Sayulita Getaway: Jungle Hikes, Beaches, and a Magical Baby Turtle Release
The day after my birthday, Joe and I hit the road with three of our new friends in Mexico — Larry, Jeremy, and Steve — for our first official Mexican road trip together. Our destination: Sayulita, a town that constantly appears on “best expat destinations” lists and one I’d been curious to explore.
Our Airbnb turned out to be one of the best parts of the entire trip. It featured an open-air living room and kitchen, a private pool, and so much lush greenery that it felt like a peaceful hideaway. We loved the privacy, the airy design, and the ability to spend nearly all our time outdoors.
Sayulita itself surprised me. I knew it was touristy, but I didn’t expect to hear so little Spanish. The town was packed with gringos, golf carts filled every street, and the prices were significantly inflated to match the expat-heavy crowd. Once we realized the vibe wasn’t quite what we were looking for, we decided to enjoy the serenity of our Airbnb and venture out only for hikes and key experiences.
Each morning, we hiked through the jungle trails leading to quiet beaches like Playa Las Cuevas. The lush greenery, the ocean views from the top, and the peaceful shoreline made for a great hike. The current there is strong, so I didn’t swim, but the secluded beach was perfect for relaxing and taking in the natural beauty.
Sayulita also charmed us with its many sweet dogs running and playing along the surf. And at our Airbnb, a friendly orange cat — whom I later learned was named Pumpkin — decided to adopt our group for the week. He soaked up every bit of attention we had to offer.
The town’s plaza was still decorated for Día de Muertos, complete with a giant Catrina and Catrín towering over the square. Colorful murals added art and personality to the streets.
The unexpected highlight of the entire trip came one afternoon when we arrived at the beach in time to witness a baby sea turtle release. Hundreds of just-hatched turtles made their tiny journey toward the ocean, and it was truly a bucket-list moment. We were each asked to name our turtles — I named mine Russell, after my dad — and as I watched my little guy scurry toward the waves, I cried. The magic of it, the fragility, the hope was truly beautiful.
Overall, it was a wonderful few days: hikes, beaches, wildlife, friends, and a gorgeous place to stay.
However, Sayulita isn’t a place I see us returning to soon. It felt too tourist-driven and not particularly reflective of authentic Mexican culture — something we’ve grown to love deeply in our travels.
Still, I’m grateful for the experience. And now I’m even more excited to explore more authentically Mexican beach towns next time. Live and learn!
