Sayulita

Surf Guide

Sayulita isn't ever going to produce world-class surf, or even good surf, but that doesn't mean it's not a great spot to hit for any surfer traveling the northern Pacific coast of Mainland Mexico. Located 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta through jungled rises, Sayulita is a quiet little fishing village pocketed between steep, lush sea cliffs. The village is authentic coastal Mexico, though in recent years it has converted many Vallarta day trippers into longer-term tourists. Sayulita's broad, sandy beach faces slightly north of west, and the headland beyond -- called Punta Sayulita -- swings to true north, thus absorbing much of the spring and summer southswell that graces points farther south and north on the Mainland coast. Nevertheless, a fun lefthander can be found breaking just off the beach on the south end of town, offering up clean, unbroken lines that are always fun for longboarders and occasionally worthwhile for shortboarders (when a North-West or West swell shows up). There is also a softer and less-reliable right-hander closer to town. Sayulita, like San Blas just up the coast, is a picturesque and mellow town and well worth spending a couple of days in. You won't be pulling into big kegs or anything, but you will be sipping a few Tecates on a hot, coconut palm-rimmed beach and enjoying some spectacularly fresh seafood... which is, by all accounts, a world-class experience.