The trip to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport can be as much a part of the adventure as the destination. From local buses to private shuttles, here’s a range of transportation options to suit your travel style.
📮 Hi Trisha! After reading your posts about Sayulita, I finally decided to come to spend my winter there this year! I was battling between Puerto Escondido and Sayulita but based on your stories, Sayulita won my heart! I am currently planning my travels. Do you still have a local taxi driver that can take me to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta airport? I’d love to support locals so let me know how I can avail. Thanks again and I hope to meet you!
-Cherry Ann, United States
Hola, Cherry Ann!
Glad you decided to go to Sayulita! Yes, I still have that local taxi driver and will connect you with him. I no longer live in Sayulita, but I spent two years there. I’ve written many local Sayulita travel guides, so if you need anything during your stay, just let me know!
I hope you have a wonderful stay. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there’s anything I can do for you. I am on Instagram, @psimonmyway. All my friends still live there so if you’re traveling by yourself to Sayulita, I’d love to introduce you to them! Good luck!
Xx,
Trisha
In a hurry? Here are my top recommendations for Sayulita travel:
✈️ Sayulita Trip Planning: I lived in Sayulita for 2 years and I can help you plan your trip through a 1-1 chat. You may book a call with me here.
🚖 Airport transfer: Book my local taxi driver in Puerto Vallarta here
🛏️ Accommodations: Here's an awesome map of all vacation rentals in Sayulita that's near the center (plaza).
🏄🏽 Things to do: Use the code PSIMONMYWAY10 to get a 10% discount on all local activities in Sayulita!
🚗 Rental Cars: It's easy to drive from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita! Book a rental car here for as low as $25 per day.
🛜 Staying connected: Get an E-sim for Mexico for as low as $5 per day. It has great coverage in Sayulita and Riviera Nayarit areas!
🚑 Safety: Do not travel Mexico without an insurance. I use SafetyWing for my digital nomad trips and Ekta Traveling for short trips.
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Quick info: Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport
Here are some helpful information to know when traveling to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport:
- The airport that serves Sayulita is Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). It has direct flights from the USA and Canada.
- This airport also serves Sayulita’s neighboring towns, such as Punta Mita and San Pancho. The transportation rates for these destinations are similar.
- Sayulita is about an hour’s drive from Puerto Vallarta Airport. From downtown Puerto Vallarta (say, the Malecon), it can take about 1.5 hours.
- Prices for private transportation to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport start at $89 USD (4 passengers).
- For departures from Sayulita, I recommend leaving at least 4 hours before your flight. This means you should aim to be at the airport at least 3 hours before taking off.
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1. Transfer to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport via private driver
A pre-arranged airport taxi is the most convenient way to travel to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport. You can book online at least 48 hours in advance. This costs $89 USD, and the driver will wait for you at the arrival gate.
This is my go-to guy, and he’s the only one I use whenever I travel to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport, especially when I was still living there! In any case, I recommend that you buy a Mexican SIM card when you arrive at the airport.
There are SIM card kiosks at Puerto Vallarta Airport’s arrivals gate, but the SIM cards may be costly. A cheaper option is to walk to Oxxo outside the arrivals gate. Buying a SIM card at Oxxo is at least 30% cheaper. They will also help set-up the SIM for you.
Additionally, please note that Mexico uses WhatsApp so make sure to download it to better communicate with your driver upon arrival.
BOOK TRANSPORTATION TO SAYULITA →
2. Rent a car at Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita
Renting a car at Puerto Vallarta Airport is also one of the ways to get to Sayulita. But bear in mind that parking in Sayulita is a horror story! This is a walking town, so the streets are narrow, often one-way, and have a lot of foot traffic.
You won’t need a car within the town. If you plan to rent a car, just make sure you book a hotel with parking. Renting a car for Sayulita is probably best if you want to do day trips from Sayulita, such as Lo de Marcos, San Pancho, Los Ayala, and the whole of Riviera Nayarit.
