Frequently asked Questions

Casa Contigo is located in the Northside, Sayulita - the quiet and best part (we think) of town, with the least crowded beach. It sits lower and closer to the beach than most other view casas in Sayulita. The walk down to the beach is under 5 minutes.

Quickest route: The main level of the casa is about 100 feet above sea level. To reach the beach, walk parallel to the ocean past Casa Coco next door, then turn right and head down the hill towards the beach.

Less-steep route: Exit the casa, turn right and go past Casa Coco next door and instead of taking an immediate right, go straight until Calle Sabalo. Take a right on that street and cross Palamar, the main north beach road. Veer to left of Las Hamacas.

For a smooth transition into vacation mode, we suggest taking a private shuttle from the airport. We work with a service in town who will pick you up in a suburban, or a van if you are a larger group. They will have a few cold cervazas and aquas onboard to start your vacation off right, as well as make a stop at the Mega supermercado on your way . There is an ATM at Mega if you want to get pesos to pay the driver. We typically get fresh veggies, fruit, and speciality items in Sayulita (like fresh tortillas, fresh bread or pastries). You will pay for the shuttle directly. Unless you are heading to other places besides Sayulita you don’t want to rent a car. Everything is walkable or a golf cart is best if you do want wheels for in town

The shuttle drivers stay in close contact with our property manager, who will meet you at the casa to show you the ropes and get you the keys.

If you are arriving solo or only two people a taxi or Uber is also an option. Uber is across the sky bridge. They can not pick up in Sayulita, but can get you there from PVR.

Casa Contigo has two listings on Sayulita Life. The main casa is private and has 2 identical master view bedrooms with 2 showers/bathrooms and a half bath on the pool level. It includes the main level pool, living ares and kitchen as well as the rooftop deck and kitchenette. The Estate listing adds our Casita - another queen bedroom, kitchen, private patio and a bonus room (2 twins or a king) along with two full bathrooms. Occasionally Charla and Jamie are staying in the Casita, which has a separate gated entrance, but it is completely private and out of view of the main casa. Otherwise, we do not rent the Casita unless it is to the guest in the main house. The full property is 3 bedrooms, an added media/bonus room and 4.5 baths. The casa is designed to provide ample spots to relax and enjoy the vistas and the sunshine or shade.

A better question is - do you WANT a golf cart! Although getting to town and to the beach are walkable for healthy adults, some of our guests prefer the fun and convenience of a golf cart. The beach is about a 5 minute walk down and slightly longer coming back since we are on a hill. To the center of town is a 1 kilometer walk (just over half a mile). It takes 10-15 minutes.

Our airport shuttle company rents electric golf carts, which is the only way to get around Sayulita other than by bike or on foot. Cars are a pain and during busy times there are close to zero places to park one in town - so unless you are heading someplace besides Sayulita we don't recommend a car. We can have either a 4-seater or 6-seater electric golf cart waiting for you at the casa upon your arrival.

Additionally, taxis are available everywhere and cheap - so say you want to walk into town for dinner and would like a ride back -that’s easy!

Our fav spot is just straight down the hill from Casa Contigo. Once we hit the beach, sometimes we will go right a little ways (north) toward San Pancho - which is usually mostly deserted unless you are visiting during a holiday.

Also good - when you hit the beach go left the stretch toward the Las Gemelas complex of casas. You will find a few people around, but you should have lots of room to stretch out (subject to holiday crowds).

In either spot, the water is generally safe but as with all beaches, the tides change, and you will want to watch out for the occasional riptide. Look for where others are swimming if unsure.

A little further to the south is the Left surf break (just south of La Terrazola restaurant). There are frequent riptides in front of the surf break. (See the surfing FAQ too).

With respect to the south-end beach, the portion further south past the right surf break is relatively mellow but can be crowded depending on when you are there. This is also where many beginning surfers may try to get their surf legs - so heads up! We don’t usually hang at the busy part of the beach by town - but if you want bar service and a beach chair and umbrella there are many choices. Also there are a few beach bards that are less crowded closer to our end of the beach.

We also like Playa de los Muertos (you can Google Map it) - a very safe and family-friendly beach with a roped-off swimming area.

