Sayulita is the quintessential Mexican surf town. Colorful papel picado, paper banners, flap lazily in the sea breeze, bohemian boutiques and surf shops line the cobbled streets, and the smell of grilling meat wafts through town, calling visitors to enjoy a quick taco al pastor.
The plethora of nearby sand complements Sayulita’s beach town vibes. From the crowded main beach cluttered with colorful umbrellas to tranquil virgin beaches girded by swaying palms, there’s loads of coastline to discover.
Main Beach
The Main Beach is the closest beach to the center of Sayulita. There are several beach access points in town, and this area has the most amenities. There are beach bars, umbrellas for rent, surf shops, and vendors to satisfy your desires, from shrimp on a stick to cases displaying shimmering silver jewelry. I only spent time at the main beach to surf, as the break is just out front. It was too crowded and noisy for me, and the water wasn’t as clear as other areas. But, it’s a great area for those who aren’t looking too far or want the comforts of various amenities.
North Beach
If you’re willing to walk just a bit farther from the center of town (only about ten minutes), North Beach has many of the same comforts as the main beach but without the crowds. Continuous with the main beach, North Beach has a smattering of umbrellas, beach volleyball nets, and beach bars. This area is much less hectic than the main beach, but still, a nice place to relax close to town, and with a great vantage point for the sunset.
Playa de los Muertos
Playa de los Muertos is a magical little cove south of town. The short walk to this beach takes you through a traditional Mexican cemetery. Tombs are decorated with flowers and tokens for the deceased, while multicolored papel picado rustles overhead in the breeze. There’s a beach bar and some umbrellas, and the cove creates a protected swimming area with calm waters. This beach is just a 15-minute walk from town and worth checking out for a chill afternoon.
Malpaso
Malpaso was one of my favorite beaches in Sayulita. Despite being just a short hike through the jungle from town, I was usually one of the only ones on this expansive golden sand beach when I visited. While the atmosphere at the beach is quiet, be careful while swimming. The current can be very strong and I found myself getting pulled out even as an experienced swimmer. But, on a calm day, this is the perfect spot to sunbathe, swim, and relax under the shade of palm trees.
The trail to Malpaso is located at the end of North Beach. The trail begins by climbing the rocks adjacent to a house, staying to the left of the no-trespassing sign. From here, follow the jungle trail along the coast until the beach comes into view. Then you’ll descend into the jungle for a while before the trail forks. Stay left, and then take the trail up the small hill (the other leads to a smaller beach). At the top of the hill there’s a steep descent down to the beach. From the end of North Beach, the jungle walk is only about 15-20 minutes to Malpaso. This is an awesome spot for sunset, and while you walk back at dusk you’ll see fireflies flitting through the foliage.
Playa de las Cuevas
Playa de las Cuevas is another magical little beach just at the end of North Beach. Instead of taking the rocks to get to the trail to Malpaso, if you stay left and walk along the beach you’ll encounter a sea cliff with two small tunnels/caves. After passing through the caves you find yourself on a small secluded beach, surrounded by sea cliffs. It’s best to visit this beach at low tide, otherwise the waves and water level make the tunnels impassable.
Carricitos
Carricitos is another popular beach just outside of central Sayulita. This virgin beach is a 25-minute walk from town and follows a well-established road. It involves a bit of an uphill climb, so be ready to sweat under the afternoon sun. Carricitos Beach is a beautiful spot for sunset, lined by palm trees with rock formations on either side. The swell and current can be strong, making it best for experienced swimmers.
Patzcuarito
This is my top beach in Sayulita and one of the best spots to watch the sunset. If you’re going on foot to Patzcuarito, you’ll have to walk on the road outside of town for a bit before tramping through the jungle. If you’ve got a motorcycle or golf cart, this is a better way to reach this beach if you’re not keen to walk.
After exiting the road, the trail leads you through a dense jungle, surrounded by the sounds of skittering terrestrial crabs. (This was a bit unnerving for me at first, I couldn’t tell what was making all the noise). The trail branches off quite a few times, and I used Google Maps even after multiple visits.
Colorful beach houses shrouded by palm trees overlook the mostly uninhabited shoreline, another great beach to escape the crowds. It’s also home to a crew of friendly local dogs. They’re all well-behaved with collars and will happily bring you a piece of driftwood to play fetch in the surf. Like Malpaso and Carricitos, the current at Patzcuarito can be strong, so be careful when swimming.