Pre-book the rental car online if you want decent-sized cars such as SUVs. If you book in person, they often have limited availability on bigger vehicles. Here are the most common car types with prices:
- Mini (Volkswagen Polo or similar): $11 USD per day
- Economy (Nissan March or similar): $18 USD per day
- Compact (VW Gol or similar): $20 USD per day
- Intermediate (Mitsubishi Mirage or similar): $28 USD per day
The daily rates are cheap, but remember that you have to pay a security deposit when renting a car in Puerto Vallarta. The rate depends on the number of days that you are renting the car. An example would be $450 USD deposit for a 7-day car rental.
The security deposit is a floating charge on your credit card, and it will be reimbursed once you return the car in good condition. Don’t worry or hesitate to swipe your credit card—it’s safe! Additionally, debit cards from the USA or Canada are considered credit cards in Mexico. If you’d rather use a debit card, that works too!
3. Uber to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport
The Uber app does not work in all Mexican cities (for example, Puerto Escondido), but it does in Puerto Vallarta. However, Uber is not allowed to enter Puerto Vallarta Airport. If you booked an Uber through the app, you must leave the airport premises to meet your driver. All you have to do is cross the bridge outside the PV airport, and your driver will be waiting for you at the other end.
This is ideal if you are traveling light, but this bridge is a bit long and high if you have heavy luggage. There is a ramp at the footbridge for your luggage, so don’t worry. Uber fares to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport vary by time of day. For example, if you arrive between 7 and 10 AM, expect to pay around 1,000 pesos ($52 USD).
I find nighttime taxi fees more expensive, but this depends on Uber’s algorithm, not the drivers. There’s a lot of taxi politics in PV airport against Uber, but if you’re willing to bring all your luggage and leave the airport to meet your Uber driver, then this option is for you.
Of course, you need a location in Puerto Vallarta Airport to call the Uber. You can’t do it inside, so you have to walk to this location and then order the Uber from there. Taking the Uber requires more work, so if you don’t want to follow the steps above, just book the private taxi service, which is only a few bucks more.
How much is Uber from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita?
If you’re coming from downtown Puerto Vallarta, you can simply take an Uber, which will cost you around $55 USD—$150 USD.
Uber is commonly used in Puerto Vallarta, so you’re good to go if you have the app! However, some Uber drivers may not want to travel to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta.
This means that they can cancel the ride if they see that the final destination is Sayulita. You can also haggle with white taxis downtown but I do not recommend this if you do not speak Spanish.
There are also transportation options to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta downtown where the driver will pick you up door-to-door from your resort/hotel/Airbnb.
This is ideal for those who are staying in Puerto Vallarta but want to explore Sayulita for a day trip. Expect to pay around $89 USD for one-way trips and a discounted ride for two-way trips.
4. Bus to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport
Regular buses to Sayulita depart from Puerto Vallarta Airport. These buses bear the big letters ‘Compostela’ and usually have a written sign on the windshield that says SAYULITA. Like Uber, you must cross the footbridge outside PV airport to the bus stop. This is the location of the bus stop at Puerto Vallarta International Airport. Use Google Maps and follow the instructions.
This costs $4 USD and will take you directly to the bus station in Sayulita. However, this trip is longer (up to 2 hours) as these buses stop frequently. This bus also passes by Nuevo Vallarta and Bucerias in case you want to visit these small towns during your stay in Sayulita.
They also don’t always stop at the bus stop in Puerto Vallarta airport, so make sure to raise your hand when you see the bus with the sign that says ‘Sayulita’ in it. They are not frequent – sometimes, the wait time can take up to 30 minutes. When the bus is full, you will have to stand during the ride or wait for another bus to arrive, which, unfortunately, I have no idea how long it will take.
5. Hitchhiking to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta
I want to add this to the list of ways to get to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta Airport because the reader question above is from a backpacker and solo traveler. I’ve hitchhiked a lot in the Nayarit area, and I can assure you that it is really safe! Mexicans are super friendly to foreigners, and you will surely get a ride in this area easily.
