Sayulita is a small surfer town with a laid back vide by day but livens up in the evenings. It lies 40km (25m) north of Puerto Vallarta & it is an absolute must if you are in this region! You probably already know that though, the reason you are here is to find our how to get from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita.
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How to get to the bus stop
The bus stop outside Walmart on the highway 200 is the central hub to grab a bus to any of the settlements north of Sayulita. The bus stop is 6km (3.7m) from the centre of Puerto Vallarta, so in all likelihood you won't want to walk it. If, like us, you are staying in Zona Romantico, you can jump on the local bus on Calle Av. Libramiento. If you are more central near the Malecon, any bus heading north on the highway up the coast with Walmart on the front will get you there. Just check when you jump on that it's going to Walmart on the highway 200. The trip currently costs $10 (£0.40/$0.50) per person, on any of the local buses, for any distance.
How to buy a bus ticket to get from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita
The bus stop outside Walmart doesn't have a terminal or ticket counter, however there may be an attendant to ask. The bus you are looking for is a "Compostela" bus & should have a sign in the front window with Sayulita on. As it's a main stop, in all likelihood the driver will stop anyway. However, when you see a bus approaching, put your hand out to hail the driver & they will stop. Jump on the bus & ask for a ticket to Sayulita.
If a bus stops heading north outside Walmart without Sayulita on its worth asking the driver on the off chance as ours had "Bucerias/ Mezcale/ Pto Vallarta" so he clearly hadn't flicked them round from the reverse journey as it had Sayulita sign on the flip side of the sign.
You can also get buses from here to popular stops such as Bucerías & Coral de Risco.
How to get the bus to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta airport
If you are arriving by air & wanting to go straight to Sayulita, rather than spending some time in Puerto Vallarta, that is possible too. Rather than making your way to the Walmart further south on highway 200, you can simply cross the bridge outside the terminal which goes over the highway 200. The buses pass this point heading to Sayulita but don't necessarily stop unless hailed. When you see a "Compostela" bus & any of the following in the window, Bucerias/ Mezcales/ Sayulita/ Pto Vallarta, hail the driver & ask if they are heading to to Sayulita.
How much does the bus cost from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita?
January 2023 when writing this the tickets were $ 55 (£2.40/$3) per person.
How long does the journey take from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita?
The journey takes around 1.5 hours depending on traffic.
What is the bus schedule between Puerto Vallarta & Sayulita?
The bus runs between 6:00am - 10:00pm & the buses are every 15/20 minutes.
What is the bus like from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita?
The bus is a 31 seater minibus with no luggage storage. Expect to have your backpack on your knees/between your legs if you are lucky enough to get a seat. These buses can get very full at times, with all the standing spaces utilised.
There is no aircon on board but they do have windows open for ventilation.
Other options to get from Puerto Vallarta/airport to Sayulita
Private transfer from Puerto Vallarta/airport to Sayulita
If you are feeling a little more flush it is possible to get a private transfer from Puerto Vallarta city or the airport but this would likely cost in the region of $1,400 (£61/$75).
Uber from from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita
Uber's are regularly available around Puerto Vallarta & do work out cheaper than the local taxis. A journey with Uber from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita would cost about $500 (£21.70/$27).
Uber from from Puerto Vallarta airport to Sayulita
Unfortunately although Uber is allowed in Puerto Vallarta, (some places in Mexico they are not allowed) like most airports in Mexico, Uber is not allowed to enter the airport. This does not mean you can't get an Uber, it simply means it will involve a little walking. To get an Uber you need to walk over the same bridge you do to get a bus. Arrange for the driver to pick you up the other side of the highway 200 when setting the pick up location & again should cost around $500(£21.70/$27).
Safe journey & enjoy your time in Sayulita!