15 Must-Try Unique Experiences in Sayulita!
Must-Try Experiences in Sayulita!
This is my list of 15 must-try unique experiences in Sayulita!
Maybe some of these activities you only experience once… so why not!
When in Sayulita, these are some of the unique experiences that you can have!
If you’re not sure where Sayulita is, it’s in the state of Nayarit in Mexico.
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1. Surf Lessons
Sayulita is 100% a surfer’s town, so surfing had to obviously be first on the list.
There are a huge amount of options for surfing schools.
It’s almost overwhelming how many people offer to teach you how to surf!
They will also rent you different types of surf boards, boogie boards and related equipment.
It’s a good idea to check the waves, weather and tide before you book your lesson, although the surf schools are pretty up to date on these things as well.
Here is a map of Sayulita. You can check out the town and hotels in the town too. Feel free to zoom, click and book your hotel on this map too!
2. Enjoy the Sunset at the Beach
Another must! Seeing the sunset is a must while you’re in Sayulita.
You will feel the energy of the whole beach go quiet and still…
Some people meditate, lay on the sand, take pictures, swim, and chill.
The sunsets behind these beautiful buildings and a hill! Stunning!
3.Don Pedro's Salsa Night
Don Pedro’s Restaurant & Bar has been opened since 1994! …with the same owners!
They are best known for 2 things.
- the amazing view
- the Monday night salsa
They are a beach front restaurant and bar, in fact, during the day you can sit on beach chairs on the sand at the beach and they will serve you from there. The hours of the beach service are between 10:00am and 5:00pm.
There are 2 levels and a very long building, so there are many chances to have a great view from your seat in the restaurant too. It’s an open concept and open-air restaurant.
The salsa night has been running for 8 years as of 2023.
There is a live Cuban/Mexican Salsa band that plays every Monday from 8:30pm until 12:00am.
The salsa night is a whole lot of fun!
A lot of salsa dancers come to dance! It’s not just a bunch of people sitting and watching the band all night.
The band is very lively and they definitely get you up on your feet!
They have mediterranean food with dishes such as lobster ravioli, mahi mahi, tuna, sea bass, pizzas, and more.
As for the salsa night, you can either pay 100 Mexican pesos to enjoy the salsa band and dance, or eat and drink so you don’t have to pay cover.
4. Try Mexican & Other Cuisines
There are Italian, Sushi, Mexican, Mediterranean, bakeries, ice cream shops, sandwich shops, seafood places, pizza places, cafes and more!
Of course, there are so many options for Mexican food.
Not to mention the kiosks with vendors selling churros, crepes, and many different types of tacos.
There are so many great restaurants within walking distance, so no need for a taxi if you’re already downtown or at the beach.
If you’re a vegetarian, check out Everything you need to know about being a vegetarian in Mexico.
5. Shop from vendors in the Municipal Square
You will see different vendors around the square everyday.
Huichol is the name of a nation of Indigenous people from the area.
There are different Huichol vendors that vend traditional art and handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, purses and more.
As you mingle through the square, take some time to look at and buy some locally-made crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs.
They have absolutely beautiful art work. Many pieces have extremely intricate bead work, which is traditional for Huichol art work.
While in the square, take some time to chill there. There’s lots going on. You will also see people chilling on benches and in the gazebos.
There are sometimes break dancers or other performers in the square too.
6. Visit the Hippie Market
Yep! It’s called the Hippie Market.
I asked many vendors what the market is called and, that is the only name that anyone could give me.
It is off to the side of the downtown. This market is a little bit rustic, meaning the building and appearance is more rustic and simple.
There is some beautiful art work, tourist souvenirs, huichol art work, t-shirts, purses, jewelry, and more.
This newer market is just pass the corner of Manuel Navarrete Street and Pelicanos street.
Just walk less than 1 block from this street corner away and you are there.
It’s not really properly marked or labelled. I asked several people and noone could tell me the name of the street with the market.
It is a rustic road, so I recommend wearing flat shoes.
7.Visit the Tierra Huichol Store
This store is located just beside the main square. It has beautiful decor outside and a neat bench that you can sit on and take photos.
The art is all Huichol work, which is a local Indigenous group from the area.
