Summer is the low season in these destinations, should you want to avoid the crowds. If you prefer a private room and a bit more mellow atmosphere, El Pueblito de Sayulita is worth a look. In Nuevo Vallarta, we obtained this Nuevo Vallarta taxi rates sheet from the taxi hut directly across the street from the OXXO convenience store that is in front of the Nuevo Vallarta Marina, and is also near the Mayan Palace Resort complex and the Nuevo Vallarta Plaza Business Center (where the restaurants Porto Bello and Porto Pizza restaurant are located). Aside from rainstorms that can cause power outages, you can expect stable WiFi at most hotels and Airbnbs. Kinda like a more organized way of hitchhiking. Currently we have boats from 40 ft to more than 120 ft long, in other words, there is plenty of room to organize your private . Failing that you can fly into Guadalajara, check out the city for a few days, and then travel from Guadalajara to Sayulita (see below for a full Guadalajara to Sayulita breakdown). Need info on how to move to Mexico? Time for snorkeling and playing in the water, 2 hours Sunset to full day options available. Car rentals start from around $17 USD a day (including insurance) so if there is a group of you this could be a great option. Before you think we are crazy, you must know that we have rented cars in Mexico 10+ times. Nevertheless, when comparing Puerto Vallarta vs. Sayulita in terms of banks, Puerto Vallarta takes the cake. All of our boats are available for any length of tour from a 2 hour sunset option to a full day tour. If thats not your thing, theres still a long stretch of beach to enjoy here. I use Verizon for my cell phone carrier and have free data, talk, and text with them in Mexico. Be sure to mention Sayulita Life. In contrast, the Malecn alone in Puerto Vallarta is one mile long. All loved it! It's one of the prettiest, quietest and most relaxing places along the coast - you can easily while away a full day there. Private Boat Tours Looking for a private tour option? All drivers (private/taxis/shuttles) are going to be more expensive at the airport, and youll more than likely have to haggle back and forth on a fair price. Sayulita has one bankIntercam Bancowhich sits on the outskirts of town on the road leading to the bus station. We are Hannah & Adam, a Wisconsin couple who left behind the American dream to travel the world and chase our own dreams. From the Puerto Vallarta international airport. The easiest and fastest way to get to Sayulita is with a private driver. I have not used this myself, but I know people that have used it. If your ideal vacation is packing in as many activities as possible, the choice between Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita is easychoose Puerto Vallarta. If you have any issues or further questions you can email me at any time. Its nice to walk out and see your name on a clipboard and be on your way. Uber in Puerto Vallarta is new, and technically the drivers are not allowed to pick up passengers at the airport. If you cant fit it in on this trip, consider them on your next trip. Explore the sea and see marine life on a snorkeling, kayak, paddle board, or fishing excursion. Yelapa is a charming coastal village south of Puerto Vallarta only accessible by boat. Click here to take our, Puerto Vallarta Water taxis are a fun way to get around the Bahia de Banderas region. A typical trip from downtown to the Zona Hotelera and Marina Vallarta runs about M$100 to M$120, while a ride to the airport or long-distance bus terminal costs about M$200. In contrast, I saw fewer dogs in Puerto Vallarta, both with and without homes. We personally always rent a car in Mexico. I know theres a community center in San Pancho, too, that does outreach work supporting locals with education and selling art. Any of the beaches north of San Francisco (San Pancho) are nice and will be a lot quieter than Sayulita which is something of a surfing mecca and can be quite crowded around midday with day trippers streaming in. Dance party in the bow was AWESOME. Im working directly with a local driver to facilitate this option for you. Same question for your cell phone carrier? Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita are both destinations that deserve a visit. There have been times when weve rented cars in Mexico for $1 a day. The trip takes approximately 1 hour. 18. r/poledancing. The Marietas Islands is a small group of Islands often called the Galapagos of Mexico. Discover the Marietas Islands for yourself! Here are the top ways to getting from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita from cheapest to most expensive: Im now going to break each of these options for getting to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta airport in more detail including some booking options. 4hr Private Yacht "Pipe Dream". 