Things to Do in Sayulita

Chef Lacho Ruiz runs this beachfront kitchen at La Puesta, built around the day's catch and Mexican coastal classics. The terrace sits right above the surf, so tables fill early for sunset dinner. Order the fresh seafood plates and a mezcal cocktail while the light goes orange over the bay. It also serves breakfast and lunch, which makes it an easy low-key start to a beach day.

A few steps off the main plaza on the way to the beach, La Rústica cooks wood-fired pizzas that locals and visitors both rank among the best in town. The menu also covers pasta, mussels, fish tacos and a full mezcal cocktail list, plated more carefully than most places in Sayulita. The room is relaxed and a little romantic, with candlelit tables. Reservations help on weekend evenings in high season.

A two-level Mediterranean rooftop in the middle of town, Alto Alto pairs shareable plates with artisan cocktails and one of the better elevated views over the plaza streets and hills. It serves brunch and dinner, so it works for a slow morning or a golden-hour drink that turns into dinner. Expect hummus-style starters, grilled fish and creative cocktails rather than tacos. Dinner is the busiest service.

A small, brightly painted family-style place a few steps from the plaza, Mary's is where locals send people for fish and shrimp tacos. The house taco especial comes with shrimp and roasted green peppers under melted cheese on a handmade corn tortilla, and two tacos make a full meal. Poblano peppers stuffed with chicken and cheese, marlin empanadas and flan round out the traditional menu. Prices stay modest for the town centre.

Started as a small taco shop and grew into the town's go-to nicer seafood dinner, on Calle Delfines a block from the beach. The signature seafood molcajete arrives bubbling with prawns, octopus, arrachera, bacon-wrapped peppers and queso, and the aguachile and ceviche are strong starters. Cocktails are good and weekend evenings sometimes bring live music. Fish is the daily catch, so ask what came in.

A bright, modern coffee bar two blocks from the plaza, serving 100% Mexican beans through an espresso machine, Chemex, V60, Aeropress or cold-brew Toddy. The pastry case holds house-baked desserts and breads with vegan and gluten-free options, and the kitchen makes eggs Benedict with only fresh ingredients. Seating is both indoors and out, with free WiFi. Order a V60 or Chemex when you want to taste the beans rather than the milk.

Tucked down a small alley off Avenida Revolución, this boho café has shaded outdoor tables and a calm indoor room with natural decor. The menu leans into healthy takes on Mexican breakfast: organic elote (corn) hotcakes with berries and banana, chilaquiles, avocado toast and French toast. Drinks run to Chemex and V60 brews, Oaxacan hot chocolate and a beet-lavender latte. WiFi is fast enough that it doubles as a remote-work spot, so mornings fill with laptops.

Open since 2016 and half a block from the main plaza, Anchor is the go-to for healthy, locally sourced food. Smoothie bowls use fruit from Sayulita and Tepic, and the avocado toast comes on house sourdough. Bagel and ciabatta sandwiches, banana-bread French toast and a fresh soup with grilled cheese cover lunch. Drinks include oat-milk cappuccino, cold brew, matcha latte and a Balinese-style turmeric-ginger jamu juice. Many items are vegan.

Run by Yesi, a Sayulita native and former barista, this coffeehouse sits on the main plaza with sit-down tables and a walk-up window. Beans come from Oaxaca, Chiapas and Veracruz, and milk options include soy, lactose-free and low-fat. Breakfast leans simple and reliable: eggs Benedict, fruit with yogurt and granola, and a pineapple-mango smoothie. Locals like the oversized cappuccinos and the people-watching over the plaza.

Bruno, the French owner formerly behind Bicyclette, bakes bread, croissants, quiches and desserts fresh each day in his bakery-café. Cases hold croissants, donuts, pastries and baguette sandwiches, with espresso, cappuccinos and lattes alongside. Salads and quiches make an easy light lunch. SayulitaLife reviewers rate it 4.8 of 5 across 29 reviews, mostly for the bread and pastries. Dine in or take a bag of croissants back to the house.

The go-to mini-super in the south end of town, and the store most Sayulita regulars mean when they say they are running to the market. Aisles are narrow but cover the daily basics: eggs, milk, tortillas, fresh bread, produce, cold beer, bottled water and snacks. Prices sit below the tourist-oriented shops on the plaza, so it works well for a first stock-up before cooking breakfast at the house.

A North Side corner shop that locals and long-stay guests credit with the best wine and spirits shelf in town. Expect mezcal, tequila, Mexican craft beer, wine and instant coffee, with beer typically around 30-35 pesos. It is the easiest place to grab a bottle of tequila or mezcal for the terrace without walking into the busy center, plus staples like snacks and drinks.

A family-run produce shop off Calle Pelícanos with a wide spread of fresh fruit and vegetables at fair prices. Reviewers consistently mention the friendly service and the quality of the mangos, papaya, limes, avocados and tomatoes. Stock up here for smoothies, ceviche or guacamole and you will spend noticeably less than at the supermarkets or tourist-facing stands.

