Sayulita's plaza, main beach, and shopping lanes all lie within a half-mile radius. Cobblestones are uneven; choose sturdy sandals. Shade disappears midday and temperatures rise into the mid-80s, so plan hill climbs, such as Nanzal Viewpoint or the jungle path to Playa Carricitos, before 10 a.m. or after four. Carry a liter of water for each hour on trail and watch for slick roots after rain.

Carts handle Sayulita's steep lanes better than cars. Daily rate is about 700 MXP (eight hours) or 1,000 MXP (twenty-four hours); renters must show a license and leave a 5,000-peso (approx. $250) card hold which will be refunded in a couple of business days upon return of the cart. Plaza parking is forbidden after 6 p.m.; use signed cart lots on Calle Delfines or Avenida Revolución. One-way grids dominate Centro; follow arrows and keep speed under 20 mph. Return carts by 9 p.m. because lighting is sparse on jungle roads.

White Nayarit taxis with the blue shield queue beside the pedestrian bridge on Highway 200. Typical fares are 350 MXP from Sayulita to Punta Mita, 250 MXP to Bucerías, 800 MXP to Puerto Vallarta airport (fifty minutes). Rates rise ten percent after midnight. Reserve through your hotel for early-morning departures; Uber is sporadic but does work at most times in Sayulita. Be warned, though; it often surges higher than local cabs.

Green Compostela-Pacífico coaches stop outside the OXXO convenience store on Avenida Revolución. Southbound buses reach the airport in fifty minutes (50 MXP). Northbound service to San Pancho (15 minutes, 30 MXP) and Lo de Marcos, Guayabitos, or La Peñita runs every 40 minutes from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pay on board with exact change; luggage rides beside the driver.

Beach-cruiser rentals (150 MXP half-day) and 150-cc scooters (400 MXP) are available around the plaza. Use caution on Highway 200 as shoulders narrow quickly. Mountain-bike outfitters guide two-hour jungle loops into the Sierra (300 MXP, helmet and water included). Return rentals by dusk, and be prepared for street lighting outside Centro to be minimal.

Surf pangas to La Lancha and Punta Burros depart from the river mouth at dawn (150 MXP round-trip; boards ride free). From December-March, whale-watch boats leave the same spot at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. (The price is approximately 1,200 MXP, including fruit, water, and hydrophone.) Charter captains post schedule boards near the beach showers; sign up by 6 p.m. the day before to confirm minimum passenger count.