Tips for Traveling to Sayulita: What Nobody Tells You Before You Go

Sayulita is one of those destinations that looks easy on paper and can go really well or moderately expensive and frustrating depending on how prepared you arrive. It is not a complicated destination. But it has its particularities worth knowing before you buy the ticket.

This guide is the direct version: no filler, no motivational travel quotes, just what you need to know for the experience to go well.

When to go — And when not to

High season in Sayulita runs December through April. The weather is perfect: dry, hot, cool nights. It is also when everything is most expensive, most crowded and when finding last-minute accommodation is nearly impossible.

May to June is an interesting window: the heat and humidity kick in, prices drop, there are fewer tourists and the ocean is still in good condition for surfing. A good time if you have flexibility.

July through October is rainy season and also hurricane season. The rains are intense but generally short; they do not ruin the entire day. Prices are at their lowest and the town has a more local, laid-back energy. If you are uncomfortable with humid heat or the possibility of rain, skip this period.

How to get to Sayulita

The closest airport is Puerto Vallarta (PVR), about 28 miles away. From there you have several options:

• Cheapest option: take a bus from the Puerto Vallarta bus station to Sayulita. Costs a fraction of what a taxi or private transfer charges and the trip takes about an hour depending on traffic.
• Private transfer: comfortable, no stops, fixed price. There are dozens of services operating from the airport. Book in advance if you arrive in high season.
• Car rental: the best option if you plan to visit San Pancho, Punta de Mita, Bucerías or Puerto Vallarta during your stay. The road is straightforward and parking in Sayulita is limited but exists.

Money: cash first

Sayulita runs mostly on cash. There are ATMs in town but they are few, charge fees, and in high season they run out of bills more often than you would like.

Withdraw money in Puerto Vallarta before arriving or at the airport if your bank does not charge international fees. Having enough for the first two days is the bare minimum.

Some restaurants and shops accept cards, especially those aimed at international tourists. Street stalls, markets and small businesses: cash only.

Getting around town

Sayulita is walkable. The town center, the beach and most restaurants are within a 15-minute walk from any central point.

To reach Playa de los Muertos, San Pancho or Punta de Mita you need transport. Local taxis have fixed rates worth asking about before getting in. Moto-taxis are an option for short distances within town.

Renting a bicycle is one of the best decisions you can make in Sayulita. Several rental spots in town give you freedom of movement without depending on anyone or spending on a taxi every time you want to go to the beach or explore the surroundings.

What you should definitely avoid

• Do not drink tap water. This is non-negotiable at any tourist destination in Mexico and Sayulita is no exception. Bottled or purified water always.
• Do not book the cheapest accommodation without reading recent reviews. There are good budget options and budget options with humidity problems, pests or services that do not work.
• Do not leave valuables on the beach unattended. Sayulita is relatively safe but opportunistic theft exists like at any tourist destination in the world.
• Do not get in the ocean with a current without asking first. Conditions change day to day and locals or surf instructors can tell you in two minutes whether the sea is good that day or not.

Final thoughts

Sayulita is easy to enjoy if you arrive with the right expectations and the basic info ready. The town does the rest on its own.