Sayulinda Sayulita: Where to Stay/Surf and What to Do/See/Eat & More in the Riviera Nayarit State of Mexico
“According to local lore, Sayulita was formed more than 5,000 years ago by the gods of the waves who specifically created Sayulita as a place where the waves were perfect. According to legend, one of the gods was the god of waves, Oz”
Having been only once before, a year and a half ago, I am still floored by how incredible of a country Mexico is. I am more perplexed as to why it took me so long to get there, but as they say better late than never, right?
On this second trip I explored the town of Sayulita, a spot that is prized for its low-key mentality, delicious food, and perfect longboard waves. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a new place… I am late to the game and it is definitely touristy, but it is in the best way. It is as if people who come here know that they’ll get a golf cart, walk around barefoot, eat street tacos, and surf til they can’t move their hands anymore. There is still little development, but there are hotels owned by local residents that are incredible, one of which is, Avela Hotel, where I stayed.
I find this particular roundup important because guess what, there IS such thing as bad tacos, and I’m here to tell you where to go (and not) and why my parents’ advice of “going where you see the locals” is always a motto I live by when traveling… because who the hell wants tourist food. Not me.
So whether you’re looking for where to go, what to do, and what NOT to do, look no further, we’ve got you covered. Buen viajes!
Stay
Avela Boutique: There are many places to stay in Sayulita, but as a solo female traveler, I wanted a place I felt safe and looked after. A place that is clean and where, if needed, would feel good hanging at during the day. The hotel was everything I needed and was perfectly situated above the town on the main highway, which was, in my opinion, perfect because it does tend to get loud at night. It was absolutely within walking distance to the beach (about 10 minutes).
The staff was so helpful and whether it was hooking me up with a golf cart (which I highly recommend if you have a board) or getting me a cab to the airport, I felt very looked after. The pool is set in clear surroundings for optimal sunlight and star watching. There is a full cafe for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. To boot, the bathroom is stocked with everything you need and face wipes by SK-II :)
Book your stay!
Eat
As I was always taught… Go where the locals go!
Itacate: You cannot go wrong with this place. Some of the best tacos in town
Tacos Al Pastor Tal Ivan: What can I say, the tacos al pastor were INSANE. Fresh, simple, delicious.
Miscelánea Café: Amazing spot to work and eat! The pancakes and avo toast were amazing. PLUS you have traditional dishes as well such as huevos rancheros, enchiladas, tacos, etc.
Mary’s: This is another incredible local spot to get some of the best tacos you’ve ever had
Street Tamales: If you are looking for authentic delicious Tamales, there is a local who usually has his cart at the corner of the church square, typically later in the day. Go there for the best, most delicious, tamales you’ve ever had.
La Rustica: Great spot for incredible Italian.
El Souk: Brand new surf shop and restaurant. Super cool vibe.
Punto Escondido: Had drinks here but dinner also looks delicious. I highly recommend!
AVOID – Rositas, I thought it was a local spot, but it is not a place you’d want to go for real authentic food
Surf
Patricia’s Surf Shop: Great surf shop and surf rental/lessons. This place is magic. Make sure you check them out for the best deal and give back to this women-owned business!
“25 years ago, my husband, our two boys, and I wanted to learn Spanish, so we came here. My husband loves to fish, and it was a fishing village, so that hooked our family. The ocean is our drive. We noticed that it was a great surf break, even if there weren't a lot of surfers at that time. We didn't have any expectations of the time we would be here. We thought, maybe give it one or two years and go back to Portland, Oregon, where we are originally from.” - Sayulita.com”
Marea’s: A great spot for rentals.
Litibù Surf Adventure: Victor Hernandez took us on a great surf trip to La Lancha. Highly recommend!!
Shacked Surf: If you’re looking for some great snaps of your surf sessions, this guy is the go-to!
Go & Do
Quiverito: A Long Island Native opened this awesome surf shop with boards, art, and cool T’s you won’t find elsewhere.
Manyana: Great shop with cool gifts and brands as well as great pottery!
Turtle Hatching: One of the most memorable things I did on my trips was watching the baby turtles hatch after being safely incubated and nested with their mothers. This NPO is locally run and for $25 donation you can set these little creatures into the wild for the first time. It is just up from the main beach. Check out the IG page to see when/if they will be released!
Islas Marietas: Marietas Islands is considered to be one of the best snorkeling locations in the area. A profuse biodiversity which counts 115 fish and 92 species of birds living in the area, Marietas Islands was granted the title of National Park not so long ago, thanks to the work of a group of biologists led by Jacques Cousteau, originally started in the 1960’s. Now a recognized UNESCO site, the islands were originally a military training zone, used by the Mexican army as a bomb testing location. Cousteau and his fellow scientists were the first to recognize the abundant biodiversity of the islands, their remarkable flora and fauna down and above the water.
Hiking: EcoHike is aimed at all nature lovers, hikers, walkers, families, or anyone who wants to revel in the beauty of the jungle.
