40 Awesome Things to Do in San Pancho, Mexico
Disclosure: This blog is reader-supported, and some posts contain affiliate links. If you make a booking, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for keeping me writing and doing what I love!
As the cultural capital of the state of Nayarit, San Pancho offers many things to do, from activities to restaurants, adventures, festivals, and so much more.
Since moving to this adorable Mexican pueblo, we’ve discovered that there are so many things to do in this Nayarit haven that you would never expect! Whether you’re visiting for a day, a week, a few months, or more, there’s an incredible amount of things to do in San Pancho that’ll keep you busy and entertained!
In the nearly two years that we’ve lived here, we’ve been able to do most of the things I list below. I’m excited to add more as we continue to immerse ourselves in this wonderful Mexican town.
This is my ultimate guide on things to do in San Pancho! 🙂
Ultimate Bucket List — Things to Do in San Pancho
Below are my top recommendations for things to do in San Pancho, Mexico (for short or long trips)!
1. Tour the Entreamigos Community Center
Entreamigos is a community center that really embodies the spirit of San Pancho. Without it, this coastal town in Nayarit would not be the same. It’s the reason we came to San Pancho and it’s the beating heart of the town! Volunteering or simply touring the center is the best thing to do in San Pancho.
Entreamigos Community Center – The 2020 motto is “Dreams without Borders”
Its foundational pillars revolve around education, the community, and sustainability. Because of their passionate efforts, San Pancho is making long-lasting positive impacts on the local environment and the community.
If you don’t have time to volunteer for a few hours, at least walk in and take a little tour! You’ll come out the other end feeling inspired and enlightened!
2. Spend the day at San Pancho beach
The beach in San Pancho offers a day of rest and rejuvenation. Although it has become more populated over the years, it remains small and keeps its wonderful local feel!
When we arrived in 2018, a construction project was underway. Now, when you visit the beach, you’ll see the “Punta Paraiso” building staring blatantly back at you. It’s hideous, and this town has protested whole-heartedly to have it removed (because it is robbing the town of its public beach and is putting the turtles at risk who lay their nests here).
When you visit the beach, please keep this community-driven and environment-first consciousness alive! Please avoid using plastic straws, styrofoam cups, etc., and dispose of your trash properly. 🙂 If there is one thing NOT to do in San Pancho, it’s to leave your waste behind!
There are also two restaurants at the beach’s entrance, which are nice places to enjoy a drink and watch the sun dip into the Pacific.
3. Hit the waves! Go surfing at San Pancho Beach
San Pancho’s waves can be rough and kind of intimidating sometimes, but despite this, you’ll see a handful of surfers! You can rent boards easily from the main street or directly on the beach. A few of the popular shops include Native Surf Shop and Santa Madre Adventures.
Surfing Tip: If you’re a beginner, walk all the way to the left of the beach and surf there. The waves tend to be smaller and more gentle. It’s where we first tried surfing! I was able to stand up 3-4 times. You can also sign up for surf lessons!
4. Eat authentic Mexican tacos
San Pancho is bursting with local stands and restaurants serving fresh, authentic tacos. There are several places to try tacos — and it’s worth trying each one!
Our go-to taco place is Taqueria Los Arbolitos! A few other delicious local Mexican taco places in San Pancho are El Gallo and Victor’s Taco, although there are so many amazing places to eat in San Pancho.
5. Hike in the jungle
For those of you who like to go on hikes — San Pancho has several great treks you can do! The first and probably most popular is the hike from San Pancho to Sayulita via the jungle and the beaches. Simply take the trail at Hacienda San Pancho and follow it into the jungle.
The hike pops out on a beach in between Sayulita and San Pancho, where you can spend a couple of hours before rejoining the trail that ends in Sayulita. This hike will take a little over an hour to complete!
Another hike in San Pancho takes you to a Buddha statue. It’s a little more challenging and takes around 2 hours.
6. Tour the Lo de Perla jungle garden
Touring the Lo de Perla jungle garden has been on our San Pancho bucket list since we moved here!
We have only heard amazing reports about it! You get to tour the jungle’s exotic plant life, which includes an array of magical orchids. The tour lasts for several hours and makes a great day activity to do with family or friends.
