Beaches Near Sayulita: Beyond the Main Beach
Sayulita's main beach gets the Instagram. The beaches nearby get the snorkeling, the empty afternoons, and the views without the crowd. Here's where to go.
If you haven't been to Sayulita yet, start with our complete Sayulita guide.
Playa de los Muertos — 10 Min Walk North
The name translates to 'Beach of the Dead' — don't let that put you off. Playa de los Muertos is Sayulita's best swimming beach and its most underused. Ten minutes on foot north from the main beach, it sits in a protected cove with calm water, fewer people, and better conditions for snorkeling. There's a small palapa bar. Rent snorkel gear in town and bring it here.
La Lancha — 15 Min Walk / 5 Min by Car
South of Sayulita, La Lancha is primarily a surf break — but the beach itself is beautiful and usually uncrowded. Rocky on the north end, sandy on the south. Good for watching experienced surfers, less ideal for swimming due to the wave action. The walk along the beach from Sayulita is scenic and takes about 20 minutes.
San Pancho (San Francisco) — 10 Min by Car
San Pancho's beach is longer, wider, and calmer than Sayulita's — and on a weekday you can have a significant stretch of it to yourself. The wave here breaks at the south end and is more powerful than Sayulita's main beach. Strong swimmers and experienced surfers; the current can be significant. Worth the 10-minute drive just for the change of pace.
Lo de Marcos — 30 Min by Car
Forty kilometers north of Sayulita, Lo de Marcos has a long, wide beach that you can walk for thirty minutes in either direction without running out of sand. Sea turtle nesting programs operate here from July through December. Almost no tourist infrastructure. Bring food and water. This is what Sayulita looked like twenty years ago.
Punta de Mita — 30 Min by Car
The south end of Bahía de Banderas, Punta de Mita has several distinct beaches. Playa Anclote is the main one — calm, accessible, with palapa restaurants and water sports rentals. El Faro beach (access via pangas) is more dramatic. Punta de Mita is also the departure point for Islas Marietas tours.
Islas Marietas — Full Day, Departs Punta de Mita
The Islas Marietas are a federal protected biosphere reserve about 25 miles offshore. Day permits are capped at 116 visitors. The famous Playa Escondida (Hidden Beach) requires swimming through a tunnel at low tide. Book weeks ahead through a licensed operator in Sayulita or Punta de Mita. Cost: $80–120 USD including permits.
Before you write off Sayulita's beach scene as too crowded, walk 10 minutes north. Playa de los Muertos consistently has calmer water, fewer people, and better snorkeling. More details in our Sayulita things to do guide.
Looking for where to eat after the beach? Read our guide to the best restaurants in Sayulita.
What you should know about Nayarit beaches
Pacific beaches have stronger currents and waves than the Caribbean. This doesn't mean they're dangerous, but pay attention to conditions before getting in the water, especially with children or if you're not a strong swimmer.
Color flags on beaches with lifeguards indicate ocean conditions: green is calm, yellow is caution, red means don't enter. Respect them — they're not decorative.
Reef-safe sunscreen is not optional if you're visiting reef areas like Islas Marietas; at some protected beaches it's mandatory and there are inspectors. Bring the right kind from Sayulita.
To wrap up
Sayulita is the starting point, not the final destination. With these beaches nearby you have enough to explore for an entire week without repeating.
