Sayulita is billed as a small, laid back, surf village. Its tourism board describes it as ‘the “crown jewel” of the Riviera Nayarit’.
Many things that you read about this place suggest it’s an undiscovered gem that’s not yet on the tourist trail. Just a sleepy hippy haven which grew out of a fishing village.
If that’s what you’re going in search of, then the bad news is that you’ve been looking at outdated information. Sayulita has well and truly been discovered.
The good news is that it’s still a great place to visit. So long as you’re aware of exactly what to expect beforehand and don’t arrive under any illusions, you’re in for a good time.
This Sayulita guide will run you through all of the best things to do in Sayulita, from adventurous activities to leisurely relaxation.
Plus we’ll lift the lid on the not so great parts and discuss what’s become Sayulita’s elephant in the room. We’re hoping to give you a totally balanced view of what to look forward to from this place.
The Best Things to Do in Sayulita
Let me start by clarifying, we really love the place and think it’s an awesome little beachtown. And there are so many cool things to do in Sayulita.
Activities range from the sedentary to the sporty and everything in between. So whatever your interests, you’ll find loads of ways to keep yourself occupied.
You could be chilling on the beach or browsing through the trendy boutiques one minute. Then heading out on adventurous boat trips partying with tequilas the next.
Here’s our pick of the top things to do in Sayulita.
Relax on Sayulita’s Beaches
Sayulita is famous for being a beach town and accordingly there are lots of awesome beaches to hit during your visit.
Here’s a rundown of the best of them:
Sayulita Beach
The main stretch of sand here is imaginatively named Sayulita Beach and backs directly onto the town.
At one end you’ll find busy beachside bars and restaurants with a lively atmosphere and loungers with umbrellas out front.
At the other end it’s far less busy as there are no restaurants or bars, just a few surf schools and people chilling out on their beach towels.
The beach is a couple of kilometers long, so even if it appears busy there’s plenty of space for everyone to do their own thing.
You can grab some snacks and drinks from one of the shops on the streets leading down to Sayulita beach and happily spend a day with friends or family watching the surfers and swimmers in the water.
We wouldn’t necessarily advise going into the water, for reasons that will become clear a bit later on in this post, but Sayulita Beach is still a cool place to hang out.
Los Muertos Beach Sayulita
A bit further south of Sayulita Beach is the much smaller and more secluded Los Muertos beach. It means “beach of the dead” but don’t worry, there’s nothing to be concerned with here.
The name comes from the cemetery that lies behind it with its colorful graves decorated with surf boards.
Los Muertos is a beautiful little cove, bookended by rocky outcrops that descend into the sea like mini islands.
There are fewer people and no bars or restaurants here, so come prepared if you’re going to want food or drinks.
Carricitos Beach Sayulita
A bit further south still is Carricitos Beach which is on the other side of a peninsula called Sayulita Point.
The fact that it’s not protected by the peninsula means it’s a bit wild and windy at times. But because it’s a bit of a walk from the main drag, it’s also usually deserted.
There’s a beach for everyone in this town, and hitting the sand is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Sayulita, if not one of the main reasons people come.
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Get Your Shop On in Sayulita’s Boutiques
The streets of Sayulita are lined with beautiful boutiques crammed full of handcrafted Mexican goods.
Not only is the produce impressive, the shops themselves are Insta worthy.
Everything is artfully arranged, with the afternoon sun drenching them in a ready made “washed out” filter.
It’s worth an hour or so of your time to wander around Sayulita’s boutiques, even if you’re not into shopping.
If you are on the lookout for souvenirs, clothes, jewellery, or something to stick on your walls to remind you of your trip when you get back home then you’ll be in seventh heaven.
Produce ranges from handmade boho chic garments and ginormous dream catchers, to intricately decorated rams heads and colorful painted skulls.
In fact you may need to pay for extra luggage allowance to transport your haul back.
A word of caution though, you probably won’t find too many amazing bargains. The town’s popularity means prices are relatively high compared to elsewhere in the country.