7. Go bird watching at the estuary
The lush forests surrounding San Pancho make it a goldmine for birdwatching! An estuary leads out to the beach and hosts a diverse variety of birds and other wildlife, which you can learn about firsthand from a local guide or at the San Pancho Bird Observatory.
While we haven’t gone on the tour just yet, I highly recommend nature and wildlife lovers take the opportunity to go birdwatching in San Pancho. A few of the birds you might get to see include vibrant military macaws, roseate spoonbills, and over a hundred other feathered friends.
8. Take a yoga or pilates class
San Pancho is brimming with yoga and pilates instructors, Reiki therapists, and so much more. If you’re looking to take a class, head to El Estar for yoga, Pilates San Pancho on Tercer Mundo, or try out an aerial yoga class at Circos de los Ninos.
9. Wake up with fresh coffee
Coffee lovers rejoice! You’ll find plenty of yummy cafes and coffee shops around San Pancho. Some of the most popular spots in town include Cafe Floresta, Cafe Why Not, Prieta, and Arigato Bake + Brew. Most of these offer delicious espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, and food!
10. Watch the sunset over the Pacific ocean (one of the best things to do in San Pancho!)
The sunsets in San Pancho are some of the best we’ve ever seen! If you’re only in San Pancho for one night, don’t miss out on the sunset, as they’re simply magical.
Each sunset is a little different; some are blazing orange and red, while others are all the shades of the rainbow. Some people head down to the beach for sunset every night!
Watching the sunset in San Pancho is one of the best things to do here, whether you’re visiting for a short or long time.
11. Volunteer at the turtle rescue center
If you’re here during the turtle season, don’t miss out on the chance to help release baby turtles.
We volunteered with friends back in November and counted freshly hatched turtles from their sandboxes.
Local Frank Smith started the San Pancho Marine Turtle Project, and the work he and his volunteers do is truly amazing! Frank’s efforts over the years have resulted in the release of over one million turtles from the San Pancho beach.
You can sign up to volunteer during the turtle season, generally from May 1st–December 15th, on their official website!
12. Grab a craft beer at La Cerveceria
La Cerveceria in San Pancho is THE place to go for craft beer.
They’ve got a quaint little casita-style building on a cobblestone street with a bar and outdoor tables. Most of the time they also have local musicians playing live music.
The vibe is cozy and warm, which also makes it quite a popular place for drinks among friends or colleagues. Don’t forget to try their cheese and charcuterie plates or their fries! What more can you ask for?
13. Movie night with Ciné San Pancho
A friend started up movie nights in San Pancho called Ciné San Pancho.
You must go if you’re in town when there’s a showing! The films they feature are usually documentaries that send a strong message. The last showing we watched was Before the Flood.
The movies will be screened either in the Bodega Teatro or in the local park, in which case, bring mosquito repellent!
14. Taste the best churros in the world
Who knew San Pancho was the home of the world’s best churros? There is a couple who come to San Pancho (apparently during the week in the evenings before sunset) and sell churros from the back of their truck.
The husband shoots the churro batter with his churro gun into the boiling oil, while the wife handles the money and sugar-coating the piping-hot churro.
They are the MOST DELICIOUS churros I, or anyone I’ve spoken to in this town, have ever tasted! And they only cost 10 pesos each!
15. Listen to live music at Open Mic on Tuesdays
Listening to live music in San Pancho is another best thing to do! (There are lots, haha). You can listen to live music at almost every restaurant in San Pancho, but the live music everyone goes to on Tuesday nights is “open mic” at La Buena Vida!
You’ll want to go early to grab a table, especially if you’re going to dine on yummy dishes and pizzas first. If you stick around San Pancho for a couple of days, you’ll likely hear someone mentioning going to open mic or la Buena Vida!
16. Go horseback riding on the beach
Another bucket list item that I can’t wait to do in San Pancho is horseback riding!
You can talk with the “horseman” (as I call him, as we haven’t been introduced), who usually exercises his horses on the beach in hopes of catching some customers (haha, like me).
17. Watch a local San Pancho soccer match
The soccer field (or football field for some) is where you can go and watch local teams compete in a good ‘ole soccer match. The games draw quite a crowd and are a fun way to immerse yourself in the local life here in San Pancho.
