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Sayulita Vacation Rentals: How to choose a rental
Author: Gabe Jones, Casa Vecino Guesthouse (see bio below)
Photos: Ed Dorsett
Planning your Sayulita vacation is exciting, but how do you choose the vacation rental that is best suited to your needs? To find the perfect casa for your next vacation, consider the following:
Price
Getting a great deal is always the goal but when considering your overall Sayulita vacation budget; start by thinking about how much time you plan on spending at your Sayulita rental house. If your goal is to spend every day at the beach and to eat all your meals out at restaurants, maybe a smaller, less expensive option would work for you. Conversely, if you plan on spending lots of time by the pool and cooking meals at home (or having a Sayulita chef cook them for you), spend a little more to make sure your casa has the space and amenities to make those plans a reality.
Prices for Sayulita vacation rentals (and real estate) are typically listed in US dollars and rentals can range from $50 per night for a modest apartment or casita to $1,000+ for a luxury mansion overlooking the ocean. Most Sayulita rentals are priced on the lower end of this spectrum. Note that prices also vary from less expensive in the low season (summer) to more in high season (winter) or holidays.
Availability
Sayulita is an increasingly popular place, especially during holidays, so start your search early. If you find a place you love, book it – it might not be available for long. If you stay at a place and love it, consider booking again next year and making it a tradition. The best place to get started is the SayulitaLife Quick-Search page.
Location Overview
Sayulita is a compact town built around the scenic Sayulita Bay and divided north and south by an arroyo (seasonal river) that runs during the rainy summer season and dries up during the winter months. This river also distributes sediment each rainy season at the river mouth which is what creates Sayulita's great surfing waves. View the SayulitaLife map here. Keep in mind that these maps are two-dimensional and some of Sayulita's vacation rentals are perched on hills; consider both linear distance and elevation.
Beyond location on the map, Sayulita's vacation rentals offer a variety of different neighborhoods to choose from, each with their own charm and advantages. Whole articles could be written about Sayulita people and geography but here is a super quick summary of the neighborhoods in which you are most likely to find vacation rentals.
Rental Attributes
Proximity to town
The convenience of central location can come with some give and take…being close to everything makes for easy walks for dinner or groceries but while some might enjoy the sound of late night music wafting through the air as they drift off to sleep others who are more sensitive might want to look for a place a little further from the plaza.
Views
Sayulita has many beautiful homes with sweeping ocean and jungle views and whether you are waking up to the blue ocean or watching a sunset over rolling green jungle, having a great view can be an amazing plus to your vacation experience. Keep in mind when choosing a view home that with many of these unobstructed views comes elevation and hills that will be need to be climbed to get home each day. If you have concerns, ask the owner about elevation and the steepness of hills and consider renting a golf cart to make trips to and from town fun and easy.
Sayulita Beachfront
For many, the ultimate in beach vacation is staying right next to the beach. This can make for great views and super easy-of-access to the sand but usually runs at a premium price. Beachfront is nice but definitely not a necessity for a stellar Sayulita vacation.
To Pool or Not to Pool
Pools are a great option for a refreshing morning dip, cooling off after a day at the beach or for spending some quiet time with a book. Many parents of young children appreciate how much their children love spending time splashing in the pool, giving them some time to relax. If you are looking for a place with a pool other considerations are if there is a safe, shallow end for younger kids, if the water is chlorine or salt for sensitive skin and if the pool is heated or not as they can be cooler during the winter months of December through April. Pools are expensive to build and maintain; this price will often be reflected in the cost of your rental.
Kids
Sayulita is wonderful place for kids and yours are going to love it. Some vacation rentals are much better suited to hosting children than others. Some rentals cater to families while others might actually prefer adults only. Choosing a casa that works well for kids can mean increased safety features like railings on staircases, smaller individual or twin mattresses, keeping fragile artwork out of reach and offering beach toys and pool inflatables for guest use.
Equipment for rent/free
Some Sayulita rentals offer free items for guests to use and others rent these items for nominal fees. Something as simple a set of folding beach chairs, umbrella, a boogie board or a sand castle making equipment can really add to your quality of life. If you are traveling with small children, you can rent baby gear if your rental does not provide it. Some houses now even have golf carts that they include with your rental or offer at a discount.
WIFI
Not all houses in Sayulita have Internet or WIFI. This is great if you plan to unplug and will not need regular Internet on your vacation. If you do need occasional access you will find WIFI at many of the towns restaurants and if you are traveling without a smart phone or computer there are also a few Internet cafes where you can rent time at a desktop to send some quick emails or Facebook messages.
