Coastal Vote: A Beach-Lover's Guide to Sayulita, Mexico

Selina Sayulita – with its mix of private rooms and shared dorms – checks off all the boxes for an affordable winter escape in a sunny destination. It’s quite likely that you’ll meet guests who’ve opted to work remotely from this honeypot hotel, which provides shared work spaces, wifi – and access to the beach. When you’re not at the grindstone, there are daily yoga, meditation and dance classes, a central pool, plenty of hammocks, a buzzy bar, beach horseback rides and snorkeling trips to the Unesco biosphere reserve of the Marietas Islands.

No one lives on the Marietas Islands, situated in the Pacific Ocean about 12mi (20km) from Sayulita by boat. However, that’s not to say it’s uninhabited: there are 92 species of birds, eight reptile species and 115 different kinds of fish, among other wildlife. The islands are now designated the Islas Marietas National Park. Day visitors can snorkel and hang out at Hidden Beach and Playa La Nopalera.

This adults-only, design-savvy boutique hotel is surrounded by coconut palms, tangled jungle and lush garden greenery only four blocks from the beach. Six of the eight suites overlook the sea, while two open onto the hotel’s pool and garden. Art Deco kitchenettes, sliding parota-wood doors, original Mexican artwork, private terraces and designer furnishings round off the reasons to stay.

For some restaurants and bars, Monday evenings can be a quieter night, when locals and visitors are relaxing after the weekend. Not so at Don Pedros. Monday night is salsa night at this beachside base that’s been eyeing up the Pacific since 1994. Eat well since you’ll need your energy. The pasta options include lobster ravioli, then there’s spicy tuna sashimi and queen clam ceviche from the raw bar, and grilled seafood like ahi tuna and jumbo shrimp.

Serious beach aficionados will be in their glory at this beachfront hotel. It’s located next to Sayulita’s sandy strip and only a 10-minute walk from Playa de los Muertos. Families and groups of friends will fit comfortably in the two-level penthouse royal suite with its five bedrooms and two terraces (one with a jacuzzi, one with an infinity-edge pool). Even the junior suite has a jacuzzi on the balcony overlooking the ocean.

Craft cocktails would be the main reason you hit this bar, sequestered in the center of town near the plaza, not on the beach. The name translates to “hidden bar,” so prepare to seek it out. Mixologists use only local ingredients to create cocktails such as the Los Muertos daiquiri (Carta Blanca rum, Jamaican rum, fresh pineapple and lime) while the San Pancho is a heady potion of mezcal, lime and agave nectar. Small bites are available.

Nirvanna Spa Sayulita offers full spa treatments at their wellness space – or in private tents right on the beach. Treatments include body rituals, facials, mani-pedis, Thai massage and temazcal-style ceremonies. If you haven’t experienced a temazcal treatment before, just think of it as a steam bath in the midst of nature – with an ancient history.

So the story goes: five bartender pals (some of whom were mixologists, others musicians) from San Francisco came for a holiday in Sayulita, loved the place, loved the nightlife and decided their next venture would be Latitude 20. This happening spot for eating, drinking, dancing and watching sports also hosts live music, including rock ‘n’ roll nights.

If you want to tap into what Sayulita is all about, hit up Quiverito. This hole-in-the-wall surf shop is run by a Portland native who upped sticks to ride the wave of remote living. She now rents retro surf boards and sells take-home Tees, art prints and beachwear that you can buy as gifts (or keep all to yourself). We vote for the latter.

You might have a little more trouble getting the Oaxacan skulls from Evoke the Spirit boutique into your suitcase. But don’t let that put you off visiting this must-see shop, run by Brittney Borjeson. Happily, there’s a whole collection of covetable ceramics, easy-to-pack wall hangings, tactile textiles and one-off jewelry finds to rummage through at this cool concept store on Calle Marlín, a block back from the beach.