That said, if you’re on vacation from the U.K. or the U.S. the prices will seem just fine to you.
Hit the Water & Go Surfing in Sayulita
According to big wave lovers, one of the best things to do in Sayulita is to hit the water.
Surfers come from all over the world to catch the famous waves that break around this part of Mexico’s coastline.
It’s also a great place to learn to surf, with the main beach boasting smaller waves suitable for beginners. If you’re looking to master the board then this is a great option.
There are dozens of surf schools offering lessons all the way up Sayulita beach. Perhaps you’ve never surfed before, or maybe you fancy brushing up on your skills.
If you do want to try surfing in Sayulita you can opt for a single lesson, or to really get familiar with the waves, go for a 4 day surf camp.
The instructors are highly experienced and will have you popping and carving in no time.
You’ll also see plenty of boogie or bodyboarders here which is what we opted for instead of surfing.
The smaller waves on the main beach are perfect for it and you don’t need lessons to be able to latch onto a swell.
Alternatively you can always give skimboarding a try if you’re not keen on braving the waves.
If you’re hitting the water in Sayulita then you’re gonna need a towel. Travel towels are insanely versatile, doubling up as everything from a beach rug or yoga mat to a sarong. This one’s lightweight, super absorbent, quick-drying & soft on your skin, don’t hit the road without one.
Enjoy the Sayulita Nightlife
The town is stacked with a high concentration of bars and really starts to come alive after sunset. A night out is one of the things to do in Sayulita that simply must be experienced.
One of the great things about this town is that it’s so small.
You don’t need to worry about trekking from bar to bar or taxis from district to district. Everything is walking distance and no more than a few blocks away.
It’s also so laid back there’s no need to get dressed up to enjoy the Sayulita nightlife. Just rock up in your beach shorts and flip flops and you’re good to go.
The main square is overlooked by numerous open fronted bars. Plus all of the streets that lead away from the square are lined with night spots that are all open late into the evening.
The beaches also turn into mini beachfront nightclubs at night, while many people make their own parties on the sand.
Maybe you’re looking to catch a sports game, sink some craft beer, sample a few glasses of tequila. Or perhaps you want to watch a local live band getting the crowd up on their feet.
Whatever you’re into, you’re bound to find exactly what you want on any given night. This town don’t sleep.
The tap water in most of Mexico, including Sayulita, is not safe to drink. We always travel with a filter water bottle. Not only does it stop us getting ill, but it means we’re not killing the planet or wasting money on plastic bottles. The GRAYL Geopress is hands down the best on the market & makes water from virtually any source safe to drink.
Eat All the Amazing Food in Sayulita
The food on offer here is truly some of the best in the whole of Mexico. And so it deserves its very own section on the best things to do in Sayulta.
The mixture of higher-end restaurants and bargain-basement street food stalls means there’s something to suit every palate and budget.
Best Restaurants in Sayulita
Sayulita is a foodie’s paradise and it’s pretty difficult to get a bad meal here.
Here’s our rundown on what we think are the best restaurants in Sayulita:
Emilianos: Mexican favourites like tacos, mole, and burritos are served alongside excellent, freshly caught seafood.
Most of the food is cooked on the coal grill. We first got recommended this place by a local resident and it didn’t disappoint.
Manjares: It calls itself a surf and turf restaurant and serves modern Mexican dishes. The shrimp here is absolutely amazing and the waiters are hilarious and welcoming.
Chilly Willy’s: Simple, very local, and overwhelmingly tasty food, Chilly Willy’s has two sides.
During the day it serves wicked fish and prawn tacos at rock bottom prices. Come night time it puts out kickass tacos al pastor.
La Rustica: This restaurant does the best pizza in town hands down.
I know it’s not Mexican food. But I challenge you to walk past this place and see one of their incredible pies and not feel the urge to sample one for yourself. The restaurant’s decor is also gorgeous and it has tip top service.
Street Food in Sayulita
Along the beach you’ll find dozens of sellers peddling everything from donuts and ice creams to silver jewellery and massages.