18. Shop at the outdoor artisanal market on Tuesdays
If you’re in San Pancho on a Tuesday, don’t miss out on the local artisanal market on the Plaza del Sol from 10-2 pm. You can buy handmade jewelry and Mexican handicrafts, listen to live music, eat quesadillas, pizza, arepas, and stock up on organic produce and beauty products, and so much more!
19. Go salsa dancing at El Gallo
San Pancho isn’t as big as Sayulita or Puerto Vallarta, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find opportunities to learn salsa!
Every Friday night, El Gallo features live salsa and cumbia music. They often have guest artists come to play, too.
Enjoy a glass of pulque, mezcal, or a refreshing beer and dance the night away under the stars. Like with the market, La Buena Vida, the sunsets, and the community center, El Gallo is another “San Pancho staple” you shouldn’t miss out on.
20. Rent a bike and cruise around town
If you don’t have much time in San Pancho and want to get around faster, consider renting a bike for the day!
A bike rental costs about 200 pesos/day at La Santa Madre surf shop, situated on Tercer Mundo near the beach.
21. Share a bottle of Mezcal at La Baba del Diablo
Also known simply as La Mezcaleria, La Baba del Diablo is a little hole-in-the-wall pub in San Pancho that serves primarily mezcal. Mezcal is a popular Mexican spirit made from the agave plant, the same plant that makes tequila.
Sharing a bottle among friends might seem like a lot, but in the end, everyone gets a fair share of mezcal shots at a cheaper rate than if you were to buy single shots. It comes served with fresh orange slices and three different types of salts!
22. Relax in La Parque de la Hermandad
There’s a local park that’s quite hidden just off the main street in San Pancho called Parque de la Hermandad. Otherwise known as the “skate park” because of its small skate ramp, this park is usually frequented by locals having lunch at the nearby taco stand and their kids playing on the outdoor gym equipment.
The park is shaded by leafy trees and has a wall of colorful mural paintings. It’s a great place to enjoy a picnic! This park is also the official taxi stand, so go here if you need a cab.
23. Splurge on international cuisine
Are you taco-ed out? No worries, San Pancho’s restaurant scene has your back.
When it comes to international cuisine, San Pancho just might surprise you, as it did us! Dine on gourmet seafood, delicious kinds of pasta, pizzas, gelato ice creams, grilled barbecue, and more!
24. Play pool (and video games!!) in a local bar
If you’re in the mood to gather around a pool table with a group of friends for some drinks, Billar San Pancho is the place to go! Located on Nueva Galicia, the first street on your right as you enter San Pancho, this hole-in-the-wall is the perfect spot for a fun night out.
The bar owner also has 2-3 TV screens set up with Xboxes and games like GTA, Call of Duty, and such.
25. Visit the Alianza Jaguar association
The Alianza Jaguar Association is another wonderful organization based in San Pancho. Its mission is to promote the conservation of the jaguar by overseeing sustainable development in accordance with human activities, rural communities, etc.
You can learn more about them on their website or by visiting them in person!
26. Play beach volleyball
Bring your own volleyball to the beach to play some good old-fashioned beach volleyball! There might already be a team playing that you can ask to join, too.
The San Pancho beach is pretty big so you can join a volleyball game at one of the set-up nets or take your own ball or game and head to a quieter part of the beach to play.
27. SUP Paddleboarding
If surfing isn’t quite your sport, why not try paddleboarding instead?
There are lots of paddle boarders who come to San Pancho to enjoy a row out past the waves and watch the sunset. You’ll find rentals available at most of the surf shops!
28. Eat brunch while watching a Polo match
One of the first activities we did when we moved to San Pancho was attending a Polo match. Random, right? Tierra Tropical Polo Club is almost hidden, tucked away from downtown San Pancho.
It was an all-inclusive brunch/sports match, and it really felt like we weren’t in a small Mexican town anymore but somewhere off on a rich resort.
The experience was a little weird, as Polo matches aren’t our usual go-to sports event. Nonetheless, we had fun pretending to live the high life and exploring another side of San Pancho we weren’t aware of!
