Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
Yes
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

This is the main public beach in the town of Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico. This tropical getaway attracts tourists from the U.S., elsewhere in Mexico, and around the world all year long, especially during the winter and spring holidays.

A small town of only about 4,000 permanent residents, Sayulita has retained much of its laid-back, off-the-beaten-path character, even though it has become the premier destination in Nayarit's coastal corridor. Originally put on the map by surfers, the charm of this place has become more widely known, and an industry has grown up around tourism, though the wide beach is still crowded only rarely.

Sayulita remains a top destination for surfing, though the tent-dwelling beach bums of old days can now find many more comforts in beachside resorts, hotels, villas, restaurants, and bars. Such amenities and the picture-perfect sands of Playa Sayulita attract far more than surfers these days, and there are plenty of other family-friendly activities around town besides the beach. For those who do want to surf, lessons are easy to find and affordable, and the waves here are perfect for learning.

Other highlights of the beach include gentle waves to play in close to shore, tide pools for exploring at low tide, snorkeling, sunbathing, public volleyball nets, umbrellas, and cabanas.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Charming and small beach town. Surfing and rentals. Beachside cafes.

Cons

Very heavily used, particularly during U.S. holidays.

Features

Historically significant
Picnic tables
Covered picnic areas
Lodging
Surfing
Tide pools
Wildlife
Bird watching
Tide pools

Location

Comments

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