The Sayulita surf scene is one of the best on the Riviera Nayarit – a region of Mexico that’s known for taco-scented beach towns, great waves and laid-back vibes. At heart, this is a beginner surf town but there are some excellent all-level breaks in the surrounding area. We also recommend Sayulita for surf campers, as there’s one hell of a fantastic selection on offer.
An introduction to Sayulita surf
Sayulita is a charmer. Let’s get that out of the way first. Sombreros jostle in the tequila bars on its cacti-sprouting central plaza. Cobbled streets lined with happy-hour beer holes and coffee joints filter off this way and that. Cool boutique hotels and surf hostels abound. It’s just the sort of place you’d imagine when you get a-thinking about a Mexican holiday.
But you’re not here for R&R, right? Well…no worries. There are upwards of 15 surf breaks in the vicinity of Sayulita. That’s because the town puts you smack dab in the heart of a region known as the Riviera Nayarit. It’s a long stretch of shoreline that runs northwards from Puerto Vallarta, and it’s loaded with reefs, point breaks, and some beginner-friendly beach breaks for those with the surfboard in tow.
The town of Sayulita has managed to elevate itself to one of the surf havens of the riviera by offering a trio of breaks right on the doorstep. We’re not going to pretend they are the best-quality waves going. They aren’t. However, they go do give a great selection of different styles of riding, meaning you can graduate from mellow beach breaks to left-right reefs without even leaving town.
Of course, you can venture further afield. There are oodles of schools and tours on offer. They could whisk you down to the Punta Mita surf spots, where you can catch nice A-frame wedges. Or, they could whisk you northwards to the challenging fast rides of San Pancho and beyond. It’s a region you won’t get bored of in a hurry. It’s also got loads in the way of après surf and authentic Mexican charm. We’re literally counting down the days until we can go back.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This is a part of our greater guide to surfing Mexico
Sayulita surf at a glance
The good:
The bad:
What will I find in this guide to Sayulita surf?
Where is Sayulita, exactly?
Sayulita was once just a relaxed fishing village a few clicks north of the buzzing coast city of Puerto Vallarta. The discovery of its powder-white beaches and great breaks means that it now bustles with life. Thousands of travelers per year come to seek it out on the 200 Highway heading north. It’s actually one of the first towns you’ll come to on the famous Riviera Nayarit. Buses in from Puerto Vallarta take around one hour. Coming from inland Mexico, you can arrive from Guadalajara in around five hours (take the VIP bus – they’re darn comfy!).
A guide to the best Sayulita surf spots
We’ve broken down the array of surf spots that Sayulita brings to the table into ones that are in the town itself and ones that aren’t. Beginners can usually rely on the first bunch. Expert riders might want to get searching a little further afield, because Punta Mita and other riviera towns have some good treats up their sleeve!
Surf spots in Sayulita town itself
Sandbar
Beginners
This is probably the break that put Playa Sayulita on the surfing map of Mexico. It’s certainly the reason there are so many surf schools in the town. That’s because it’s an uber-beginner-friendly spot with mellow waves that will rarely be a challenge.
Facing north, it cuts out any heavy S-SW swells and offers good protection from the open ocean. That means regular sets with nice periods and glassy conditions. There’s also a long take-off zone that can offer both green and whitewash.
The downside of the Sandbar is that’s busy these days (like…really busy). We sat and watched one hell of a board-flying fest last time we were in town. Nonetheless – it’s a cracking place to try surfing for the first time. Just be sure to get up early.
Sayulita Right (S Right)
Beginner/Intermediate
The Sayulita Right is the most consistent wave in town. It breaks at the river mouth on the main beachfront over a rock-studded sand bottom with a few patches of reef.
Things seldom go overhead here. In fact, tummy- to chest-high waves are the usual order. Consequently, you see plenty of 8ft boards and plus in these parts – there’s no denying it’s a corker for longboards! Try to hit this one middle or low tide. Watch out for a busy line-up.
Sayulita Left (S Left)
Beginner/Intermediate
A quirky little wave that only likes to rear its head on bigger days (usually during the summer months), the Sayulita left is another river mouth. It’s located a little north-east along the beach, but is still right next door to the Sayulita Right.
