Junto al Rio Bungalows & Suites

This was our second stay, and we'll keep coming back. Things got hectic with the Mexican government and cartel while we were there, but we felt safe the whole time and were impressed by how kindly and thoughtfully everything was handled. We love the restaurant and bar, and the location is hard to beat, close to good food, the beach, and anything else you need. Not a single bad word to say about the place.

The bungalows are rustic but very clean, and the hotel sits in the jungle while still being right in town. The on-site restaurant has the best shrimp tacos and fresh daiquiris. Service was excellent, and I'd happily stay here again on my next trip to Sayulita.

We loved having the beach right there, with hammocks and air beds nearby, and the bay itself is beautiful, with sandy beach, nice waves, and green vegetation all around. The water is usually a bit cloudy, which may be because of the sandy bottom and a suspicious 10-inch pipeline running into the sea. The grounds are well kept, though they show their age: rusty faucets and palm leaves falling, while the rooms were fine and comfortable for the climate. We could make breakfast in our room with a small hot plate, pan, pot, and coffee machine, though the beach bar or many nearby restaurants were other options. It felt a bit like a campground, with shared toilets, showers, and sinks outside. Most rooms are open to the outdoors without screens, so we got bitten by mosquitoes a moderate amount. The paths are sandy, so you need to brush and wash your feet with the provided bucket and foot mat before going inside. Music plays at the beach bar from around noon until 9 PM. It's bearable, but this isn't the place for quiet afternoons. After 9, things get very quiet and you can hear the waves.

We spent nine nights here in November and, after looking at the other hotels, felt sure we'd made the right choice. Bungalow 1 had a thatched roof, air conditioning, two twin beds, a small kitchen, and a dining table on the porch, plus a small seating area inside. The hot water was great, and they provided drinking water in a big jug. Walking from reception along the lush jungle path to the room was a relaxing way to decompress from town. The grounds are quiet and well manicured, with staff gardening every day. We really liked the bar and restaurant, with friendly staff, great drinks, and good food. Just to the left of the restaurant, hotel guests have shaded lounge chairs. Closer to the beach, in front of the restaurant, there are more chairs with umbrellas and tables. They were never full and were very comfortable, and the hotel provides beach towels. Sayulita isn't big, and it's about a 10-minute walk from the hotel to the central plaza, past lots of restaurants. Is it rustic? Yes, and awesome.