29. Try your hand at circus arts at Circo de Los Niños
San Pancho is full of unique talent, which is on full display at Circo de Los Niños San Pancho.
This circus arts school grew out of a social project that started in 2011 when the co-founder of the world-famous Cirque du Soleil set up a fundraiser for the youth and children of San Pancho.
Today, the Circo de Los Niños is alive and well, with over 140 children participating in learning the circus arts as a way to empower the local and visiting community.
But the circus isn’t just for kids! Classes for adults are also available in both the Bodega Dance and Bodega Circo spaces.
I personally took aerial silk classes with the wonderful teacher, Ita. 🙂
Watch our aerial silks performance from last year! (I’m on the left dressed as Tinkerbell for the Literature Week Festival in San Pancho hosted by Entreamigos).
30. Stroll down the Eco-Art Walk on Fridays
On Fridays in San Pancho, you can stroll downtown and shop on the street from local artists who proudly sell their work at Eco-Art Walk San Pancho.
You can find everything from handmade jewelry to paintings, poetry, sculptures, and even handmade pet collars made with the region’s indigenous Huichol art!
31. Take a Spanish lesson or music lesson
With so many bilingual residents in San Pancho and internationals floating about, there are many opportunities to find a friend with whom to practice your Spanish (or another language) skills.
You will most likely come across a flyer or post on Facebook about Spanish or English classes or maybe even piano or guitar lessons.
32. Play basketball, enjoy a picnic or event in La Plaza del Sol
La Plaza del Sol is where many parties and events in San Pancho are held, but it’s also a great spot to find some peace and quiet.
Celebrating for Saint Francis festival (after whom the town is named – San Francisco)!
The trees and benches offer the perfect setting for a quaint picnic. The park also has an outdoor basketball court, which is often used for a friendly competitive game!
33. Go to an Art Exhibition in La Galeria
Right next to the old location of the Baba del Diablo in San Pancho sits a small but cozy art gallery where you can go and support local artists’ work on display.
The last time we went was for a friend of a friend’s photography exhibition of sky and sea photographs. Plus, sushi and cacao water were also served! La Galeria makes a great first pit stop on your way to the Mezcaleria. 😉
34. Attend one of San Pancho’s international festivals
Believe it or not, this tiny town on the coast of Nayarit has lots of fun festivals throughout the year. The San Pancho Music Festival is one such event you should try to attend while visiting San Pancho!
There are also plenty of other local festivals to enjoy throughout the year, including the cultural festival, Day of the Dead, día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, and plenty of local festivals.
35. Take a day trip to Sayulita or Puerto Vallarta
Sayulita sits just a few minutes from San Pancho by car and is well known as the more popular surfing town. It’s bigger than San Pancho, with more restaurants and shops to browse.
It’s one of the Mexican government’s pueblo magico’s and as such, attracts quite the international and local crowd. With that said, Sayulita is way more populated and crowded compared to San Pancho which remains quite local for now (although that’s expected to grow!).
Similarly, you can take a day trip from San Pancho to the capital of Jalisco – Puerto Vallarta (often referred to as the gateway to the lovely Riviera Nayarit!). Downtown PV is quite charming with its Zona Romantica, long sea-side boardwalk, and trendy squares and parks.
36. Visit the beautiful Islas Marietas
A small, uninhabited archipelago set adrift in the Pacific Ocean, the Islas Marietas are a protected national park, teeming with wildlife.
Spend a day exploring the islands pristine beaches, like Playa la Nopalera. You’ll have the chance to spot sea turtles, dolphins, and even humpback whales from December to April!
The only way to reach the islands is with a designated tour as the government only allows a set number of visitors per day. This tour option is a six hour trip that includes lunch, snacks, and an open bar on board. You’ll also have the opportunity to kayak, snorkel, and visit a “hidden” beach.
While visiting Islas Marietas will require getting over to Sayulita (about a 15-minute drive from San Pancho), its well worth the hassle!
37. Rent a golf cart for the day
San Pancho is growing, but its streets remain very local and are paved with traditional cobblestone. It’s easy to walk around everywhere and get a sense of life here, but if you want to explore the more remote parts of town, like near the Maraica or the mezcal bar, having a golf cart is handy.