You must cross the bridge from PV airport to the other side to hitchhike. Nayarit is the other way, so you must go to the other side of the road. Follow the instructions for getting an Uber and taking the bus to find the best hitchhiking spots.
Put on your big smile and thumbs up! There is only one highway to Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta airport, so you’ll have a higher chance of getting a ride.
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Good to know in advance that Uber is not allowed at the Puerto Vallarta Airport so that you can make alternate plans. We often travel with so much luggage rolling our bags out of the airport to get our Uber might not be an option. But even better to get input on ways that will save money.
Wow many different ways to get to Sayulita from the airport. Even though I like the idea of hitchhiking, I am still hesitant as I usually travel solo. I have never traveled to Sayulita and I would like to someday. I will surely keep in mind that the Uber taxis are not allowed at the airport. But I may go with a public transport or a taxi service.
Good to know that there is public transport after all! I had this experience quite often – buses and private taxis are not allowed inside the airport area, but you only have walk a few meters further and there is plenty of transport available. Best thing is to ask locals on the plane and do not believe the taxi touts inside the airport. You can always come back and take the more expensive transport.
Okay, so hitchiking wouldn’t be my choice, should I land there. But the idea of light luggage and crossing the bridge seems doable. I am also planning to learn Spanish, so that should make it easy. It looks like a cool place to be in. a lot like India actually.
Such a detailed post to get to Sayulita. I didn’t know that the taxi from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita is so expensive. I would definitely love to use local drivers, or book a VIP transport service if traveling in a big group. Using public buses is a good way to get from the airport too.
Great information about travelling around Mexico. I find the airport taxis can often be extortionate, so it’s worth checking this information before you arrive in any country.
Very nice guide on how to save while reaching Sayulta. Every dollar or euro saved is like earning that many more to spend on something worthwhile. Thank you so much as it would be very useful information when we manage to travel there sometime in future.
After reading this post, it’s good to know that the authority didn’t make all the transportation forms from the highway illegal. Also the local driver because I am sure the VIP drivers know by now if someone hired the local driver. Prices comparison is crazy. I will sure cross the bridge to get an Uber or a bus to go to Sayulita.
Hi trisha thanks for the post! I just ordered a taxi and did not receive a confirmation e-mail. Will Juan be there when I land? I land in two weeks but I wanted to book in advance. Thanks for all your free blogs! They are really helpful.
Hi we are coming on Sunday. Is it too late to book now or we still have time? Please confirm so I can book
My boyfriend and I rode with Juan last month and he’s such an amazing person! I am so happy to be supporting local businesses like this so thank you for all your efforst, Trish! I will recommend this to my friends 100%. Many thanks for the discount code as well!
Juan is amazing! My family and I went with him and Michelle. They were so kind to wait for us while we do some quick shopping at the Mega. To everyone reading this post, there are no supermarkets in Sayulita so when you get picked up at the airport, swing by Mega, Costco or Walmart in Puerto Vallarta if you want to have some supplies in your accommodations in Sayulita. I am sure Trisha already shared that tip but thanks to Juan for waiting for us at Mega! Good driver and highly recommended
I usually won;t leave comments like this but Trisha asked me to – LOL. But kidding aside, when you look at the Internet, all the taxi services in Puerto Vallarta are ridiculously expensive! I am a budget traveler and I will never pay $150 for taxi. It is just insane. Thanks to Trisha we find locals like Juan who charge fairly. I love helping the community so thanks again Trisha for allowing me to do so. Until next trip Sayulita!
Juan was great – he picked my friend and me up from the airport and we used him again to drop us back off at the end of our stay in Sayulita. He picked us up on time and got us to the airport with plenty of time to spare. I would definitely use him again when I head back to Sayulita next time.
I had a good experience with Juan. I had arranged him to come for an airport pickup. He had a little trouble finding my place, but we still made it to the airport in good time, and with plenty of time to check-in. I’ll use him again on my next visit to Sayulita.
Juan drove my family to and from the airport when we stayed in Sayulita. He was super friendly and chatty. He answered all my questions, chatted with my kids, offered to wait while we nipped into the supermarket and was always punctual. Highly recommended.
