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Real-Time: Chile
Destination name: San Francisco, Mexico
Common nickname: San Pancho
Location
With nonstop flights departing from many US cities to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) followed by a breezy 45-minute bus or car ride to San Pancho, travel to this laid-back surf town is almost too easy. Leave the bustle of PV and drive through the lush jungles of the Sierra Madre Mountains to the white-sand beaches of San Pancho on the shores of the roiling Pacific Ocean.
Primary active pursuits
From steamy jungle hikes and bike rides to two-tank dives under the sea, San Pancho sits in close proximity to a smorgasbord of outdoor offerings. Discover something to fit both the active and chill sides of your vacation as you tackle beginner surf lessons or killer waves, stretch it out in a yoga class, snorkel with tiny tropical fish, stroll amongst an art-infused community, and practice beer curls with Coronas. Easily fill anywhere from two days to two weeks in this charming destination for foreigners and locals alike.
Specific microdestinations
The beach of San Pancho: Don flip-flops, bring a cooler, sunscreen, good book, and a nose plug and prepare to enter an equally relaxing and entertaining beach like no other. With an insane surf break, gnarly current, and occasional riptide, the Pacific Ocean is not suitable for novice swimmers or beginner surfers. But for a confident adventure-seeker who can hold their own in six-foot waves, enter at your own risk and enjoy the thoroughly-exhausting journey getting pulled far from your basecamp. After you've had your indulgence of sea water, retire to your towel, crack open a cold one and kick back to watch expert surfers shred as an orange sun dips below the horizon.
Sayulita: A 10-minute taxi ride south of San Pancho lies the buzzing town of Sayulita that locals will tell you used to be as intoxicatingly quiet as San Pancho. The mellower waters of Sayulita are definitely worth a day trip, if you are keen to surf, body-board, or standup paddleboard - without getting pummeled by the sea. For the more adventurous, forego the taxi and hike from the south-end of San Pancho's beach over the trails behind Casa Kuesta to Playa Malpasos, where you'll enjoy near-solitude. From here, continue south back into the jungle and find the dirt road that leads right to Sayulita's north beach. A one-way hike to Sayulita is just over a mile from San Pancho.
Other excursions: Fishing is supreme off the coast of San Pancho, so charter a fishing boat for a day and aim to catch your dinner. If you want the boat experience without the guts and gills, climb aboard one of the tour ships to Isla de Marietas, a national park of volcanic islands in the Bahia Banderas. Snorkel with dolphins and manta rays and espy blue-footed boobies on-shore, their only other habitat besides the Galapagos Islands. If you're more of a landlubber, opt for a horseback or mountain bike ride (we recommend PV-based ecoridemex.com), or the all-time classic Central American vacation hobby of ziplining.
Best Season
From May till October, San Pancho all but closes down due to a hot, rainy season. Rather plan your journey between November and April when temperatures hover between a perfect 60 and 80 degrees. Keep in mind that whales tend to show up at the end of November. Avoid New Year's and Semana Santa (Easter), as prices skyrocket and crowds nullify everything you've read in this article - unless you're into the nightlife thing.
Other Recreational and Cultural Gems
Nick Martin
By day, don't miss a visit to Entre Amigos, San Pancho's community center that features everything from a library to language and belly dancing lessons, artisan crafts, and a vegan restaurant. At night, if you love sea turtles (honestly, who doesn't?), contact Grupo Ecologico de la Costa Verde to learn about marine sea turtle protection efforts. As the moon lights their way, watch as sea turtles lay eggs and witness the magic of hatching turtles on their arduous journey across the beach to the wide world of the Pacific Ocean.
Lodging and Dining
One word: tacos. There is no shortage of cheap taco and tostada stands lining the main street of San Pancho (Tercer Mundo). Checkout Taqueria Los Arbolitos or Baja Takeria. Give octopus a try at one of the seaside restaurants. Grab fresh fish from one of the trucks rolling by and chef up filets at your rental casa. For a divine breakfast, treat yourself to Cielo Rojo, also a beautiful place to stay for $65 to $150 a night, depending on the season. Other lodging options range from free camping on the beach to Hostal San Pancho (~$12 a night - includes a vegan breakfast) and a bounty of rental properties - definitely the best way to go, if you're traveling with a group.
Best Single Reason to Visit
The sunsets. Pelicans and frigate birds dive into the surf. Dogs wander carefree along the shore. Tan, happy folk toast margaritas. Sizzling tacos and refreshing limes and dollops of guacamole grace your plate. All the while, the sky to the west puts on a sherbet show fit for a king. Grab your camera or simply sit in awe as the silhouettes of all of these characters fill the panorama. Paradise? You found it.
Joy Martin
Getting Equipped
For more information on San Pancho and the Riviera Nayarit, checkout www.sanpancholife.com and www.sayulitalife.com. Other great site options include www.sayulitaentourage.com, sayulitarecreation.htm and www.divatours.net. For the best selection of charming bungalows and private villas in the area, visit www.vrbo.com. As well, the Moon Spotlight: Sayulita & the Riviera Nayarit is a great resource for finding the best surf breaks, tacos, art galleries and more.
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