Sayulita: Day Trips and Tours from Puerto Vallarta

Sayulita has a great reputation as a surfer and tourist town and you can explore its nature and townscapes.

On a Sayulita day trips from Puerto Vallarta you'll discover its distinctive Mexican flavor on tours that include horse riding, UTV jungle drives and also visits to other delightful towns and beautiful beaches.

Here's all ou need to know about Sayulita, one of the most historical destinations for day trips from Puerto Vallarta.

How to get to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta?

From Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita by car

The 50-kilometer drive by car takes about 37 minutes along the Road 200.

From Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita by public transportation

To go by bus, go to Mega and board the green and white Compostela bus with the “Sayulita” sign. The ride takes about 40 minutes.

Guided tours from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita

There are several guided tours from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita which include hotel pickup and drop-off and transport by minibus.

What is the typical itinerary of a day tour to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta?

Itineraries will vary depending on the tour. From Sayulita, you can enjoy a leisurely horse ride through Higuera Blanca and beautiful Litibú Beach. Another exclusive UTV tour takes you through jungle trails and Sayulita.

You can also enjoy a guided day trip to Sayulita and San Pancho from Puerto Vallarta. Experience Mexico’s colorful culture, tasting exotic fruits and sweets, Mexican street food and pulque, and explore Sayulita's shops and galleries.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Sayulita?

Sayulita/Punta de Mita horseback riding tour

On this 1.5-hour tour from Sayulita/Punta de Mita, you can enjoy a peaceful horse ride through scenic landscapes and charming towns like Higuera Blanca.

Canter along beaches and through forests and admire the turquoise waters of beautiful Litibú Beach in Nayarit Riviera.

After pickup in Sayulita/ Punta de Mita, you will be taken to a beautiful ranch for your horse ride. There you will find animals such as donkeys and ponies, water buffalo, deer, turkeys, peacocks and macaws.

You will get a safety briefing before you meet your mount and saddle up. The horses are of calm nature and in prime shape, and you will be escorted by cowboys during your tour.

While riding, explore a typical Mexican village, go through jungle and pause at the stunning Litibú Beach, where you can go on an exhilarating gallop.

After your horse riding stint, enjoy a tequila tasting and buy a delicious lunch at a Mexican restaurant. To end your tour, take a picture with the mega-bull “Soruyo”, before returning to your accommodation in Sayulita/Punta de Mita.

Sayulita Escape with UTV

This exclusive UTV tour gives you the opportunity to drive your Polaris UTV through jungle trails and the lovely town of Sayulita. Feel the wind and soak up the sun and get your adrenaline levels triggered.

Get on a UTV and drive along jungle trails to the seaside town of Sayulita on this half-day trip from Puerto Vallarta. Take on the steep hills and off-road valleys to challenge your UTV driving skills and admire the jungle scenery during the ride.

Included in your tour are meeting and pickup, a safety helmet, a light snack and purified water. Regular maintenance and service on the UTVs are conducted for your maximum safety.

Your meeting point is Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta. You will be supplied with all necessary UTV equipment.

Travel up and down steep hills and through off-road valleys, then relax and enjoy some free time to explore Sayulita.

Sayulita and San Pancho day trip

Experience Mexico’s colorful culture on this guided day trip to the world-famous surfing towns of Sayulita and San Pancho from Puerto Vallarta.

You will taste exotic fruits and local sweets, Mexican street food and pulque, and enjoy Sayulita's shops and galleries.

Your tour includes round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle from the Puerto Vallarta meeting point.

On the way to San Pancho, you will taste exotic fruits and local sweets at a colorful roadside stand. In San Pancho, you will try sopes, one of the iconic dishes of Mexican street food.

Then wander through the streets to the main avenue and admire its murals and shops. Stop at a classic plaza food stall to savor delicious traditional Mexican food, and taste two types of pulques at a pulqueria.

From San Pancho, you will head to Sayulita, where you will have free time to explore its streets, boutiques and art shops.

Also spend time to look at Sayulita’s street food scene – the street carts with its churros, burgers and tacos – some gourmet-style.

You will discover the multi-ethnicity of Sayulita in its handicrafts, craft stalls selling jewelry and handmade garments, and its restaurants and bars.

How much does a tour to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta cost?

If you're looking for a short but thrilling tour, a 1.5-hour Punta de Mita/Sayulita horseback riding tour costs US$110 per person.

A beautiful half-day tour lasting approximately 5-hours to Sayulita and San Pancho can also cost at around US$110 per person.

A longer and higher-adrenaline tour of 5 hours using a UTV vehicle can cost up to US$570 for a small and private group of 4 people.

When is Sayulita open over the year?

Sayulita is open to visitors throughout the year and in fact did not close down even during the Covid period.

When is the best time to visit Sayulita?

The best time to travel in Sayulita is during the dry season, November to April. You will have cool but sunny weather and little rain.

After that, the town is quieter after the main season, but it’s greener and there’s a better chance of seeing birds and butterflies.

Travel tips

• Make sure to book your day trip to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta in advance.
• Water in Mexico is not considered safe, so buy bottled water.
• Get travel insurance for a higher level of security.
• Always have a card on hand for access to cash.