Your driver will meet you at your address in Puerto Vallarta Airport.
You’ll travel in comfort for 1 hour.
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Sayulita.
The drive from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita is approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) and takes around 45 minutes to an hour. Depending on the time of your flight’s arrival and if it’s the dry season, you may experience some delays due to the crowds and traffic, but it is a straightforward route.
Sayulita was part of Mexico’s infrastructure plan in the 1960s-70s to make traveling to and from the Puerto Vallarta airport easy, so you will mainly follow Highway 200 north along the scenic coastline of the Riviera Nayarit. After cruising the coast, you'll reach Sayulita, the small beach town known for its laid-back vibe and surfing culture. Let the vacation begin!
Sayulita is located on Mexico's Pacific Coast in the state of Nayarit. For most of history, it has been a quiet, rural area whose inhabitants relied on fishing and farming to survive. Native foods include beans, pumpkin, corn, coconut, tilapia, and shrimp. You’ll find a lot of these flavors in traditional meals like tamales de camarón (shrimp tamales) and fish ceviche.
During Spanish colonization, Sayulita became more involved with international trade, coconut oil production, and fishing. Catholicism and Spanish took over the native religion and language of the Huichol people.
Like many small towns on the coasts of Mexico, Sayulita became part of a national economic redevelopment plan in the 1960s to encourage tourism. It went from a small coconut oil producer to an international holiday hotspot. Modern highways and the arrival of international hotel chains brought more foreign visitors, and now Sayulita sees millions of tourists a year. The biggest draw for Sayulita is the amazing conditions for surfing, which account for much of its tourism.
In 2015, Sayulita was added to Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos (Magical Villages) list, which aims to promote tourism to culturally significant towns across Mexico.
Follow these tips to make sure your drive from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita goes off without a hitch!
No matter which transport service you use, the trip to Sayulita from the airport should not take longer than an hour. If you're arriving at the airport early in the morning, it is worth checking with your accommodation about an earlier check-in time. The last thing you want after a long travel day is to have to drag all your bags to a cafe to wait for the hotel room to be ready.
Having a small amount of cash on you never hurts, and can get you out of a pickle if you run across a store or restaurant that does not take credit and debit cards. Only take cash out of trusted ATMs or exchange cash at official exchanges. 17 MXD is about 1 USD or 1 EUR.
Daytrip offers two ways to get from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita. Travel in style with our private cars, or opt for the shuttle bus for cost-effective transportation. All Daytrip drivers for this route speak English as well as Spanish. They are also locals, so they know the roads very well.
Getting from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita is a breeze with Daytrip's private car service. Your English-speaking driver will not only transport you and your family in luxury and privacy, but you can also book stops along the route to extra places, like the El Cora Crocodile Sanctuary or to stretch your legs while looking for the Reindeer of La Cruz.
Experience door-to-door service and the flexibility to travel on your own schedule without the hassle of a traditional rental car. And unlike taxis, Daytrip has upfront pricing and allows you to pay online in advance.
Shuttle transfers are a popular way to get around Mexico’s oceanfront resorts. They're more than the public bus, but less than a taxi, offering a balance of price and service if you want to make the trip to Sayulita in a comfortable, insured vehicle with your fellow vacationers.
The public bus costs about 26 MXD (1.5 USD) and can do the trip in about 1.5 hours. Buses leave from across the highway by the airport about every 20 minutes. Don't expect much in the way of service or comfort, but they get the job done.
Expect to pay between $50 to $80 for a taxi or Uber to Sayulita. Taxis in Mexico have been known to charge exorbitant fees once you get in the car, so make sure you pick a trusted transportation company and have an agreed-upon price before departing. Uber isn't technically allowed in the airport, or to operate from Sayulita, so there's some added hassle.
Getting from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita won’t take long, so you can enjoy your vacation right away! Make sure these things are on your to-do list!
Sayulita is known globally for its excellent surfing conditions, catering to surfers of all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner taking your first lesson or an experienced ripper, Sayulita's consistent breaks offer an unforgettable surfing experience. Surfing schools can help walk you through the basics if this is your first time.