A calm, well-kept shop on the highway into town that stocks organic and health-focused goods hard to find elsewhere in Sayulita. Look for free-range eggs, artisan cheeses, raw dairy, kombucha, vegan pesto, raw chocolate and natural soaps and supplements, with some fresh produce. Staff know the products well, so it is a good stop for dietary needs, gluten-free or plant-based shopping.

For a full weekly shop, locals drive to Bucerías, where Mega sits on the south side with La Comer across the highway. Both carry full meat and seafood counters, bakery, imported goods, large wine and spirits aisles, cleaning supplies and bulk water jugs at supermarket prices. This is the stop for arrival-day provisioning, large groups, or anything the little tiendas in Sayulita lack.

The main beach splits into three surf breaks: a gentle beach break at the far south end for first-timers, a middle peak for intermediates, and another intermediate break to the north. Surf schools set up racks of foam boards along the sand, and board rentals and lessons run roughly $25-45 per session. The sand is busy by midday with umbrella vendors and fruit sellers, so it suits people-watching as much as swimming. Mornings are calmer and less crowded.

Reached by a footpath over the headland south of town, this cove faces slightly differently from the main beach, so it blocks some of the prevailing swell and stays calmer for swimming. A small stretch of sand sits below the hillside cemetery that gives the beach its name. Snorkeling is decent along the rocky south end when the water is clear. There is little shade, so bring an umbrella and water, since only a few vendors work the cove.

A wide, gently sloping beach north of Punta de Mita where the water deepens gradually and locals say there is no undertow, so it is a good place to play in the rolling surf. One end is calm, while the other is rougher for paddling and surfing. Vendors walk the sand selling shrimp or fish skewers, and a beach club rents palapas with a traditional Mexican menu. At low tide you can reach a natural saltwater pool around a small cliff.

San Francisco, known as San Pancho, has a long, palm-lined beach at the end of a single main street, quieter and less crowded than Sayulita's. The waves are generally bigger and the lineup friendlier, so it works for confident surfers and for anyone who wants to read on the sand. Beachfront palapas serve fresh seafood and cold drinks, and the village has cafes and galleries within a few blocks. Sunsets here are wide and unobstructed.

Small-boat tours leave from Sayulita Bay and reach the Marietas Islands National Park in about 40 minutes, with boats limited to six people. Snorkeling over the reef brings tropical fish and sometimes turtles, and December through March can add humpback whale sightings. The park caps visitors and requires a licensed operator, so you must book ahead. Wear reef-safe sunscreen and bring a towel, since the boat has little shade.

The area's signature climb: roughly two miles each way through shaded tropical forest, gentle at first and then steep, finishing with a short boulder scramble. From the summit you see the whole Bahía de Banderas curve, Punta Mita and, from roughly December to March, humpback whales breaching below. The mountain is sacred to the Huichol, and some trails pass petroglyphs. Plan 3 to 4 hours round trip and bring at least 3 liters of water per person.

A roughly 45-minute one-way walk to neighboring San Pancho, starting from the north end of the beach and working over rocks and headland paths with ocean views. San Pancho rewards you with a quieter beach, the Entreamigos arts scene and cafes for lunch. Wear sturdy sandals or trail shoes, since the rocky stretch is slippery, and plan to ride back by local bus or taxi. Conditions change, so confirm the route is open before you set out.

An easy walk south past the cemetery arch and Villa Amor road to the quieter beaches beyond the main bay. Los Muertos has calmer sand, the cemetery's painted tombs and a view back across Sayulita bay. It suits families and anyone wanting a short outing, around 15 minutes each way from the plaza. Bring water and a hat, as there is little shade along the way.

A short, very steep climb of 45 to 60 minutes, reached by crossing the river and heading north on Av. del Palmar, so it starts close to the North Side. At the top a dirt platform looks over the whole bay, town, Punta Mita and Monkey Mountain. Hiking boots and about 3 liters of water are recommended. It is spectacular near sunset, so carry a headlamp for the walk down.

A 30 to 45 minute walk from Av. del Palmar past the school, following a yellow Camino a la Playa sign through jungle to a secluded cove with no vendors. The path splits, and the left fork reaches the small Las Cuevas cove with its sea caves. It is a good family-friendly outing with birds, iguanas and butterflies on the way. Conditions here change because of nearby construction.

A relaxed, affordable Mexican restaurant that locals use as an easy first stop for margaritas. The handcrafted margaritas run on a 2-for-1 special, and the fish tacos and shrimp quesadillas come with a choice of six house salsas. The mood is easygoing with background music, nothing like the louder plaza bars. It works equally well for sunset drinks and a sit-down dinner, and the kitchen stays open late enough for a second round.

Open since 2012 and now on Avenida Revolución, Escondido serves craft cocktails with locally sourced ingredients and a good wine list. The flavored margaritas (passion fruit, piña, watermelon) and the mezcal pours are the draw. A street-facing patio, board games and low-volume music make it one of the calmer bars in town. It opens at 9 AM for coffee, so it covers a slow morning as well as an evening drink. Staff will steer you toward mezcals if you describe what you usually drink.

