The beautiful village of Sayulita is truly a hidden gem when it comes to beachside destinations. The central Sayulita Beach is well known as the perfect surfer’s beach because of its high waves, while the other beaches offer a more relaxed beachside experience. From water sports like whale watching, sailboating, snorkeling and diving to jungle tours like trail biking, bird watching and fishing, Sayulita offers an unlimited range of attractions and activities that are sure to fill up your itinerary to the brim.
When you are done exploring nature at its finest, settle in with a meal fit for a king, with Sayulita’s incredible classic Mexican cuisines and freshly caught seafood, or pop into the many bakeries and cafes that line the streets of this pretty village. If you are confused about the things to do in Sayulita, Mexico, read on through our list of the most awesome activities that will surely make for a memorable vacation.
1. Enjoy a day with family at Sayulita Beach (from USD 53.0)
You simply cannot go on a vacation to Sayulita and miss a day of plain old frolicking at the beach. This tour takes you back to your childhood of building sandcastles, boogie-boarding, swimming and just lazing about. Including hotel pickup and dropoff, it takes you to Puerto Vallarta, San Pancho, and the gorgeous Riviera Nayarit. You will be accompanied by a multi-lingual tour guide who will show you all the amazing scenic spots, and you can end the tour by watching the sunset with your family.
Sayulita and San Pancho Day Trip
Duration 6 hours
2. Treat yourself to a massage at Nirvanna Spa
What better way to make your vacation truly relaxing and rejuvenating than by getting a massage? This spa offers multiple types of massages, and the masseuses are professional and trained. The best part is that the massages are very affordable, and you are sure to return again and again before your vacation is over!
Nirvanna Spa
Address: Manuel N. Navarrete 10, Centro, Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
Website: Nirvanna Spa
Opening hours: 9am - 7pm (daily)
3. Enjoy a meal at Restaurant Yeikame
The sheer joy of being able to travel to Mexico and relish the world-famous Mexican cuisine is unlike any other. At Restaurant Yeikame, you can enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine prepared with love by locals. Try the steak tacos, red chorizo nachos and the beef taco platter. The salsas that come with your meals will have you licking your fingers with every bite!
Restaurant Yeikame
Address: Calle Jose Mariscal 10, Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
Facebook: Restaurant Yeikame
Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 8am - 10:45pm (closed on Wed)
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4. Go out for drinks at Bar Don Pato
Bar Don Pato is a well-known place that locals love to hit after sunset. Here, you can get a wide assortment of strong cocktails and drinks. An energetic and infectious ambiance and friendly patrons, combined with the live music have earned this bar a unique and cherished reputation. You will not leave this establishment without making a ton of new friends, whether it’s the customers or the waitstaff!
Bar Don Pato
Address: Primer piso, Calle Marlín 12, 63734 Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
Website: Bar Don Pato
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8pm - 3 am; Sun: 8pm - 12am
5. Try out yoga at Paraiso Yoga
Vacations are all about trying new experiences, or old experiences in a new place. Whether you are a long-time fan of yoga or you wish to try it out for the first time, why not check out this beautiful yoga studio that is located on a balcony overlooking a lush garden? This place has a whole lot to offer if you are looking for relaxation. It also has a spa center to get massages, pilates, yoga, and more.
Paraiso Yoga
Address: Calle Playa Azul 21, 63734 Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
Website: Paraiso Yoga
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 7:30pm; Sun: 9am - 1pm
6. Visit the baby turtles at Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita
This is a very enticing activity for animal lovers of all ages. Capamento Tortugero is a community organization that is run by volunteers and they help relocate and protect sea turtle eggs to improve their chances of survival. In the months of June and July, you can “adopt” a turtle nest and when they hatch, help your turtle hatchlings find their way to the sea. This is an event you cannot miss if you are in Sayulita during summers.
Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita
Address: Av. del Palmar 196, Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
Website: Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
7. Enjoy diving and whale watching with Sayulita Entourage
This diving school conducts incredible tours that allow you to go surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and whale-watching. You will need to undergo training, conducted by a professional and friendly trainer, if you wish to go scuba diving. This is a truly extraordinary experience that is sure to leave you spellbound. You can even bring your little ones along for some fun snorkeling lessons, and show them the beautiful marine flora and fauna deep in the waters.
Sayulita Entourage
Address: Calle Miramar 20, Colonia Centro, 63734 Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
Website: Sayulita Entourage
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 2pm, 3pm - 8pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
8. Visit the scenic Monkey Mountain
Bring out the adventurer in you with a visit to the incredible Monkey Mountain. It is a long hike up the mountain, with a steep cliff on the other side offering breathtaking views. The climb gets a bit steep sometimes, so it is necessary to be in moderately good health without joint problems. The trail is also difficult to navigate because of the lack of signage. However, the climb is absolutely worth it for the view of Puerto Vallarta, so don’t forget to bring a camera!
