If you’re planning a trip to Sayulita, Mexico you might be wondering what things to do while you’re there on your honeymoon. Despite its small size, there is so much to choose from no matter what kind of travelers you and your partner are. From surfing to shopping to hiking to salsa dancing, there are things to keep you entertained from morning ‘til night!
Sayulita is a bohemian surf town best known for its excellent food, great surf, and yoga, but there’s actually so much more to this little town. Sayulita’s location lends itself to tons of opportunity to adventurous activities like hiking, biking, ATVing, and surfing, but there’s also a plethora of relaxing activities which is what makes this honeymoon destination such a fantastic pick for couples who like a little bit of both.
Get inspired with our full list of things to do in Sayulita and see our top recommendations for guided tours. And if you’re just getting started with your honeymoon planning, check out our Sayulita honeymoon guide to get all the tips for getting around, where to eat and stay, and how to stay safe on your vacation.
So admittedly, we went down to Sayulita fully intending to learn how to surf. This is something neither of us have ever done before and we thought for sure we’d be down to get some lessons in. Alas, we opted out this trip mostly due to the lineup being so busy, but maybe next time.
One of the top things to do in Sayulita is surfing! For those of you considering it, Sayulita is an excellent destination for beginners and seasoned surfers alike. There are loads of surf schools in Sayulita giving you plenty of options so you can learn how to catch that first wave. Book a private sunset surf lessons at La Lancha and get a one-of-a-kind experience surfing at one of the area’s best spots. For the more experienced wave enthusiasts, the neighboring towns of San Pancho and Punta deMita offer excellent options. Check out The Cove, Litibu Beach, Stinky’s, La Lancha, Punta Burros, or San Pancho.
When you first think of thngs to do in Sayulita, your head is likely filled with visions of beaches and taco carts, but what you might not know is that just beyond town lies jungle-filled mountains and more rugged terrain perfect for exploring by mountain bike. There are trails for every level of rider allowing you to not only explore the local jungle but is also a great way to access nearby beaches and towns. This is definitely something we’ll be considering for our next visit. Book this guided mountain bike tour and spend some time immersed in nature and zipping through the jungles outside of Puerto Vallarta.
Getting into nature is always a great thing to do in Sayulita. There are several hiking trails that leave from Sayulita most of which are a mix of jungle and beach environments giving you a real taste for the ecosystems of the region. The hiking in and near Sayulita is mostly rated easy to moderate, but you'll still want to take precaution and be sure to pack plenty of water, snacks, and have ample charge on your phone or GPS device for navigation. Here is some hiking in Sayulita that we recommend.
Take a private hiking tour through the jungle, mountains, and discover a hidden beach. Witness the gorgeous landscapes and learn about the plants and wildlife as you hike your way to the ocean.
Natikari Ecotours to give you the opportunity to experience the jungle firsthand with an experienced guide. They offer guided hikes, birding tours, and even forest bathing (shinrin yoku). The forest bathing offers the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in nature by turning off your phone and engaging in breathing exercises and mindfulness practices along the way. Sounds like a great way to decompress on your vacation!
This is a 9-mile out and back jungle hike between the two coastal towns in the Riviera Nayarit. Along the way, you’ll discover deserted beaches like Playa las Cuevas where you can explore rocky caves at low tide. You can shorten the trip by hiking one way and returning to your destination via cab or by turning around at any point. You can find more details on this hike here.
All the same trails that are available for hiking, are available for your trail shoes! Take a spin through the Sierra de Vallego Biosphere Reserve on the outskirts of town, or hit the trails along the coast and hop from beach to beach. Strava and Alltrails both have routes marked in the area.
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Sayulita is surrounded by jungles and secluded beaches and what better way to explore them than by ATV! Experience an exhilarating adventure tour in the stunning mountains, ride through country roads, on mountain paths, and along the picturesque beach of Higuera Blanca. Enjoy breathtaking views, encounter local flora and fauna, and feel the rush of adrenaline as you explore Sayulita’s natural paradise. Learn more about that here.
