Things to Do in Sayulita
We live here and run the town's pickleball club, so this list is opinionated: the beach, the surf, the food, the walks, and the one thing most guides miss.Vivimos aquí y llevamos el club de pickleball del pueblo, así que esta lista tiene opinión: la playa, el surf, la comida, las caminatas y lo que la mayoría de las guías olvida.
Start with the beach
Sayulita is a beach town first. Everything else is a bonus.
The main beach runs right off the plaza — surf schools, board rentals, palapa restaurants and a wave that's kind to beginners. Walk south over the headland and you reach Playa de los Muertos, the smaller, calmer cove past the cemetery that locals prefer for swimming. Go early or go for sunset; midday is for shade.
Surf lessons are the classic first-day activity. Book one on the beach, and by lunch you'll have stood up at least once.
Then eat
Sayulita punches far above its size on food. Taco stands at night around the plaza and up the side streets, seafood on the beach, good bakeries and serious coffee in the mornings. Ask at the club for the week's favorites — the list changes and the players keep it honest.
The thing most guides miss: play pickleball
Five minutes from the beach, Nawalli Sayulita Pickleball Club runs open play every morning Monday to Saturday from 8am on two lit championship courts — plus leagues, a beginner clinic, a kids session and evening socials with a bar. It's the fastest way to meet people who actually live here.
Never played? The How to Play clinic (Tuesday and Thursday, 4:45pm, $100 MXN, paddles provided) gets you into games in an hour. Already play? Drop in for $300 MXN or grab a $500 MXN day pass and go all day. See how to drop in.
Walks, day trips and evenings
- Monkey Mountain — the hike north of town for the big view back over the bay. Go early.
- San Pancho — ten minutes north, a quieter beach and a different rhythm. Easy afternoon.
- The plaza at night — music, food, people. Sayulita's living room.
- Sunset on the beach — every night, no ticket required. Then the Thursday Night Pickleball Party if it's Thursday.
Play with us this week.Juega con nosotros esta semana.
Get the week's play schedule and join the players' WhatsApp group — locals and visitors, every level.Recibe el horario de la semana y entra al grupo de WhatsApp de jugadores — locales y visitantes, todos los niveles.
Add a morning of pickleball to your trip.
Day pass, drop-in, or a beginner clinic — book it in two minutes.
Questions people ask
What is Sayulita known for?
Surfing, a beginner-friendly beach break, a walkable colorful town center, excellent food, sunsets — and, for the past few years, a serious pickleball club.
Is Sayulita good for beginners to surf?
Yes. The main beach has a forgiving wave and several surf schools that run lessons daily.
Can I play pickleball while visiting Sayulita?
Yes. Nawalli Sayulita Pickleball Club has open play every morning Monday to Saturday, drop-ins from $300 MXN, day passes for $500 MXN and paddle rentals.
How many days do I need in Sayulita?
Three to four days covers the beach, a surf lesson, a couple of good dinners, a hike and a morning or two of pickleball. Many people stay much longer.
What's the best time of day for the beach?
Early morning and late afternoon into sunset. Play pickleball at 8am, beach after.