Monkey Mountain
Address: Monkey Mountain, Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
9. Buy local products at Mercado Del Pueblo
If you are into eating fresh, organic and locally produced foods, you might have a hard time finding such food on vacation. However, Sayulita caters to your organic food needs with the Mercado Del Pueblo. All the products you find here are grown organically and locally, so you can be assured you are eating food that is absolutely natural. Even if you aren’t into organic eating, it is worth it to take a trip to this amazing farmer’s market for a hearty meal.
Mercado Del Pueblo
Address: Av Revolución, Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
Website: Mercado Del Pueblo
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5:30pm (closed on Mon)
10. Browse through the collection of jewelry at Mexica Teahui
For fashion enthusiasts, this quaint little family-run jewelry shop is a great place to spend a free afternoon browsing handmade jewelry. The prices are lower than what you’d usually find elsewhere, and you can even buy precious gemstones and pure gold or silver jewelry. So if you like wearing beautiful jewelry, you will find very Pinterest-esque options here.
Mexica Teahui
Address: Avenida Revolución, 63734 Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico
Website: Mexica Teahui
11. Visit the art gallery of Evoke The Spirit
This art gallery offers very unique souvenirs that you can take home from Sayulita, such as ceramic animal skulls, cookware and unique statement jewelry pieces. Adorned with gorgeous Boho decor, this gallery is sure to charm you the minute you step in, with its lovely ambiance and the friendly staff. The best thing is that it supports local artists who work within Sayulita, so you know your money is going to support local work instead of large faceless corporations. This is a must-visit for people who like funky collectibles with a personalized twist.
Evoke The Spirit
Address: Calle Jose Mariscal 12-A, Centro, 63734 Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
Website: Evoke The Spirit
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 6pm
12. Plan a day out at Sayulita Plaza
No matter what city you travel to, the plaza or town square always tends to be a haven where the special culture of that place meets tourist-friendly attractions and activities. If you are traveling with your little ones, Plaza Sayulita offers a wide variety of fun activities that will keep you busy. Whether it’s shopping, pony-riding for children, enjoying public dance performances or exploring the shops and local coffee shops, you will find it right here. If nothing else, you can simply relax and people-watch as you munch on some snacks, as this square tends to be quite busy on most days.
Sayulita Plaza
Address: Av Revolución 41, 63734 Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
13. Go shopping at Plaza Papelillos Sayulita
Any vacation is incomplete without a shopping spree, and if you are a shopping enthusiast, Plaza Papelillos Sayulita is the first place you need to check out. With a huge collection of sophisticated boutiques, luxury fashion stores and accessory shops, this colorful place is perfect to visit. After you are done shopping, you can some time with your partner at a fine-dining restaurant, go bar-hopping with friends or enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack in the many cafes sprinkled in the streets.
Plaza Papelillos Sayulita
Address: Av Revolución 30, Sayulita, 63734 Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
Website: Plaza Papelillos Sayulita
Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)
14. Learn all about surfing on a four-day surf camp
Bring out the adventurer hiding inside you with this incredible four-day surf camp on the Pacific Coast. This camp offers the most informative and friendly teachers who will take you through the basics of surfing in different sea conditions, go over safety instructions and teach you about surfing etiquette. You can get access to a range of boards, and you will find yourself cruising the waves in no time!
The camp will include light refreshments and private transport to various beaches. Each day will comprise of two to three hours of instructed sessions, and you need at least two people to book it, so be sure to find a partner.
15. Tour the beautiful Riviera Nayarit
The beautiful Riviera Nayarit is the highlight of the small town of Sayulita. This awesome tour takes you along its beautiful coastline area, as you can stop and shop for unique souvenirs to take back home to your friends. The market area is colorful and picturesque, and you are sure to have a grand time looking through amazing artifacts, handicrafts and fashionable clothing. In addition, this tour will also take you through the cool Entre Amigos Project in San Pancho where you will witness how the community works here in Sayulita. This tour will definitely create memories to last a long time.
16. Explore the nature trail at Playa Los Muertos beach (from USD 46.0)
Imagine finding yourself in the midst of a lush green forest as you have a hearty jog along the coastline, stopping at picturesque scenic spots such as the Pacific Coast and Playas Los Muertos. This tour offers exactly that, and you will be accompanied by a knowledgeable and friendly tour guide. Make sure you have a moderate fitness level for this run though, as you will need to run a minimum of four to six miles (six to nine kilometers). However, the route is variable based on your preferences, as it is a private tour with only you and your group.
Run in the jungle and hidden beaches
Duration 90 to 120 minutes
Enjoy a unique vacation in Sayulita
From the gorgeous white-sand beaches to the roaring glittering waves, Sayulita truly promises fond memories whether you are traveling alone, with your family or your friends. Sayulita offers a non-commercialised, tranquil and rejuvenating once-in-a-lifetime experience away from the maddening crowds that flock the popular destinations. The friendly and warm locals, the lip-smacking cuisine and the unique coastal activities of Sayulita are calling to you.