If surfing isn’t your style, getting on the water can take many other forms. For those who would rather not go underwater, try paddle boarding or kayaking. If you’d like a closer look at Sayulita’s marine life and coastal scenery, go snorkeling or diving. Rental shops and tour operators provide all the equipment you’ll need for a fun-filled day on the water.
A hiking adventure through the jungle is the best way to learn about the flora and fauna of the surrounding areas. You can go with a local guide, or brave it on your own- but make sure someone knows your route and when to expect you back.
The jungle paths to San Pancho and Monkey Mountain are especially popular for their stunning views and relative ease. Sturdy hiking shoes and a big water bottle are necessities for these routes.
After a big day of surfing and hiking, go to town for some local cuisine. Sayulita's small streets have a bohemian vibe that is unlike many resorts in Mexico. They are lined with little colorful buildings, boutique shops, and restaurants serving local food. The lush trees lining the streets and behind buildings provide shade during the hot days.
Sayulita is compact, so everything is within a short walking distance and pedestrian-friendly. Discover unique handicrafts, souvenirs, and traditional Mexican dishes while in between surfing sessions!
The best time to visit Sayulita is during the dry season, from November to April. During these months, you can expect sunny days, warm temperatures, and minimal rainfall, creating ideal conditions for outdoor activities, beach relaxation, and water sports like surfing and snorkeling.
However, it's worth noting that the dry season is also the peak tourist season, so you may find heavier traffic on the road from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita, as well as higher accommodation compared to the quieter months of May to October. If you plan to visit in the dry season, definitely book everything well in advance.
This dedicated nature reserve gives visitors the opportunity to connect with and learn more about these scaly beasts. Cold Heart-Warming
A bit out of place, La Cruz bay is the haunt of an enigmatic, mobile reindeer statue. A Wicker Christmas
“I was unsure about this company but a few good reviews on Trip Advisor made me take the chance. I am so happy that we did. We needed a ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Our driver Saksun was an excellent driver - it's not a long distance to drive (by Texas standards!) but the road is challenging and there are a lot of places where improvements to the road are being made. It took around 3 hours with a stop at a place with very clean bathrooms, very interesting hot springs and a place to get a snack and cold drinks. Saksun had a vehicle that was fantastic for this type of drive - a very comfortable ride indeed and was obviously well maintained and very clean. I highly recommend this company. I used to post on trip advisor as "lakekariba" but got out of the habit of doing so. This company was so easy to use and the result was so enjoyable that I felt that the company Daytrip and the driver Saksun had earned our trust and a glowing review. Gillian and Ted Pearsall Austin, Texas”
lakekariba
Dec 4, 2024“We used Daytrip to travel between Budapest and Vienna with a 2 hour stop for lunch in Bratislava. Our driver Zsombor arrived on time at our hotel in Budapest and was very friendly and informative throughout our trip. His vehicle was roomy and clean and he was kind enough to provide us with some bottled water for the trip. Our quick visit stop in Bratislava was very nice as well. He gave us plenty of time to explore the city and have lunch before meeting him again when it was time to head for Vienna. Daytrip provided us with a happy and trouble free transfer between Budapest and Vienna. Many thanks to your team and especially to your driver Zsombor!”
pgh1125
Dec 3, 2024“Last minute plan change and Daytrip was our last resort so I chatted with them and had an immediate response from a real person, best situation ever. Never used Daytrip before but the reviews were incredible so we took the chance and booked a driver at like 11-12pm and by 7am the next morning when we woke, they found us a driver and the driver had already texed us making contact! Very impressed and will definitely use them again. We went from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Tivat, Montenegro.”
James B
Nov 9, 2024“Andreas did a great job picking us up from Pireaus Cruise Port and taking us to our rental in Spata. The three of us had been on a long cruise and had 9 pieces of luggage. He arrived in an appropriate vehicle and loaded and unloaded all of it. We are very happy with out decision to book with Daytrip.”
LuckyTraveler01
Nov 1, 2024All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.
We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.