Planning Tools, Ideas, & Advice
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For Wedding Pros
I came to Sayulita several years ago when I was visiting Puerto Vallarta for a wedding, and ever since I have known I needed to go back. Once my husband and I started talking about a trip to Mexico, I knew that it had to be considered. I began researching (as usual!) and was immediately sold when I read things like “idyllic bohemian beach town, thriving hipster-surfer scene, and pleasant place to relax." We jumped into planning.
You’ve likely seen a picture of Sayulita before, as images of the papel picado (colorful flags) over Calle Defines seemed to be all over social media several years ago. That image is a perfect representation of the overall vibe there. Sayulita is known for its vibrant expat community, great food and surf, and generally relaxed vibes, making it a fantastic choice for a honeymoon.
It's worth acknowledging that this is no longer a hidden gem or off the beaten path, but we found that even during high season, the crowds were totally manageable. We enjoyed the walkability and accessibility of everything, the exceptional food, and, of course, the culture of expats and locals mixing and mingling seamlessly in this colorful beach town.
Is a Sayulita honeymoon right for you? Read on to find out!
Sayulita is a great place to vacation following your wedding for a lot of reasons. The weather is great most of the year, it’s really affordable, it’s easy to get to, and there is a ton to do. If you like a healthy mix of relaxation and activities, this is a great option.
Sayulita is on the west coast of Mexico in Nayarit, about 40 km north of Puerto Vallarta. The small surf haven is nestled between jungle-covered mountains and the sea on the Pacific Ocean.
We felt incredibly safe in Sayulita. Of course, no matter where you travel, it’s always important to check travel advisories as conditions can change, and always take the normal precautions.
For International travelers, Sayulita is most easily accessed by flying into Puerto Vallarta and then transferring to Sayulita via bus, taxi, or car. It’s a pretty quick (and usually affordable) flight from the US, with many direct flights from major airports to choose from.
Sayulita is about an hour from the Puerto Vallarta Airport, and there are several ways to get there.
We chose to take a private car, which cost us about $150 each. We were able to arrange it prior to arriving, and our driver was waiting for us at the airport. The driver delivered us right to our Airbnb and picked us up a week later to deliver us back to the airport. This is a really great option and highly recommend to anyone looking for the utmost convenience on their Sayulita honeymoon.
Renting a car is also a great option, especially if you plan to visit any of the nearby beach towns or spend time in Puerto Vallarta on your honeymoon. As a US-based traveler, driving in Mexico can feel a little different, but once you do it a few times, it's no biggie. When we traveled to Todos Santos, we were advised by a local expat not to drive after dark due to livestock along the road, potential road damage, and poorly lit roads, so just take that into consideration as you plan your transfer.
There are taxis a-plenty, eager to give you a ride to Sayulita. There are actually two options: grab one at the airport which will cost you more, but is convenient. Or, take the pedestian bridge over the highway and hail a cab there which may be a little less expensive. A note on Ubers: I have read multiple places that they are not reliable, especially in Sayulita so best go with one of the other suggested options.
The economical choice that will give you a real taste of the local culture! If you don't have much luggage and are looking for the least expensive way to get to Sayulita, the bus is it. Just be mindful that it will drop you off on the outskirts of town.
Whichever way you choose, be mindful that there will be many local transportation companies vying for your attention. They may even claim to "have your reservation" so you'll have to politely decline many hagglers.
Getting around Sayulita is so easy, which is a big reason that we liked it. It's really walkable, especially if you're used to walking long distances like we are. We stayed about a mile outside of town and we did walk a few times when we didn't have our golf cart.
We rented a golf cart through the same transportation company that gave us a ride to and from the airport. The golf cart was really affordable and we were able to take it all around town and even to a few spots just outside of town. It gave us the freedom to explore all around Sayulita and then some. Hands down the best way to get around.
Sayulita is totally walkable. You can get to town in 15 minutes or less, no matter where you’re staying. Some of the terrain is hilly, especially on Gringo Hill, so you’ll want to take that into consideration. I do recall our golf cart just sliding down one of the hills when the brakes locked up, though, so who knows what’s worse!
As I mentioned, if you’re planning to visit other areas during your Sayulita honeymoon, you may want to have a car available, but I wouldn’t recommend driving it in town. The streets are narrow and crowded with scooters, golf carts, and tourists. Walking or taking a golf cart is definitely the way to go.
If you seek a tropical destination for your honeymoon, weather-wise, Winter and Spring are the best times to visit. Temperatures average in the 80s, and humidity is relatively low. Summer and Fall bring warmer temperatures, higher humidity, and rain, which aren’t ideal conditions for enjoying a beach honeymoon, to be sure, but you may enjoy lower prices, fewer crowds, and ideal diving conditions. Just be mindful that some shops and restaurants close for the season due to lower tourism activity.
There are three major holidays you might consider avoiding when traveling to Mexico, in general. Christmas, Easter, Dia De Los Muertos are three popular holidays where you can expect colonial cities and popular beach towns to become packed with locals getting together with family members to celebrate. Personally, I daydream about spending Christmas in Mexico so I’d probably still figure out how to make it work, but it’s just good to be aware of.
