Sayulita - Mexico’s Surf and Yoga Paradise
By: Cynthia Copoulos
With smooth turquoise waves, shimmering golden sand, and colorful art displayed on every corner, it’s no wonder why Sayulita has been drawing in surfers and artists since the mid 60’s. Located on the Pacific Coast, just 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita is a beautiful little surfing town buzzing with art, energy and magic!
Sayulita’s narrow cobblestone streets are adorned with colorful flags, boho-chic shops with handmade goods, new hip cafes and vibrant street food and vendors are just a few examples of what makes Sayulita special. Despite it’s newest growth and development, this endearing town has managed to maintain it’s wonderful charm, catering to art lovers, yoga enthusiasts and surfers of all levels! With lush jungles, ancient pyramids, and beautiful secluded beaches, it’s the perfect getaway that literally anyone can enjoy!
1. SURFING
Sayulita is absolute heaven for surfers! The waves are smooth, consistent and roll in throughout the entire day. Playa la Lancha is my ultimate favorite beach to surf because of its clean white sand, secluded location and turquoise waters. La Lancha is quiet and has the most consistent waves on the pacific coast making it the area’s most unique surf destination.
The water is warm, the waves are mellow and the lush jungle view is what makes this beach so special. It’s only accessible through a narrow path (about a 10 minute walk) and is absolutely worth the trip!
2. YOGA
There are many incredible studios to center yourself and practice yoga during your stay in Sayulita! There are also many different yoga retreats that take place in this magical little town. Whether you’re a beginning student or an advanced yogi, each studio has something unique to offer you.
Paraiso Yoga is a tiny independent studio right in town, that offers many different packages and deals. There are also many different hotels like Hotelito Los Sueños and The Haramara Retreat that offer incredible yoga classes that allow drop ins and have many different packages to suit your needs.
3. WHALE WATCHING
The magnificent and majestic humpback whale is an annual visitor to Sayulita, Mexico! You can experience these incredible creatures from December - April every year. Did you know that humpback whales are one of the largest animals on the planet?
Some adults grow to be over 50 feet long and weigh up to 40 tons! These enormous creatures are so graceful and charismatic which is why many avid travelers have whale watching on their bucket list. There are many different touring companies that can take you whale watching. My husband and I were fortunate enough to take a boat out to Marietas Islands’ hidden beach and saw whales going to and from this incredible location.
4. HIDDEN BEACHES
The hidden beach located at Isla Redonda is the enigma of Mexico that still baffles Geologists. It is believed to be the remnants of an ancient extinct volcano. From the shoreline this beach is completely invisible. You have to actually swim under the rock which opens to many cavernous tunnels. Once you arrive you’ll notice the beautiful sandy beach carved into this limestone island like the rounded hole of a donut! It’s absolutely spectacular!
5. JUNGLE HIKES
Sayulita has the best of everything. Sparkling turquoise waters, warm golden sand, hidden beaches and enchanting jungles full of exotic wildlife and where the jaguars roam. If you love adventure and connecting with nature then hiking in Sayulita specifically the Cerro del Mono (Monkey Mountain) hike!
Town to North End Trail: Super easy hike that leads you to more than a dozen vistas, secluded beaches and is perfect for bird watchers and animal enthusiasts!
Town to Hidden Beach of Playa de los Muertos: Another super easy and short hike towards the south end of Sayulita’s beach (towards Punta Sayulita. You hike through Sayulita’s beautiful and sacred cemetery which leads you to the hidden beach of Playa de Los Muertos (hence the name). This beautiful beach is where the locals hang out. It’s great for swimming and snorkeling and is a great little secret of Sayulita!
Cerro de Mono: Translates as Monkey Mountain - this is an invigorating hike that takes about 3 hours round trip but the 360° views are absolutely captivating. I absolutely suggest hiking with a local guide because the trail winds through very dense forest with rugged terrain as well as complicated ranch/farm crossings.
Local guides will also be able to point out the petroglyphs and artifacts from the ancient indigenous tribes who used to inhabit the area. Another bonus of hiring a local guide is their ability to point out tracks of ocelots, coyotes and the illusive jaguar! This is another great hike for bird watchers as Military Macaws, San Blas Jays and even the Russet Crowned Motmot are abundant in the dense forest. Make sure to pack plenty of water, your camera, hiking shoes and maybe a pair of binoculars for bird watching!
6. ANCIENT HISTORY
Although Sayuilita is known for its beautiful waters, smooth waves and artsy community, the ancient history that lies in this land is full of mystery. This area of Mexico was inhabited by a Mesoamerican civilization thought to be the descendants of the Cora and Huichol tribes who were direct descendants of the Aztecs. In the mountains of Riviera Nayarit lie hidden ancient ruins that have been unearthed and reveal the complexity and spirituality of the people who inhabited this sacred land. Visiting these sites are not only fun vacation activities but it gives you a chance to connect to the history of the land and people.
Los Toriles - In the town of Ixtlán del Río (about 2.5 hours from Sayulita) lies one of the most studied archaeological sites in Nayarit, Mexico. There are 15 structures you can check out, the most popular being the unusually shaped round temple that historians believe was built for the god of wind, Quezalcoatl. This is not a crowded archaeological site and you’ll probably have the whole place to yourself!
7. ART GALLERIES & SHOPPING
There are many breathtaking art galleries and shops to see while visiting Sayulita. Whether you’re looking for hand crafted leather sandals, beaded native art, paintings or even a new surfboard, Sayulita has something to offer everyone.
8. FOOD
Honestly, the food in Sayulita is unreal. Everything I ate while vacationing there absolutely was phenomenal. It’s the way food should be. Everything is prepared fresh! The homemade salsas and tortillas will make you question the Mexican food you’ve eaten in the past! If you’re plant-based like me, don’t fret - there are abundant options in this little town.
CASA DEL CHILE RELLENO
BURRITO REVOLUTION
MISCELANEA SAYULITA
CHOCO BANANA
