Unlike any other beach town of Nayarit, Mexico; Sayulita just hits different. Once a small fishing village, this colorful Pueblo Magico has evolved into a boho surf town full of carefree vibes. Though it’s now on traveler’s radars, Sayulita has maintained all of its charm and authenticity without losing any of its genuine spirit. The crown jewel of the Riviera Nayarit, it’s the beautiful beaches of Sayulita that keeps visitors coming back for more.
After you’re done keeping busy with surfing, yoga, boat tours, and boutique shopping, you’ll need to find time to dig your feet in the sand. A combination of waves and sun make the picturesque beaches of Sayulita a perfect place to leave all your stress behind. Here are our picks for some of the best playas to hit up during your time in Sayulita.
Playa de los Muertos (Beach of the Dead)
Los Muertos is located just a short walk from the Downtown Sayulita area and its main beach. Just a 15-20 minute stroll northwest, you’ll reach this relaxing beach with a low-key atmosphere favorited by locals.
Bound by boulders on each side, Playa de los Muertos has clear waters, soft sand and is one of the easiest beaches in Sayulita to check off your list.
Playa de Los Muertos literally translates to the beach of the dead. This is because you’ll go up a small hill and pass a cemetery on the way there. Quite a unique experience and certainly a first for most travelers. Protected by the peninsula to the south and rocky outcroppings, the water is undisturbed here. Possibly, some of the calmest waters in Sayulita to go for a swim.
Playa Carricitos
Arguably one of the best beaches in Sayulita to catch a sunset is Playa Carricitos. You will battle an uphill hike in the heat to get there but it will be worth it. Take in the sights and enjoy the flora and fauna on the way. It won’t be hard to get some solitude at Carracitos and you may even have the whole beach to yourself…if you time it right.
Bring a couple of cold cervezas to enjoy because you won’t find any vendors here. Just open ocean where the waves crash hard. There are no crowds and the sunset really puts on a show.
Check out his guide for the ultimate Sayulita Surf Trip here!
To get to Carricitos start by taking the same route to get to Playa de Los Muertos. Once you pass the cemetery, take a left instead of a right when the path meets the beach. Walk up the road and take your second right. Stay to the right and when you get to the top of the hill, swing left. Go down the hill and around the corner to the concrete entrance on the right-hand side pointing in the direction of the beach. Follow that down the steep pathway to one of the best private beaches in Sayulita.
🌎 BROS TIP: Weekdays are money for sunsets. It’s a perfect spot for a date or a picnic. The rip current is very strong here and the waves will toss you if you are not on your game. There is a surf break here by the rocks near the resort. It’s popular with body-boarders as well. BONUS: Beyond the rocks of Carricitos lies Playas Patzcuaro and Patzcuarito.
Las Cuevas
Often referred to as the Secret Beach, this horseshoe-shaped bay is situated along the Riviera Nayarit coast. Although huge rocks and strong currents make it a bit dangerous to enjoy a swim here, nevertheless this beauty is a must-see.
Playa las Cuevas is something out of a postcard that you want to experience firsthand because it is truly one of a kind.
To get to Cuevas, you can take the nature route starting in town via Avenida del Palmar followed by the jungle hike. For the bros, the easiest way to get to Cuevas was walking to the north end of Sayulita Main beach past Playa Norte. Once you finally reach the end, you’ll find Casa Kestos. Scale up the rocks past the viewpoint and you’ll find a single track that teeters on the edge as waves crash below. It will take you to a one-person trail, leading you directly above the caves. Follow the path to the waves crashing below as the serene cove appears.
Cuevas means caves in Spanish and it won’t take you long to figure out how it got the name. When you are ready to move on, you’ll be off to Playa Mal Paso from here. It’s easily connected through the caves as you head north. The beaches of Sayulita are filled with one memorable coastline after the next.
Playa Mal Paso
Fittingly enough, mal pasos is Spanish for missteps because make one of ’em and you’re gone. Accessible from San Pancho or Sayulita, Playa Mal Paso is in the middle of the two next to Playa Las Cuevas.
If a peaceful secluded beach away from the crowds is your thing, then Mal Paso is for you. Clean and quiet Mala Paso is idyllic. This virgin beach has got to be at least a mile long without another person in sight.