If you plan to spend a lot of time adventuring or relaxing on the beach then the best time to visit Sayulita is going to be during peak season which is December through April. If you’re like most couples, you might be getting married during the more common seasons of Summer and Fall so if that’s you and you’re thinking about a honeymoon in Sayulita, you may want to hold off until these more ideal months (it makes a great destination for a January honeymoon).
We were there the first week of April and the weather was the perfect temperature to thaw out our winter bones. Additionally, whale watching season is also during this time so you could potentially check that experience off your bucket list!
If you’re looking for some cost savings, anytime outside of December - April or the holidays I mention above might be better timing. It’s good to be aware that shops and restaurants may close or be on shorter hours just due to the low tourist activity.
Lastly, if you’re excited to explore beneath the waves, diving conditions are best in the Summer.
I mentioned that there are not any all-inclusive style resorts like you find in the larger towns around Mexico, but there are tons of great boutique hotels that run the gamut in terms of amenities and price. From full luxury to economical hostels, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a list of a few excellent hotels in Sayulita that would be a perfect fit for a romantic Sayulita honeymoon.
This small collection of contemporary-style Parota wood cabins is nestled in the jungle on the North side of town. There is a pool on the property and they serve breakfast each morning. This is an ideal spot for those seeking peace and quiet away from town.
This beachfront hotel has 37 rooms that all overlook the ocean, complete with balconies. Relax in the infinity pool, head to the beach, relax at the spa, or enjoy authentic Mexican fare at the on-site restaurant, MAXA.
A little off the beaten path, but the epitome of affordable luxury. This gorgeous boutique hotel has a saltwater pool and offers concierge services to make your vacation logistics totally stress-free: golf cart rentals, airport transfers, and a variety of experiences, from surf lessons to a relaxing massage.
If you really want to get away from it all, consider this wellness hotel and retreat space on the other side of Punta Sayulita. For those days when you just feel like sticking around the property, they offer a hydrotherapy spa, a beachside gym, and an incredible restaurant. When you’re ready to hop into town, it’s just a short golf cart ride away.
During our trip, we opted to stay in an VRBO on the North side, a gorgeous studio set into the hillside overlooking the ocean with a stone staircase leading right down to the ocean (and a private beach!). The host, Andrea, was amazing and she and another person were on hand if we had any questions. They even helped book our airport transfer and golf cart rental. The property was private, spacious, and quiet and we loved it. You can book it here.
If you love Mexican food, you’ll be in heaven here. Sayulita is an old fishing village and is simultaneously known for its robust yoga community. Those two things make for the perfect environment for a ton of lighter, healthier fare if that’s your jam.
This is just a short list of some restaurants I recommend in Sayulita. We only scratched the surface during our visit, but these were our favorites.
This little joint is tucked away in the jungle on a little road leading to the beach just down the way from the Tortuga (turtle) Sanctuary. We were told to go for the burgers which is what we got but they have tons of other options. The food was good and the vibe was super chill being a nice atmosphere to unwind and relax after a long day.
If you have read any blogs about visiting Sayulita at all, you’ve already heard of this popular place. When we were there, they were located just off the main square, but I heard they’ve since relocated to a larger space. They’re known for their steak tacos and this cheese-wrapped burrito situation, which I had to try (it was a lot, delicious, but a lot, so proceed with caution). Their tacos come with generous garnishes, and they also have great non-alcoholic drink options, which I was really excited to see.
This quickly became our favorite breakfast spot, and we ate here every morning except once. They serve incredible healthy food options a little more akin to my style of eating (avocado toast, smoothies, gluten-free pancakes) while also having Mexican staples such as chilaquiles, which Aaron enjoys. They even introduced us to a few new drinks: charcoal lattes and cold brew with coconut water and mint so refreshing.
We enjoyed this lively restaurant that’s just a few steps off the main plaza. It’s a super modern Italian restaurant with amazing pizza and a great NA drink menu!
This felt like a hidden gem, and if we had not waited until the last night to eat there, we probably would’ve eaten there more than once. The flavors were incredible, the homemade tortillas and sauces were super fresh, and the owner was super passionate. With a simple menu, we were able to just walk off the street and sit down. Prices were great, and the flavors were out of this world.
One of our favorite mid-day stops was Organi-K, which offers tons of smoothie options, acai bowls, coffees, juices, and other drinks. It made for a great quick light lunch so we could continue on with our activities.
Ok, friends, this is a thing, or at least it used to be. Sayulita used to have a problem with their waste water treatment plant leaking into the ocean, but in 2019 they made major updates and now claim it’s not an issue. Nonetheless, it’s still important to take precautions as you would when traveling to any foreign country. For Mexico specifically, no matter where you are, sticking to bottled water is recommended.
If you’re wondering what to do in Sayulita, you might be surprised to learn that there is so much to do here. So much so that we wrote an entire blog dedicated to all the things to do in Sayulita, but we’ll give you a little teaser here. It’s worth knowing that my husband and I don’t sit around very well, so you’re unlikely to read about a trip where we landed at an all-inclusive resort and sat by the beach all day. Maybe one day, but for now, we prefer locations that lend themselves well to a little bit of relaxation and a lot of adventure and exploration, and Sayulita fits that bill perfectly.
Hopefully, this guide inspires you to book your Sayulita honeymoon and gives you a good idea of what to expect on your trip. Sayulita is not for everyone, but if you’re into relaxing vibes, great food, and a little bit of adventure, this might just be the perfect place.