You can rent them in town from San Pancho Golf Cart Rentals for around $60 a day!
38. Discover all the art murals in San Pancho
One of my favorite free activities to do in San Pancho is marveling at all the art murals scattered around town.
There are at least a dozen in the Parque de la Hermandad and another dozen along the path that leads to the right side of the beach. Can you find them all!?
39. Volunteer at river & beach clean-ups
On Saturday mornings, a team of volunteers will usually set out to clean up all the plastic trash and waste polluting the town’s river that empties out into the ocean.
This team is usually led by the Entreamigos community center, but sometimes, town residents host their own river/beach clean-ups.
Sure, it’s not your ideal “vacation” activity in San Pancho, but it helps keep this community one of the most sustainable in the Riviera Nayarit, not to mention probably all of Mexico!
40. Experience a Temazacal ceremony (sweat lodge)
One of my most memorable experiences in Mexico was attending a sweat lodge ceremony hosted by friends in nearby Lo de Marcos.
In short, the ceremony is a mind-body-spirit cleansing with traditional Mesoamerican customs. You enter into a small, closed dome, where volcanic rocks are placed in a hole in the ground.
Water is poured over the top, creating immense amounts of steam. The ceremony endures for four stages – or doors – and is an experience of the senses. Feel free to reach out in the comments or send me an email if you want to learn more!
Where to Stay
There are a handful of boutique hotels in San Pancho that place you minutes from the beach and the heart of the town center.
Hotel Cielo Rojo immediately comes to mind for its original, Mexican-style atmosphere and special Bistro Organico—its on-site bistro featuring sustainable food. But in truth, there are lots to choose from, and the list is growing every couple of months!
During my time in San Pancho, I wrote an ultimate guide to hotels in the area with the best original, modern, and eco-friendly places to stay (click here to read!).
Check out my in-depth hotel guides:
- Staying at the Marii Hotel Costero in San Pancho
- My Experience Staying at the PAL.MAR Hotel Tropical
- Checking in at the Eco + Chic Maraica Hotel in San Pancho
- A Look Inside Aldea Bamboo
Ultimate Bucket List for Things to Do in San Pancho Mexico
Wow! Thanks for making it to the end of this article with me! Let me just finish off by saying that this is only the beginning of all there is to do in San Pancho!
While Paul and I haven’t crossed off all of the items on this list, we’re getting pretty close to it and will definitely have it all completed by the time we head off to our next destination.
If you are based in Vallarta or Sayulita, we definitely recommend taking a day trip here since there are just so many things to do in San Pancho Mexico you don’t want to miss out on.
Are you adding San Pancho to your bucket list? If you have already visited, tell me, what was your favorite thing about San Pancho?
LIKE IT? PIN IT!
Bri,
We will be in San Pancho for a week at the end of March. Several years ago we stayed in Sayulita for a week and I ended up critically ill in the hospital for a few days (the AmeriMed hospital in Nuevo Vallarta was excellent) with a bovine virus (very nasty) that I caught despite us taking every sanitary food precaution that I knew of. It has taken me a long time to get up the nerve to go again, but we were just enchanted with San Pancho and are looking forward to our trip. My question is, do you have any great tips on how to avoid or treat this type of sickness beyond the typical of avoiding tap water, etc.
I’m sorry to hear that, Ann! That sounds pretty awful. Other than avoiding tap water (even when brushing your teeth if you’re sensitive) I would just add to buy the little veggie cleansing solution you can find at the market to soak your veggies before preparing and cooking! Also, ask for no ice in restaurants
Aloha bring the homeopathic medicine “Arsenicum Album” available at US health food stores (Boiron is common brand) and take that at first sign of any tummy funk. It works great, I used it in India. Haven’t had to use this trip to Sayulita tho (yay!)
Hello! I absolutely love this blog. We are planning on a trip to P Vallarta in March and want to do an overnight in San pancho! We have two kids ages 6 and 10 and wondering the best place to stay and also where to eat! Also is renting a car the best transport Orion in your mind? Thank you!
