Things to Do in Sayulita: The Complete Activity Guide
Sayulita is small enough to walk end to end in 20 minutes. It is not small on things to do. Here is everything worth your time, in the order Mr. Playas would do them.
If you haven't been to Sayulita yet, start with our complete Sayulita guide.
Surf — The Obvious One
Start here. Sayulita's main beach break is one of the most beginner-accessible surf spots in Mexico — consistent, sandy-bottomed, and almost always has something rideable. The surf schools (Lunazul, WildMex, Sininen) are legitimate operations with certified instructors, proper equipment, and an actual teaching progression. A 1.5-hour lesson with board runs $35–50 USD.
If you've surfed before and want a more challenging wave, skip the main beach. Walk 15 minutes north to La Lancha — hollow, more powerful, and the lineup is a fraction of the size. Or head to Punta de Mita (30 minutes by car) for world-class breaks that will hold their own against almost anywhere.
Beach Hop
The main beach is convenient but it's not Sayulita's best swimming beach — the surf makes it choppy and the water near the river mouth can be murky after rain. For better swimming and snorkeling, walk 10 minutes north to Playa de los Muertos. It's calm, the water is clearer, and it's never packed. Bring your own snorkel gear or rent from shops in town.
For complete solitude, keep walking north past Playa de los Muertos toward Playa Patzcuarito. You'll likely have it to yourself on a weekday.
Islas Marietas
The Islas Marietas are a federally protected biosphere reserve about 25 miles offshore from Punta de Mita. The famous hidden beach — Playa Escondida — is accessible only by swimming through a tunnel at low tide. Daily visitor permits are capped at 116. Book weeks in advance. Tours depart from Punta de Mita and run about half a day. Cost: $80–120 USD including permits.
Even if Playa Escondida is sold out, the islands are worth the trip for the blue-footed boobies, manta rays, and the surreal underwater landscape.
Whale Watching
December through March, humpback whales congregate in Bahía de Banderas to breed and calve. Tours leave from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle marina (30 minutes from Sayulita) and get close — within legal distance of the whales. A 3-hour tour runs $50–80 USD. This is one of those experiences where the pictures don't fully capture it.
Hungry after surfing? Read our guide to the best restaurants in Sayulita.
Huichol Art and Culture
The Wixáritari (Huichol) people have one of the most visually striking artistic traditions in Mexico — intricate beadwork and yarn paintings made with extraordinary precision. In Sayulita, you can buy directly from Huichol artisans at the market and in dedicated galleries. The quality varies; the pieces made by artisans who do this full-time are exceptional. Expect to pay $20–200 USD depending on size and complexity.
Day Trip to San Pancho
San Francisco — known as San Pancho — is 10 minutes north of Sayulita and operates at half the pace with twice the charm. Smaller beach, excellent restaurants, an arts center (Centro Cultural AfroMex) that hosts free events, and a general atmosphere that hasn't been tourist-polished. Take a taxi ($5 USD each way), walk the beach, eat at Bistro Organico or La Ola Rica, and head back to Sayulita for the evening.
The Friday Market
Every Friday morning, the main plaza hosts a producers market with local food, fresh produce, handmade crafts, and artisan goods. It's one of the best versions of this kind of market in Pacific Mexico — not a tourist trap, genuinely used by locals. Get there early (8–10 AM) for the best selection and before the heat.
Every surf town in Mexico has operators selling ATV tours through the jungle. Mr. Playas finds them loud, overpriced, and responsible for a significant portion of the dust that ends up in your lunch. Spend that $60 on a half-day snorkel trip instead — see beaches near Sayulita.
To wrap up
Sayulita has a personality that can't be faked: it's surf, it's beach, it's a Mexican village with its own flavor. Enjoy it for what it is, and the trip will be exactly what you needed.
