Driving Directions to Sayulita, Nayarit from Puerto Vallarta
Directions to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta
Sayulita is 24 miles (40 kms) north of the Puerto Vallarta airport. Upon exiting the airport you have to make a right turn and IMMEDIATELY get into the left hand lane in order to be able to effectively do a U-turn so as to be traveling north on Hwy 200. Follow signs for Compestela and Tepic. Initially you will be on a 6-lane highway which will narrow to four lanes and eventually two lanes. At the state line (Jalisco to Nayarit) it is possible that both or only the left hand lane will be diverted off the highway to a military/police check point -don't worry; they are there for your protection.
Five minutes beyond the state border, you will reach the small town of Mezcotes (a set of traffic lights at a road junction) and then after another 10 minutes you will pass through the town of Bucerias. Just before Bucerias on your right, you will see, a “Mega” “Comercial” supermarket where you may wish to stop to buy supplies and drinks – stores in Sayulita are reasonably well stocked but slightly more expensive. After Bucerias, Mex Hwy 200 continues as a four-lane highway for a few more miles until the turnoff to Punta de Mita. Continue straight to Sayulita.
The highway then changes to a two-lane road, and heads up and over a series of hills in a winding and twisting manner with many curves. Watch for animals grazing along the road and slow moving vehicles. You will pass through several small villages. After passing through the village of San Ignacio (approximately 37 kms from the airport) kms. marker 125, there is one more hill and on descending the other side be prepared to get into a central left-turn lane for the turnoff to Sayulita (kms marker 123). There is a large overhead sign. It is one mile/1.6 kms into Sayulita; follow the road until you approach a set of yellow studs set in the road just before a bridge and there is a small sign pointing to the right for Sayulita and straight on for Punta de Mita. (In December 2008 it was announced that this road junction would be improved).
Almost immediately after taking the Sayulita turn there is a significant speed bump (know as a “tope”.) Watch for other “topes” as you approach town. Please Note that after crossing the bridge as you enter the town, there is a one-way system; follow the right hand fork all the way to the town plaza.
Directions to Sayulita from Guadalajara
The route is easily marked with plenty of public road signs to Puerto Vallarta. Head west on the toll hwy towards Tepic / Tequila. Continue for approximately 2 hours until the turnoff to Compestela. Continue for an hour on hwy MEX 200 down the incredibly windy/twisty road to Las Varas and for another 30 minutes to Sayulita at km marker 123. There is a large overhead sign. (See above for directions from hwy. 200 into the village.)