Sayulita and San Pancho on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, when just a couple miles absent from each and every other, can feel like two diverse worlds. At least, which is how it felt to me when I visited both i n 2019 and once again at the close of 2022.
This location is speedily changing. What somebody professional in Sayulita in 2013 is vastly different to how it is now. In a nutshell, Sayulita is more of a built-up party scene with a large amount a lot more dining places and items to do, and San Pancho is the silent neighbor, nevertheless it’s escalating steadily, way too.
Here’s what to look at when deciding on between the two:
Dimensions of Sayulita vs. San Pancho
Neither San Pancho nor Sayulita are huge cities by any means, with just a number of thousand people today every, you will see about half the volume of people in San Pancho compared to Sayulita. When we very first visited in 2019, we stayed in San Pancho very first and then created our way to Sayulita following. I don’t forget getting confused by how significantly busier Sayulita felt. There were lots of far more golfing carts, individuals on the seaside, holiday rentals, and individuals partying. However, neither city is any place around as big and bustling as Puerto Vallarta, just an hour south.
I observed the variation to be jarring, but I like smaller towns when I vacation, and had appear to take pleasure in the peace and silent of San Pancho. At the time, there were just a couple of other seaside residences in the spot that we stayed, about a 20-minute wander in the sand away from the major city. When we returned a couple of weeks back, in December 2022, there had been a ton far more construction and San Pancho had developed.
Still, the seashore was comparatively tranquil, the downtown didn’t have the golfing carts zipping all-around, and the entire space is substantially, substantially smaller sized than Sayulita.
What to do in Sayulita vs. San Pancho
San Pancho has decidedly fewer to do than Sayulita. Anytime we take a look at, we go with the convey intention of just chilling out.
Both equally spots have awesome seashores, although the surf can get a good deal greater and wilder in San Pancho, significantly on the north conclusion of the beach front. I typically enjoy swimming in the ocean but didn’t go for it on our most modern go to in San Pancho because of to the swell.
Both of those locations are recognised for browsing as perfectly, nevertheless you are going to have significantly less competitiveness for waves in San Pancho.
Both of those areas have yoga, pilates, and numerous aerial arts you can follow, but there’s a great deal far more assortment in Sayulita. There is just one major seaside club in San Pancho, but there are lots of possibilities in Sayulita. There’s a lot more to explore in Sayulita in conditions of places to try to eat, store, and excursions you can guide from the region. Just about almost nothing picks up in San Pancho, so you will be typically relegated to that place except if you get blessed and rating an Uber (or hire a vehicle, or manage a taxi).
If all you care to do is chill and take in, like we do when we visit, then San Pancho is excellent. If you want far more activities, social alternatives, and get together options, surely head to Sayulita.
Exactly where to Continue to be in Sayulita vs. San Pancho
Even though there are seashore homes for lease and sweet boutique resorts in equally Sayulita and San Pancho, there are numerous more possibilities in Sayulita. I saw much more houses with beachfront pools that I imagined would be fantastic to hire with good friends for birthdays or big celebrations in Sayulita than San Pancho, even though the number in the former is rising. The Airbnb stayed in San Pancho was just a number of months outdated, nevertheless that did indicate the regular sound of building close to us, which was a bummer.
There are just a handful of well-rated boutique resorts in San Pancho: Lodge Casa San Pancho, Marii Hotel Boutique, and PAL.MAR Hotel Tropical. In Sayulita, nonetheless, it’s a boutique hotel haven.
Which is Far better?
Which town is best for you is heading to arrive down to your goals for your getaway. For our 1st worldwide vacation as a household with our son, we understood that we required to go back to San Pancho mainly because it was so tranquil and all we desired to do was unwind. But typically, I like to be a little bit much more energetic on holidays and swim, go on day journeys, and examine. If that ended up my purpose, Sayulita would be the much better choice.
So the problem to check with your self is, do you want peace and tranquil in a minor beach city, or do you want extra hustle and bustle?
Do you want a party scene or are you actively staying away from it?
Do you want to push golf carts all-around and have lots to explore, or would you fairly retain to your minor corner of the beach front?
These are the major variations, and for anyone like me, the smaller sized area nearly always appeals much more, but for a person like you, it may well be the opposite.
For the most effective of the two worlds, take into account splitting time, as we have accomplished. I suggest commencing in Sayulita for some liveliness and ending in San Pancho for some leisure.
Possibly way, you simply cannot go improper. That’s the most effective element.