Sayulita, Mexico

Sayulita, Mexico, is a small quaint town on the West coast of Mexico, bordering the Pacific Ocean.

Above all, Sayulita is laid back and charming, perfect to relax and for people who don’t like the hustle and bustle of big city life.

White sandy beaches, colorful local and artisanal shops, and a diverse food scene, are among the reasons you should consider moving to Sayulita, Mexico.

It’s easy to blend in perfectly with the locals, be detached from the world while still being a short skip away from it, and you will be able to catch up on the relaxation you have been missing out on.

Here is everything you need to know about Sayulita, Mexico…

Cost Of Living In Sayulita, Mexico

As a single person living in Sayulita, Mexico, you could easily live on less than US$700 per month. For a family of four, living in Sayulita, Mexico, only sets you back about US$1,700 per month.

Either way, it is easy to see how cheap Sayulita is. For a such a beautiful and remote destination, the cost of living doesn’t get better than this. If you are living on a budget and worried about the cost of living for your retirement destination, then you need not worry about the cost of living in Sayulita, Mexico.

You can live a wonderful, comfortable, and affordable lifestyle in a prime destination on the coast of Mexico.

There is a slight difference if you are renting an apartment in the city center or outside of it, but Sayulita is such a small town that you will not notice how far you are from things.

A one bedroom in the city center costs about US$350 per month, and outside of the city center that same apartment would run you around US$210 per month. For a three bedroom in the city center you can expect to pay close to US$650 per month, and outside of the city center you will be paying about US$420 per month.

If you are interested in buying and moving to Sayulita, Mexico, an apartment in the city center is around US$108 per square foot. An apartment in the suburbs is around US$79 per square foot.

Everyday Expenses

Basic utilities (gas, electric, water, etc.) for a single person living in Sayulita, Mexico, usually costs around US$40 per month. A family of four can expect to pay at least US$20 more per month. A good internet plan will only cost you around US$26 per month.

If you are the type of person who enjoys eating out, you can easily find eateries boasting great local cuisines at great prices.

A quick meal that is not a fast-food chain will cost between US$7 and $8. A nice three course meal for two people will only set you back US$25.

Want to learn how to cook all the wonderful delicacies the town of Sayulita and Mexico have to offer? Then grocery shopping is a must but also extremely affordable.

For reference, a gallon of milk costs less than US$5, a loaf of bread around US$1.60, and a dozen eggs no more than US$2.

When visiting Sayulita, Mexico is good to keep in mind that an average taxi ride costs between US$10 and $15.

A pint in your local pub will run you around US$2, a cinema ticket is only US$4. A doctor’s visit is a little less than US$30. A gym membership is only around US$32 per month.

In case you are looking to bring kids to, or start a family in, Sayulita, Mexico, the Costa Verde international private primary school is said to be around US$3,500 a year.

Check live foreign currency exchange rates here.

Things To Do Sayulita, Mexico

Sayulita, Mexico, offers plenty of things to do. Especially for someone who is looking to kick back, relax, and enjoy a leisurely lifestyle.

For people still looking to have a home base where it is easy to blend in with the locals and that is very calm, Sayulita is still the place for you.

Jungle destinations, busier beaches, and more touristic resorts are just a short drive away.

Puerto Vallarta, for example, is a little over an hour’s drive from Sayulita, Mexico. This makes a perfect day trip for when you feel like a change of scenery.

Sayulita is a perfect destination for any foodie. Beyond local Mexican cuisine, fresh fish, street vendors, taquerias, and beachside restaurants, you can find a variety of international cuisine made for any palette.

Since all the fish is locally sourced, be sure to try the ceviche enchiladas while sipping on a margarita.

It is hard to distinguish the tourists from the locals since everyone is so welcoming and open to new experiences in Sayulita, Mexico.

Take a walk through the markets and enjoy artisan crafts, local and traditional apparel, and all sorts of trinkets.

Visit the open-air market that is open every day, which is right along the Sayulita River, next to the baseball stadium.

On top of that, every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., running from November to May, the Mercado del Pueblo is the place to be.

Another open-air market that you will not want to miss during your weekly grocery shopping since it is more focused on organic foods, local dishes, and produce.