A wine, cocktail and tapas bar with the longest wine list in Sayulita and small plates from Chef Juan Corpus that mix Spanish, Japanese and Mexican influences. Live jazz, Moroccan and blues sets play several nights a week at conversation volume. Through a glass wall sits a Cuban cigar lounge with rums and cigar tastings. Wine nights with live music run Wednesday and Saturday from 5 to 9 PM, which fits an early evening.

A multi-floor pub just off the plaza, known for duck fat fries, burgers and a tequila list billed as the largest in town. Its margarita won a local contest in 2019. Upper floors have TVs and views, so it fills for NFL, soccer and UFC. Taco Tuesday is the weekly special. It is a casual place to eat and drink without a dance floor or DJ, and the third floor is quieter than the street level.

A two-level open-deck bar by the plaza where live music or DJs play four nights a week, the closest thing to a classic Sayulita night out on this list. The full bar pours top-shelf liquor, cocktails, beer and wine, and the scene picks up around 10 PM. Locals say Thursday has the most local crowd and Saturday is the biggest night. Ducks live on the property, which gives the bar its name.

Named for the Huichol goddess of life, this gallery-museum on Calle Revolución sells yarn paintings, beaded bracelets, designer jewelry and greeting cards made by Huichol (Wixárika) artisans from the mountains of Nayarit and Jalisco. It was founded by anthropologist Susana Valadez, and profits go to the Huichol Center for Cultural Survival, so each purchase funds a fair-trade program. Start with a beaded bracelet for an easy, packable piece, and ask staff about the symbolism in the yarn paintings.

Sayulita's Friday market started in 2009 with six vendors and now hosts close to 80, mixing local farmers and families with artisans who live in town. Come for honey, chocolate, fresh bread, flowers and coffee, then browse handmade body care products and crafts, often with live music. It sits on Calle Revolución just north of the main bridge, across from Galería Tanana, so you can pair it with a gallery visit.

Opened in 2014 by designer Brittney Borjeson, Evoke carries handmade Mexican pieces: Huichol yarn-covered animal skulls, naturally dyed rugs in minimal designs, ceramics, macramé, beaded jewelry and pom-pom items. The pieces come from artisans across Mexico, and reviewers mention fair prices paid to makers. The brand has several spaces in town, including a home goods shop, a clothing store on the main plaza and a beachside workshop. Shipping internationally is available if a rug will not fit in your suitcase.

Artefakto opened in 2010 and focuses on early 20th-century handmade goods tied to indigenous Mexican communities. Shelves hold textiles, pottery from Yucatán, Puebla and Oaxaca, hardwood stools and low tables from Guanajuato and San Luis Potosí, plus folk art and glass. It sits in Plaza Ágora between Calles Marlín and Delfín, reached by stairs from either street. Expect antique-style collector pieces rather than souvenirs, and it is a good place to find a conversation-starting object for home.

A long-running Revolución shop just off the main plaza, La Hamaca stocks artesanías from Oaxaca to Nayarit to the Yucatán, known for strong color. The owners travel to villages across Mexico and Guatemala to buy directly from the makers, so you will see regional textiles, folk art and hammocks in one place. It is an easy first stop on a shopping loop because the plaza is steps away.

An open-air rooftop studio above Don Bonito with palm and jungle views, where daily vinyasa classes run from morning to evening. Sunset restorative yoga is the one to book for a slow end to a beach day, and sound baths and DJ vinyasa nights appear on the schedule. Drop-ins are welcome and classes are first come, first served, so arrive about 15 minutes early to claim a spot.

A second-floor day spa in the centre of town, open every day, with therapists who have worked in Sayulita for years. The menu covers Swedish, Thai and couples massage, pregnancy massage, facials, mani-pedis and infusion detox treatments. It also runs temazcal sweat-lodge ceremonies with chanting and drumming, and it has the only SOQI infrared bed in town, useful for sore surf and hike muscles. Credit cards are accepted.

Haramara's open-air healing center, Larimar, sits on a private beach inside 12 acres of jungle and welcomes non-guests by reservation. Treatments include Swedish, deep tissue, Thai and shiatsu massage, acupuncture, facials, body scrubs and water therapy. Outside visitors can also join yoga and meditation classes, and a temazcal ceremony is held on Wednesday evenings. This is the most secluded and splurge-worthy option on the list.

A long-running spa and boho boutique, verified on SayulitaLife since 2013, with an ocean-view setting above a creek and soft spa music. Therapists handle massage, facials, scalp treatments, waxing, manicures and pedicures, and nail clients get a complimentary drink. The shop attached to the spa sells bohemian clothing, jewelry and home decor, so you can browse before or after. Groups and special occasions can be booked.

An air-conditioned studio just off the Punta de Mita highway, about an 8-minute walk from the plaza, with props and mats provided. The timetable mixes Jivamukti, Hatha Flow, Iyengar-style alignment work, Qigong and barre/pilates, plus Saturday restorative classes and evening sound baths. Classes were listed at roughly 200 MXN, so it is one of the cheapest ways to get a proper class in town.