can anyone tell me about sayulita in mexico for a one week vacation? how is it? where to stay? how about villa amor?

when my family vacationed in Puerto Vallarta last month, we rented a car one day for a trip to Sayulita. We loved it! Very surfy, a little bohemian. We found a guy to rent horses from and rode on the beach. We also took a quick tour of villa amor from the very gracious front desk person...
We often talk about renting a villa in the town, as there are some lovely homes for rent there right on the beach. We weren't as impressed w/ Villa Amor as we thought we might be. Its kinda cool, but definitely not luxury, and the pools they show are not much bigger than a bathtub...
Don Pedros is a good restaurant there!
let us know where you go!

Spent a month in Sayulita in January and loved it but you need to be prepared for what it is. It is definitely not luxurious and I was not overly impressed with the food but it is very laid back, relaxed, good surfing, and a cool place to hang out at for a week. Had a friend stay at Villa Amor and she said it was nice. We rented a casita so I can't comment on it. Also, not a lot of nightlife in Sayulita. Breakfast at Rollys is awesome and Sayulita Fish Tacos became a staple.

Lots of info at: www.sayulita.com

We had a week there in February. We rented a casita and we had a fabulous view of the Pacific - the last day, we didn't even go down to the beach, just hung out on our terrace. I loved it. I found the food surprisingly good - for a small town, there were a variety of restaurants. Rolly's (mentioned in the other post) was wonderful for breakfast - we just made it there once and shared a breakfast (huge servings) and we also liked Fish Taco a lot. Don Pedro's has wonderful shrimp and bacon pizza - it's a more upscale restaurant and the only one that took credit cards. There are no places to cash travellers cheques nor are there are any ATM machines, so we had to go Bucerias to get cash. Limited shopping. It's not a fancy place - very relaxed and casual. At night in the square, people sold jewellery, etc. Also had my favourite one night in the square - cajeta crepes. We enjoyed our week a lot. We had a couple of days in Mexico City before and a few days in Guadalajara after, so it was a nice contrast.

A good place for information on where to stay is www.vrbo.com - drill down and you'll find a lot of private rentals in Sayulita.

Very close friends moved to Sayulita about a year ago. They've just spent the weekend with us, and it turns out they have moved closer to PV now because of the school commute for their 8-year-old. So they are now renting their beach-front house. It's listed on www.vrbo.com/10519 -- I don't mean for this to be an ad, but they are good folks and the house is quite nice, so consider it a recommendation. If you contact them, you can mention my name.

Personally, I can't <b>wait</b> to go visit them!

I have visited Sayulita twice and stayed at the villas amor. I think the hotel is like a work of art each room different and unique with great views. Some were private and with most of the living space outside tropical style. I think it is a fabulous romantic place but not cheap. Guests also can use the surfboards and kayaks for free. I thought sayulita was a nice little town. It is pricey with not many places to stay. A beautiful beach with clear water great for surfing. A lot of pricy restaurants owned by gringos.

Pricy? Compared to what? We stayed at Casa Carolina &amp; what we paid for a week, we usually pay for a night. Groceries were cheap &amp; the beer was 50 to 75 cents at the store &amp; not much more in the local restaurants. Seemed like a bargain to me!

I'm agreeing with Peggy on this one. I'm a budget traveller (relatively speaking) - Casa Carolina was about the most I've paid in Mexico, but it was wonderful and a real bargain for what we had! Plus I found food to be very reasonably priced.

I'm planing a trip there in May. Let me know how your trip went

this town sounds just like my kind of place, except for the surfing! Is there a beach for swimmers who dont like big waves?

Did the original poster ever post a trip report? I'm going to Sayulita for a week in February '05 and I'd love to hear more from someone who has been there recently!

The beach has some waves to the north where the surfers hang out for but to the south end we were able to swim from the beach. The little town is great &amp; when we went in October it was not crowded. Fun, little local restaurants along the beach. Its a cove type area with most housing going up the hills from the beach &amp; a few flat streets for the town area. Go further north to San Fransisco beach also, really big &amp; flat.

Well, I am on my way to PV (flight booked, accomodation not), travelling solo for the first time in a while. I head out April 15 (05) for a week. Just looking to relax. My original plan was to head to Sayulita . . .

Can anyone suggest the best way to get there? Safety concerns? (Are taxi's OK for single females?) Buses better? Things to be aware of??

Thanks for any information
Cheers

Vicky-

I've gone to PV solo female many many times. I've not gone that far up the coast, but know other who have and love it.

You could take a taxi, but it's over an hour ride so will be fairly expensive. You could also catch a bus, although I don't know the details (I've only gone out as far as Punta de Mita by bus) would certainly be way cheaper if you can figure it out. I would feel no fear at all for personal safety by either taxi or bus.

Honestly I've never heard of any kind of problem along these lines (personal safety or hassles) in 15 trips to PV over the past dozen years.

If you want to stay in town before heading north, my favorite hotel in Old Town is Posada de Roger at the corner of Vallarta and Basilo Badillo. A taxi from the airport would cost ~$17USD or if you are traveling light you can catch a local bus by going out to the highway. Find one marked 'El Centro'.

Another hotel I'd recommend is Hotel Rio just north of the southbound bridge at the end of the Malecon.

There two are in the 350 peso range.

If you want cheaper Yasmine on Badilo Badillo is nice. Or any of many on Madero (street) like Hotel Azteca, Villa del Mar, etc. which are more basic, no pools, and &gt;300 peso.

One word of warning about taxis from the airport. These are regulated (white in color) and the only ones allowed to pick up from on airport property. Any other place you will be using town cabs (yellow in color) with rates of about 1/2 the price of getting out of the airport. My point being... IF you decide to go to Sayulita by taxi, you would be better of getting out of the airport however, stay in town or not, and catch a NON-airport taxi to take you to Sayulita.

Hasta, Susan

Susan

Thank you SO much for the information!! My mother has a knack for getting the ole wheels of paranoia turning. . .Glad to know you have gone so many times to PV! That says alot.

I just got a call from a fellow in Sayulita where I inquired about staying. He mentioned it was about 300 pesos for a taxi to get up there. Does that sound about right?
I am kind of under a tight budget . . .but until I figure out the ropes, it's good to know the options.

Thanks again for the info!!
Vicky

Then I'd definitely go by taxi (if it were me, arriving solo, with luggage, and for that price) and save the bus for getting around later during your stay.

Do double check if that 300 peso fare is something you can get *at* the airport, or do you need to cross the pedestrial bridge to the other side of the highway for a non-airport taxi.

You'll have a wonderful trip, I'm sure!

We were in Sayulita in February. The bus from the airport was 20 pesos. We were offered a taxi across the street from the airport for US$35. We took the bus. If you're on a budget, the bus is fine. It was our first trip to Mexico and we had no trouble catching the bus to Sayulita from the airport. No need to go into PV unless you want to. There is good info at www.SayulitaLife.com

I loved it in '03, but when we returned a couple years later, it seemed a lot scruffier, much more crowded, less charming. Has anybody else noticed that, or is it just me?