Sayulita and San Pancho on the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, although just a number of miles away from each and every other, can truly feel like two diverse worlds. At the very least, that’s how it felt to me when I visited equally i n 2019 and yet again at the end of 2022.
This location is quickly modifying. What anyone seasoned in Sayulita in 2013 is vastly diverse to how it is now. In a nutshell, Sayulita is additional of a built-up occasion scene with a good deal far more eating places and things to do, and San Pancho is the silent neighbor, however it’s developing steadily, as well.
Here’s what to consider when deciding on concerning the two:
Size of Sayulita vs. San Pancho
Neither San Pancho nor Sayulita are major towns by any implies, with just a couple of thousand folks every single, you will see about fifty percent the amount of men and women in San Pancho as opposed to Sayulita. When we initially frequented in 2019, we stayed in San Pancho initial and then manufactured our way to Sayulita following. I don’t forget currently being overcome by how much busier Sayulita felt. There were numerous additional golfing carts, folks on the seaside, getaway rentals, and individuals partying. Nonetheless, neither city is anyplace in the vicinity of as massive and bustling as Puerto Vallarta, just an hour south.
I discovered the variance to be jarring, but I like scaled-down towns when I journey, and experienced occur to recognize the peace and quiet of San Pancho. At the time, there ended up just a couple of other seashore homes in the location that we stayed, about a 20-minute stroll in the sand absent from the primary city. When we returned a few weeks ago, in December 2022, there had been a good deal extra development and San Pancho had developed.
However, the beach was comparatively peaceful, the downtown didn’t have the golf carts zipping about, and the entire region is a lot, a lot more compact than Sayulita.
What to do in Sayulita vs. San Pancho
San Pancho has decidedly much less to do than Sayulita. Every time we stop by, we go with the categorical intention of just chilling out.
The two places have wonderful seashores, even though the surf can get a large amount larger and wilder in San Pancho, especially on the north stop of the beach front. I commonly really like swimming in the ocean but did not go for it on our most new pay a visit to in San Pancho because of to the swell.
Each locations are known for surfing as well, however you are going to have fewer competitors for waves in San Pancho.
Both equally sites have yoga, pilates, and different aerial arts you can apply, but there is much additional assortment in Sayulita. There’s 1 major beach club in San Pancho, but there are lots of choices in Sayulita. There is a lot more to investigate in Sayulita in terms of destinations to consume, shop, and excursions you can reserve from the spot. Pretty much practically nothing picks up in San Pancho, so you’ll be typically relegated to that place unless you get fortunate and rating an Uber (or hire a car, or manage a taxi).
If all you care to do is chill and eat, like we do when we visit, then San Pancho is ideal. If you want additional activities, social opportunities, and celebration options, unquestionably head to Sayulita.
Where by to Keep in Sayulita vs. San Pancho
While there are beach front houses for hire and adorable boutique resorts in equally Sayulita and San Pancho, there are lots of much more options in Sayulita. I observed more residences with beachfront pools that I imagined would be terrific to lease with pals for birthdays or massive celebrations in Sayulita than San Pancho, though the range in the previous is developing. The Airbnb stayed in San Pancho was just a number of months aged, although that did indicate the regular audio of design around us, which was a bummer.
There are just a few perfectly-rated boutique hotels in San Pancho: Lodge Casa San Pancho, Marii Resort Boutique, and PAL.MAR Lodge Tropical. In Sayulita, nevertheless, it is a boutique lodge haven.
Which is Far better?
Which city is very best for you is likely to appear down to your targets for your trip. For our very first worldwide excursion as a spouse and children with our son, we understood that we wished to go back again to San Pancho for the reason that it was so tranquil and all we required to do was unwind. But usually, I like to be a little bit extra lively on vacations and swim, go on day excursions, and discover. If that were being my purpose, Sayulita would be the better option.
So the concern to check with yourself is, do you want peace and quiet in a small beach front city, or do you want far more hustle and bustle?
Do you want a social gathering scene or are you actively avoiding it?
Do you want to drive golf carts all over and have loads to investigate, or would you relatively retain to your tiny corner of the beach?
All those are the massive distinctions, and for someone like me, the more compact position practically often appeals extra, but for somebody like you, it could be the reverse.
For the very best of both equally worlds, think about splitting time, as we have finished. I propose commencing in Sayulita for some liveliness and ending in San Pancho for some rest.
Either way, you just can’t go wrong. That’s the most effective section.
