Sayulita is a beautiful town on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Known for its boho hippie vibes and lively nightlife – Sayulita has become a huge tourist destination. When planning your next trip here take a look at these 10 activities you can try when in Sayulita.
Surf / Sup
Sayulita is blessed with a consistent long boarding wave which is ideal for beginners all the way to advanced surfers. With three points, Sayulita offers a perfect learners point, a gentle right hand break and also a nice left. There are many surf schools to choose from and almost every surf school offers day trips to surrounding breaks outside of Sayulita. If surfing isn’t your jam, you can usually rent a stand up paddle board and adventure to a nearby beach called Los Muertos. There are so many surf schools on the beach it can seem overwhelming to know where to go for lessons. From our experience we found most of the instructors on the beach to be about the same for beginners just learning to stand up. For more intermediate coaching or surf trips we suggest you contact us directly for recommendations.
Yoga Classes
Sayulita is abundant with yoga classes and yoga instructors. This boho hippie town offers every style and variation of yoga. From Ashtanga Yoga, to Vinyasa, to Animal Flow – Sayulita has it. Visit our list of yoga studios here for some recommendations.
Turtle Release
Sayulita has long been a popular nesting place for Olive Ridley sea turtles and the Sayulita Turtle Camp is a non-profit group who protect the nests, wait for the eggs to hatch and then safely release them back into the ocean. The nesting season runs from October through December and the turtle release typically happens around 6.30pm. They will usually announce when there will be a turtle release that day depending on the conditions of the baby turtles, weather, etc. It is courteous to offer a small donation when going since they are all volunteers. Information about the group can be found on instagram and facebook.
Hiking
There are so many options to hike in Sayulita, but a local favorite is Monkey Mountain. You can probably find your way up on your own, but it is typically easier if you decide to go with a guide. (Sometimes there are some unexpected obstacles such as an infamous pack of dogs, where a guide can come in handy) Other trails can lead you to secret beaches and even to San Pancho. We recommend booking with Variant Surf Co or Wildmex Adventures. To find a guide click here
Live Music
If you prefer not to drink or just want a more relaxing evening and still want some night life, a good alternative is to find a live band playing. Atico is a restaurant that usually has live music as well as Chillum, Latitude 20 and a few others. Just by taking a stroll around town you are bound to stumble upon an atmosphere that will suit your vibe.. Some of our favorite local bands include the Mother Funkers and Pug Band.
Marietas Islands.
The Marietas are a protected nature reserve for many reasons, the first being its magnificent coral reef and another due to the rare birds that inhabit the islands, including the famous blue footed booby. During the winter months, these are also the mating grounds for humpback whales and they can be seen splashing around in abundance. Scuba diving here or snorkeling is a must while coming to visit and you will be able to see bright colored fish, coral reefs, volcanic formations, and underwater caves.
The islands are most known for the hidden beach, where you must swim through a small entryway for a glimpse of it. In the name of preservation and conservation, the government restricts the amount of visitors to the beach each day. Only 120 people are allowed onto this beach daily so make sure you book your ticket early. Find a tour here.
Temazcal
A temazcal is a traditional sweat lodge and they are a way to connect with the elements, and yourself, through heat and traditional songs that are sung throughout the whole time. If you have never experienced a traditional sweat lodge before we would highly recommend trying it at least once. However, please be cautious that the traditional lodge is “four doors” or four parts , and it is typically encouraged to stay through all four. So if you think you might be sick or you’re very sensitive to heat this might not be for you, but please get in contact to confirm. We highly recommend the Temazcal at Casa Madera by Nirvanna Spa or Rancho Poco a Poco. To find more local temazcales you can contact us here.
Jiu Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defense martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting and submission holds. It seems to be that many surf towns have a close relationship with Jiu Jitsu, and Sayulita is no different. There are a few different places where you can find a Jiu Jitsu class and community. Two places we highly recommend checking out for classes are Quilombo Sayulita and Sayulita Fit.
Fishing /Spear Fishing
On the southern end of the main Sayulita beach you will notice a huge lineup of panga boats who offer transport for surf trips, but also offer half day fishing trips. You can either book through one of the many tour operators or surf schools around town, or just go down and talk to the guys hanging around the boats. The best part is that they will filet your fish at the end of the trip so it’s ready to eat as soon as you get home! One of our favorite operators to go out with is Dumay Fishing & Snorkeling. You can also find some of the more local guys and organize a spear fishing trip. Spearfishing with a pole spear is an ancient practice that has been used for thousands of years and a great combination of free diving, breath control and hunting skills. Find a tour.
Farmers Market
In the high season (November – May) Sayulita hosts a local Farmers Market every Friday. There you can find fresh veggies, homemade pastries, vegan cheese, organic creams, handmade clothing and much more. The market also hosts live music and a variety of local food vendors with many vegan options. This is a great afternoon activity, even if you come just for the ambiance.
In all, Sayulita has a lively atmosphere that suits all walks of life. The town supports many different sports, gym classes, wellness activities, and tourist attractions. If you are looking for more wellness activities, such as massages, soundbaths, meditation, reiki, etc feel free to look us up on our website where you can find a list of wellness practitioners and a live calendar of activities happening around Sayulita. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for updates on new practitioners, activities, and local updates happening in Sayulita.