Fantastic guide Trisha! I just booked the local taxi driver but I did not get a confirmation about my pick up time? I already received the payment confirmation but nothing else. Is there something that I am missing? Should I call Juan? Thanks for all you do!
We just booked Juan and very excited for our Sayulita trip! Should I send a message when we land or when we are on the way to the meeting point? How do we know who is Juan?
Hello, Linda! You should text him when you land. He will be at the meeting point as soon as you pass immigration. Enjoy your trip to Sayulita!
Hi Trisha, Looking for a ride to Sayulita on fed25/2022 for two. Text me back on rate and type of vehicle. Would like to stop at the market after the airport pick up Thanks Pete
Hi Trisha
I just booked the taxi from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita through your website. How do I get in touch with Juan please to discuss pick-up date and time? Can’t wait to explore Sayulita!
Hi Trisha – so excited about going to Sayulita! I have just booked the taxi through your website. How do I get in touch with Juan for details please?
Hola! I wanted to say thanks to PS I’m On My Way to connecting me with Juan! At first I thought who books through Pinterest for a ride from Puerto Vallarta Airport to Sayulita.. Is it Legit?…. IT IS! I was so happy to connect with Juan who wasn’t available to pick me up on my arrival date but he schedule Michelle in his place and she was wonderful. I don’t speak a lot of Spanish and she doesn’t speak a lot of English, however together we were able to have a conversation and I arrived at my hostel safe and sound. She gladly offered to do my return trip or additional trips in the area. I highly recommend this affordable transfer to Sayulita!
Absolutely wonderful experience with Juan. Although I don’t speak Spanish, my partner does and he had a good time conversing with Juan. We were very thankful that he waited for us to shop around the supermarket as well as giving us recommendations for places to eat/things to do in Sayulita. So glad we booked him!
I am currently visiting Mexico for the first time and have visited only 5 cities. I am so happy to have connected with your information and reviews from other travelers. This information is so needed and so well done. Your information is invaluable. I feel apart of a community reviewing all of it and hope to visit both PV and Sayulita on next trip as well as support your work. How can one contact Juan for a ride/services and give support to your work ? Perhaps I missed the information. Thank you.
Juan is such a lovely and professional driver. He was fantastic at communicating with us throughout the whole process via WhatsApp and easy to find at the airport. He was on time and the vehicle was clean and he was a safe driver.
Highly recommend hiring Juan as your driver.
We had a great experience using Juan’s transportation service from Puerto Vallarta airport to Sayulita and our return trip a few days later. From PVR to Sayulita, Juan arranged our pick-up with another driver named Valeria. She was very friendly and we had an easy pick-up process. Juan drove us back to PVR from Sayulita a few days later at the end of our trip. Juan was very friendly and professional. He responded quickly to Whatsapp messages. I highly recommend Juan’s services and would use him again!
Juan picked us up and drove us from PVR to Sayulita and it was great! Very easy to find him with WhatsApp and he took us to a great grocery store on the way. Highly recommend!
Hi there, Trisha! Thank you for the guides and tips! Could you please give
me Juan’s number (driver)?
Thank you so much
Renata
HI Trisha,
Thank you so much for your recommendations around Sayulita, you included such great information. My family and I will be traveling next week to Sayulita and I was wondering about Juan for traveling from PV to Sayulita. We have two adults, two small children (with inflatable booster seats) and a baby in a car seat. I see that Juan’s car is for 4 only, just wondering if we could get all of us in his vehicle. Thank you kindly for your response!
Marin
Hi Marin! He also has a van (7-seater). Our office will get in touch with you. Thanks for reading the blog!
Hi Trisha! Wow, I love your blog! So many great tips! Reading your blog has motivated me to book my first solo trip to Sayulita! I was hoping you could connect me with you recommended taxi driver, to get me from the puerto Vallarta airport to Sayulita! I would love to support local. And if you could also recommend any surf instructors, I’d truly appreciate.
Saludos!