Whether you are an experienced surfer or just learning, Sayulita and the surrounding area has it all. There are lots of places to rent boards, get a lesson or book a trip to La Lancha or other surf spots near by.

Here is the picture:

THE SANDBAR - Beginner

This is probably the break that put Playa Sayulita on the surfing map of Mexico. It’s certainly the reason there are so many surf schools in town. That’s because it’s an uber-beginner-friendly spot with mellow waves that will rarely be a challenge. It’s excellent for kids.

Facing north, it cuts out any heavy S-SW swells and offers good protection from the open ocean. That means regular sets with nice periods and glassy conditions. There’s also a long take-off zone that can offer both green and whitewash.

The downside of the Sandbar is that’s busy these days - particularly on holidays. Get out early.

SAYULITA RIGHT (S RIGHT) -Beginner/Intermediate

The Sayulita Right is the most consistent wave in town. It breaks at the river mouth on the main beachfront over a rock-studded sand bottom with a few patches of reef.

Things seldom go overhead here. In fact, tummy- to chest-high waves are the usual order. Consequently, you see plenty of 8ft boards and plus in these parts – there’s no denying it’s a corker for longboards! Try to hit this one middle or low tide. Watch out for a busy line-up.

SAYULITA LEFT (S LEFT) -Beginner/Intermediate

A quirky little wave that only likes to rear its head on bigger days (usually during the summer months), the Sayulita left is another river mouth. It’s located a little north-east along the beach, but is still right next door to the Sayulita Right.

It boasts a faster take off, a smaller take-off zone, and quite a quick but fun left-hander that’s a gem for goofy-footed folk. The ride can be quite long when it’s working, with a finish that’s along towards Playa Sayulita’s northern end in front of the villas.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SAYULITA SURF

This link gives an excellent overview of Sayulita as well as info on surf breaks that are easy to get to up and down the surrounding coastline. See our activities page for more on surf trips.

We highly recommend not working when at Casa Contigo! If you have done everything in your power NOT to work, but duty calls - yes we do have high speed fiber internet and it works well all over the casa including the roof top deck. Remember, this is Mexico and sometimes the power goes out during a summer storm or sometimes the internet doesn’t work in general - unrelated to our wifi. Our experience over the last few years, after upgrades in town, is that the internet is reliable and works great. Alternatively, there are lots of options, some very close to Casa Contigo, for a cup of coffee, a beach drink and WIFI if god forbid you absolutely have to do it.

Alternatives including:

Ignoring the work world

Ignoring email, texts, social media and the news

A paperback book

A siesta!

Tell them you only have a fax machine and it’s currently on the fritz

Beyond surfing, mountain biking and the trips covered elsewhere on this site here are a few mellow, relaxing ideas.

1. Get a pool-side massage at the casa from Raquel.

2. Have either Sabor con Magia or Sofia Sanchez cook you a dinner at the casa - on the rooftop at sunset.

3. Take a catamaran tour of the Marieta Islands. See Sayulita Activites for details.

4. Hike the trail over to San Pancho for lunch.

   More on Sayulita Life .

Casa Contigo is on a whole-house ultra-violet filtration system. This means that you can drink water from the taps (no need for bottled water), and that the water in your shower is filtered, as well as the water in the ice maker. The only unfiltered water is in the foot bath out front to wash off sand.

When in town, you should only drink bottled water. If you order water in a restaurant and it comes in a glass, be sure to verify that it was purified.

Housekeeping service is provided during your stay if you are there more than 3 days. A deep cleaning between guests is also scheduled. The services will consist of a light general cleaning, along with a bedding and towel change (except the day before departure). Note that we have a dishwasher for your personal use, and provide the soap.

If you would like more frequent housekeeping services, we can probably arrange that (holiday services may be more difficult to arrange).

It is customary to leave a tip for the housekeeper in Mexico. A suggested tip for good service is $10 USD per day for the 2-bedroom casa and $15 - $20 USD for the Estate rental including casita. You will find a place to leave tips in the TV area upstairs and can do so upon your departure. We pay our cleaners well but your tips are super appreciated!

We also have a pool service that comes for twice a week. If added pool cleaning is needed, just let Jorge know.

Our main areas of concern about young children or older adults has to do with Mexican architecture and design as opposed to US standards. We have listed key areas to consider here. Remember, you are in Mexico. All guests assume personal liability when renting Casa Contigo.

