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Place in Nayarit, Mexico
Photo: Carlos E. Sáinz, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Sayulita is a beach town in Nayarit, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Once an "off the beaten path" beach populated by surfers and backpackers, word about the town's mellow vibe, great food, and warm hospitality has gotten out. Despite its popularity, the town is still friendly and beautiful with wide sandy beaches and amazing sunsets.
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Sayulita Cemetery (and Beach of the Dead)
Tourists might sometimes wonder why one of the town's beaches is called Playa los Muertos. If you ask a local, they might share with you the local legend that at night the dead rise up from their graves in the Sayulita Cemetery and stroll over to the adjacent beach to enjoy the warm waters and gentle waves. Tourists can enjoy a day on Playa del Muertos, but access is via the dirt road through the cemetery. Walk it if you dare, but don't stay out on the beach past sunset, because at night the beach belongs to the dead.
Excellent meat-oriented tacos, one of the best in town.
Friendly, lively beachfront palapa restaurant. Wood-fired pizzas (try the bacon-shrimp). Spicy tuna tostadas, several pasta and rice dishes, burgers.
Fun casual traditional Mexican restaurant specializing in fish tacos and fresh seafood dishes.
Good breakfast place with coffee, bagels, egg bowls, etc.
Upscale nouveau Mexican restaurant with a menu leaning heavily towards seafood. The Molcajete de Mariscos is a feast for the hungry seafood lover. Coconut shrimp is excellent. Full bar with good martinis (the espresso martini is a winner).
Of the two campgrounds in Sayulita (not including the RV park). This is the better maintained and more pleasant. Very nice actually.
Personally styled bungalows right in the center of Sayulita. The Finnish owner also has two surf shops close to the beach.
Estrella del Mar is an estate consisting of two separate Mexican Modern architectural one bedroom homes. It sits atop the hill on the southern end of Sayulita's bay, at the edge of the tropical rainforest, so it has spectacular 360 degree views of ocean and untamed jungle.
Hotel La Casona is the newest boutique hotel in Sayulita, less than one block from the beach.
Villas on a hillside. Swimming pool available. Many steps, not accessible.
A secluded resort, nested in a beachfront setting surrounded by hills covered with jungle. Close to nature, yet safe and comfortable; clean air, private beach, beautiful rooms, relaxing ambience.
By bus
From the Puerto Vallarta airport, use the pedestrian overpass to cross the highway and flag a green and white "Compostela" bus that says Sayulita on the front. The fare is MXN60 as of 2026.
If you are staying in the main part of town, nearly everything is walkable. You may want a rental car if you are staying more than a mile or two from the center of town.
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Puerto Vallarta · International · PVR
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