Where to stay in Sayulita: why we chose the quiet south end
The south end is the best area to stay in Sayulita if you want to walk to everything and still sleep in peace. It sits between the town, the main beach and its restaurants on one side, and Playa de los Muertos on the other, a smaller beach with much better swimming. Playa Carricitos, the best sunset beach in the area, is closer too. At night it's quiet, with no music from bars or beach clubs.
Our family first came to Sayulita in 2011, and we've stayed in the south end ever since. All three of our homes are here, a few minutes' walk from each other. This is why.
What is the south end of Sayulita like?
It feels like living in a quiet Mexican neighbourhood. You're a short walk from everything in town, but the streets around you are residential and calm, and at night you hear the neighbourhood rather than the bars.
From our homes it's 7 to 8 minutes on foot to the main beach and the plaza, 8 to 9 minutes to Playa de los Muertos, and 17 minutes to Playa Carricitos.
Why stay in the south end?
You're between town and the better swimming beach
On one side is the town: the plaza, the main beach and all the restaurants. On the other is Playa de los Muertos, a smaller beach with much better swimming, away from the hustle and bustle of the main beach. Most days you can do both without thinking about it.
Carricitos is close
Playa Carricitos is our favourite beach in the area and the ultimate picturesque sunset spot. It's a 17 minute walk from the south end, through the jungle, so it's easy to head there in the late afternoon and walk home after dark.
It's quiet at night
There's no music from bars or beach clubs in the south end. If you want a lively night out, it's a few minutes away. When you come home, it's peaceful.
As one guest at Casa Aurora put it in an October 2026 review on Airbnb: "Just far enough from the downtown that it was quiet and peaceful, but close enough to be accessible and walk to anywhere your heart desires."
South end or the centre of Sayulita?
| South end | Centre, by the plaza | |
|---|---|---|
| Walk to the main beach | 7 to 8 min | On your doorstep |
| Playa de los Muertos | 8 to 9 min | A longer walk |
| Playa Carricitos, for sunset | 17 min | A longer walk |
| Noise at night | Quiet, residential | Music from bars and beach clubs |
| Restaurants | A short walk | On your doorstep |
Choose the centre if you want nightlife on your doorstep and plan to be out late most nights.
Choose the south end if you want calm evenings, a quieter beach for swimming, and a home to come back to, while keeping the town a few minutes' walk away.
Getting around from the south end
Most guests walk everywhere. The streets are hilly in places, so a golf cart helps with groceries, beach gear and hot afternoons. See getting around Sayulita for walking times, carts, taxis and buses.
Last checked by our team on 21 October 2026. Things change in a small town, so if something here is out of date, tell us on WhatsApp.
