Our travels with a toddler look different these days. Gone are the days of a relaxing vacation on the beach, working on a tan with a margarita in hand. Yes, I still am probably drinking a cold beverage, but I’m also on my toes, watching to make sure my (at the time) 1.5 year old doesn’t get himself in trouble. The days are dictated by nap schedules, although flexible, we still need to plan to be back for nap time at some point during daylight hours. Our days look different, but I refuse to give up the life of adventure we had altogether. This is why Sayulita is the perfect family destination
It’s ok love the beautiful chaos of young children while also missing the life you had before a family. I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss our travels when it was just two of us. Our adventures used to take us backpacking through Guatemala, where we visited quaint towns and remote jungle waterfalls, or hiking through small villages in Peru, or diving and drinking mojitos in Cuba. We will get back to those types of travels, but… toddlers. We need to compromise for now. Choosing an authentic destination is important, somewhere that feels like we’re far enough away from home, but is still accommodating (and safe) for our young family. A large resort just isn’t our style.
If you’re looking for a Mexico destination that’s beyond the all-inclusive, Sayulita is a quaint and laid-back town about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. Sayulita is not a secret destination anymore. The atmosphere is artsy and authentic, with brightly colors flags strewn above the alleyways and restaurant tables spilling out onto cobblestone streets. Laid back tourists are drawn to the surf break on the main beach and yoga studios scattered throughout town. Food options are plentiful, from cheap street tacos to freshly made juices and smoothies.
Discover why Sayulita is an authentic destination that’s perfect for families.
Why is Sayulita a family-friendly destination?
Sayulita is the perfect family destination for those who don’t want to stay at a resort. Sayulita is quieter than a major Mexico destination such as Cancun or Cabo, but the little town has been bursting at the seams since it was discovered as a hippie surf spot. It’s popular with both tourists and locals for good reason. Here’s why I think Sayulita makes for a great family vacation:
Nearly every restaurant we walked into had a high chair. The Mexican culture embraces children, so we found that everyone was very accommodating and attentive.
A big, wide beach was perfect for playing in the sand. You can easily rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Numerous restaurants line the beach, so we could enjoy food while our little one played in the sand while we ate. It was much easier than getting him to sit through an entire meal.
Sayulita is easy to get to. There are numerous direct flights into Cancun and then it’s a one-hour drive north. Once you’re in Sayulita, there’s no need for a car. The town is compact enough that it’s easy to walk everywhere you need to get to.
It’s affordable. Traveling with kids isn’t cheap, but in Mexico, your money stretches further, especially if you’re not staying in a resort or major tourist spot. Sayulita has affordable options for accommodations and inexpensive, yet delicious, food.
Where to stay in Sayulita with toddlers
With a compact downtown area and easy beach access, Sayulita is the perfect family destination. Town center is a small triangle that is several blocks long, with a few streets stretching out on either side. Town is easily walkable and sits right on the beach, with several restaurants and bars lining the beach strip. The few blocks close to town are flat and easy to navigate, but then rises up in elevation with houses clustered through the hillsides.
So, where should you park yourself for the week?
Staying in the town center can be busy and loud, especially on the weekends when town fills up. But it’s not hard to find a quieter place to stay that is still a short walk. Search for accommodations on the north side of town, just past the river. It’s only a couple minutes walk to the downtown area and the beach, but is significantly quieter and more peaceful just a few blocks away.
Alternatively, there are some really nice accommodations located on the peninsula on the south side of town, which offer beautiful ocean views. Some places sit on cliffs above the water, offering stunning sunset views. From here, it’s a 5-7 minute walk to town, but only a short walk to Playa los Muertos, which we found to be less crowded with people and vendors.
Sayulita Life is your best resource for booking hotel stays, airport shuttles, and activities. They partner with locally-owned businesses without the added fees.