It boasts a faster take off, a smaller take-off zone, and quite a quick but fun left-hander that’s a gem for goofy-footed folk. The ride can be quite long when it’s working, with a finish that’s along towards Playa Sayulita’s northern end in front of the villas.
Surf spots around Sayulita (still within reach!)
There’s no doubt that the best quality surf in Sayulita resides outside of the town. We’d say the top end of the Bahia de Banderas is where it gets true quality. For that, you’ll need to make for the town of Punta Mita. Others are in smaller surf towns where the vibe is way more chilled.
The Cove
Intermediate+
Away from Sayulita town itself is the Bahia Cove (some people call it The Cove, while others call it Bahia – after the Bahia de Banderas). It’s the most ocean-facing of all Punta Mita surf breaks. That means there’s extra exposure here, so windy days can be a no-no.
We’d recommend going early on an organised tour to get in there before the onshores start in the afternoon, mainly because you’ll need to hitch a ride on a local fishing boat to make it to the swell.
Litibu Beach
Beginner-Intermediate
The beach at Litibu sits less than 25 minutes’ drive through the coastal jungles from Sayulita town. It’s a great option for all levels, but is predominantly used by beginners and improvers looking for something a little different to the Sayulita surf spots in the town. Good things about Playa Litibu: It’s remote and not busy at all. Bad things: It can close out at the hint of a swell and is rather exposed.
Stinky’s
All levels
Sat facing the small town of Punta de Mita around 30 minutes’ drive from Sayulita, Stinky’s is one of the most popular breaks. It can cater to pretty much all levels of surfers. Beginners get mushy whitewash to practice on, but should be aware of some rock and reef underneath. Intermediates can also find some rippable and decent-length rides, although a strong S swell is usually needed to get things pumping. Hang around for low tide for the best conditions.
La Lancha
All levels
La Lancha is one of the very best Punta Mita surf spots going. It sits on the northern edge of the Bahia de Banderas, and is still one of the most popular places for Sayulita’s surf schools to visit. Under the gaze of the Sierra Madre, it’s a wonderful beach fringed with coconut trees and ocean vines. There are two breaks. The best is a nice wedge A-frame (although it’s predominantly a left) that can be overhead and quite fast. There’s also a mellow right hander with a few boulders underfoot – great for longboarders.
La Lancha is in Punta Mita – check out our full guide to surfing that town right now
Punta Burros
All levels
Punta Burros is very similar to La Lancha; a stretch of sandy beach that runs along the south side of the Punta Mita headland. It’s a drive here from Sayulita but there are lots of surf camps and schools going each day, since the spot has good consistency and is usually less busy than others in the region. The waves are punchy lefts and right with nice bowly shoulders that can go hollow on big summer S swells. Oddly, we think it’s the winter NW swells that work best as they wrap in and offer wedgy rights with plenty of ripping potential.
San Pancho
Intermediate+
The lone break on this list that’s to the north of Sayulita sits in the town of San Pancho. There’s not to much to the wave itself. It’s a quick and challenging beach break with multiple peaks, prone to closeouts and needing a good paddle technique in the take off.
We’ve been here and watched beginners get nailed on the heavy swells. It’s not really suited to learning on, but can be a good goal if you’re keen to improve on drop ins and dealing with speed. The best thing about San Pancho is the town itself – there’s an authentic Mexicana charm in the cobbled streets and playa beer bars that Sayulita lost years ago!
Tempted? Check out our ultimate guide to surfing in San Pancho right now!