An Artist’s Town

For the art lovers of the world, Sayulita boasts a wide array of galleries with as many styles as you can think of. The town is home to many artists, most of which create folk art, or traditional Huichol art.

The Huichol indigenous people are descendants from the Aztecs and their culture is ever present in Sayulita and the Riviera Nayarit area.

In the Mercado del Pueblo and local art galleries you will be able to see their intricate bead and yarn designs. Always telling a story, and always catching your eye, you will be able to walk through the same gallery or through the same market without ever seeing the same thing.

Living in Sayulita, Mexico, is a very relaxing experience. There are plenty of yoga classes and retreats, spas, jungle hikes, horseback riding opportunities, food, and history tours of Sayulita and San Pancho (a neighboring town, only a 15-minute drive), etc.

You will never be bored in Sayulita, and you will always feel at home.

Since Sayulita is a coastal town, one of the main things to do in Sayulita consists of aquatic and beach life. Here you have plenty of beaches in the town and its neighboring surroundings. The main ones are Playa Sayulita, Playa de los Muertos, and Playa Carricitos.

Playa Sayulita is the closest one to town, only a short walk from the city center. It is well known for its surfing, scuba diving off the coast, and any other water sport that comes to mind. There are loads of beachside restaurants and bars, most of which have chairs set up for you to rent and be guaranteed a spot on the beach.

Playa de los Muertos is a short distance away and is calmer, well known for its swimming. Playa Carricitos on the other hand, while it has sandy white beaches and a beautiful view, also has stronger waves and currents. It is less recommended to use this beach for swimming.

The last noteworthy thing to do in Sayulita, Mexico, is take boat tours of the nearby Marietas islands. Once there you can go whale watching, fish in the surrounding waters, or enjoy some leisurely snorkeling.

Moving To Sayulita

Moving to Sayulita, Mexico, is an easy affair, even if it seems like a scary event. All you must do is pack your bags and start your new life in the paradise destination of your dreams.

To get to Sayulita, you will have to fly to the Puerto Vallarta Ordaz International Airport, which is about an hour’s drive from Sayulita.

A taxi ride from the Puerto Vallarta airport to Sayulita costs between US$40 and $70. A bus fare is only US$2.50, but the ride takes longer.

You can also rent a car, which would offer you more freedom when visiting Sayulita and its surrounding areas.

You can visit Sayulita for less than 180 days without any issues on a tourist visa. Once you decide to move to Sayulita and Mexico, start the application process at your local Mexican consulate right away.

There are reasons you can get a temporary residency in Mexico, and the process is less grueling than it seems nowadays. The main thing is that Mexico wants to figure out your economic solvency.

Whether or not you are economically solvent can be decided differently from consulate to consulate, but generally it has to do with monthly income or total savings.

Some consulates ask for your income over the past 12 months, but generally they only look at the past 6 months. If you have had an income of at least US$3,275 per month over the last 6 months, then you are economically solvent.

Another way to be labeled economically solvent is through your savings. If you have at least US$54,600 in savings over the past 12 months, then you are also economically solvent.

Once that application is done, you need to turn your Temporary Residency Visa (which lasts 180 days) into a Temporary Residency Card upon arrival in Mexico. This lasts for a year and can be renewed. It also eventually leads to Permanent Residency.

The weather in Sayulita, Mexico, is very tropical. The average humidity throughout the year is consistently around 70%, and Sayulita has a rainy and a dry season.

The rainy season runs from June to September-October, and the dry season goes from October-November to May.

Living in Sayulita, you will always be comfortable, if not a little warm. You will always be able to enjoy a swim in the ocean, and the sun outside with your cold margarita.

The temperature in Sayulita gets the warmest during the rainy season, with highs reaching 90°F and lows going down to 75°F.

During the rest of the year the temperatures fluctuate, with highs reaching 80-85°F, and lows averaging around 60-65°F.

Since you are planning on jumping into the ocean as soon as you get to Sayulita, Mexico, it is good to know that the warmest months for the water are from May to November.

During that time, the water temperature can rise to 86°F. The rest of the year, the water temperature consistently stays around a comfortable 75°F.