Not to mention the endless souvenirs and trinkets. Every now and then someone also wanders by with an extra special snack.
There are the oysters that you can watch being freshly shucked, cheekily sold as “Mexican viagra”.
Huge buckets of chapulines (crickets), liberally doused in hand squeezed lime juice and spicy chili sauce.
And our favourites, the bbq prawns – 5 or 6 huge, whole shrimp, skewered on wooden sticks.
There’s also a guy who stands outside the Kiosko that’s a block back from the main beach. He has a stall on wheels where he serves just two things.
You can get either fish ceviche, or prawn ceviche which is more commonly known as aguachile in Mexico. And trust me when I say it’s the bomb.
You can ask for a plate of either or have them served as tostadas on crispy corn tortillas. Delish.
Enjoy a Marietas Islands Tour
Las Islas Marietas are a spectacular group of tiny islands just off the coast of Sayulita. They boast an astounding array of wildlife despite being relatively small.
The Marietas are home to around 100 species of birds, the most celebrated of which is the the blue-footed booby. Plus there’s a diverse collection of marine life that hangs out in the surrounding waters.
In fact there are so many interesting creatures collected here that they’re sometimes referred to as “the Mexican Galapagos”.
But the main reason they’ve become incredibly famous over the past few years is largely thanks to social media. And it’s got nothing to do with the animals.
The highly Instagrammable Playa del Amor is the main draw for tourists and it’s easy to see why.
Also known as Hidden Beach, it’s completely enclosed within the island, with an overhanging crater-like hole above.
It’s a totally unique phenomenon and an absolute must for your list of things to do in Sayulita.
The Marietas are completely uninhabited and heavily controlled to help preserve them. This means that a day trip is the only option for visiting them.
The trips involve a short boat ride out to the islands. Once you get there you have to swim 50 feet through a narrow cave entrance to reach the actual beach.
It’s important to note that there are plenty of cheap tours that advertise going the Marietas. And they do go to the Marietas. They just don’t go to Hidden beach.
This is because it’s now so heavily regulated that only 120 people are allowed to visit every day.
Tour providers need to have official permits to run the excursions that include visiting hidden beach. Each tour company gets a limited allocation as well meaning you really need to plan in advance.
We’d recommend booking this tour which allows you to go right onto hidden beach. You also get to go snorkelling in the reefs that are close by afterwards – the waters are crystal clear.
Go Whale and Dolphin Watching
The water surrounding Sayulita benefits from a unique geographical location between the Gulf of California and the North Pacific.
The protection and shelter it provides means that it’s full of incredible marine life.
Dolphins can be spotted all year round, sometimes even from the beaches of Sayulita. And there are various different types to look out for here. But for sightings of less common species you need to take a trip out on a boat.
One of the main draws are the humpback whales that appear every winter during their annual migration.
There are also numerous other stunning species to spot including Byrde’s whales, gray whales, and orcas.
The humpbacks can generally only be seen between the months of December and April.
But thanks to the huge number of sealife residing here, a boat trip is one of the best thing to do in Sayulita at any time of year.
In addition to the whales you’ll have the opportunity to see manta rays, turtles, and various interesting species of birds. Plus there’s an endless variety of brightly coloured tropical fish below the surface.
The best tours include both whale watching and snorkelling. Check out this boat trip which combines the two activities enabling you to see all of the incredible native species.
Try Scuba Diving
Checking out the marine life from above the waterline is undeniably amazing. But seeing it up close and personal beneath the waves is an entirely different experience.
Scuba diving is an extremely popular activity off the coast of Sayulita and the best way to do this.
For starters, the reefs surrounding the Marietas are packed full of stunning fish and other interesting animals. But there are also numerous underwater caves and mountains that are great fun to explore.
To top it all off, the visibility in these parts is crystal clear. In fact these waters are considered one of the best spots in the whole of Mexico to go scuba diving.
They’re also good for scuba divers of all levels. Experienced divers will love what’s on offer, but it’s also the perfect place to learn if you’ve never tried it before.
