Hola! I’m Cecilia Duran – a proud Mexican, traveler and dreamer! In this travel blog, I will be introducing the destination of Sayulita and hopefully convincing you to add this magical village onto your Mexico travel itinerary.
I was born in the city of Puebla. As a kid, I lived in several cities due to my father’s work. Since I was little I got used to change being part of life. Five years ago, I moved to Playa del Carmen to find answers to all of my questions and to get out of my comfort zone. That was the best decision ever – I freed myself from fears and discovered how much I love my country.
A Special Week Spent in Sayulita
Visiting Sayulita was a dream of mine and recently I got the chance to be there for a week. That desire to visit arose from reading a blog about Islas Marietas and the incredible hidden beach called Playa del Amor (a beach amazingly located in a crater). But I thought I couldn’t make it there because they restrict the number of visitors to only 116 people per day.
I was also attracted to Sayulita because one of my long-term goals is to get to know all of the magical towns (Pueblos Magicos) of my country. Currently, there are 132 Pueblos Magicos that you can visit in Mexico.
I can say my trip was one in which I lived out new experiences and despite not knowing anyone I never felt alone. Sayulita is a quiet, tropical and hippie town full of colors, murals and music. It should be on everyone’s list due to the amazing vibe that its people transmit, the incredible gastronomy, the nightlife and the nearby destinations of Punta Mita, Rincon de Guayabitos and San Pancho. It’s also a very multicultural place.
8 Best Things To Do in Sayulita
- Take at least one surf lesson.
- Visit Playa de los Muertos, Islas Marietas and Cerro del Mono.
- Take pictures at Playa del Amor with its incredible backlighting.
- Shop in the markets, craft boutiques and appreciate the Huichol art.
- Enjoy whale and dolphin watching experiences (December – March).
- Stay at one of the incredible accommodations in Sayulita – I stayed at Hotel Hafa which was a cozy and ideal spot for taking photos. This hotel is also located very close to the beach and the main square. Other excellent options include Selina, Casa Makawe and Casa Pata Salada.
- Eat the typical food of the area such as shrimp broth, octopus tostadas and delicious fish tacos. Drink the typical shots in the small canteens that are sold in food truck-type carts, and don’t miss eating the specialties (such as Hawaiian ice) at Raspados Aloha Sayulita, and at Xochi and Estrella de Mar Mariscos (both offer delicious food).
- Have a few drinks and enjoy the nightlife. On my second night I attended a jazz night. While I was having dinner, the band started playing music and at another table a group of friends got up to dance. They were so happy that they made attendees stand up to dance with them. What started off as a jazz night quickly became a rumba night!
Good to Know Before you Go
- Explore the nearby towns that also have a lot to offer.
- Don’t stay near the center if you want to rest as there are parties 24/7.
- Visit in low season. Many people visit Sayulita and the beach is usually very crowded during the peak tourist months.
- If you go in peak season, take a bag to the beach. There is usually trash on the beach and by collecting it we can all be part of the change.
- If you have the time, hike up Cerro del Mono (Monkey Mountain). It’s a beautiful spot but know that there is no telephone signal up there.
- Like most beach destinations, sometimes unexpected weather patterns occur. So check the weather forecast before going and be prepared.