Working Vacations
While unplugging is great, many travelers still need to stay connected with their businesses while on vacation. There have been great improvements in the quality and range of internet in Sayulita, however not all homes offer the same speed of internet. If you need regular access to high speed internet at your casa for work (or Netflix), ask if your rental home offers a new premium service called Sayulita WiFi. ot all houses in Sayulita have Internet or WIFI.?
Linens
Often overlooked when booking a vacation rental but can make a huge difference to providing good night sleeps, fluffy towels and sheets make your vacation the restful and pleasurable experience it should be.
A/C
Another luxury item that is not standard in all Sayulita vacation rentals is air conditioning. A necessity to some renters but not for all, A/C is definitely something to consider during the warmest, most humid summer months (July – October). Most houses do offer ceiling fans and in the winter months the air temperature at night can be really fresh.
Staff
Most vacation rentals in Sayulita have a gardener and housekeeper. These hardworking Sayulita locals can make a big difference in your stay, providing light housekeeping in your casa, keeping common areas clean and maintaining the pool. Other considerations are private chefs to help with big meals, a concierge to help organize reservations day trips, and a driver to take you to and from the airport and on other adventures. Regardless of where you stay please consider tipping your housekeeper and any other member of the team who went out of their way to make your vacation more enjoyable.
Transportation
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Walking
Walking is the best way to get around the village, and saves you from searching for a parking place. Most casas post fairly accurate estimates of walk times, i.e., 5 min. to the plaza or 10 min. to the main beach. If these are not posted, you can ask your host and/or guestimate using the maps on SayulitaLife.com while also taking into consideration any changes in elevation. Walking is safe and enjoyable in Sayulita and a great way to work off the extra tacos and margaritas you might be enjoying. If you plan to do a lot of walking, smart packers might bring a few pairs of sandals and some comfortable walking shoes.
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Golf Carts
As Sayulita's popularity grows (parking is often extremely difficult) more and more locals and vacationers are switching from cars to easy-to-park fun to drive golf carts. A Sayulita golf cart can make exploring the town easier and a day at the playa with beach chairs, umbrella and a cooler a breeze. Make sure to check that your vacation rental has an easily accessible electric outlet.
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Rental Car
While a car might not be required for day-to-day use in Sayulita, having access to a car can make day trips to neighboring towns or nearby surf breaks possible. If you do plan to rent a car, consider if your rental house is car accessible and if it has off-street parking.
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Taxi
Sayulita has its own fleet of taxis and whether it is a big trip like taking you back to the PVR airport or to a nearby town on a day trip or a smaller fare like a ride up the hill after a long day at the beach, these guys have your covered. Cabs are easiest to find at the plaza and near the bus stop at entrance to town.
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Suburbans
For the ultimate airport pick up experience consider a Suburban where the driver will meet you at arrivals, help you with your bags, provide you with cold drinks, make a stop at a grocery store and ATMs and wait while you shop and delivery you to the door of your rental. If you have a great experience get the drivers card and consider using them not only for your return trip to the airport but for a day trip to a near by town during your stay
Payment
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How to pay
Typically payment options depend on the vacation rental owner with PayPal being the most popular. Other options may include electronic bank transfer, cash or check…
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Deposits
Most vacation rentals require a deposit to secure a reservation. This amount can vary but 50% is common with the remaining amount payable closer to your arrival time. This is standard practice in the industry and is designed in part to prevent people from making reservations they do not intend to keep.
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Reviews
If you have narrowed your search down but are having trouble choosing between two or three options, spend a little time reading their reviews. These can give you a little more insight into what previous guests have enjoyed and if they have had any issues to mention.
Author Gabe Jones | Owner of Casa Vecino in Sayulita
After moving to Sayulita six years ago with my wife Wendy, we started enjoying a steady stream of friends and family who wanted to visit us in our new, tropical paradise. In addition to providing taco tours and tequila tastings, we were often asked to help them find the perfect accommodations. In doing so we started to become local experts on what Sayulita had to offer and which properties (and which neighbourhoods) worked best for which people.
We were inspired by the many unique and beautiful vacation homes and by the range of vacation experiences Sayulita provides. This year we were able to realize a life-long dream when we built our own guest house, Casa Vecino. We planned, designed and furnished it with the goal of making our guests' stay pleasurable, comfortable and memorable.
We are not alone. Sayulita is home to hundreds of unique properties and amazing owners who share our passion for hosting and hospitality. We all love Sayulita and are excited to share it with our guests!