Surf camps in Sayulita
Sayulita has more surf camps than you can shake your plate of tacos at. Seriously – this is like the Jaco of Mexico. Some are A LOT better than others. For every thought-out, well-balanced package of accommodation and surf lessons you get 10 bad ones that we’d say aren’t really worth the extra cash. Here are some that we think fit into the first category…
We also have a guide to the 7 best surf camps in Mexico right here – a couple of which are, naturally, in Sayulita. More to the point, we’ve also gone and created the lowdown of the five best surf camps in Sayulita for 2023, which has the creme-de-la-creme of camps right now. Here’s a taster…
- WildMex 7 Day Progressive Surf Camp – Consistently rated among the best surf camps in the whole of Mexico, WildMex Surf usually comes somewhere near the top of the list in this wave-washed town on the Riviera Nayarit. This package is specifically aimed at total beginners. It makes the most of the easy-going waves that break out front of the town but also comes with transfers to the nearby breaks, which is actually real important because some of the best aren’t in Sayulita itself. We’d recommend it if you’re keen on an all-inclusive package. Especially if you like a little party after your sessions!
- Yantara Retreats Sayulita – We think these guys are doing something a little different than lots of surf camps. They only take private group bookings and let you tailor everything to what you’re after. The daily surf tuition is some of the best we’ve seen in the town, run by world SUP champ Fernanda Stalla. Guests also get Asana yoga sessions run by highly qualified in-house teachers. And that’s just scratching the surface. There are evenings of Mexican food tasting, hikes up Monkey Mountain, cliff jumping – you name it.
Where to stay when surfing in Sayulita
There are some seriously cracking Sayulita hotels for surfers these days. In fact, if we had one complaint about this place, it’s that there are too many! From bargain hostels to boutique B&Bs with sea views, there’s all sorts in the mix. We can wholeheartedly recommend…
Hotel Ysuri Sayulita ($$)
Our top pick
After a sea view? Eat. Your. Heart. Out. It’s simply stunning at the Hotel Ysuri Sayulita. Granted, you’ll pay for the luxury. But luxury it definitely is. Lots of rooms face the open Pacific, gazing up the length of lovely Sayulita Playa (you’ll even be able to check the surf conditions with just a glance off your balcony). There’s a large on-site pool and gorgeous interior design that’s modern with a twist of hacienda charm.
Casa Pia ($$)
Best for: Style with a boutique edge
Casa Pia is a boutique hotel with loads of style. The doubles are well-appointed in modern and breezy colours and furnishings. Bathrooms are all refurbished to high standards with top levels of comfort, walk in showers and big units. There’s also an industrial-chic edge thanks to the exposed breeze-block walls. A coffee shop in the same building (just below) helps with the post dawn patrol wake up.
Selina Sayulita ($$-$$$)
Best for: Digital nomad surfers in Sayulita
Selina Sayulita is the Mexican outlet of the famous Selina brand that now covers everywhere from Peniche to Bocas del Toro. This iteration has the same uber-cool interiors and it’s just about perfect if you’re heading to Sayulita for a work-surf getaway – there’s even an on-site co-working space, along with a rooftop terrace for chilled meetings in the sun.
Hostal Tortuga ($)
Best for: Meeting new surf buddies
Hostel accommodation hardly gets better than Hostal Tortuga. There’s a pool in the garden with swinging hammocks and lovely breeze-kissed deck areas. The shared bathrooms are really clean and modern. There’s a nice terrace for sharing surf tales and beers with other guests. It’s also a wallet-friendly option.
La Redonda Sayulita Hostal ($)
Best for: Party nights and morning yoga
If you’re after somewhere sociable, fun, and just a little hedonistic, the La Redonda Sayulita Hostal is the option to plump for. It faces the main beach breaks, so is perfect for a Sayulita surf trip. It’s also adults-only and has its own bar. Dorms are the main sort of stay, but it’s really about meeting and mingling with other travellers and surfers here.
Step-by-step guide to planning your Sayulita surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the Sayulita surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
A guide to Sayulita weather and the Sayulita surf seasons
There’s usually something to surf in Sayulita whatever the time of the year. Seriously, this is considered one of the most consistent surf towns in Mexico. Of course, there are noticeable seasonal changes in the size of the swell and the Sayulita weather that goes with them.
Winter (November to March)
Snowbirds flock down from the US and Europe to enjoy the winter sun of the Riveira Nayarit between November and March. Sayulita weather hits a zenith at this time. It’s usually consistently warm and baking on the beaches. The ocean is hot but refreshing. It’s basically a great time to be alive on the Mexican Pacific.