This scuba diving trip takes in the area’s most beautiful dive spots and comes highly recommended.
Get Involved in Some Yoga
One of the most popular things to do in Sayulita, and the reason many people go full stop, is yoga.
It’s developed into something of a wellness hub where people come to chill out and rejuvenate through postures and meditation.
As we said, the town has a hippyish kinda vibe so yoga fits perfectly. You’ll see plenty of people wandering around, mats under one arm.
Yoga is also considered by many to be the perfect complimentary activity to surfing. Because of this people often come here to do both.
There are numerous studios around town so you can take your pick. Some of them offer longer retreats, but most will allow you to jump in for a session or two.
Take a Day Trip to Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is probably best known as an all inclusive resort destination, particularly among visitors from the U.S.
However, a bit further along from the slew of giant hotels is the actual city of Puerto Vallarta proper.
Now it’s a far cry from the dirt roads and laid back vibes of Sayulita. But the Old Town of Puerto is still a slice of authentic Mexico city life and it could be a welcome change of pace.
Cobbled streets are lined with colonial architecture, and awesome street food is on offer at every turn.
Puerto Vallarta is just an hour down the road and is easily reached by taxi, bus or driving if you have a vehicle.
There are plenty of fun things to do here as well. From checking out the sculptures on the malecon to a self-guided street art tour, you’re guaranteed an exciting day out.
You’ll also find a wealth of different tours to those on offer in Sayulita, check out a selection of the best below:
Explore Sayulita’s Surrounding Jungle
There’s no denying this is a town heavily focused on beach activities. But look away from the ocean and you’ll find one of the least explored things to do in Sayulita.
The area is surrounded by lush jungle which makes for a fantastic day out tramping through the brush. But it’s best to find a local guide who will be able to take you on a designated route.
This is because without knowing where you’re going you’re more likely to end up on a highway than in nature.
Alternatively, opt for one of the best vistas anywhere in the region with a side of adventure thrown in.
High above the jungle canopy around 30 minutes drive from Sayulita is a thrill-seeker’s paradise – a huge zipline course.
The unparalleled panoramic views stretch from the mountains behind, right out to the ocean in front of you. And the course will give even the biggest adventure lover a kick.
Go Horse Riding
One of the most popular things to do in Sayulita, particularly for couples and families, is to go horse riding.
Horseback treks include a mixture of terrains in the local area. One minute you’ll be twisting and turning your way through canopy covered jungle paths. The next you’re galloping through the surf along secluded beaches.
Horse riding in this part of Mexico is a truly magical and unique experience.
It’s a great opportunity to see the area from a different perspective that you wouldn’t ordinarily get.
The companies in Sayulita cater for all abilities, from first time riders to experienced horse people. There are a few that offer horseback experiences with short and long tours available.
Check Out a Sunset
This part of the world has some of the most stunning sunsets we’ve ever seen, hands down.
At sundown the sky gets rapidly transformed into a watercolour of vibrant oranges, pinks and purples.
There a plenty of awesome places to take in this incredible spectacle. Some of the restaurants on the beach have upper terraces just built for catching the last rays of the sun with a cocktail in hand.
Or you can find yourself a portion of sand to kick back on and watch things unfold.
It happens quickly so whatever you do, make sure you’re well prepared in your spot beforehand.
Sunrises aren’t to be sniffed at either, so if you’re an early riser then be to sure to look out for it.
Catching a sunset or sunrise is one of our favourite things to do in Sayulita, and even better for being absolutely free.
Best Places to Stay in Sayulita
Sayulita is packed full of amazing boutique hotels, breathtaking seafront villas and cute rental bungalows.
Do bear in mind that the best Sayulita hotels and accommodations get booked up far in advance.
Because of this it pays to reserve as early as possible to ensure you get your first choice.
Here are our top picks for the best places to stay in Sayulita Mexico to suit every budget:
Affordable Luxury: Casa Pata Salada is made up of 9 separate “casitas” or self-contained bungalows with living spaces and kithenettes. Each one is beautifully decorated in a kind of boho-chic way with lots of colourful, local Mexican touches.
