Things to do in Sayulita

If you’ve never heard of a pueblo magico, it's high time you did! Sayulita is a small surf town about an hour from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico— and its energy, community, and eco-friendly style is absolute magic. Of course, if it's going to be your first visit or if you’re still on the fence about visiting Sayulita, you may wonder about what things to do in Sayulita


That’s why we’re here today! 


Let’s set the mood and talk about the best things to do in Sayulita for your vacation or travel getaway:


So just to set the mood, imagine waking up to the sound of crashing waves from your dreamy and eco-friendly airbnb or hotel with a pool. You’re walking distance from golden sandy beaches, cute cafes and restaurants. After breakfast you decide to grab some margaritas on the beach, and watch the surfers riding the waves. You even get to see a breaching whale! You take a siesta or do a little shopping with the local artisans and stores, then finish the evening off with dinner, drinks, and maybe even dancing! OR, you decide to pack your week in with wellness. In which case you fit in a yoga class, Reiki massage, or sound bath as well. In Sayulita, there is always something to do!


Sound like an absolutely magical vacation? Trust us. It is! That's why we host several of our Drishti Journeys yoga retreats here every year! 




Now let’s get to it. Here are our favorite things to do in Sayulita, complete with private beach recommendations, restaurants you will love, and wellness treatments no one else will tell you about! 

First, this small Mexican town is located on prime beaches with no shortage of things to do in Sayulita— like surfing, hiking, snorkeling, and more.

The most popular thing to do in Sayulita, by far, is surfing! While the main beach is a bit crowded, there are still some decent waves. There’s also several *great* beaches to surf within 30 minutes of Sayulita, one of the most popular surf spots is La Lancha beach. Its on the way to Punta de Mita, across from an OXXO. Many of the locals go regularly, as well as where many dive and surf shops host their classes.



Additionally, there are tons of beautiful beaches you can walk to, even if they don’t have great waves for surfing. You can easily hike to Playa Los Muertos for a day of snorkeling and relaxing, and visit a jungle zen temple along the way. If you’re looking for a beautiful hike with a vista, and aren’t as worried about being on the beach, then take a hike to Monkey Mountain! You will see the whole coastline from a bird’s eye view!



Finally, if you join us for one of our Sayulita yoga retreats, we partner with the local wildlife protection agency for sea turtles to be a part of a baby sea turtle release! Now that is truly magical.



Not sure where to begin? Join us on our next Sayulita yoga and adventure retreat! We include private beach hikes and the option of surf lessons— it's the perfect way to warm up to this magical pueblo.  




Second, Sayulita has some great spots to grab a bite!

In true Mexican fashion, you’re bound to spend some time eating while visiting Sayulita! From organic and vegan spots to fusion, or more classic tacos and incredible margs. Sayulita has tons of excellent options to eat. It all depends on the vibe you’re looking for. 



For breakfast, brunch, and lunch, our favorite cafe by far is Miscelenia! For dinner, we highly recommend La Rustica, La Esperanza, or El Conejo. And if you ever find yourself near La Lancha beach, you absolutely must try Makai Restaurant right by the OXXO and surf shop. This unassuming restaurant actually has some of the best food in the area, with a focus on seafood. 



While we do include several meals at incredible restaurants here in Sayulita during our Sayulita yoga retreats, you’ll still get some time to yourself for exploring and tasting the local flavors. We’re happy to share some of the best recommendations with you just in case you need them!




Third, find wholeness and healing through the incredible wellness community in Sayulita.

Seriously, this magical pueblo of Sayulita is chock full of yoga studios, healers, massage therapy, and other kinds of holistic healers and plant medicine. For those of you who are seeking deep soul healing, body restoration, or mental and emotional purification, Sayulita is the perfect town for you. 




Of course, we’re a part of this community at Drishti Journeys, and we work locally with yoga studios, messueres, energy healers, and more to give you an excellent offering while you visit Sayulita with us. 




If you don’t choose to join us for a Sayulita yoga retreat, Paraiso Yoga studio has no shortage of things to do in Sayulita for wellness. From yoga classes to massage, shamanic healing, and an in-house chiropractic doctor who also specializes in stored body trauma— is one of our favorite wellness stops in Sayulita. 




No matter what things you choose to do while visiting Sayulita, you’re going to really enjoy your stay! 



We promise you that it will be worth every minute.





And since you’re here, you might love to check out these other blog posts around our site:

Reinier Voorwinde