This is the quick-reference version of everything first-time visitors ask us before a Sayulita trip. For the longer guides behind each topic, we’ve linked out — this page is meant to answer the small, practical questions fast.
Do I need pesos, or is USD fine?
Bring pesos, or plan to withdraw them. Most shops and restaurants will take US dollars in a pinch, but at an informal, unfavorable exchange rate. The peso-to-dollar rate moves daily — check a live converter before you go rather than relying on a number you saw months ago.
Can I drink the tap water?
No — stick to bottled or purified water, including for ice in a pinch at smaller places. Villas and hotels typically supply purified drinking water as standard.
Will people speak English?
At tourism-facing businesses — restaurants, hotels, tour operators — yes, generally. It’s still worth knowing a few basic Spanish phrases, especially outside the main tourist streets.
Do I need a plug adapter?
No. Mexico runs on the same 127V, Type A/B plugs as the US and Canada, so North American electronics work without an adapter or converter.
How much should I tip?
Restaurants: 10% is standard, 15–20% for great service. Taxis: rounding up is normal, no fixed percentage expected. Hotel housekeeping and villa staff: a per-day amount in cash is customary and appreciated. Tip in pesos when you can.
Do I need a visa?
US and Canadian citizens don’t need a visa for a short tourist stay — just the FMM tourist permit, which is usually bundled into your airfare and issued during immigration processing. Keep whatever paper stub or record you’re given; some entry points are still transitioning between paper and digital versions, so don’t assume it will be fully paperless.
Will my phone work?
Cell coverage in Sayulita itself is reliable. Check your home carrier’s international roaming rates, or pick up a local prepaid SIM (Telcel is the major carrier, sold at OXXO convenience stores) if you want cheaper local data for a longer stay.
Can I flush toilet paper?
No — put used toilet paper in the small bin next to the toilet instead. Sayulita’s plumbing isn’t built to handle paper, and this is standard practice across much of Mexico, not a Sayulita-specific quirk. You’ll see the bins in villas, hotels and public restrooms alike.
What’s the emergency number?
911 works nationwide in Mexico. In a smaller town like Sayulita, it’s worth also saving the number of a local clinic directly — see our safety guide for the clinics and hospitals we recommend knowing about before you need them.
Where do I go for the bigger questions?
This page is deliberately quick-hit. For the fuller picture, start with our main travel guide, our packing guide, and our getting-around guide.