It’s worth checking out this store as the work is spectacular!!
They have 2 rooms full of handmade art, including bead work.
You can get initials that are done in a traditional Huichol style. Seems to me like a great gift!
This store, Tierra Huichol is a recognized store with locations in Puerto Vallarta, Playa Del Carmen and Sayulita.
All the work is of all high quality and authentically Huichol work.
Tierra Huichol in Sayulita is located at 38 Calle Revolucion. Calle means street in Spanish.
You can learn more about this store and the other locations here Tierra Huichol
8. Hike Monkey Mountain
I met with a staff member of Vista Paraiso Tours & Activities who explained about their tours. This tour company has been here for 6 years now.
We spoke a unique tour called Monkey Mountain.
In Spanish it is called ‘Cerro Del Mono’.
It is a walking tour that takes you to the highest point in the area.
You hike through the jungle during this tour.
He recommended going just after sunrise.
You may see more animals, plus it is less hot at that time of day.
The sun is still rising, therefore it is not pounding down on your head from straight up above.
This tour costs 1200 Mexican Pesos as of 2023. Children must be over ten years of age, and they recommend that you should be in good physical condition to do this type of hike.
I recommend wearing running shoes, a hat, and bug spray for this tour.
Also, bring some money for any souvenirs etc. you may see along the way. The guides speak English and Spanish; they also bring water, snacks and any equipment that you will need.
This hike is offered daily and lasts about 2 hours. You can check it out at Vista Paraiso.
9.Hike through the Jungle
I met with a staff member of Wild Mex.
They offer walking and biking tours through the jungle, as well as other types of tours. They also rent out bicycles, surf boards, Sup boards, and boogie boards.
They created 2 different trails through the jungle to show people the wild life and nature of the jungle.
During this guided tour, you may see snakes, raccoons, snakes, lizards, and many types of birds.
One of the trails is called ‘Mal Paso’ which, ironically means ‘bad or wrong way’. The 2nd trail is called San Pancho Trail.
Some of the animals that she said that you may see are: snakes, (yes a few are poisonous, but not often encountered), opossums, raccoons, many types of lizards and birds.
She did not recommend going with children. I would not recommend going on this tour if you are worried about any movement or mobility issues.
You should wear shoes, a hat, bug spray and comfortable clothing for this tour.
You can check out more at Wild Mex.
10. Try the local bar kiosks & mingle
There are these local kiosks that you can order drinks at.
Th hours are usually opened daily.
The kiosks look like a cart or mini-trailer with a bartender. They have many different types of alcohols. Some of them have bar stools and you sit and drink at the kiosk.
They mix up many different types of cocktails and drinks.
They usually have Cantaritos too.
Cantaritos are a tequila cocktail that is a very traditional drink. You usually get to keep the cup when you buy a cantarito.
You can order your drink and sit and chill there, or mingle around the square and surrounding area with your drink.
They open at various times and close around 9:00pm- 9:30pm.
It’s a quick way to get a drink and chill at their mini kiosk bar or walking around with your drink.
11. Nirvanna Spa Sayulita
Treat yourself good!
This is a very peaceful and zen spa. It’s elegant and pretty!
The building is so beautifully and decorated in a very zen way!
One thing to note, is that it’s not accessible as you have to climb an indoor spiral staircase to enter and exit the building.
There is a nice view on the outside balconies once you’re up there.
It’s a solid staircase, and worth the climb.
It’s so beautiful as you enter. Check out the video below to see for yourself.
They offer many different types of massages, facials and more.
They even offer a massage with therapeutic sounds such as tibetian bowls.
This is one of their most popular services. It’s called the Nirvana massage.
Something unique, they also offer some traditional Indigenous experiences.
They offer an Indigenous sweat lodge from different local Indigenous groups.
They provide transportation to get to the sweat lodge, which is only about a 10-minute drive away.
They also offer a traditional full moon ceremony that you can attend.
Obviously, you would need to check the phase of the moon, or ask them when the next ceremony will be.
This spa has been in Sayulita since 2002.
They also have a great location as they are about a block from the main square, and a block from the beach.
They are opened daily from 9:00am to 7:00pm.
