A Sayulita honeymoon is a different animal from an all-inclusive week. Instead of a resort bracelet, you get a colorful surf town you can walk end to end, a Pacific coast with real sunsets, and a private home with a heated pool that is yours alone. Here is how to plan it: the best months, the experiences that are actually bookable, and where to stay so the two of you get the quiet you came for.
When to Go
The dry season runs November to May, with daytime temperatures in the mid-to-high twenties Celsius. Two windows work especially well for a Sayulita honeymoon: November, when whale season is just starting and the crowds haven’t arrived, and February, the peak of whale season once the holiday rush has cleared. Avoid Christmas week, Semana Santa and mid-March spring break if you want calm. The green season (June to October) means sunny mornings, afternoon showers, lusher jungle and lower prices — September is the wettest month. Our season-by-season guide goes deeper.
Experiences Built for Two
- A sunset sail. Private sailing catamarans such as Ally Cat Tours and Magic Charters run three-to-six-hour sunset cruises with open bar and snorkel gear. Note that most depart from the marina at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle or from Punta Mita, roughly 30–45 minutes away, rather than from Sayulita’s beach.
- Whale watching (December–March). Humpbacks come to Banderas Bay every winter. La Orca de Sayulita runs biologist-led trips straight off Sayulita beach in small licensed boats with a hydrophone; peak sightings are January and February.
- The Marietas Islands. The national park’s “hidden beach” is reached by swimming through a rock tunnel with a mandatory life jacket and helmet, access is capped daily and never guaranteed, and the park is closed Mondays (the beach on Tuesdays too). Many cheaper tours don’t include the hidden beach at all — confirm in writing.
- A private chef at the villa. Sayulita has a deep bench of private chefs who handle sourcing, cooking, service and cleanup for an in-villa dinner, and at least one company specializes in luxury beach picnics for proposals.
- Horseback riding at sunset. Rancho Manuel runs beach-and-jungle rides to a bay viewpoint and Malpaso beach, including a sunset ride when available.
- A couples’ surf lesson. Marea Surf School offers semi-private two-person lessons with boards and rash guards included — the main beach break is famously beginner-friendly. See our surfing guide.
Sunsets and Dinners
Playa Carricitos is the west-facing beach most often called the best sunset in the area; Playa de los Muertos is the calm, protected cove a 15-minute walk from the plaza (bring a light for the walk back). For dinner, the current local favorites for a romantic table include Don Pedro’s on the beach, Chaman’s lantern-lit garden, Alto’s rooftop, and the anniversary regulars Xochi, Nativva and Sur38. Our Sayulita for couples guide and restaurant guide have the full lists.
Where to Stay on a Sayulita Honeymoon
This is the decision that shapes everything else. Sayulita has no big resorts — the choice is between small hotels near the plaza (lively, sometimes loud until 4 a.m.) and private homes. For two people, the entire private villa at Villa Vargas is the natural fit: the whole home to yourselves, with direct access to the heated pool and garden terrace, on a quiet street a seven-minute walk from the beach. Celebrating with family or friends? The entire villa sleeps up to eight across three bedrooms and two kitchens.
A Few Honest Notes
- Sayulita is a surf town first — barefoot, sandy, and casual. If you want white-glove resort service, Punta Mita is 25 minutes away and has it.
- Ocean swimming on the main beach is a surf break; for calm water, walk to Los Muertos.
- Prices for tours change by season; the numbers you see online are best treated as “from” figures. Book boats and chefs ahead for December to March.
Ready to plan? Check availability and book direct to save 15% or more, or send us your dates and we’ll help you line up the sail, the chef and the whales.