Sayulita is a vibrant city in the southern region of Nayarit, México, known for its beaches, colorful streets, and laid-back vibe. While Sayulita is a lovely spot to stay and relax for a while, it is also a great place to visit on a day trip. The town is fairly small and we feel that you can see many of the highlights in a day. We’d love to stay in the area for longer sometime, but we opted to visit as a day trip since Matt’s grandparents have a home in Puerto Vallarta that we’ve always been able to stay at. So, here are the details for making a Sayulita day trip.
Getting to and from Sayulita
Sayulita sits just north of Puerto Vallarta and it takes about an hour and a half to drive there from the downtown area.
You can get to Sayulita easily from Puerto Vallarta by public transport. Note that the bus will take a bit longer than driving. Catch a Compostela bus from the stop in front of the Pitillal Walmart in Puerto Vallarta. They come every 20ish minutes and will say Sayulita in the window. If you’re staying closer to center of the city, you may have to take a bus to reach the Walmart stop first. Just pay as you board the buses – it is better to have exact change or smaller peso denominations. It costs about $3 USD one way from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita.
The bus will drop you off at the main bus depot on the outskirts of Sayulita. From there it is only a short walk into the heart of the town. Return here to catch the bus back to Puerto Vallarta. For the way back, you can buy tickets at the bus station.
Another option is to take an Uber from Puerto Vallarta.
Lastly, if you don’t want to worry about the bus or want the flexibility of having your own car, you can rent a car or hire private transport in Puerto Vallarta. This obviously isn’t as budget-friendly as taking the bus. There are plenty of transport companies and rental agencies in the city, or you can book often online.
If you do drive, note that parking in Sayulita is limited. You may have to circle for a while before you find a street parking spot, or you may have to park a little further outside the center. There are a couple small paid lots in the city as well.
Things to do for a Sayulita Day Trip
Hit the Beach
Sayulita is a coastal town, so one of the most popular things to do is hit the beach. The main beach that the town sits on is Playa Sayulita. This long stretch of sand is bustling with families, vendors, groups playing fútbol and other games, and more.
If you’re looking for a quieter scene, there are other beaches you can walk to in the area, such as Playa de Los Muertos and Playa Malpaso. For more detailed information on the beaches in Sayulita, check out our other post.
Take a Surf Lesson
Sayulita has long been a popular surf destination. So, while you’re hanging at the beach, consider taking a surf lesson! The waves right near town are generally beginner-friendly, though conditions can vary depending on the day and time of year.
If you’re interested in taking a surf lesson or just renting a board, head towards Playa Sayulita. There are some board rentals and lesson operators available along the streets near the beach. You can also head to the surf stalls on the beach to inquire. Make sure to bring cash.
Wander the Markets & Shops
Sayulita’s streets are lined with various boutiques, surf shops, and souvenir stores if you’re interested in doing a little shopping.
The markets are also worth strolling through if you’re looking for something unique to remember your trip by. Head to the artisan market for a variety of goods, from jewelry and apparel to textiles and home décor. You’ll also find the typical souvenir items, like magnets and keychains.
Mercado del Pueblo opens up for a few hours on Fridays. There, you’ll find more artisan goods and some food stalls as well as fresh produce and other food items.
Visit the Sayulita Plaza and Paseo de los Colores
If you’ve looked up photos of Sayulita, chances are, a pic of Paseo de los Colores popped up. Bright flags span this cute pedestrian street and there are restaurants and shops lining it. It’s quite busy with tourists and vendors, and there are sometimes performers and music filling the air.
Sayulita’s main plaza sits just nearby. It is also incredibly vibrant with the bright ‘SAYULITA’ sign sitting near the plaza, more flags stretching over the busy street, lights strung from the palm trees, and colorful buildings all around. This place is usually bustling with tourists, local families hanging out, and vendors selling a variety of goods.
Enjoy the Art Scene
Sayulita definitely has an artsy vibe worth noting as you explore the city. There are various art galleries, such as Palu Gallery, and unique studios with interesting pieces. Some of the cafés and restaurants, like Café Coyote, also feature the works of local artists.
Additionally, there are pretty murals along various streets adding to the vibrance of the city.
Attend a Yoga Session
Sayulita has become quite popular among the yoga crowd. We didn’t fit this activity into our Sayulita day trip as we aren’t really yogis and preferred to spend the day exploring the city and relaxing on the beaches. Various yoga and wellness retreats are held here, but there are also options if you want to attend a session for just a day. Learn more about some of the options here.
If you’re staying longer:
There are many other great things to do in Sayulita if you’re spending more time here. There are various tours available, such as ATV excursions, fishing trips, snorkeling and Marietas Islands tours, etc. that can all be experienced from Sayulita.
But, if you’re just visiting on a day trip from Puerto Vallarta, we would recommend you do these activities from there because the options are similar. Plus, if you opt to do these activities from Sayulita on a day trip, you won’t be left with much time to explore the city itself.
What to Bring for a Sayulita Day Trip
Sun Protection: Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for beach time and exploring the city. You can rent umbrellas at some of the beaches.
Water: You can buy water in Sayulita, but we’d recommend bringing some for the ride over and making sure you have some if you choose to hike to some of the beaches around the city.
Cash: While various establishments accept card, some restaurants, market stalls, the bus, public restrooms, etc. only take cash. There are a few ATMs around the city if needed.
Beach Gear: We recommend just wearing your swimsuit if you plan to spend much of the day at the beaches. Bring along your towel, sandals, and anything else you might want for relaxing on the beach.
Comfortable Walking Shoes: Some of the streets in and around Sayulita are unpaved, so bring comfortable walking shoes for exploring the city. These are especially important if you plan to hike to any of the beaches on the outskirts of the city. We just wore our Chacos around all day.
Bug Spray: We didn’t encounter many bugs during our visit, but it can get buggier at night, when walking through the jungle, during the rainy season, etc. Bring bug spray just in case.
Backpack: To carry all of your gear needed for a day trip along with you. Consider packing an extra tote if you plan to do any shopping.
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