What to look for in a property
Before having a kid, we didn’t care too much about where we stayed. But now that we’re spending more time in the room between naps and an early bedtime, it’s more important to find a place we would enjoy spending some time at. When choosing accommodations when traveling with children, there are a few things you need to look for in a property before you book your stay:
- Number of stairs: There are areas of Sayulita that are built into a hillside and have several flights of stairs to access the room. You don’t want to haul your kid, the stroller, and all their stuff up numerous flights of stairs every time you come back to the room. Make sure your room has easy, ground-floor access before you book.
- Baby-safe patios and windows: I looked through a dozen properties in Sayulita before I realized that most of them didn’t have baby-safe railings. Many of them one could crawl right through. It’s important to check ahead of time if the rooms and patios are baby-safe and can be locked. Most properties have an extensive photo gallery, but if you’re unsure, message the property ahead of time.
- Access to cribs: Bonus if the property has a pack and play so you just need to pack a sheet and show up.
- Location: We like to find a spot that is slightly quieter, yet is still walking distance to a few amenities. It’s a fine balance, but it’s nice to have the ability for one person pop out to grab coffees in the morning or an afternoon snack.
Can you bring a stroller to Sayulita?
Sayulita is made up of narrow cobblestone streets and even narrower sidewalks, which makes choosing what type of transportation to bring for your child a challenge. If they’re still little, wearing your baby is the best way to transport them around.
At 1.5 years old, we were beyond baby wearing, but needed to find a stroller that fit through the streets. While you could bring a full-size stroller, it’s hard to fit it through the sidewalks and into restaurants. Several people used Thule off-road strollers which would handle the bumps, sand, and uneven surfaces well. An umbrella stroller, while compact, would probably lose its wheels through the streets if it’s not well-built.
We ended up bringing the Summer 3D stroller as a compromise. We liked that it had a full sun shade, a seat with multiple positions and laid flat in case we needed a nap on the go, had a decent size basket underneath, and was priced at $99. It was narrow enough to navigate through the streets, folded up to stow on the side of a restaurant, and light enough to carry up or down steps.
The Summer 3D stroller doesn’t provide the smoothest ride through the rocky streets, but it is more compact and lighter weight than a full-size stroller without sacrificing all the features.
How to get to Sayulita:
Sayulita is about an hour and a half north of Puerto Vallarta. There are direct flights from numerous cities throughout the US.
You don’t need a car in Sayulita, so the best way to get there is to book a shuttle. Most companies offer the same round-trip service and will meet you at the airport with cold water and beer. We were able to request a car seat in advance, but it was forward facing. If you are traveling with an infant, you might want to bring your own convertible seat.
What to do in Sayulita with kids:
Beach time:
The beach in Sayulita is close and convenient. For a quieter experience, find a spot on the beach north of town. Alternatively, it’s a short walk to Playa los Muertos for a less busy stretch of sand. To access Playa los Muertos, take the road south of town until it becomes dirt. Follow it up and over a little hill and past the cemetery. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent, as well as food and a full bar. Sand and beach toys can be purchased at most pharmacies in town. We bought pool floaties and buckets in town so we didn’t have to pack them.
Surfing:
There is a surf break on the main break and plenty of shops that rent boards and offer lessons. If you want to surf, it’s easy to trade off catching waves while watching the kids on the beach.
On the water:
There are numerous tour companies to get you out of town and on the water. The Marietas Islands are about a 45 minute boat ride. The snorkeling at the islands was subpar, but the islands were beautiful. We enjoyed the scenic boat ride more than getting in the water. For the more adventurous, you can visit Hidden Beach, which accessed through a short swim. The number of people who can visit is limited daily.
Markets:
A local market on the north end of town has a good selection of souvenirs. From blankets to bags, hats, hammocks, Mexican handicrafts, there are plenty of options to come home with. It operates daily from 10am-5pm.
Yoga:
If you have an hour to sneak away for some zen, there are numerous yoga studios throughout town offering open air classes.
Beachside happy hour:
There are a number of restaurants right on the beach offering happy hour. Our toddler played in the sand while we sipped on passion fruit margaritas with a side of ceviche.
Sayulita is the perfect family destination for those who are looking for an authentic beach getaway. Looking for more family travel ideas? Check out some of our travels in Colorado.