Puerto Vallarta, located on Mexico’s stunning Pacific coast, is a vibrant surf destination that caters to all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner catching your first wave or an experienced surfer chasing more powerful swells, Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding region offer a variety of surf breaks and year-round waves.

Some of the best surf spots near Puerto Vallarta include Sayulita, Punta Mita, La Lancha, and San Pancho, each providing unique conditions from mellow beach breaks to more challenging reef setups. The town itself is known for its lively atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and great accommodation options, making it an ideal base for a surf trip that blends adventure with relaxation.

When to go

The best time to surf Puerto Vallarta is from November to March, when the waves are at their best and most consistent. However, there are waves to be found all year long in Puerto Vallarta.

Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta

Browse our interactive map to find the best accommodation deals in Puerto Vallarta!

Best hotels for surfers in Puerto Vallarta

Villa del Palmar Beach Resort

Luna Liquida Hotel Boutique

Surf spots near Puerto Vallarta

San Pancho

San Pancho (San Francisco) offers more powerful and faster waves compared to Sayulita, making it a great option for intermediate and advanced surfers. It can handle a bit more size and works best at low to mid tide.

• Wave direction: Left and right
• Bottom: Reef
• Best tide: Low to mid
• Skill level: Intermediate and advanced
• Optimal swell direction: SW
• Optimal wind direction: E

Sayulita

Sayulita is one of Mexico’s most famous surf towns, known for its relaxed vibe and beginner-friendly waves. The main beach offers gentle left and right-hand waves, perfect for longboarding and surf lessons.

• Wave direction: Left and right
• Bottom: Reef and sand
• Best tide: Any
• Skill level: Any
• Optimal swell direction: SW
• Optimal wind direction: E

La Lancha

Located near Punta Mita, La Lancha is a beautiful, uncrowded beach with fun, mellow waves that suit surfers of all levels. It’s a great spot for beginners but can also offer longer rides for intermediate surfers.

• Wave direction: Left and right
• Bottom: Sand
• Best tide: Any
• Skill level: Any
• Optimal swell direction: SW
• Optimal wind direction: E

The post Puerto Vallarta, Mexico appeared first on My Wave Finder.

Mexico is one of the world’s top surf destinations, offering thousands of kilometers of coastline, consistent Pacific swells, and a lively surf culture. Whether you’re a beginner looking to catch your first wave or an expert chasing heavy barrels at Puerto Escondido, Mexico delivers waves for all levels.

On top of world-class surf, you’ll find amazing weather, delicious food, affordable surf camps, and a great social vibe. Mexico is a perfect mix of surfing, culture, and adventure.

Best time to surf in Mexico

Mexico offers year-round surf, but your timing should depend on your skill level and surf goals:

• April to October (Rainy Season): Bigger, more powerful swells and the best time for intermediate and advanced surfers. Puerto Escondido and Barra de la Cruz shine during these months.

• November to March (Dry Season): Smaller, cleaner waves ideal for beginners. Consistent swells still hit key surf spots like Sayulita and Saladita.

Best Places to Surf in Mexico

Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido is a world famous surfing destination on the Mexican Pacific Coast with one of the world’s heaviest beach break, Playa Zicatela. However, surfing conditions are definitely not always monstrous in Puerto Escondido. During the shoulder seasons, even beginners can catch some fun waves in Puerto Escondido, either at Playa Zicatela or at one of the surrounding beaches.

Read our complete surfing guide to Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Sayulita

Sayulita is a lively and charming surf town located in Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta. With several surf spots and year-round mellow waves, Sayulita is a great place in Mexico for beginners and intermediate surfers. The surfing vibe in Sayulita is awesome with many hostels, bars and restaurants that provide a great social aspect to your surf trip.

Read our complete surfing guide to Sayulita, Mexico

Baja California

Baja California is a surfers’ favorite on a surf trip to Mexico with many empty and unexplored waves as well as some world-class surf spots. The region is separated between Baja North, including Ensenada and Rosarito, and Baja Sur which includes Cabo San Lucas, Punta Abreojos and San Juanico. 

