Top Things to Do in Sayulita for a 48-Hour Escape

Morning: Breakfast and Surfing Adventures

Kick off your Sayulita experience at ChocoBanana, a beloved institution founded by Tracie, an English expatriate who turned her beachside chocolate-dipped banana stand into a legendary breakfast and lunch spot. For 28 years, this open-air eatery on the main plaza has served locals and visitors alike. Order the homemade banana bread, warm, moist, and utterly divine, paired with a fresh mango smoothie. Keep your meal light, as you’ll need energy for what’s next: a surf lesson.

Sayulita’s waves are a magnet for surfers of all levels, and trying your hand at surfing is non-negotiable. Head to WildMex Surf and Adventure or one of the many surf shops lining the main beach. Opt for a lesson with a low student-to-teacher ratio (ideally 4:1 or less) for personalized guidance. Your instructor will start with a beachside tutorial, teaching you how to pop up on the board. Don’t be fooled by how easy it looks on sand, out in the water, you’ll likely face-plant a few times. Thankfully, Sayulita’s sandy ocean floor cushions the falls.

Paddle out with your group, and let the instructor guide you into small waves. When you finally catch one and ride it to shore, the rush of adrenaline and triumph is electric. Pro tip: jump off the board before it hits the sand to avoid a fin-induced tumble (yes, I learned this the hard way). Lessons cost around $50-$60 for 1.5 hours, including board rental.

Afternoon: Tacos and Beachside Bliss

Surfing is exhilarating but exhausting, so refuel at Naty’s Tacos, a local favorite where tacos cost just $1-$1.20 (20-25 pesos). Savor flavors like chicken mole, pork with pumpkin, or pork with cactus, paired with a refreshing hibiscus agua fresca. Vegetarians will find plenty of options, including potato, bean, or poblano chile tacos with rich salsa. The open-air setting and vibrant atmosphere make it a perfect post-surf stop.

Next, treat yourself to a beachside massage under one of the many tents dotting Sayulita’s shores. For about $30-$40 per hour, let the sound of crashing waves and skilled hands melt away any post-surf soreness. Negotiate politely, but keep expectations realistic, this is a tourist town, so rock-bottom prices are rare. Tip 10-15% to show appreciation.

Evening: Sundowners and Seafood Delights

As the sun dips toward the horizon, head to Bar Miramar on Playa Norte, a quieter stretch of beach with a relaxed vibe. Owners Odette and Eric create a welcoming atmosphere, serving inventive cocktails like the ginger-jalapeño margarita, a spicy-sweet masterpiece. If the tamale vendor swings by, grab a tamale to pair with a fresh fruit margarita for a quintessential beachside moment. Nights like these often spark dreams of living by the sea, so it’s worth learning about the things to consider when moving abroad before turning that dream into reality.

For dinner, stroll 10 minutes south along Avenida del Palmar to Matiz Seafood. Their signature Molcajete de Mariscos ($14.75/290 pesos) arrives in a sizzling volcanic stone mortar, brimming with shrimp, octopus, tuna, fish, and snails in a smoky chiltepin salsa. Scoop it up with warm tortillas for a meal that’s as flavorful as it is memorable.

Cap the night at Mariachi Sayulita, a lively bar just five minutes away. Sip the Oaxac-tuah ($9.60/190 pesos), a smoky mezcal cocktail with Aperol, grapefruit, lime, and soda. Then head to your accommodation, whether a boutique hotel or Airbnb, to rest up for day two.

Sunday