Sayulita with kids: calm beaches, turtle releases and our family's tips
Sayulita is a great town for kids. The calmest swimming is at Playa de los Muertos, a small, sheltered beach a short walk from our homes. In season, mostly September to December, the turtle camp lets each child release their own baby turtle at sunset. There are surf schools that teach kids, horseback rides, and a playground downtown by the baseball field. For families, our two-bedroom homes work best, and we have cribs and high chairs.
Our family brings kids to Sayulita too, my niece included. The town is small and easy to walk, and there's plenty for children to do.
The best beach for kids: Playa de los Muertos
The main beach is a surf beach, and on bigger swell days it can be rough for little ones. Playa de los Muertos is the one we recommend for kids: it's calm and closed in, a small bay that's much better for swimming and splashing in the shallows. It's an 8 to 9 minute walk from our homes, along a short path through the jungle. There are chairs to rent and food and drinks for sale.
Whichever beach you choose, keep little ones close in the water and watch for the warning flags. More in our guide to Sayulita's beaches.
Release a baby turtle at sunset
Sayulita's turtle camp protects the eggs that sea turtles lay on the beach, and when the hatchlings are ready they release them into the sea at sunset. Sayulita does it beautifully: each child gets to release their own turtle. San Pancho, the next town north, has releases too.
Releases happen mostly from September to December, but dates depend on the nests, so check the camp's latest posts on Facebook (search "Sayulita turtle release") or ask us when you arrive.
Surf lessons
Sayulita's main beach is a popular place to learn to surf, and the surf schools are great with kids. Most ask that children can swim, and some set a minimum age, so check when you book.
Horseback rides
My niece loved the horseback riding tours. They're a fun way to see the jungle and the hills around town, and a good break from the beach.
The playground
When the kids need to run around, there's a playground downtown near the baseball field.
Where to stay with kids
For families, our two-bedroom homes work best:
- Casita 4 at Vida Feliz Casitas, with two king bedrooms and its own plunge pool
- Casa Aurora Main House, with a king and a queen bedroom, a private pool and the only washer and dryer in our homes
- Casa Karma Main House, with a king and a queen bedroom and a private pool
- Casa Karma Casita, with two king bedrooms and its own plunge pool
We have cribs and high chairs: just ask when you book. Every home has a kitchen, which makes easy breakfasts at home simple (breakfast out with little ones can be slow), and beach towels, umbrellas and chairs are ready for you.
Practical tips from parents
- Strollers and cobbles: some streets are cobbled or uneven. A small wagon or a golf cart makes trips into town much easier. See getting around Sayulita.
- Groceries on the way in: our airport transfer can stop at a supermarket, so you arrive with everything the kids need.
- Shade and sun: the midday sun is strong. Plan beach time for the morning and late afternoon, and pack plenty of sunscreen and hats.
- Water: drink purified water, which our homes provide, rather than tap water.
If a little one gets sick
St. Luke's, by the entrance to town, is where we send guests to see a doctor. For anything more serious, the hospital in San Pancho is the next town north. In an emergency, call 911. And our team is always a WhatsApp message away.
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.