1. The balconies outside the two upper bedrooms are customary view height in Sayulita, which is lower than US standards (29 inches high) to provide excellent views. The balcony doors, however, can be shut for safety. The doors are large glass and wood doors and still provide a fantastic view when closed.

2. There is a drop-off on the edge of the main terrace and infinity pool. There are planters blocking the edge, including one below a portion of the infinity pool, but again, these planters have low backs to allow for the best views.

3. The main living area, including the kitchen and dining area, is open-air and accessible to the pool. In other words, there are no fences around the pool as it is part of the floor plan on the main level of the casa.

Food Items: General selection of dried spices, salt & pepper, and Microdyn (for washing/soaking vegetables). There is generally a selection of other condiments in the fridge that may vary.

Kitchen: Everything you need to cook a meal, a coffee maker, blender and plenty of plastic drinkware for the pool. See the activities page for more on hiring a private chef for your group.

Sundries: Coffee filters, paper towels, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, dishwasher detergent, dish soap, sponge, hand soap, toilet paper, soap, shampoo and conditioner.

Other: Hair dryer, iron & board, two small TVs with internet access (go play instead), playing cards, board games.

Pool/Beach: Beach chairs, umbrellas, beach towels, a cooler, boogie boards, and pool floaters.

The pool is salt water and is 23 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 4.5 feet deep. There is a bench spanning the length of the pool on the side opposite the infinity that looks out over the ocean.

There is a filter on a timer just under the bar counter that should be turned on when the pool is in use.

We heat the pool from December through April. The heater is set to a level that takes the edge off of the chill and may be warm to very warm, but the pool will not be hot like a Jacuzzi. We have a pool cover that we recommend putting on through the night (or whenever you are not using it if you’re so inclined). If you do this it can raise the temperature of the pool several degrees or more. Note: the pool cover is not a child safety device.

You may opt to pay a $20 daily fee for heating the pool, outside of December through April, but typically you will not want or need it.

We appreciate guests concerns about safety in Sayulita. Sayulita is a wonderful place, but - like any tourist destination anywhere in the world - it has its share of non-violent crime. We do, however, feel just as safe here as we do back home. We feel this way because we understand that petty theft exists and act accordingly to prevent it from happening to us. Be smart and don’t carry valuables around town or leave them on the beach while swimming or surfing.

Crime/petty theft, from our experience in Sayulita, is a thing of low-hanging fruit/crimes of opportunity, and usually involves people looking for electronics and cash. The vast majority of things we hear about involve people leaving the front door open or unlocked or people that have easy-to-reach open windows, or homes with easy-access designs.

Casa Contigo is designed to be the least opportunistic property when it comes to security. For our own peace of mind, we have installed layers of high-security locks and an alarm system that is monitored by our house manager, us and the alarm company. The bedrooms have windows that are extremely difficult to reach and each has a personal safe. Both the front door and Casita door are heavy handmade wooded doors, with added custom steel doors (imagine a steel screen door) that offer a way for the breeze to blow through and create security when the wooden doors are open. The open air living area would be practically impossible to access and each bedroom has a heavy locking wooden door. Casa Contigo is a concrete bunker designed for security and privacy!

We are not trying to convince anyone that Sayulita is otherwise perfect or perfectly safe. We can only speak from our own experiences that when we take these simple measures to protect ourselves and our property and possessions, we feel safe. Two basic rules for your peace of mind: lock the doors, and if you have any with you, put valuables in the safes when leaving the house.

Note to our own family and whoever else this applies to - you might try unplugging while you are on vacation (!) and bring a book instead of screens. Relax. Breathe. It’s Mexico, work can wait :)

Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Sayulita is in the tropics! We spray the perimeter periodically to minimize any unwanted pests. Jamie never notices them, nor do 2 of our 3 kids, but they can bug Charla certain times of the year around sunset.

Here is the full list of pests!

Mosquitos & No See-Ems: Most noticeable in the early morning and just after sunset (for about an hour or so). The best ways to keep them at bay is covering up and using bug spray. We use OFF brand or Atun, a popular Mexican label. You can buy spray in town.

