize the local ATMs for cash, but if you are in a tight spot, most places will take the U.S dollar (usually the exchange rate works in their favor if you do this).
Bargaining at many markets is encouraged and often expected, so don’t be afraid to try your hand at the art of haggling.
Depending on where you go, be mindful of the water; nobody wants ‘Traveler's Diarrhea’. We bought large jugs of water to cut down on plastic consumption.
Most touristy areas you will be completely fine with English, but it is also a fun opportunity to brush up on your Spanish skills from high school.
Other: Hopefully this gave you an idea of things to do in Sayulita on your next trip to Mexico! I try to do as many quick links as possible, to send you directly to the website so you can get the most accurate and up-to-date information possible (fees and timetables).
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Safe and Happy Wandering.
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