Behind The Lens: A Weekend in Sayulita
An anniversary trip, a camera, crutches, a golf cart, and two days that felt like five. Here's how I spent 2 days in Sayulita — and why it completely won me over.
When my partner and I decided to celebrate our anniversary with a quick getaway, Sayulita kept coming up. A small surf town on Mexico's Pacific coast, about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta — colorful, laid-back, full of good food and even better vibes. It sounded perfect. The only curveball? He was on crutches.
I'll be honest, we almost talked ourselves out of it, but Sayulita turned out to be one of the most easygoing places we've traveled to. This post is part travel guide, part behind-the-scenes look at how I shot the place. Because yes, I came home with prints, and they dropped this week.
Getting there from San Diego: The CBX Hack
If you're in the San Diego area and haven't heard of CBX (Cross Border Xpress), stop what you're doing and bookmark it. It is a pedestrian bridge that connects San Diego directly to Tijuana's international airport — meaning you can fly out of TJ, and it is almost always cheaper and way less stressful.
We flew into Puerto Vallarta and then made our way up the coast to Sayulita via a private shuttle we had booked ahead. The whole journey was smooth and affordable.
✈️ Travel Tip: Search flights out of Tijuana via CBX for significantly cheaper fares from San Diego to destinations in Mexico. The bridge crossing fee is minimal and the time savings are real.
Where to Stay: Boutique Hotels & Airbnbs
We stayed at PUERTO SAYULITA, a boutique hotel that was a little off the main strip — which ended up being exactly what we wanted. Quieter at night (the centro can get loud), but still central enough to walk everywhere. Fair warning: it's on a main road, so there is some traffic noise if you're a light sleeper.
We actually booked it through Airbnb, which gave us an extra layer of security and peace of mind — great reviews, clear communication, and no surprises. The rooftop pool was a bonus we wish we could have enjoyed more. It's a lovely little spot that feels more personal than a big resort, which is very much the Sayulita vibe.
🏨 Stay Tip: Look for hotels, hostels, or Airbnbs off the main strip, as it can get very loud and busy. Booking through Airbnb for boutique properties can offer extra reliability and guest reviews that some property websites lack. I noticed a lot of the stay options were also listed on Airbnb.
Getting Around: Renting a Golf Cart
Here's the thing about Sayulita — the town itself is completely walkable. You can go from one end to the other in about twenty minutes on foot. But renting a golf cart? Completely changes the experience.
For us, it was also a bit of a necessity with my partner on crutches — navigating the cobblestones and sandy paths is much easier when you're not walking them. But even without that, I'd recommend it to anyone. Golf carts are everywhere in Sayulita, easy to rent, and they give you the freedom to explore without a plan.
The biggest win? Getting to Playa Los Muertos. It's a beach just outside the main town — less crowded than the main beach, and arguably better for swimming.
Things To Do: Beaches & Food
Two days in Sayulita goes fast. Here's how we spent ours — and what I’d prioritize if we went back.
The Beaches
Sayulita's main beach is easy to get to with a fun energy. Surfers paddling out, vendors walking the sand, dogs running loose. It's alive in a way that's magnetic to photograph, but not the best spot if you actually want to relax and swim.
For that, you want Playa Los Muertos. It's a short golf cart ride from the centro — less crowded, calmer water, and honestly one of the most beautiful stretches of beach we saw the entire trip. Most tourists stick to the main beach and never make it there. Don't be most tourists, this beach is worth the extra walk/golf cart ride.
Where To Eat
One thing that surprised us about Sayulita: the food scene goes well beyond tacos. Yes, the Mexican food is great — but if you're someone who gets tired of eating the same cuisine every meal, you won't have a problem here. The town has range.
ChocoBanana — This became our non-negotiable every morning. Great breakfast options, fresh juices, and a casual vibe that makes you want to linger over a second coffee. The people-watching from their tables is its own form of entertainment.
Si Señor Sayulita — We went here for our anniversary dinner and it was exactly right. Oceanfront, great food, beautiful views, and a vibe that feels like a celebration without trying too hard. Truly one of the best settings for a meal.
Don Pedro's Restaurant & Bar — Right on the beach and a step up in atmosphere from a lot of the spots in el centro. It feels a little more elevated — great for a date night or when you want something that doesn't feel like a casual beach shack. The location alone makes it worth a visit.
Kahlo Restaurant & Bar — This one was a happy accident. We stumbled in one evening not expecting much and ended up having some of the best Neapolitan style pizza in a quaint and stylish setting. Genuinely great, and a reminder that Sayulita has depth beyond what you'd expect from a small surf town.
🍽️ Food tip: Change up where you eat each meal. Sayulita's food scene is diverse and the quality is consistently high. And regardless of where you eat and drink — skip the ice. Your stomach will thank you.
Shopping
Here's my honest take on souvenirs: I don't want a shot glass or a keychain. My favorite thing to bring home from a new place is a chic piece of clothing or jewelry I can actually wear — something that fits the energy of where I found it, and that brings me right back there when I put it on.
Sayulita is perfect for this. The shopping scene is full of boutique stores with a beach-forward, boho aesthetic — think flowy linen sets, handmade jewelry, woven bags. The kind of pieces that look like they were made for somewhere warm and beautiful, because they were. You'll find shops tucked along the main streets and down little side alleys. Leave room in your bag.
The Sayulita Print Drop — Available Now
Two days is not enough time to explore and photograph Sayulita properly — and I say that as someone who spent most of both days with a camera in hand. The town has layers. The color alone could keep you busy for a week.
After two very full days, I came home with a camera full of images and no idea which ones to print. It took weeks of sitting with them — editing, re-editing, stepping away and coming back — before I landed on the prints I'm releasing this week.
Each print was chosen because it captures the beauty and color I experienced from Sayulita.
My biggest regret is not having more time to go deeper — to explore the neighborhoods further from the beach, to sit in more of the small plazas, to watch the town at dusk when the lights come on. Next time.
Browse the full Sayulita drop → vistasnmphoto.com/shop
Would I Go Back?
I think it goes without saying at this point. Sayulita in two days is a teaser — enough to fall in love with the place, not enough to feel like you've actually seen it. We left with a list of things we didn't get to see or do.
If you're in San Diego and looking for a weekend trip that feels genuinely different — not a resort, not a cruise, not a beach club — Sayulita is the move. Use CBX, rent a golf cart, eat at ChocoBanana every morning, get the pizza at Kahlo, and don't put ice in your drinks.
Follow along on Instagram for the next destination, and check the shop for the full Sayulita collection. More drops, more places, more stories coming soon.
— Natalia
Vistas by NM · vistasnmphoto.com
