Mexico Travel Guide: The 12 Best Places to Stay in Sayulita

Last updated on July 29th, 2024 at 03:56 pm

Sayulita, Mexico, was once a small fishing village, but in recent years, this small beach town has increased in popularity due to its world-class surfing and bohemian charm. Thanks to its location just one hour north of Puerto Vallarta, many people visit Sayulita as a day trip from Puerto Vallarta. However, Sayulita deserves at least two days to really appreciate its beauty. I recently spent a long weekend in Sayulita, after only visiting for a day previously, and found it helped me slow down and enjoy the town. Like most trips, I started planning my Sayulita itinerary by looking up the best places to stay in Sayulita. 

While Sayulita used to beckon budget-friendly backpackers, its popularity has led to an increase in boutique hotels. Now, Sayulita offers a wide variety of accommodation options suitable for various travel budgets and styles! This can make the decision of where to stay a bit overwhelming, but since I already did the legwork while planning my trip, I figured I’d share with you some of the best places to stay in Sayulita. 

While I am only one person, I can’t stay in all of Sayulita’s hotels (unfortunately), but every hotel recommended here, I seriously considered booking. As a solo female traveler, I know the safety of a trip begins with where I decide to stay, so I evaluate things like safety and location first, then the amenities offered. 

I’ll give you an overview of the best areas to stay in Sayulita and then my top hostel and hotel recommendations to help you decide where to stay in Sayulita.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a tiny bit of income if you decide to click and make a purchase and booking.

Where to Stay in Sayulita: Central Sayulita

Central Sayulita, also known as downtown Sayulita, is where all the action is. Here, you’ll find great restaurants and fun bars, cute shops, and the main beach in town, aptly named Sayulita Beach. Staying in the heart of Sayulita means you’re just steps away from all of the fun things to do in Sayulita. 

Being within walking distance of everything means you won’t need to rent a car or a golf cart to get around. This will help save you money on your trip to Sayulita, so maybe you can splurge on a luxury hotel!

The drawback to being in the center of the action is that it can be loud at night with partygoers and music from the restaurants. There is quite a bit of construction happening at the moment, so in the morning, you may be woken up by that noise. 

Best Places to Stay in Downtown

Selina Sayulita Hostel

Selina Sayulita is what I’d call a boutique hostel right in the heart of Sayulita. There are artfully decorated dorm rooms as well as private rooms if you don’t want to share your space but want the opportunity to meet new people, thanks to the social atmosphere of the hostel.

There is a swimming pool in the center of the hostel, and free WiFi makes it a great place to stay for digital nomads and wellness activities such as yoga and on-site massages.

Check rates and availability here.

Sayulinda Hotel

Just across the street from Selina Hostel is the gorgeous Sayulinda Hotel. Their rooms are colorful and chic with nods to Frida Kahlo. But the real winner of this hotel is the gorgeous rooftop terrace with an infinity pool and bar overlooking Sayulita.

Even if you choose to stay elsewhere, you can purchase a day pass to the rooftop bar and pool!

Of course, there is Free Wi-Fi, and all of the rooms are air-conditioned, which is so nice to come back to after a hot day at the beach!

Check rates and availability here.

Amaia Boutique Hotel

The Amaia Boutique Hotel is just across the street from the town square! Staying here puts you in the center of the great nightlife and food scene! It’s actually attached to a nightclub, so if you really want to party, it’s the best place to stay. When you’re done, you can recover in the lush garden and pool. 

In addition to free WiFi, air conditioning, and beautiful rooms, this boutique hotel also offers airport shuttle service (for an additional fee), so you don’t have to worry about taxis or Ubers to get to and from the Puerto Vallarta Airport.

Check rates and availability here.

Sayulita Central Hotel

Sayulita Central Hotel was one of the first hotels in Sayulita Plaza. Stepping into this hotel is like stepping into the old-world charm of Mexico. Plus, talk about a central location! Its front door is on the Instagram-famous street Delfines, the one with all of the colorful flags!

The rooms have been updated, and there is free wi-fi throughout the property and air-conditioned rooms. But the rooms are basic, which, to be honest, is perfect if you’re not planning to spend much time in the room. If your Sayulita itinerary is filled with surfing, ATV adventures, and other fun activities, this would be a great spot to sleep!

If you’re looking for a safe and budget-friendly hotel room, this is it!

Check rates and availability here.

Where to Stay in Sayulita: South End

The south end of Sayulita is located at the south end of Sayulita Beach in between the main beach and Playa Los Muertos. It is much quieter on this end of town, and you’ll find a few luxury hotels here. You can still walk to the center of Sayulita in about 10-15 minutes.

Many places to stay in this area offer fantastic views as part of the neighborhood is on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 

Best Places to Stay in the South End

Hotel Boutique Siete Lunas

If you want to stay somewhere a bit more private, consider Hotel Boutique Siete Lunas, which is set on a hill overlooking Sayulita Bay. Each of the luxury, thatched-roof suites has an ocean view. The property also has a pool and deck with lounge chairs overlooking the bay (perfect for sunrise and sunset!).

