7 Best Things to Do in San Pancho, Mexico
7 Best Things to Do in San Pancho, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta and the towns surrounding it have quite a good reputation in Mexico. They are known as tourist spots where you can have fun day and night safely!
But this time, I will talk about San Pancho, Nayarit, a place that seems taken out of a movie.
In fact, it is one of the most relaxing and laid-back places you can visit on the Pacific coast.
San Pancho still retains its quaint atmosphere of a small town, where everyone knows and cares for each other.
It is a cute little village known for its community life and ecological mentality. BTW, San Pancho’s official name is San Francisco Nayarit.
It is about an hour and a half from Puerta Vallarta on a bus. Way less if you’re driving.
If you are already excited and ready to travel to San Pancho, here are the best things to do and reasons to visit this fantastic destination in Mexico.
What to do in San Pancho, Mexico?
Although San Francisco Nayarit is the official name, everyone calls it San Pancho, which alludes to the affectionate way of saying Francisco in Mexico.
The beaches of San Pancho
San Pancho has one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.
The main beach stretches the length of the town, about a kilometer, and is soft sand all around.
A section of the beach near town has a few restaurants and beach clubs offering food, seating, and umbrellas.
However, if you walk along the beach, you will find a large part of it that is unspoiled and empty.
If you want to enjoy some time away from the crowds, I recommend going further out and relaxing on the deserted part of the beach in San Pancho Nayarit.
“Playa San Pancho” is a spectacular, endless stretch of beach embraced by the Sierra Madre mountain range.
You may want to read: Rincon de Guayabitos, Mexico: A Tranquil Paradise for Beach Lovers
Its lush tropical vegetation contrasts with the blue ocean, creating breathtaking landscapes worthy of a photograph. Visitors can enjoy long walks while watching surfers try to ride the tricky waves.
Playa Las Clavelinas is located past the golf course on Las Palmas Road, lined with beach houses and beautiful hotels.
It’s great if you could get there at sunset. Further down the road, there is also a beach called El Barro, although, the road is quite hidden and hard to find.
Tuesday market at Plaza del Sol
As in many cities in Mexico, there is a local artisan market held in San Pancho Nayarit on Tuesdays.
The market is set up in the Plaza del Sol, so it is impossible to miss.
Here you will find plenty of tents set up selling everything from jewelry to food, clothing, art, textiles, lotions, potions, soaps, and more.
There is something for everyone and every budget. It’s a great place to discover local artisans, buy souvenirs to take home, and soak in the energy of the place.
All the vendors are very friendly, and while bargaining is expected, it’s always important to be mindful and respectful of their work.
Volunteering at the community center
No visit to San Pancho would be complete without paying tribute to the great work done by the Entreamigos Community Center.
When people admire the community-oriented life in San Pancho Nayarit, Entreamigos is often cited as the main force behind this mentality.
The Entreamigos Community Center was started by an American woman as an after-school club.
Nowadays, it has become much more. It includes a library, computers for use by children and local schools, a thrift store, and lots of activities for children and adults alike.
Yoga, language lessons, dance classes, and many other fun pastimes.
If you have time while in San Pancho, be sure to visit the center and see how you can help.
If you’re feeling generous, you can also donate to the cause or participate in their annual fundraiser.
Listen to live music at night
San Pancho can be sort of quiet during the day. But at night, the town comes alive to the beat of all sorts of music.
Some places have live bands or solo musicians that create a unique atmosphere for diners.
From full mariachi bands to singers and even some little kids putting on a break dance show, there is something for everyone.
Whether you’re eating at the restaurant with the show, or just having a drink, you’ll want to venture out and enjoy the talent of the musicians in San Pancho.
You may want to read: Sayulita Riviera Nayarit: Your Guide to Mexico’s Boho Beach Town
Furthermore, there are plenty of festivals in Mexico, and San Pancho is no exception.
In February, head to San Francisco, Nayarit for the “San Pancho music festival.” It’s a great time to enjoy music from all over and discover new artists.
In March, you can enjoy the Circo de los Niños fundraising event.
Started in 2011, as a creation of Gilles Ste-Croix of Cirque du Soleil, his wife Monique Voyer, and the children of the Entreamigos community center, this event showcases the talents of local children.
In late September and early October, San Pancho celebrates its patron saint.
San Pancho, also known as San Francisco de Nayarit, celebrates a nine-day festival in honor of its namesake, St. Francis of Assisi.
In December, there is the SinergiArte festival. It is an annual art festival organized by a collective of artists from San Pancho, which has been going on for 13 years.
The event now goes beyond traditional art and includes live music, Danish dance, theatrical performances, visual arts exhibits, and more.
Surfing in San Pancho, Mexico
San Pancho is another great place for intermediate and experienced surfers.
If you’re looking to learn how to ride the waves, Sayulita may be a better option.
The afternoon is the best time to go to the beach to watch the surfers hit the waves. That’s when the locals go surfing after a long day of work.