They lie virtually directly on Sayulita Beach, guaranteeing spectacular ocean views. There are terraces, a lush garden, and an incredible infinity pool overlooking the sea. The Casas come equipped with everything you need to enjoy a luxurious relaxing break in Sayulita.
Midrange: Hotel Diamante Sayulita is just 100m from Sayulita Beach and not much further from the centre of town meaning you’ll be right in the heart of the action.
The decor is all chunky dark wood furniture and bright spaces while the friendly owner Theresa keeps the place spotlessly clean. There’s an outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace for relaxing in and the breakfast is highly rated by guests.
Cheap & Cheerful: If you’re on a tighter budget, Hostal Tortuga allows you to live the high life on a veritable shoestring. The fantastic location means you’ll be close to both the town centre as well as Sayulita’s best beaches.
This hostal features trendy industrial decor – concrete and black metal – giving it a modern feel. There are great common spaces inside and out to meet new friends and even a lovely outdoor pool for hanging out in.
How to Get to Sayulita
How to get to Sayulita obviously depends on where you’re coming from, whether that’s within Mexico, the U.S., or further afield.
However, regardless of where your journey starts, it will generally mean going via Puerto Vallarta.
If you’re coming from within Mexico it’s likely that you’ll be catching a coach to Puerto Vallarta before travelling on.
If you’re coming from overseas you’re going to be flying in. While flying to Sayulita direct is not possible, the closest airport, Puerta Vallarta, is just 22 miles / 36 km away.
It’s a large international airport with frequent flights from across the globe as well as from Mexico internally.
Once you reach Puerto Vallarta, you have a few options at your disposal for how to get from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita.
Chauffered Airport Transfer From Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita
The easiest and most stress-free way to get from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita is to pre-book a chauffered airport transfer.
This is by far the best option if you’re on a vacation as it means no waiting around for buses or extra stops as you’ll get with a shared shuttle, maximising your holiday time.
Instead you’ll be travelling in style in a luxury Mercedes Benz. You can even select to have an English-speaking driver so there’s absolutely no confusion around where you’re going.
The journey takes around an hour, to check out prices below simply choose your preferred options:
Bus From Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita
There’s a local bus that runs from outside Puerto Vallarta airport to Sayulita.
You need to head outside and look for the large pedestrian bridge that crosses the main road.
Once you’re on the other side of this you’ll see a load of minibuses lined up. check the window to see if they have a sign for Sayulita and double check with the driver as well.
The price is around $25 pesos, just be aware that it doesn’t drop you in the centre of Sayulita. Instead you’ll be dropped on the outskirts, around a 15 minute walk from most of the accommodations.
Another consideration is that there isn’t really anywhere to put your luggage so you’ll probably have to carry it on your lap.
Taxi From Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita
While it’s totally possible to just rock up and get a taxi from outside the airport, it’s not necessarily advisable.
While there are many fair and honest taxi drivers the world over, there are also plenty who are pretty unscrupulous. This goes for Mexico too.
If you’re dead set on doing this for whatever reason we’d advise brushing up on your Spanish because you’ll probably need to negotiate pretty hard to get an acceptable rate.
There is a taxi rank just outside Puerto Vallarta Airport, or alternatively for a cheaper cab you can cross the pedestrian bridge mentioned above and flag one down on the road.
A taxi will start at around $900 pesos ($50 USD).
Is Sayulita Safe?
Sayulita is one of the safest places you can visit in Mexico. Period.
It’s not been affected by any of the high profile crimes in Mexico you may have seen on the news.
As with absolutely any tourist destination in the world you’ll find reports of petty crime. However, they’re extremely rare and the vast majority of visitors enjoy a problem-free visit.
Our safety advice is the same here for anywhere you might travel to. Don’t leave belongings unattended, keep your wits about you if you’re drinking, and generally use your common sense.