Read our surfing guides to Baja North and Baja Sur

Barra de la Cruz

Barra de la Cruz is a world-class surf spot located a short drive south of Puerto Escondido, near Huatulco. This right-hand rocky point break has hosted the World Surf League twice and remains one of Mexico’s most iconic waves. Barra de la Cruz is part of a reserve which makes it a bit secluded and there aren’t that many options of places to stay within a short distance to the wave. Most people stay in Puerto Escondido and drive down when swells hit.

Read our complete surfing guide to Barra de la Cruz, Mexico

Playa Saladita

Saladita is an awesome left-hand point break located in the state of Guerrero, just north of Zihuatanejo. This spot is still a hidden gem and is a long boarders’ favorite. Playa Saladita is a true wave magnet with waves all year round.

Read our complete surfing guide to Playa Saladita, Mexico

Best Surf Camps in Mexico

8-Day Surf Camp and Learn Spanish in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
US$590, including:

• 1.5 hours of Spanish semi-private tuition from Monday to Friday
• 7 nights of accommodation
• Learning material and final Spanish Diploma
• Yoga classes along the week
• Surf theory class
• Coaching session
• Welcome activity
• 5 surf lessons
• Surf photos

7-day Exclusive Surf Retreat in Cabo San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California Sur
US$425, including:

• 5 surf lessons
• 1 guided art-walk through San Jose art district
• All equipment, documentation photo and video, and professional instructors
• Daily healthy breakfast and ground transportation
• 6 nights accommodation
• Camping night

Budgeting a surf trip to Mexico

While Mexico used to be extremely cheap, prices have increased since the rise of digital nomads and post-Covid tourism. Here’s a realistic cost breakdown for surfers in 2025:

Travel Tips:

• Sayulita and Puerto Escondido are now quite popular and can get expensive in peak season (December to March).

• Look for surf camps or shared housing to save on accommodation.

• Street food is cheap, delicious, and an easy way to cut costs.

The post Ultimate Surfing Guide to Mexico appeared first on My Wave Finder.

Mexico is a popular surfing destination in America for its cheap cost of living, great beaches and tropical weather. However, due to the country’s impressive size, it can be hard to decide where to settle on a surf trip to Mexico. Here are our top 5 options of places to go on a surf trip to Mexico to have the best possible experience.

Top find the best surfing destination for YOU, try our FREE WaveFinder search engine!

Sayulita

Read our complete surfing guide to Sayulita, Mexico

Sayulita is a buzzing surf town with a great mix or tranquility, party, quality surf and beautiful beaches. Sayulita is in the Nayarit region and receives most swells coming from the Pacific Ocean, making it a very consistent surfing destination in Mexico! With many surf spots, Sayulita is perfect for surfers of all levels as everyone can find its perfect wave…

Book a Surf Camp in Sayulita, starting at US$710

Puerto Escondido

Read our complete surfing guide to Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Puerto Escondido has a reputation for being one of the heaviest beach break on Earth. In fact, Playa Zicatela, which is Puerto Escondido’s main surf spot turns into a barreling machine from April to October. However, even beginners can find some waves in Puerto Escondido whether it is during the low season, from November to March, or at some sheltered spots during the high season.

Book a Surf Camp in Puerto Escondido, starting at US$333

Huatulco (Barra de la Cruz)

Read our complete surfing guide to Barra de la Cruz, Mexico

Halfway between Puerto Escondido and Salina Cruz is a world-class point break called Barra de la Cruz. This surf spot is famous for the World Surf League event which was held here in 2006 in epic conditions. Waves in Barra de la Cruz are usually a bit more fickle and smaller than Puerto Escondido, but when it does turn on, it is probably Mexico’s best wave.

Baja California Sur

Read our complete surfing guide to Baja California Sur

The Baja California peninsula is a very fertile land in terms of waves and surf spots. Many surfers who venture in Baja California Sur do so to find some uncrowded, perfect waves which they will find towards the middle of the peninsula. Down south, at the tip of Baja, is Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo which attracts more crowd and development. Either way, there are great waves to be found everywhere in Baja Sur.