While it’s about a 15-minute walk to town, this hotel is located right next to Playa Los Muertos and Playa Carricitos, so you’ll have easy access to more secluded beaches than Sayulita Beach.

There is a restaurant on-site, free WiFi, and air conditioning!

Check rates and availability here.

Amor Boutique Hotel

Amor Boutique Hote is a luxury boutique resort perfect for a romantic getaway. The name really says it all! They offer private villas with unobstructed ocean views, a stunning outdoor swimming pool, free yoga classes, and exceptional service.

Staying at this boutique hotel is a great option to mix a bit of luxury into your vacation.

Check rates and availability here.

Where to Stay in Sayulita: Gringo Hill

Gringo Hill is the area above Sayulita Plaza and is where many expats started to move in the 1990s. The hills are incredibly steep to reach the accommodations on Gringo Hill, so you may need a car or golf cart. However, the great views of the plaza and the ocean reward your efforts in climbing the hill. Going downhill, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the beach.

Best Places to Stay on Gringo Hill

Anjali Casa Divina

Anjali Casa Divina is a boutique hotel that also offers yoga retreats. Many of their rooms offer ocean views, while the others offer views of their lush gardens. You don’t need to participate in a yoga retreat to stay here, but they offer daily yoga classes from their rooftop studio for an additional fee. 

Check rates and availability here.

Avela Boutique Hotel

Avela is the perfect place to stay if you want to indulge in a luxurious stay. This adult-only boutique hotel is a beautifully designed space that highlights contemporary Mexican design. You can enjoy a delicious breakfast from the onsite restaurant, refresh in the saltwater pool, and enjoy an afternoon of onsite spa services. 

If you want to get out and explore, the concierge can help you book snorkeling trips, a golf cart rental, or a surf lesson. 

This is truly one of the most beautiful Sayulita hotels.

Check rates and availability here.

My Sister’s House Sayulita

My Sister’s House is a women’s only hostel that offers a safe, clean, and fun space for women of all ages. If you’re nervous about staying in a hostel for the first time, this is the best place to try it out! 

The biggest dorm in the hostel is an 8 bed dorm and there are private rooms available as well. They offer daily yoga clases and weekly activities like sunset at Carricitos, hiking Monkey Mountain, and day trips to San Pancho.

Check rates and availability here.

Where to Stay in Sayulita: North End

The north end of Sayulita is north of Sayulita Beach, on the other side of the river from downtown. As I wandered the area on the way to a yoga class and a day trip to Marietta Islands, this area felt as if it was the next area to see growth from tourism. It was nice to still be able to find small shops and restaurants. The area had a much more relaxed atmosphere than the center of Sayulita, which would take about 10-15 minutes to walk to. 

Best Places to Stay in the North End

Don Bonito

I visited Don Bonito for a morning yoga class at their rooftop studio. This small yet charming hotel has a great cafe and bar onsite, a small outdoor pool, and lovely staff. The yoga class was one of the best I’ve taken in a while, too!

It’s a bit on the outskirts of town, but well worth the walk if you want a quieter stay with great amenities. 

While there is no restaurant on site, their off site restaurant cafe, La Rustica, is one of the best restaurants in town. You can order from their menu for delivery to your room!

Check rates and availability here.

Casa Selva

Escape into the jungle while still being walking distance from town, at Casa Selva. Casa Selva is a stunning property with 14 wooden cabins that have large windows overlooking the jungle-like landscape. In addition to the outdoor pool, there are multiple outdoor showers. I love an outdoor shower!

A rarity in Sayulita, is this hotel offer free parking onsite. So if you are renting a car, but don’t want to deal with navigating the cobblestone streets of downtown Sayulita, you may want to stay here! You can easily walk to town in about 15 minutes.

Check rates and availability here.

Hotelito Los Sueños

Hotelito Los Sueños is on a quiety, leafy residential street in a hacienda style property. They offer a variety of modern, traditionally designed rooms in addition to not one, but two outdoor pools! In addition to providing safe and comfortable accommodations, Hotelito Los Sueños offers daily yoga clases and an in-house massage therapist. This is the best place to stay if you want to dive into your wellness journey, without breaking the bank!

There is a breakfast buffet, free WiFi, and free bike rentals available so you can easily get to town. 

Check rates and availability here.

Now that you have a better idea of where to stay and a narrowed-down list of the best hotels and hostels in Sayulita, you can book your stay! Each of these hotels is well-located, safe, and has the amenities you need for a comfortable trip. From budget-friendly hostels to boutique stays, there is a place to stay in Sayulita for every budget and travel style. Once you book, it’s time to start planning what you’ll do in this magical town. I hope that you have a great time exploring all that Sayulita has to offer!

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