Sayulita and San Pancho on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, whereas only a few miles away from one another, can really feel like two completely different worlds. At least, that’s the way it felt to me after I visited each i n 2019 and once more on the finish of 2022.
This space is quickly altering. What somebody skilled in Sayulita in 2013 is vastly completely different to how it’s now. In a nutshell, Sayulita is extra of a built-up get together scene with much more eating places and issues to do, and San Pancho is the quiet neighbor, although it’s rising steadily, too.
Here’s what to think about when selecting between the 2:
Size of Sayulita vs. San Pancho
Neither San Pancho nor Sayulita are massive cities by any means, with only a few thousand folks every, you will note about half the quantity of individuals in San Pancho versus Sayulita. When we first visited in 2019, we stayed in San Pancho first after which made our strategy to Sayulita after. I bear in mind being overwhelmed by how a lot busier Sayulita felt. There have been many extra golf carts, folks on the seaside, trip leases, and other people partying. Still, neither city is wherever close to as massive and bustling as Puerto Vallarta, simply an hour south.
I discovered the distinction to be jarring, however I like smaller cities after I journey, and had come to understand the peace and quiet of San Pancho. At the time, there have been only a few different seaside homes within the space that we stayed, a few 20-minute stroll within the sand away from the principle city. When we returned a number of weeks in the past, in December 2022, there had been much more development and San Pancho had grown.
Still, the seaside was comparatively quiet, the downtown didn’t have the golf carts zipping round, and the entire space is far, a lot smaller than Sayulita.
What to do in Sayulita vs. San Pancho
San Pancho has decidedly much less to do than Sayulita. Whenever we go to, we go along with the categorical intention of simply chilling out.
Both locations have good seashores, although the surf can get loads larger and wilder in San Pancho, notably on the north finish of the seaside. I often love swimming within the ocean however didn’t go for it on our most up-to-date go to in San Pancho because of the swell.
Both locations are identified for browsing as nicely, although you’ll have much less competitors for waves in San Pancho.
Both locations have yoga, pilates, and numerous aerial arts you may observe, however there’s far more selection in Sayulita. There’s one massive seaside membership in San Pancho, however there are numerous choices in Sayulita. There’s extra to discover in Sayulita by way of locations to eat, store, and excursions you may ebook from the realm. Virtually nothing picks up in San Pancho, so that you’ll be principally relegated to that space until you get fortunate and rating an Uber (or lease a automotive, or set up a taxi).
If all you care to do is chill and eat, like we do once we go to, then San Pancho is ideal. If you need extra actions, social alternatives, and get together choices, positively head to Sayulita.
Where to Stay in Sayulita vs. San Pancho
While there are seaside homes for lease and cute boutique lodges in each Sayulita and San Pancho, there are numerous extra choices in Sayulita. I noticed extra homes with beachfront swimming pools that I imagined could be nice to lease with mates for birthdays or massive celebrations in Sayulita than San Pancho, although the quantity within the former is rising. The Airbnb stayed in San Pancho was only a few months outdated, although that did imply the fixed sound of development round us, which was a bummer.
There are only a few well-rated boutique lodges in San Pancho: Hotel Casa San Pancho, Marii Hotel Boutique, and PAL.MAR Hotel Tropical. In Sayulita, nonetheless, it’s a boutique lodge haven.
Which is Better?
Which city is finest for you goes to return right down to your targets to your trip. For our first worldwide journey as a household with our son, we knew that we wished to return to San Pancho as a result of it was so quiet and all we wished to do was loosen up. But usually, I prefer to be a bit extra energetic on holidays and swim, go on day journeys, and discover. If that have been my aim, Sayulita could be the higher selection.
So the query to ask your self is, would you like peace and quiet in a little bit seaside city, or would you like extra hustle and bustle?
Do you need a get together scene or are you actively avoiding it?
Do you need to drive golf carts round and have tons to discover, or would you somewhat maintain to your little nook of the seaside?
Those are the large variations, and for somebody like me, the smaller place virtually at all times appeals extra, however for somebody such as you, it might be the alternative.
For the perfect of each worlds, think about splitting time, as we’ve carried out. I like to recommend beginning in Sayulita for some liveliness and ending in San Pancho for some leisure.
Either means, you may’t go mistaken. That’s the perfect half.
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