Book a Surf Camp in Baja California Sur, starting at US$185

North Baja California

Read our complete surfing guide to North Baja California

North Baja includes the cities of Tijuana and Ensenada which both have great waves. Once again, for more adventure and uncrowded surf, you may way want to venture towards the center of Baja California towards Rosarito. This small surf town if a perfect place to have a mix of nightlife and surfing and fall in love with Baja California!

The post 5 Best Places to Surf in Mexico appeared first on My Wave Finder.

• Summary

• When to go
  

• Surf Camps

• Where to stay

• Getting there

• Safety/Things to know

• Surf spots

   

Summary

Sayulita is located on the Pacific coast of Mexico and represents a great lively surf town. It is a perfect surfing destination for families, couples or any type of traveler looking to enjoy a tropical paradise while having a great social life. Waves in Sayulita are gentle and consistent most of the year which will suit any surfer, including beginners and long boarders.

Mexico remains a fairly cheap surfing destination with an extremely rich and vibrant culture which almost guarantees a fun surf trip that won’t cost an arm and a leg. 

Multiple surf spots are located around the town of Sayulita such as La Lancha or San Pancho, which allows to spread the crowd and enhance your surf trip experience.

To find the best surfing destination for you, try our WaveFinder search engine!

When to go

The best time to surf Sayulita, Mexico is from March to November, although surfing is decent and possible throughout the rest of the year. 

Surf Camps in Sayulita

Find a surf camp in Sayulita, starting at US$710

• 5 instructed surf lessons
• All land and boat transfers to surf breaks
• Access and use of over 300 surf and SUP boards
• Rashguard, booties, and wetsuit top rental
• 6 nights accommodation
• Beach and pool access

Where to stay in Sayulita

Browse our interactive map to find the best accommodation deals in Sayulita!

Best surf hotels in Sayulita

On a Budget : For just about 12USD per night, Selina Sayulita is a safe bet with nice dorm beds, a pool and many friends to meet!

Best value : Hotelito Los Suenos is a great place to stay along with El Pueblito Sayulita. Both are under 100USD per night for double rooms.

High-end : Avela Boutique Hotel  

Surf spots in Sayulita

Punta Sayulita

At the very end of the beach is a left-hand point break that is pretty consistent throughout the year. The rest is a beach break with mellow and fun waves. On smaller days, Punta Sayulita is a great place for beginners to build their confidence and learn in a nice environment. Punta Sayulita is located in front of a private resort which makes the access more difficult.

• Wave direction : Left and right
• Bottom : Reef and sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : SW
• Optimal wind direction : E

La Lancha

Located about 30 minutes away from Sayulita, La Lancha is a beautiful and mellow beach break working on any W-SW swells. Perfect for learners and long boarders.

• Wave direction : Left and right
• Bottom : Sand
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : SW
• Optimal wind direction : E

Ostiones

Ostiones is a more secluded reef break that will suit any type of surfers.

• Wave direction : Left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Intermediate and Advanced
• Optimal swell direction : SW
• Optimal wind direction : E

San Pancho

San Pancho is another nice little surf town next to Sayulita. It has a decent  reef break that will suit intermediate to experienced surfers as it is more of a punchy wave.

• Wave direction : Left and right
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Low to mid
• Skill level : Intermediate and Advanced
• Optimal swell direction : SW
• Optimal wind direction : E

Getting there

Sayulita is about half an hour away from Puerto Vallarta which has a major international airport. The best way to get to Sayulita is to hire a car at Puerto Vallarta airport and drive north.

Safety/things to know

• Mexico remains a country with a fairly high criminality rate. Avoid leaving tourist areas, especially at night. 
• The surf in Sayulita is safe for surfers of all skill levels. Respect locals and hire a surf instructor if you don’t feel comfortable.

The post Sayulita, Mexico appeared first on My Wave Finder.