How to get to Playa de Los Muertos Sayulita – The Complete Guide
Getting to Playa de Los Muertos in Sayulita is simple and scenic. You have two options: a flat and pleasant walk along the beachside road lined with beachfront homes and hotels, or a steeper path from downtown. I recommend walking there via the beach route and returning through town—it’s downhill and easier. Both are safe during the day, but I wouldn’t go at night since the beach is quite isolated.
Regardless of which road you take, spending a day in Playa de Los Muertos in Sayulita is a must if you are staying in Sayulita for a couple of days or if you are visiting from elsewhere.
I have been to Sayulita twice, and I just recently returned from my second trip and in this post I will tell you every detail about Playa de Los Muertos. I also hope you love my drone pictures 🙂
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How to Get to Playa de Los Muertos in Sayulita
Getting to Playa de Los Muertos in Sayulita is very easy. you have actually two roads that that you there.
The easiest one is from the beach. Not actually from the beach, but a road runs along the Sayulita beach on the left side (going south).
It’s pretty much flat, and you will walk by beautiful beach houses and hotels until you reach the local cemetery, which is exactly where the beach is located.
Well, not in the cemetery, but right around the corner from it.
The other way is from downtown, as you can see on the map, however, that road is much steeper.
What I did was go by the beach on the way to Playa Los Muertos and go back to town from the other road, which was basically all downhill.
Both roads are safe and very populated, but I wouldn’t use the internal road by night. I would just avoid going to such an isolated beach at night.
How Long it Will Take to Get There
It takes about 15 minutes to walk to playa Los Muertos from the beach road and 20 from the other road. However, time will change depending on how many stops you would make to take pictures.
Can I get to Playa de Los Muertos by car?
Yes, you can definitely get to Playa de Los Muertos by Car, but, unless you have any disabilities that prevent you from walking, it’s not necessary to take the car to get there.
Map to Playa de Los Muertos Sayulita
Beach Facilities
The beach is in a protected bay and quite narrow and yet with lots of space.
You can lay your towel anywhere you want but there are beach umbrellas and chairs for rent if you wish, there’s a bar and toilets for 10 pesos.
Here below is a list of the facilities and their prices.
- Beach chair and sun umbrellas – 300 Mxn (2 lounge chairs and 1 umbrella)
- Toilets (10 Mxn)
- Bar with beach service
- Parking
Other Beaches in Sayulita in a nutshell
Besides Playa de Los Muertos here I am going to leave you with a few other lovely beaches to visit in Sayulita.
🏖️ Sayulita Beach
Sayulita beach is the official beach in Sayulita but it’s very crowded and it’s mainly for surfers. It used to have contamination issues but it seems like it is now cleaned and sort of swimmable.
However, keep in mind that it’s mainly a surf beach which means that it may be dangerous for swimmers because of undertow currents.
So if you just want to swim I would go to Playa de Los Muertos and La Lancha.
🏖️ Playa Carricito
Playa Carricito is a beautiful deserted beach at a few walking distances from Sayulita. Mind the walk it’s short but kind of steep.
Also, the beach is very secluded so if you are a solo female traveler I would avoid going there on my own. I went with a friend the first time I was in Sayulita.
🏖️ Playa La Lancha
To get to Playa la Lancha you will need a car, it’s located in Punta de Mita on the main road. The entrance is right in front of the Wild Mex surf shop and a delicious seafood restaurant (Makai).
If you book a surf class with Wild Mex they may provide transportation from Sayulita, but I am not 100% sure, you should check with them.
The beach is spectacular for surfers of all levels and swimmers as well. It’s not equipped with beach facilities but you will easily find shade below trees.
🏖️ San Pancho beach
San Pancho is a cute small town at 10 miles from Sayulita. I actually prefer staying in San Pancho as it’s less crowded and with a more chilled vibe but some people find it boring.
But each one, their own, right?
San Pancho beach is spectacular but definitely not swimmable. Even surfing in San Pancho is more for pros, as you won’t find those long sweet waves.
You can check out the surf experts for more details.
🏖️ Playa Malpaso (great mild hike)
Playa Malpaso is not a famous beach and it’s definitely not for swimming but I am including it here beaches I saw this beach during a beautiful hiking + yoga tour and I loved it so much that I wanted to share my experience so that you can do it too.
Diane and Jair are taking you on a short hike from Sayulita (45 minutes) which ends right on this beach.
Here you will have the time to chill and enjoy the views before your 45 minutes yoga class and then admire the beautiful sunset, that is if you do the afternoon hike.
Playa de Los Muertos Sayulita FAQ
Are the beaches in Sayulita swimmable?
Not all of them. The water is clean, but Sayulita is mainly a surfer town for a reason. If a beach is good for surfing, swimming might not be safe due to undertow currents. One exception is Playa La Lancha, where swimming is easier.
Why is Sayulita famous?
Sayulita is known for being a surfer and party town, but it’s also becoming popular among yogis and nature lovers.
Is Sayulita a party town?
Yes, Sayulita is definitely a party town. But if you’re not into partying, you can still have a relaxing vacation since the party scene is mostly around the plaza and the main beach. There are quieter hotels within walking distance but away from the noise.
Is Los Muertos Beach swimmable?
It’s more swimmable than Playa Sayulita, but still requires caution because there’s no lifeguard.
Why is it called Playa de Los Muertos in Sayulita?
The beach gets its name from the nearby cemetery. If you walk there from the beach road, you’ll pass through a decorated arch.
Does Sayulita have a sewage problem?
It used to, but the issue has been resolved. Locals recently confirmed that things have improved.
Do you need pesos in Sayulita?
Yes, most places only accept cash, and paying in USD gets you a bad exchange rate. There are limited ATMs—mainly Intercam near the bus station—so it’s best to bring pesos with you.
How to visit Playa de Los Muertos in Sayulita: final thoughts
I hope this post was helpful. To sum it up, make sure you check out this beautiful beach. You can get there on foot but you could also drive there.
It’s swimmable but still be careful, and you can purchase drinks and a beach umbrella on the beach.
It’s a great place to hang out for a few hours or all day. It’s safe but still, watch out and do not leave your belonging unattended.
Have fun!