When it comes to things to do in Sayulita, this might top the list. Although we were not in Sayulita during humpback season, we did see them when we were in Todos Santos a year later and let me tell you, seeing one breach for the first time is a magical experience. Especially knowing that the humpback whale was super close to extinction not long ago. They say that the humpback comeback story is one of the great recovery stories of the animal kingdom and so it feels even more special to be able to witness them thriving in the wild. Book a tour in Marietas Islands National Park to see the whales and go snorkeling.
Specifically, La Hoya Sayulita. You can snag a day pass and take advantage of the retreat away from the hustle and bustle of town on the other side of the point. Dine at their seaside restaurant, Tekuamana, enjoy a massage or enjoy the water on a piece of the provided watersports toys.
You're probably on vacation so you can relax so why not treat yourself to a little pampering? Many of the boutique hotels around town have spas that you can enjoy offering a variety of services to suit any desire!
Playa Sayulita is the main beach accessible from town. It’s a lively place with all the typical things you’d find at a tourist destination. It’s a great place to post up and watch the surfers and other beachgoers, both locals and tourists. During the weekend, Sayulita Beach becomes quite the happening place when locals from the inland towns flood the beach to spend the day with family and friends.
Along Sayulita Beach there are many beach clubs where you can grab a table or a few lounge chairs and enjoy some food and drinks. We loved doing this to escape the sun and get some refreshments while still being able to enjoy the beach scene.
Playa Carricitos is on the other side of the peninsula of Punta Sayulita and is a fun little adventure. This beach is typically pretty empty (there wasn’t anyone there while we were there) and is known for exceptional sunsets. Swimming here is not recommended but it’s a great way to escape from the hustle and bustle of town. Grab some drinks at one of the shops in town and head on down!
You can get there on foot, by car or golf cart, or on a bike. If you choose to walk, it’ll take you close to an hour on a cobblestone street that winds through the jungle. Of course, using two or four-wheels will get you there faster.
Once you reach the end of the road, you will notice the entrance to the footpath leading down to the beach on the right. It’s a short 5-minute walk from there.
Playa Los Muertos is another one not to miss. This one is closer to town, sharing the bay with the main beach, but protected by the point so the waves bypass this small beach making it a little more desirable for swimming. We did encounter quite a few people, but it was still much less busy than Playa Sayulita. The highlight for us was the colorful cemetery nestled in the jungle before you get to the beach.
Playa Los Muertos is pretty close to town and can be accessed on foot, bike, golf cart, or car. There is a small parking fee if you arrive in a car or golf cart. There are two ways to get there – I recommend jumping on your favorite mapping app and choosing your route.
This tour gets 5 stars from every person that goes on it so I’d say it’s a can’t miss activity when you’re in Sayulita. Your guide takes you to some top spots to try tacos and other local food, plus gives you a full lesson on tequila, mezcal, and raicilla tasting.
It probably goes without saying that there are plenty of bars to choose from in Sayulita. They all have their own character and vibe and you can just pull up a chair (or a swing!) and grab a frosty beverage. I did find that some establishments had better non-alcoholic options than others, but I was able to score virgin frozen drinks, smoothies, coffee drinks, and some specialty mocktails at many places.
Immerse yourself in the food culture and learn the art of Mexican cooking from an experienced chef.
When we were in Sayulita, we had a blast just walking around, poking around the various side streets and taking pictures of all the interesting scenes throughout town. There is no shortage of visual stimulation and photo opportunities so if you love taking pictures you’ll find plenty of things to point your lens at!
You might want to pack an extra bag, an empty one, to take home some of the incredible wares you can find in Sayulita. Many boutiques and galleries line the main street offering Mexican decor, textiles, trendy home decor pieces, jewelry, beachwear, and even rare spirits from around Mexico. In addition to the galleries and shops, there are wonderful street markets. Even if you don’t plan to take anything home, it’s worth the time to browse the beautiful pieces giving you insight into the culture.
My husband and I aren’t exactly known for hitting the town to enjoy the nightlife, but we were out a few nights later into the evening and so were able to witness how the town comes to life after dark! There are many options for socializing and grabbing a drink, and even many bars that offer DJs and live music, karaoke and even salsa dancing.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of things to do in Sayulita. Whether it's outdoor adventure, a relaxing day at the spa, or chilling on the beach you'll find so many great things to do in Sayulita.
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