In terms of surf, winter is actually more prone to N-NW swells. That keeps things relaxed and more manageable. The waves are consistent but usually peak at chest to head height. Sets can be really glassy, especially around the Punta Mita surf area. We would recommend doing dawn trips to the waves to beat the crowds and catch your sesh before the offshores start around the afternoon (you’ve got the heat to thank for those).
Wear: Shorties, rash vest, surf swim wear, maybe some surf booties if you’re hitting the reefs
Summer (April to September)
The summer is considered the peak surfing season in Sayulita. However, that should come with a warning: Beginners and improvers will surely feel more at home in the winter months. That’s because the summer sees the S-SW Southern Ocean start powering up the swell direction and the hurricane season off the Pacific add even more power to the equation.
The result? Double, triple overheads and really fast sets. It’s perfect if you’re a seasoned short boarder. It’s not so good for a first-time surf school. That said, you can still catch some manageable days on the reefs just in front of Sayulita itself, so it’s not totally off the menu if you’re a starter at this time of year.
As far as the weather goes, June, July and August all see temperatures hovering around the 30 degrees mark. August and September tend to be the wettest of the bunch, and there’s a load more humidity here – it’s probably not the time to plan hiking excursions to the Sierra Madre on top of the surfing!
Wear: Rash vest and board shorts is fine. Swimwear is all you need. Boots a potential if you’re hitting the reefs.
Surf shops in Sayulita
You won’t be short of a place to pick up the tropical wax and the ding repair in Sayulita. The town is packed with independent stores of all stripes. Some that come highly recommended include:
Quiverito Surf Shop
A ramshackle set up in a simple little opening on Calle MarlÃn in the heart of Sayulita, Quiverito Surf Shop has some serious charm. The people here are always smiling and chatting. They beckon in passersby with a range of handmade tees and hessian bags. They also do bespoke, ocean-inspired art items and surfboard rentals.
Los Rudos Surf Shop
Back behind the main plaza in central Sayulita is the compact and cool Los Rudos Surf Shop. It’s a tight-knit little boutique that’s packed to bursting with tees, rashies, caps, bags – you name it. The focus is mainly on surf fashion, but you’ll also catch a few waxes and leashes and tech. Oh, and it’s the go-to place for skate gear in Sayulita.
Where to eat in Sayulita
Sayulita has no shortage of great eating spots. Below, we’ve picked out just a few that might just tickle those taste buds.
ORGANI-K ($$)
Part café, part art gallery, ORGANI-K has a unique vibe and one of the town’s best arrays of healthy, hearty food. It’s a perfect place to stop by before or after an early surf session. The coffee is wonderful and the smoothies are packed full of pick-me-up goodies.
Jack’s Place ($$)
Jack’s Place sits on the main road leading in and out of the town. There, it tempts diners with a medley of creative meals. You’ve got Thai-inspired noodle dishes topped with peanut and chilli. You’ll get Asian seafood broths. And there are reports that the place does some of the best pizzas around. You can decide for yourself, but there’s no denying that al fresco garden and terrace is a fine place to chow down!
Cocos Beach Club ($$)
Cold beers on the beach – that’s the main draw of Cocos Beach Club. Yes, it’s not going to be the cheapest spot in town. But there’s hardly anywhere better for watching the waves roll in, the wipeouts, and the sunset. A menu of craft beer sourced from the region is a welcome addition to platters of nachos and grilled Mexican meats.
This ultimate guide to Sayulita Surf is always being updated and changed. If you think we’ve missed something or gotten something wrong, we’d sure love you to get in touch. You can use email or just drop a message in the comments below.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
2 comments
yo guys, i love your site and have bought your books. I tried messaging you on insta but didn’t get a response. Any plans for a beginner surf atlas with great locations for beginners or almost-intermediate surfers? If not, any places you’d recommend?
thanks,
J
Hey Jessie. Really glad you like our surf guides! What books did you buy!? We haven’t released any yet. Hope they help you find some rad surf spots anyway.
We’re totally looking to do more content on beginner surf spots, especially in Europe, the UK and Mexico. Keep checking back for more!