We had absolutely no Sayulita safety concerns during our visit and neither should you.
The Ugly Parts of Sayulita
OK so as promised, there are some well reported downsides to Sayulita. While many blogs written on the subject simply gloss over them, we think it’s important to address them head on.
In no way should you allow any of them to put you off visiting. With just a little bit of caution you won’t suffer any negative effects. But it’s better to know before you go than be shocked or disappointed when you arrive.
The Sayulita Sewage Problem
There’s no way to dress this up, Sayulita has a sewage problem.
The main beach has a river that runs into the sea, essentially splitting it in two. That river has what appears to be raw sewage constantly streaming down it, directly into the ocean.
Literally meters from where people are relaxing, swimming and surfing.
This is because there is a sewage plant right behind Sayulita beach which does not have the ability to cope with what it is processing.
There have been some recent changes in the management and infrastructure, but by all accounts the problem is still there.
Without getting too graphic, on many days you can clearly see the contents of the water freely flowing into the sea. And it ain’t pretty.
As you’d imagine, it stinks to high heaven. And much of it pools at the mouth of the river to form a stagnant pool of festering shite. To say it’s unpleasant is an understatement.
You can get pretty far away from it as the main beach is quite long. But it did make us hesitant to go in the sea.
A friend we were visiting with was violently sick throughout an entire night after taking a dip. We’ve since discovered that this is not uncommon and is nicknamed “Sayulita sickness”.
However, we really need to stress that this is only a problem on the main beach. Fortunately there are plenty of other beaches around where the water is completely safe to swim in.
And not everyone gets sick – we were absolutely fine despite boogie boarding and swimming relatively close to the river.
Our top advice would be to simply not go in the water at the main beach if you’re concerned.
Instead head to Los Muertos, Carricitos, Playa Escondida, or any of the other smaller stretches of beach to swim. The Sayulita water quality is far higher here.
The Smell
Aside from the sewage problem, Sayulita also has a bit of a refuse issue.
At the end of streets we constantly saw piles of rubbish, sitting there decomposing in the midday heat, swarming with hundreds of flies.
Bags were being picked apart by the local street dogs, meaning items of trash ended up strewn around the streets.
There were also a couple of “mega dumps” that we came across. The piles were massive and seemed as though they hadn’t been cleared for a long while. However, these were not on the main drag.
The smell from the rubbish is ungodly and gives some of the town a bit of a tinge. We noticed it most when we first arrived so it’s obviously something you quickly get used to.
However, you still catch the odd whiff even when you’ve been there a few days.
The Crowds
We didn’t actually mind the crowds. There is a great atmosphere in Sayulita and everyone we met was laid back and extremely friendly and welcoming.
But it’s worth noting because we certainly did not expect it to be anywhere near as busy as it was. And for some people we know this is a big turn off.
We were there during peak season which lasts throughout the winter and coincides with the cooler, less muggy months. The weather is still warm during the day and perfect for hanging out on the beach, but there are no rains and humidity is low.
Thanks in part to the optimum weather, Sayulita is a favoured vacation destination for U.S. and Canadian citizens wanting to escape harsh winters. Many even migrate for longer periods of a few weeks to a few months and have earned the nickname “Snowbirds”.
Don’t arrive believing you’re going to be one of a few visitors to make the trek. This place is mainstream now and the crowds reflect that.
Having said that, it’s nowhere near as busy as some other parts of Mexico we visited. It’s also still managed to retain its famous character – a bit boho, a bit hippy, and totally laid back.
Other Useful Information About Sayulita
Banks & ATMs in Sayulita: There are numerous ATM cash machines in Sayulita, most of them are free standing meaning you’ll pay a small fee to use them.
Just remain aware when you’re taking money out as there have been reports of cash machine fraud. Check the machine prior to any transaction.
Sayulita Weather: The weather in Sayulita is generally pretty great. It’s hot all year round but there is a rainy season June to August.
Because of this, the most popular times to visit are November through April. Temperatures at this time are cooler yet still hot, there’s less humidity and virtually no rain.