-Lourdes
Thank you for the thoughtful comment, Lourdes! You can book with Juan here. If he’s not available, my office will send another driver!
Hi Trish! Great site and info. I am 66 years young and have travelled from PV to Sayulita with a rental car and on another trip a taxi to Punta Mita. In 2019 the taxi from Zona Romantica to the Westin in Punta Mita was $60USD but the cab driver took care of us and even took us to the Mega store. Unfortunately from the Westin, a cab almost anywhere else seemed astronomical. We felt like we were held hostage by the Westin (which is not a bad place to be by the way.) Upon our departure from the Westin a cab back to PV cost us over $150USD. This time I’m planning on taking the bus in both directions to save money.
Thanks Trisha.
Excellent job on the details!
I’d love to support some of the local trusted drivers like Juan and Michelle so please send me their contact info.
Also what are your recommendations on getting to and from San Pacho?
I’m going there (solo) right when I arrive (7/21) and then staying in Sayulita from 7/24-7/28 and then back up to PVR.
Thanks so much!
Hi Jake! Thanks for reading and thank you for supporting our local drivers! Here are some helpful links for your trip to Sayulita and San Pancho:
– PVR Airport transfer to Sayulita
– PVR Airport to San Pancho
If you need help, you can visit my Mexico website called Mexico Insider or you can e-mail our office at [email protected] and they will help you book whatever you need. Thanks again and let me know if you have any questions!
please contact me for ride from airport, pick up Monday. Sept 12 about 3pm
Hi Cassie! You can book it here or e-mail [email protected] if you need more help. My office will assist you!
Hi, We have a party of 2 that will need a ride to Sayulita on the 14th of October. Can you set us up with a driver? Thanks, Chris
Hi Chris, you will find all the taxi transportation for Sayulita here. Use the code PSIMONMYWAY10 for a discount. Enjoy Sayulita!
Hello,
My husband and I, two Canadian seniors in our 70’s will be arriving at the PV airport, Feb. 8 on Westjet #2152, at 3:30pm.
We will each have a large suitcase and aren’t sure if we could manoeuvre over the bridge to take an Uber to Sayulita.
What mode of transportation do you recommend for us that would be a reasonable rate?
Regards,
Colleen
Hi Colleen! You can book my local driver here. My staff will arrange your transport via e-mail. Good luck and enjoy Sayulita!
Can you please tell me how to connect with Juan to organize a trip to Sayulita for two seniors?
Hola, Colleen! I just replied to your other comment. In case you did not get it, here is the link to the taxi service to Sayulita.
Thank you so much for the information! I will be returning to Sayulita for a visit this summer (last visited in 2018 and absolutely LOVED it!) The last time we went we rented a car and found it to be expensive for how little we used it once we actually got to Sayulita.
I would love any recommendations or further information you could pass along about hiring a local driver. Thank you!
For sure, Marie! You can look at the quick links at the top of this post which has links to different destinations in Riviera Nayarit. If you only want the taxi service in Sayulita, you can book that here. Enjoy Sayulita!
Hi there,
do you happen to know how how long in the evening the public buses run to Sayulita? We only arrive at 7pm and till we are out of the airport might take an hour.
thanks!
Sandy
Hi Sandy! No it’s not 24 hours. I believe the last bus is around 8:30-9:00 PM.
Thanks for all the info! I will have to refer back whenever I decide to visit Sayulita for myself. Xx Sara
love how detailed this post was, you really thought of everything! the parking tip for rental cars was especially handy for me, since me and my kids already ran into that problem up in paris. we spent a good hour driving around trying to find a free parking spot LOL
I visited Sayulita a few years ago and it was an amazing trip. We had such a hard time figuring out how to get there and this guide would have been SO helpful.
I looked into renting a car at PVR, and it is no less than $45/day (Gecko). This is with minimal strict liability insurance…Where did you come up with $11?
Gecko doesn’t even rent for < 1 week in high season (Feb).
National is $73 a day for liability only for 5 days.
It seems like a racquet.
I'll for sure be using a private driver. He's $50 each way to Sayulita.