Nirvana Spa is located at Calle Marlin and Manuel N. Navarrete 9 on the corner.
You can learn more at Nirvanna Spa Sayulita.
12. Chill
~~~
This is the place to slow down your pace of life, and your literal pace of your steps.
Chill…
😌
It’s relaxed here. For example, while the fire dancers are spinning fire in the middle of the street, all of the cars, just wait behind them in 1 lane traffic to get through the main downtown area.
Sit in the square, at the beach, in the ocean, at a restaurant, at a spa, wherever…
~~~~
13. Party
Every night is a party! E-V-E-R-Y night.
In this small town there is a wide variety of bars, restaurants, kiosks, the municipal square and the beach of course.
You can get any drink that you want and see different buskers including fire spinners, drumming, and other musicians.
They play for tips, so be sure to leave some pesos if you enjoyed their performances.
You can also check out live music performances, karaoke nights and more at different bars too.
14. Tequila etc. Tasting!
When in Rome as they say…
I visited a nice place called ‘Agave Liquors Sayulita’ there are actually 2 locations that have been there for 5 years now.
They are on 2 sides of the main municipal square.
They offer free tequila and other Mexican liquor tastings.
I met with Freddy Del Angel Garcia who has been working there for a year now.
I had a great time learning about different traditional Mexican alcohols and tasting them too. Check out the video and then see what I liked best.
The store carries much more than tequila actually, but it’s all authentically Mexican! They even have some Mexican beers.
I learned a lot about agave and the different drinks it can produce but the staff at Agave Liquors Sayulita explain it a lot better than me, so I will share the video below.
They have a wide selection of local tequilas, and none that you will find in international stores at all.
They also have extremely beautiful and artistic bottles! The amount of time and work that goes into 1 bottle… I could just imagine…
Even if you’re not a tequila drinker, or a drinker at all, it’s a very interesting experience and you will probably learn a lot too!
You can learn more about their store at Agave Liquors.
15. Check out the murals & street art
There is great art everywhere you look in Sayulita.
The sides of restaurants, murals, signs and more.
Be sure to look up. Some buildings have murals on the their top floors too.
They have some hanging art as well. Some traditional Huichol or Indigenous symbols and other decor are hanging up above.
There are coloured flags hanging all around the centre of the town too.
What's it like in Sayulita?
Think surfer chilled-out party small town.
It’s really growing and becoming more popular and getting more touristy.
The good thing is that it is a Pueblo Magico.
If you’re not sure what that is, check out my other blog that is a Guide to Pueblos Magicos in Mexico.
Because Sayulita is a Pueblo Magico, it will never become a huge city full of Americanized stores.
It is a very English-friendly place though.
Many servers and staff speak English and Spanish at most places.
If it’s your first time in Mexico, check out these Best Mexico Travel Tips! (Read Before You Go).
Tours in & around Sayulita
Are you looking to book some tours for you trip to Sayulita. You can check out your options, and even book, right here!
Where to Stay in Sayulita
You can check out my Sayulita Beach side hotel review. This travel blog is from a hotel that I stayed in.
There are many different unique and interesting hotels in Sayulita. Check some out here!
How to get to Sayulita?
From the airport in Puerto Vallarta, you can catch a bus that says “Compostela” on it. It costs 55 Mexican pesos for 1 way.
It takes about an hour and a half to get there.
From other towns you can also take a Compostela bus or a Primera Plus bus.
The bus station in Sayulita is a 8 minute walk to the downtown square.
Of course, there are always driver services, apps, or taxis too.
Which ones will you try?
Let me know which experiences you would be up for in the comments below!
If you’re looking for other towns that have a similar vibe to Sayulita, I would recommend checking out these Must-Do things in Puerto Escondido!
Besides being a travel blogger, I am also a travel writer, Amazon author and an English teacher. Check out my services here!
The Comments
Carla Patterson
Hi Lorraine
Dave and I took your advice and spent the day in Sayulita! It was absolutely wonderful 💚Thanks for the recommendation.
Carla
Lorraine Black
> Carla PattersonHi Carla! That’s so great to hear! Isn’t it wonderful there! I’m so glad that you both enjoyed! 🙂