Getting Around: Sayulita is not that large so it’s pretty easy to get around by foot. However, in Sayulita golf cart rental is very popular among visitors.
There are a number of companies that hire out golf carts here, prices start at around $55USD per day.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance
As with any trip abroad, make sure you have a good quality travel insurance in place.
While Sayulita is generally safe, accidents and unexpected occurrences do happen so it’s best to have peace of mind before you travel.
Our go to travel insurance provider is World Nomads. They have a no bullshit approach to policy wording & are perfect for adventurous travellers like us.
Get a no obligation quote here:
Including the ugly parts of this town in this post about the best things to do in Sayulita is by no means meant to put you off going.
We had an amazing time here and it’s a beautiful little town to explore. However, it’s definitely best to know exactly what to expect rather than be disappointed by what it no longer is.
Have you got any questions about the best things to do in Sayulita? Is there anything else you’d like to know about the town? Drop us a comment below to let us know.
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Travel lover, professional writer and football (soccer) obsessive, James loves nothing more than getting outside and exploring little known corners of the globe. He’s also very partial to a drop of Guinness.
Hi James, Thank you for sharing both good and bad view of sayulita. I am also getting lot of inquiries where people ask about sayulita safety tips. Next time please share some tips about sayulita safety also.
Hi Alok, we found Saylita to be extremely safe while we were there and had no issues at all on that front. Glad you enjoyed the review overall 🙂
Hi! Really one of the better and more informative reviews I’ve read lately, thank you! Do you have any updates on the sewage issue? My hubby and I had tix booked for November which he is very close to canceling if he can’t be in the water 🙁 Any info appreciated!
Hey Genevieve, glad you enjoyed the post!
Unfortunately we don’t know first hand the latest on the sewage issue. However, there were works going on while we were there earlier this year and the latest stuff that I’ve seen on Sayulita forums suggests that the problem may well have been sorted out.
If you search for “Sayulita sewage” you’ll find a couple of active forums with updates from people who have been as recently as this month and they say that the “poop river” has dried up and the smell has completely gone.
Another thing to note is that there are plenty of beaches other than the main one which are further away from the plant and fine to swim in.
Hope you have the best time if you do go, we loved Sayulita. And please stop by again to update us on the latest situation and we can update the post accordingly 🙂
Sayulita Issue is solved and there is no problem now. It was problem before but now fixed.
We visited February 2019. 9 out of 10 of us got sick. I’ve been to Mexico about 15 times and usually have an iron gut. I don’t think it is the ocean or food. I think it is due to too many people in a town with poor sanitation. It is an adorable town with loads of charm, but everyone we met there was or had been sick. Luckily it isn’t violent and is done after a couple days, but it is unpleasant and it is ridiculous for people to deny it is a problem.
used to love Sayulita but have experienced the issues with raw sewerage and made a decision to not return and go elsewhere,
Hi, can you recommend the best eco dolphin tour in Puerto Vallarta for July? Thanks soo much!!!!! 🐘lara
Did you and your husband end up going? Planning on traveling there in March and a little concerned as well. The forums seem to be a mix. Some people get very sick, some didn’t. Some got in the water, some didn’t.
I went surfing yesterday afternoon at the main beach and got violently ill last night. I was trying to think about what I ate or drank the might have done it, but now reading this I think it must have been something in the water. Really bummed. Had planned on doing a lot more surfing while I was here and now not sure what I will do.
Hey Kat, sorry to hear that you got so ill. Unfortunately it is something we´ve heard a lot from people visiting Sayulita.
We know that there are measures being taken to improve the quality of the water so hopefully these are completed sooner rather than later. But I guess that doesn´t really help you right now. Perhaps you could check out some of the other nearby beaches that are supposed to have better water quality if you do want to do some more surfing.
