How to Get from Sayulita to La Lancha
La Lancha is about 25 minutes south of Sayulita by car, near Punta de Mita. You can get there by local bus, by taxi or Uber, or with an organized surf trip like ours. Which one makes sense mostly depends on two things: whether you need a board, and whether you already know how to surf.
Here’s a quick overview, then the details.
| Time | Rough cost | Boards | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local bus | 1 hour or more, with a change | Cheapest | Not allowed on the bus | Experienced surfers on a budget, no board |
| Taxi, Uber or InDrive | About 25 minutes | 15 to 40 USD one way | Often difficult, many drivers say no | Surfers who know what they're doing |
| Marea surf trip | About 25 minutes | From 700 MXN with a board | Included | Beginners, families, anyone who wants it easy |
Bus and taxi prices change, so check before you go.
By local bus
It’s possible, and it’s the cheapest way. You take the Compostela bus from Sayulita to Punta de Mita, get off in town, and switch to a bus heading toward Puerto Vallarta. Ask the driver to drop you at La Lancha. From the drop-off you cross the highway (carefully, it’s busy) and walk about 8 minutes through the jungle to the beach.
The catch: surfboards aren’t allowed on the bus. So you’d need to find a board somewhere near Punta de Mita and carry it in yourself. Buses also don’t always run on time, so give yourself extra margin, especially if you’re trying to catch a certain tide.
For an experienced surfer travelling light, it’s a fine little adventure. For a beginner, it’s a lot of effort before you’ve even reached the water.
By taxi, Uber or InDrive
Faster and easier. The drive takes about 25 minutes and usually costs somewhere between 15 and 40 US dollars one way, depending on the time of day and the app or driver. Prices change, so check before you book. Splitting it with friends brings it down a lot.
If you’re bringing a board, be aware that many drivers make it difficult or simply won’t take one, so ask before you book. And make a plan for getting back, since rides from La Lancha aren’t always easy to find.
The thing to know is that the ride is all you get. Once you’re dropped off, you’re on your own to figure out where to paddle out, how the tide is affecting the break, and where the current runs. If you’ve surfed a fair bit, that’s part of the fun. If you’re new, it can turn into an afternoon of guessing.
With Marea
This is the option we’d suggest for beginners, families, and anyone who’d rather spend their energy in the water than on logistics. And yes, we’re biased, but here’s what it actually looks like.
We meet at the surf school in Sayulita, where you pick a board that suits your level and get a rash guard and leash. Then we load up one of our open-air surf trucks and drive about 25 minutes south, followed by the 8-minute walk through the jungle to the beach.
Before anyone paddles out, we explain the break: where to go in, where the current runs, how the tide is affecting the waves that day, and how La Lancha is different from Sayulita. If you’re taking a lesson, your instructor is in the water with you, and groups are small, with a maximum of four people per instructor and often fewer. If you surf on your own, you still get the briefing, and we’re right there on the beach.
Not everyone in your group has to surf, either. Partners, parents and friends are welcome to come along just to enjoy the beach and watch.
The whole trip takes about four hours, and two and a half of those are at the beach. That leaves time between sessions to sit in the sand, watch your friends or kids catch waves, and just enjoy being there.
A couple of things guests have written about it in their reviews: “Hands down better than just surfing in Sayulita” and “Core memories for our kids.”
Prices
Coming along to watch, no surfing: 600 MXN per person
Surf on your own, board included: 700 MXN per person
Surf lesson, board included: from 1,700 MXN per person (see all lesson prices)
Trips leave daily at 2 PM. Early morning trips are possible on request.
Why go to La Lancha at all?
Because it’s quieter than Sayulita, and the waves often roll in longer and more evenly spaced, which many beginners find easier to learn on. Like any beach, it depends on the day. Some days it’s perfect for a first lesson, other days it’s better for people with some experience. When we’re there, we’ll tell you which kind of day it is.
If you’re staying in Sayulita and La Lancha is on your list, we’d love to take you.
See the La Lancha surf trip, or send us a WhatsApp and we’ll help you pick the right option.