2. Turn on the fans. This helps a lot. We have overhead fans in most living areas and provide a portable fan for the roof deck

3. We rarely close the windows in the bedrooms unless we are there in the middle of the humid summer, but closing them is a good solution to keeping mosquitos at bay too.

Geckos: These charming little household lizards love to eat all the bugs we hate. They might make cute high-pitched barking noises. They also might leave a little dropping or two around, nothing a paper towel and some soapy water can’t pick right up. Luckily, our periodic spraying does not harm these little guys.

Bats: Bats eat mosquitos and bugs so we love them. You may see some around sunset filling up on the local cuisine. They are small and not interested in us humans.

Bees/Wasps: These are no more prevalent here than most places in the States. But we know some people are allergic to bee/wasp bites. If you are allergic, do bring your EpiPen with you, just as you would back home.

Scorpions: Scorpions have a much scarier reputation than they generally deserve, but in a small percentage of cases, stings can be serious. If stung, try to kill and keep the scorpion (the coloring can be important information for treatment) and consult a doctor. Some scorpion stings may require anti-venom. Stings may also be exacerbated by allergies. We recommend shaking out shoes before putting them on.

Cockroaches: While our periodic spraying should take care of these buggers, one may show up on occasion if you are not careful. Be sure not to keep any cardboard boxes in the house – they can come in from stores with roaches/roach eggs. Also, it’s best not to let dirty dishes sit around, and secure garbage and recycling in the lidded trashcans provided, as they are attracted to food scraps.

We try hard to keep unwanted pests from getting into the casa. Please let us know as soon as possible if you do happen to encounter any pests (other than the passing bee or mosquito) so that we can take appropriate actions to get rid of them/prevent more. We only want happy guests!

Winter temperatures (December – March) in Sayulita average in the high 70s to low 80s F, with sunny dry days and warm to cool evenings.

The shoulder months of the dry season (November, April, and May) are some of our favorite months in Sayulita. Like April and May, the mornings and evenings are lovely and warm, and during the day it is hot (but much less humid than the summer) - perfect for jumping in the ocean or pool any time of day or night.

Summer temperatures (June-Oct) in Sayulita average 88F (highs are in the mid 90sF / 35C), with high humidity. Rain, lightning, and thunderstorms can occur anytime, but generally in the afternoon, evening, and middle of the night. You may get some full-on rainy days but our experience is storms come and go pretty quickly. Sept is the wettest month in Sayulita.

We do not currently offer access to the washer and dryer due to the way the house is set up physically. Basically, it’s in a mechanical room that would not be safe for guests. But, we have a better solution! The housekeeper will be happy to run laundry for you IF you can give her some advance notice (except on check out days). She is busy and we only have one washer/dryer, so please be patient as some days it may not work for her schedule. We suggest tipping $10-$15 for a load of laundry. We do ask guests to limit this as we aren’t set up very well for added laundry -sorry.

There is uncovered parking in front of the house for 1-2 cars.

Why would you ever want to cancel!? We understand that sometimes it is unavoidable. Here is our policy:

CANCELLATION POLICY

In the event of a cancellation we will attempt to re-rent the casa for all reserved dates by opening up the calendar on Sayulita Life. Any nights rented will be refunded minus a $100 admin fee. Any dates not rented will still be paid for by the guest - and if no dates are rented, no refund will be issued.

The period between June 1st and October 31st is the low season, also known as the rainy season, in Sayulita. While rain and storms may happen any time of the year, they can happen frequently during the rainy season. We take great care to make the property a relaxing and enjoyable place to stay, but renters should research this part of the world and understand that the rainy season comes with hot and humid weather, thunderstorms, and potentially muddy roads that may at times be difficult to pass (especially with low-clearance vehicles). The potential of power outages which effect the internet, air conditioning, ceiling fans, and our water pump may impact the enjoyment of a stay for some. When the power goes out in Sayulita typically a number of homes or section of town will all go down at once. Sometimes most all the town will go down. You should know these outages typically are short, however also know they could last longer in big storms and it is completely out of any property owners’ ability to control. This not only happens in Sayulita, it happens in much of Mexico and Central America in the summer months.

Please make an informed decision for yourself on the risks involved in staying in this part of the world in the rainy season and consider travel insurance if you are unsure or would like that fall back option to cancel.