Anyway, enjoy the rest of your stay and hope you feel better soon. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Nice article, next time you visit Sayulita, i recommend you a beach hotel in Sayulita, the name of the hotel its Casablanca Sayulita and its right on Sayulita Beach, here its the link in case of interest; maybe we can work something out!! https://CasablancaSayulita.com
Hey Octavio, thanks for the recommendation, we’ll definitely check it out when we return 🙂
Thanks so much for the article. Planning on traveling there solo in March and found this article very useful.
Hey Sarah, glad you found the post useful! Hope you have a great time in March, come back and let us know if anything has changed with the water situation by then, we’d love to know. Other than that it’s a cool town so we’re sure you’ll have a blast 🙂
We are booked for Sayulita and reading Trip Advisors Forum has us scared. We are not unadventurous travellers and don’t like all inclusive so we are trying not to be squeamish but the thought of what they are calling norovirus on our only vacation this year is a bit worrisome. We have a casita booked 10 min walk out of town. We don’t drink or even need to swim. But boy do we want our street food!
Hey Ciebelle, if street food is your main concern then you have no worries whatsoever there!
We personally didn’t get ill and we ate all kinds of the stuff from seafood tacos and freshly prepared smoothies to aguachile that some guy served out of a cooler on the back of his bike and the prawns the sellers peddle up and down the beach all day – you’ll be fine.
We would suggest to be careful in the water though, although we have heard that some of the other beaches away from the main one are fine. Hope you have an awesome time! Sayulita is really cute and there’s plenty to do 🙂
We are planning on going either to salyulita or san pancho next weekend? Any one know about san pancho? Heard it is like salyulita used to be? Also need hotel recs for both places Thanks
Stay away from Sayulita if you don’t want to get sick. Everyone who I talked to that’s traveled there in March 2019 got sick. Sickness lasted 7-10 days and will ruin your trip.
Hi Greg, there’s definitely a well reported issue with sickness in Sayulita (as noted in the post above), but just to provide a bit of balance it’s important to point out that we didn’t get sick while we were there. And it is a cracking little town with plenty of character.
Hi,
it would be great if you could update this post, because since mid April 2019 the Sweage problem is 100% under control.
Wastewater is no longer dumped into the river (which is completely dry and clean now as you can see here: https://greenlagoonsurfing.com/sayulitas-new-sewage-treatment-plant-and-emissor/)
The bad smell is gone and swimming in the ocean in front of Sayulita is no longer a health hazard.
The good news should be spread as much as the bad news was in the past.
The community would be grateful!
Hi Guys, thanks for the comment. We’re going to wait to update the post until we have it verified from other sources without a vested interest that the issue has cleared up. The reason for this is that there have been lots of reports in the past that the problem has been fixed when it didn’t appear to have been completely solved.
However, this is fantastic news if it has indeed cleared up and as most people who read this post also read the comments, they will be able to make their own judgement call taking into account your update.
As we said in the post we absolutely loved Sayulita, so if this has been solved then we’d be over the moon 🙂
Thanks, James
We are heading to Sayulita later this week. We’ve been to PV several times with no issues and have loved it! We stayed in Old Town in a rental not an all-inclusive resort or hotel. We like to explore a place and meet locals. We wanted to explore a quieter place nearby and Sayulita looked perfect. After getting really sick in Costa Rica on a previous trip, the sickness I keep reading about in Sayulita has me concerned. Other than avoiding going in the water and drinking only filtered or bottled water, do you have other suggestions so that I can keep myself and my family well? The ice in drinks or maybe water used in cooking was enough to make 3 of the 4 of us sick in Costa Rica. We had no issues at all in PV.
Hey Phoebe, honestly I’m not sure what to tell you. We went to Sayulita with 2 friends and while they both got sick, neither me or Sarah did. The only thing we recall doing differently was to not go in the water. Other than that we ate the same food, drank the same drinks etc.
There are lots of locals claiming that the issue with the sewage is now fixed which, if true, should go a long way to helping the sickness problems so hopefully you’ll be fine. We certainly don’t want to put anyone off visiting Sayulita, it’s a cool little town with loads going for it. Enjoy your stay and if you have time to report back after your visit please do, we’d love to know the latest.