Best Nayarit Surf Towns for Beautiful Views and Relaxed Vibes Jamie Ditaranto - Travel+Leisure
go to original March 14, 2022

There are many reasons why Mexico's Pacific coast is one of the most beloved destinations among surfers. Not only does this wild stretch serve up stunning sunset-facing beaches with incredible waves, but it's also home to many surf towns that cater to intrepid wave chasers with low rates for board rentals, ice-cold beers, and the best post-session tacos you'll ever have.

While some cities on the coast have emerged as surfing meccas, many of Mexico's best surf spots are still hard to reach and range in size and budget. Some destinations cater to luxury travelers with large-scale resorts, while others will point you to a point on the beach to pitch your tent. When the lineup in the big coastal cities gets crowded, it's worth making your way to one of these amazing Mexico surf towns, where the population is small and the vibes are muy buenas.

Punta de Mita, Nayarit



North of Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita is the striking peninsula that marks the northern border of the Bay of Banderas. While luxury resorts like the Four Seasons and St. Regis sprawl along the lush green coastline, there's also a small town, Punta de Mita, where budget travelers can find hostels and more affordable hotels along El Anclote Beach. You'll need a car to explore all the best surf spots, but if you're staying at a large resort, it's easy to arrange lessons and transportation to the best nearby breaks like La Lancha and Punta Burros. One more budget-friendly alternative to the grand resorts is to rent an apartment at the Punta Mita Surf Lodge, where you can also arrange lessons and tours.

Sayulita, Nayarit



About an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita is a small fishing village that has attracted hippies and surfers since the 1960s — and its countercultural spirit still carries on today. Along the narrow cobblestone streets are hostels, yoga studios, and more vegan restaurants than you would expect for such a small town. The main beach break is popular with beginners, but advanced and intermediate surfers can explore the many nearby breaks if Sayulita gets crowded.

Sayulita is an incredibly budget-friendly destination, especially when it comes to accommodations. For those who will be getting a little work done between sessions, the co-living hostel Selina has an outpost here. If it's a luxury getaway you're after, the Amor Boutique Hotel has oceanfront villas with personal infinity plunge pools.

San Pancho, Nayarit



Just 15 minutes north of Sayulita, San Pancho is another surf town growing in popularity. It offers even smaller small-town vibes than Sayulita and a beach break ideal for intermediate and advanced surfers. Although the waves are not ideal for beginners, many surf schools like Wildmex provide shuttles from San Pancho to Playa La Lancha. Even if you're not ready for the San Pancho surf, the town is still worth a visit, packing in many lovely restaurants, cafes, and art galleries along the busy main street that leads to the beach.

It's generally a much more affordable surf town for Nayarit, and its position on the coast guarantees beautiful sunsets whenever the skies are clear. Accommodation options range from contemporary and comfortable hotels like Ciyé and nature-inspired concepts like Maraica, in addition to many bed-and-breakfasts and hostels that cater to backpacking surfers.

Read the more about Mexico's best surfing at Travel+Leisure