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 celebration 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 contemplate when selecting between the 2:
Size of Sayulita vs. San Pancho
Neither San Pancho nor Sayulita are huge cities by any means, with only a few thousand individuals 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 approach to Sayulita after. I bear in mind being overwhelmed by how a lot busier Sayulita felt. There had been many extra golf carts, individuals on the seashore, trip leases, and folks partying. Still, neither city is anyplace close to as huge 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 seashore homes within the space that we stayed, a couple of 20-minute stroll within the sand away from the principle city. When we returned a couple of weeks in the past, in December 2022, there had been much more building and San Pancho had grown.
Still, the seashore 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 rather a lot larger and wilder in San Pancho, significantly on the north finish of the seashore. I often love swimming within the ocean however didn’t go for it on our most up-to-date go to in San Pancho as a result of swell.
Both locations are identified for browsing as effectively, although you’ll have much less competitors for waves in San Pancho.
Both locations have yoga, pilates, and varied aerial arts you possibly can follow, however there’s way more selection in Sayulita. There’s one huge seashore membership in San Pancho, however there are various choices in Sayulita. There’s extra to discover in Sayulita when it comes to locations to eat, store, and excursions you possibly can guide from the realm. Virtually nothing picks up in San Pancho, so that you’ll be principally relegated to that space except you get fortunate and rating an Uber (or hire a automotive, or set up a taxi).
If all you care to do is chill and eat, like we do after we go to, then San Pancho is ideal. If you need extra actions, social alternatives, and celebration choices, undoubtedly head to Sayulita.
Where to Stay in Sayulita vs. San Pancho
While there are seashore homes for hire and cute boutique motels in each Sayulita and San Pancho, there are various extra choices in Sayulita. I noticed extra homes with beachfront swimming pools that I imagined could be nice to hire with associates for birthdays or huge 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 previous, although that did imply the fixed sound of building round us, which was a bummer.
There are only a few well-rated boutique motels in San Pancho: Hotel Casa San Pancho, Marii Hotel Boutique, and PAL.MAR Hotel Tropical. In Sayulita, nevertheless, it’s a boutique resort haven.
Which is Better?
Which city is finest for you goes to come back right down to your objectives in your trip. For our first worldwide journey as a household with our son, we knew that we needed to return to San Pancho as a result of it was so quiet and all we needed to do was chill out. But usually, I wish to be a bit extra lively on holidays and swim, go on day journeys, and discover. If that had been my aim, Sayulita could be the higher alternative.
So the query to ask your self is, would you like peace and quiet in a little bit seashore city, or would you like extra hustle and bustle?
Do you desire a celebration 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 seashore?
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 other.
For the very best of each worlds, take into account splitting time, as we’ve finished. I like to recommend beginning in Sayulita for some liveliness and ending in San Pancho for some rest.
Either manner, you possibly can’t go mistaken. That’s the very best half.
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