4 Puerto Vallarta: Horseback Riding Tour with ATV and Zip Line. As a top-rated day trip destinations, it gets quite busy here especially on weekends and holidays. If shopping for souvenirs is more your style, the streets along and behind the Malecn offer these options. Recommended option Bus Take the bus from Holiday Inn to Sayulita 38 min $30 - $55 3 alternative options Taxi That's probably where you'll have to go for one of the boat trips too. All Chica Locca Tours include whale watching at no additional charge! In contrast, you might be able to catch some relatively larger waves at the center and north ends of Sayulita Beach. Cancellations: 100% refund up to 24 hours before the trip! Private tours of less than 6 hours can easily add a fajitas lunch option for only $5/pp. In some cases, certain beaches and towns can. With plenty of surf schools and boards for rent along with smaller waves, this is a good place for beginners to surf near Puerto Vallarta. Carlos, the salesman, made us feel taken care of and the crew on the ship were extremely nice, encouraging dancing at the party and FUN, but never pushing us past our limits. Bertram 57 Yacht Rental. The two towns are only 45 kilometers apart, making them easily accessible for day trips. Sayulita is a small surf town with a laid back young fun vibe. Categories Destinations, Mexico, North America, Travel Stories. There is, however, a bus stop outside of the airport. They have the cheapest rates. The cost of this service is $50 USD or $1000 pesos. 6-7 hours. Dozens of high-rise condos line Puerto Vallartas shores and hillsides. A few years later, in his 20s, he received his PADI certification as a professional diving instructor and began travelling. Sayulita, Nayarit 63734, Cruz de Huanacaxtle Location 1) Those who should stay in Sayulita for their entire vacation, be it a few days or a few weeks or something in between. Water Taxi Schedule From Los Muertos Pier, Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa MONDAY through SATURDAY: 10:00 11:00 11:45 3:00 5:00 SUNDAYS: 10, 11:00am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm FARE: ROUND TRIP: 320 pesos ONE WAY: 160 pesos From Boca de Tomatlan to Yelapa, $90 Pesos one way. As you may have guessed, when comparing Puerto Vallarta or Sayulita in terms of restaurants after you do all your shopping, Puerto Vallarta offers far more options. While its true that the narrow, cobblestone streets of Sayulita are often clogged with golf carts and it can be a bit chaotic, its still a fun place to visit. Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit 63734, Puerto Vallarta Tours are all-inclusive, with food, beverages and stunning views. In contrast, Sayulita has one main beach, aptly named Playa Sayulita, which they framed the touristy part of town around. And you can feel that difference when visiting them. . Staff was amazing from the bartender to the deck hands. Believe it goes every Saturday & Sunday but you'll want to verify that locally since we were last there pre-Covid. If you have a less-than-ideal history of having troubles with your debit card when abroad, Sayulitas banking situation will make you squirm. Approximately in the year 1700, the town was founded by: Bernab Lorenzo, Jos Lorenzo, Tranquilino Cruz and Demetrio Lorenzo who gave it the name "Yelapa", whose meaning is not really known. But you can also just follow the signs for Sayulita. Any chance youve been recently and can recommend a company to ride to Marietas Islands with? Sayulita has two main roads that run parallel to the ocean; about four blocks of those roads make up the touristy downtown center. And now the digital nomads. However, I met lots of expats who call Sayulita home for a portion or all of the yearespecially those who love surfing. As for Playa Yelapa, the best way to get there is by boat. Although the hills in both of these destinations are beautiful, my absolute favorite spot is admiring this landscape looking south from the beach in Zona Romntica, Puerto Vallarta. In general, there are busses every 20 minutes and they run from 6 am until 10 pm. Its safe to say the secret is out about Sayulita, so dont come here expecting some quiet, tranquil beach town. Even though there was a bit of confusion with the location pickup and the weather was a bit gray, this was still one of groups FAVE part on our trip. If you wish to pay via card or other method, please do so the day before your tour. This local Sayulita-family-owned Private Transportation Service looks forward to welcoming you at the airport as well as providing all of your transportation needs during your stay in Sayulita or to any other town. It was heartwarming to see and a testament to the impact a single organization can have. Puerto Vallarta is better than Sayulita for families. *All Water Taxis have passenger insurance and life jackets for each passenger. Top Experiences in Puerto Vallarta. Several drivers still do, but most are afraid of the police. Same if you are traveling from Guadalajara to Sayulita. Thats not to say that Sayulita is a bad place for kids, but theyll likely get bored there faster compared to Puerto Vallarta. No, there isnt an airport in Sayulita. The bus from Puerto Vallarta airport to Sayulita costs around $50 pesos ($2.50) and takes around 1-1.5 hours. To get cheap flights you can also check