Mal Paso will even provide you with some shade from the jungle backdrop. Look out for the crashing waves and a heavy undertow when taking a dip here. You won’t want to go too far out due to the strong current. Mal Paso is a favorite among visitors due to its isolation and pure nature. Pack some snacks for your journey because once you get here you won’t want to leave.
Playa Norte
Beyond all the umbrellas and vendors, if you continue to trek along the sand from Sayulita’s main beach you’ll end up at Playa Norte. It’s where the seasonal Sayulita River will meet the sea if it ever gets full.
Sometimes known simply as North Beach to the gringos, there’s a little left-handed surf break with much fewer surfers in the lineup. However, you’ll need to be alert for rocks underneath you.
If you’re not feeling too adventurous but want to lose the crowds of the umbrella beach, Norte is a good option. You’ll be able to get a little more sand to yourself to spread out the further you go. There are even some fun waves to body surf here. You can get access through any of the streets of Avenida del Palmar.
🌎 BROS TIP: If you want to experience the releasing of baby sea turtles in the ocean, Playa Norte is the spot! We were informed of two great organizations you can inquire with, Campamento Tortuguero Sayulita and the Turtle Preservation Sayulita Foundation. 🐢
Sayulita Beach
The heart of Sayulita beats here at the main beach. A little overwhelming at first, this is where all the action is. In addition to hundreds of daily beachgoers and umbrellas, you’ll find all the seaside amenities here one could ask for. Cabanas, restaurants, board rentals, tour guides, boat tours, you name it, and you won’t have to go far. There are two surf breaks here, a smaller wave for beginners and the larger crowded one where you can find the local longboarders.
The weekends can get a little crowded as many people from the surrounding areas like Guadalajara come through for a few days. Steps from the center of town, Sayulita’s main beach is the place to go for a swim, catch a wave, or get your feet in the sand quickly.
Surf lessons are popular here and you’ll witness either the kook of the day or the stoke evoked by a new surfer catching their first wave. Kicking back on Playa Centro to take in the rays while watching the surfers dance on their longboards will never get old.
San Pancho (San Francisco)
Just beyond Playa Mal Paso lies San Pancho in the quaint little village of San Francisco. It’s approximately four miles from Sayulita. If you’re down for a hike through the jungle there’s a path leading to the town at the end of the beach at Mal Paso.
En route on your hike, you’ll pass the estate of one of Mexico’s former presidents. We walked along the highway to finish the route, a little sketchy but worth it. Feeling lazy? A taxi will get you here in 5-10 minutes from the town center to center.
San Francisco is a beautiful beach town that is way less poppin’ than Sayulita. Which is kind of wild being how close they are to one other. The surf break here is a little more aggressive than Sayulita and recommend for more advanced surfers. As travelers look for the newest up-and-coming location without the crowds, San Pancho is the hidden gem. We heard the sunset is pretty damn good here too if you are lucky enough to catch one.
Punta de Mita
Located 30 minutes southwest of Sayulita you’ll find the beautiful peninsula of Punta de Mita. You won’t have to go to the bus depot and can flag one down right on the highway. Bus fares run around $2 and departures are always changing so it’s best to inquire in town about the details.
We found the surf here to be quite fun and it was nice to have a break from all the crowds you find in the lineup in Sayulita. Punta de Mita is home to many lavish resorts but makes for a great day trip to get out and explore the surrounding area of the Riviera Nayarit.
Marieta Islands
Known as the Mexican Galapagos, the Marieta Islands were formed thousands of years ago by volcanic activity. One of the most popular things to do in the area is to take a tour of these uninhabited islands for bird and whale watching.
The islands are protected by Mexico’s conservation society and there is a limit to the number of trips allowed here per day to avoid over-tourism.
The islands are a 15-minute boat ride from Punta de Mita where they are home to thousands of birds and 44 species of plant and wildlife. One of the best times to go is between December and March when you can observe grey and humpback whales returning from Alaska to give birth in the warm waters of Nayarit.
And there you have it…You know what they say, Life is better at the beach! We hope you’re feeling inspired to get some sandy feet and salty hair without a care. If you have any questions about any of the beaches we’ve mentioned or about traveling to Sayulita, shoot us a message or drop a comment below!
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