If you want to learn to surf, there are a few places that will teach you in San Pancho, but whatever you do, be sure to watch out for the undertow and the currents. They can get surprisingly strong.
Admire the Street Art
San Pancho, like many other Mexican towns, has a lot of street art everywhere.
Being such a bohemian town, it’s not that surprising to see such beautiful art everywhere.
You’ll find street art scattered all over town and in the plazas. With so many artists living in the area, it’s lovely to walk around in what feels like an open-air museum.
Stroll through the art galleries and stores
If street art isn’t your thing, you’re in luck, because San Pancho, Nayarit is also home to some of the best art galleries and stores in the area.
They have a wide range of galleries scattered throughout the town, but especially on the main street.
It is lovely to walk around, take a look at the work of the different artists, and enjoy the beauty of their world. If you can, buy a piece to support them.
Day Trips from San Pancho, Mexico
Although San Pancho is small, you can still use it as a starting point to visit other surrounding towns and cities.
These day trips are particularly recommended if you’re planning on staying in San Pancho for several days.
Sayulita, Nayarit
Located about 15 minutes by bus, or a 1.5 to 2-hour walk, Sayulita is the perfect place to explore from San Pancho.
Much bigger and louder, Sayulita is perfect for those looking to party or go surfing. It is a coastal town with much more to do.
I think of Sayulita as San Pancho’s big Sister.
Compared to San Pancho, there are a few more beaches to visit, and many more restaurants and bars in Sayulita.
Bucerias, Nayarit
About 40 minutes south of San Pancho, Bucerías is a beautiful beach town worth visiting.
With beautiful beaches, a laid-back atmosphere, and more affordable prices than Sayulita, Bucerías has a lot to offer.
If you’re a fan of fresh oysters (like myself), Bucerias is the oyster capital.
It is a popular destination for beach lovers, retirees, and digital nomads. You can explore the town, relax on the beach, get a massage, and enjoy one of the many new restaurants.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Chances are you flew into Puerto Vallarta to get to San Pancho.
Puerto Vallarta has plenty of beaches to relax on, a boardwalk, stores and flea markets, bars and restaurants, parties, shows, and cruises.
Basically, anything you could need and want from a big city. There are so many places to explore in Puerto Vallarta that one day would not be enough.
Between the Malecon, the Romantic Zone, the beaches, and even day trips from Puerto Vallarta, you’ll need a few days here to explore it all.
Marietas Islands or Punta de Mita
There are excellent tours that go to the Marietas Islands. It’s the perfect way to spend a day out of San Pancho. You can explore the hidden beach, snorkel, or scuba dive.
The popular Marietas Island is one of the most unique natural rock formations in the water.
Its so-called “love beach” is under a crater that you can only reach by swimming.
In addition, the underwater world is simply spectacular and still offers excellent views of the local marine fauna and corals.
But if that’s not your thing, you can also head to Punta de Mita. It is located about 30 minutes from San Pancho.
Although Punta de Mita has been taken over by 5-star hotels, there are still some fun and authentic things you can do.
You can explore more beaches like Playa de La Lancha, which is the perfect place for surfing.
You can also walk around town or the marina and go shopping.
How to get to San Pancho, Mexico
San Pancho is located on the Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Nayarit, about 30 miles north of Puerto Vallarta and only 15 minutes north of nearby Sayulita.
The closest airport to San Pancho is Puerto Vallarta International Airport.
You can find direct flights to Puerto Vallarta from several major U.S. cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Minneapolis.
The easiest way to get from the airport to San Pancho is by cab or Uber. If you are feeling adventurous, there is also a bus that drops you right in town.
Look for the green and white buses that say “San Pancho” on the other side of the airport.
The buses run every 20 minutes or so and only cost around 3 USD per person one way.
Finally, you might also consider renting a car if you plan to explore the regions around San Pancho (I recommend this option).
NOTE: In San Pancho, everything is pretty much within walking distance.
When is the best time to visit San Pancho?
Much of the town (as the entire coastal tourist towns) closes during the rainy season, which lasts from late May through October.
This means that the best time to visit San Pancho is from November to early May.
If you go around New Year’s, prices will be high and the town is usually crowded, especially in nearby Sayulita.
However, after the first week of January, it slows down considerably and then picks up again in February.
Final Thoughts
In wrapping up your visit to San Pancho Mexico, it’s clear that this vibrant town offers a perfect balance of relaxation, adventure, and authentic cultural experiences.
Whether you’re soaking up the sun on its pristine beach, exploring local art galleries, enjoying live music, or tasting fresh seafood, San Pancho has a way of embracing you with its laid-back charm and lively spirit.
These activities showcase the town’s unique blend of natural beauty, artistic soul, and warm community, making it a must-visit destination on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
There’s enough to keep you busy for a few days, but not so much that you feel like you’re in a cosmopolitan city. It’s the kind of place you’ll never want to leave, so check it out.