on WayAWay to get 5% cashback on flights. There are a few different yoga studios in town, including Paraiso and Los Sueos. Have you visited Sayulita? If you need to book short-notice contact me here first before paying a deposit. . Nevertheless, it attracts more backpackers and hippies than Puerto Vallarta, thanks to its bohemian vibe. There are several transportation options, from hotel shuttles, private drivers, rental cars, and local buses. If you decide to just take a taxi from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita then you actually have two options: The airport taxi drivers are most likely going to speak some English, the drivers you get on the street are unlikely to, but you might get lucky. Stay safe guys! Click here to book a round trip pick up for 1-3 people from Puerto Vallart Airport to Sayulita with my local driver Juan. According to Data Mexico, in 2020, the populations of these destinations were as follows. On top of that, you can head north to Nuevo Vallarta for more beaches and upscale shopping or behind the Malecn for cute cafes and bars. The beautiful Punta de Mita is slightly closer, around 25 miles to the north, with a similar journey time. How is the internet / wifi stability in airbnbs or hotels? Here are your best options for traveling between Sayulita and Guadalajara: The bus is probably going to be your cheapest and less stressful option. If your idea of partying is going to massive clubs with dance floors, head to Puerto Vallarta. Currently we have boats from 40 ft to more than 120 ft long, in other words, there is plenty of room to organize your private events, we can accommodate up to 500 people on a boat. The host at her AirBnB made all the arrangements. And isnt that what its really all about? Delfines 44, Centro, $1,900 MXN ($105 USD) . ONE WAY: 160 pesos. Carretera a Punta de Mita, Puntilla KM 1.5-Local 3 Find out the rest of our story here $145 Luxury Service (suburban) up to 6 passengers, Just show up and wait for the next bus about every 15 minutes, White & Green buses with a Sayulita sign in the window. Safety Wing goes the extra mile and covers quarantine outside your home for up to 10 days, they also have a really handy map on their website showing requirements and restrictions for each country. The big thing that pulls the crowds into Sayulita is the surf. Riviera Tours & Transfers: Only for a taste of Sayulita and San Pancho and NO 2nd time! But I REALLY would not rely on this option. We had a bus pick us up from sayulita and it drove us about 45 min to a port where the boat is. Now that Ive covered the differences between Sayulita vs. Puerto Vallarta, lets look at the similarities these destinations share. My small victory got me all excited and sparked this impromptu dance. For starters, theres a lot you can explore in Puerto Vallarta by foot, with the Malecn and Zona Romntica being the most popular activities. Take an airport taxi (and pay anything from $2000 pesos or $100 USD and up) you book the taxi from inside the airport and the prices are fixed. Furthermore, I was able to avoid the massive $5 ATM fee since I have a Schwab bank card, which reimburses me for withdrawal fees. Sayulita is a very popular beach destination loved by national and international tourists alike. Puerto Vallarta is packed with high-end shops at malls like La Isla and Galerias. Sign up for our newsletter to receive articles, news, pictures, and current events for Sayulita. Puerto Vallarta is a resort city located on the Pacific Ocean in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. You have two options for this and I know both drivers well and can personally vouch for them. From Boca de Tomatlan to Yelapa, $90 Pesos one way. Our guides will take you from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita in one of our comfortable air-conditioned vehicles in about 45 minutes, and then from one town to the next up Highway 200 in just five minutes. If he is unavailable he has several other trusted drivers who he can rely on. Alternatively, you can always hail a cab or use ride-share apps. The boat also has a bathroom!! So, as long as youre practicing basic safety practices that you should anywhere, like avoiding dark streets at night and not flashing fancy jewelry, you should be fine. Ride in a safe and incredibly fun Polaris 4x4 RZR and take in the exciting terrain and beautiful scenery that Sayulita has to offer. Ixtapa is a locality in PV, not to be confused with the municipality of Ixtapa in Guerrero state. Traveling from Puerto Vallarta airport to Sayulita is pretty straightforward and much easier than youd imagine. Look for the name "Sayulita" written with a white marker pen on the windshield of the bus. We will visit Sayulita at least one day and one evening. Beautiful hills frame both Sayulita and Puerto Vallartas beaches. Sometimes our clients upload menus, brochures, calendars here. Despite Puerto Vallarta having more beaches, you can feel the crowds almost everywhere. Carretera a Punta de Mita, Puntilla KM 1.5-Local 3. Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2023.