Hey Brie! I have a guide on the best places to stay in San Pancho and also a San Pancho restaurant guide — both are family-friendly and I’m confident you’ll find great choices there! You won’t really need a car rental once in San Pancho, but it will be handy for getting there from the PV airport. Keep in mind, someone will have to drop it off and take the bus back! You may be able to drop it off in neighboring Sayulita, but I’m not sure the rental office in town still does that. Have a wonderful time!
Hi Bri,
Thanks for the article. I am interested in the temazcal ceremonies but I don’t do Facebook. How else could I get some more information.
Thank you!
Are you in San Pancho at the moment?
Hey Bri! I am also interested in the temezcal, I’ll be visiting in January 2024! Let me know if there are details you can share 🙂
-Sammy
Hey Sammy! Your best bet is to check in the Facebook group for those dates and events!
Hi Bri, my husband and I are in PV for a week and plan to spend a week in San Pancho at an Airbnb where we have a kitchen to prepare small meals etc when we aren’t eating out. I was curious if there is a good place to purchase fresh veggies and staples for the kitchen during our stay? Or is it best to shop in PV before we arrive?
We are really looking forward to our relaxing stay in San Pancho and I have read all of the awesome things you have recommended to do during our stay. Can’t wait!
Hi Sarah! Sorry to get back to you so late! But yes! There is a place to get veggies and a few staples at the El Indio market, and even better (fresh, organic) veggies at the Tuesday market in SP on the plaza by the beach. You’d have much more choice in PV though (we go to Mega in Nuevo Vallarta). I hope you have/had/are having an amazing time in San Pancho! Thanks so much for reading!
HI,
Can you please give me the name and contact for the hiking guide in San Pancho? We are in Nuevo Vallarta but would like to visit and take a walk through the jungle and beach. Thank you.
Hey Natalie! I think you’re talking about the Lo de Perla jungle garden — right? If so, here’s their website!
Hey! What’s the starting point for the hike to the Buddha statue? Thanks a lot, and thanks for this blog, I love it!!
Hey Caroline! So if I remember correctly, you go down the beach road toward where Mar Plata used to be. Keep going on Calle Las Clavinas. Eventually, there will be a dirt road to your right and some signs for Camino al Buda. The Buddha statue will be in the trees in a clearing on the lefthand side of the trail. It’s about a 2-hr hike! I hope that helps!! xx
Hi,
I’m interested in the Temazecal ceremony.
I’m actually staying in Lo De Marcos 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Jessica! Cool to hear you’re in Lo De Marcos right now. : ) Check either the LDM or San Pancho Facebook groups for current temazcal ceremonies. Dates/times may have changed due to the current situation.
Hi Bri,
I am interested in the Temezcal Ceremony. by any chance do you have the contact or any information that you can provide would be great. Thank you!
Hi Laura! Of course, let me send you an email — on its way 🙂
I haven’t visited San Pancho or Sayulita since the late 1990’s (it was very different then), but I just booked 9 days in San Pancho at Par.Mar Topical (based on your review) for myself and my two teenagers. I can’t wait! Thank you for you thorough review of the town and all of the helpful information. We share the same name!
I am debating on maybe staying a couple nights in Sayulita, mostly because I wonder if nine days in San Pancho for the teens may be a little long. Thoughts?
Awww, hi Bri and nice to e-meet you! Thanks so much for your comment and for reading my guides. How wonderful that you are going back to Sayu and San Pancho! I think San Pancho is great for teens – there’s plenty to do there. However, the waves in SP are rougher/stronger than in Sayulita, which as you know has docile waves and beaches ideal for families and surfing (Idk if they are older or younger teens which may raise a concern in case of the latter). There are lots of community projects/events at Entreamigos in San Pancho, plus the beach, and a range of other activities (soccer field, horse riding). I honestly can’t think of major differences between the two, with the exception that surfing is ideal in Sayulita. Otherwise, eating out, shopping, beaching it up, etc, are available in both towns. I hope that helps, lol! Feel free to ask me any other questions. Also here’s my guide to hotels in Sayulita just in case you do want to spend a few nights there! xx
Thanks for the great list of attractions! This has been enough to shift our plans away from Sayulita. We are booking a trip for the end of April. Can you give any info on Covid restrictions or closures at this point?
Hi there! Thanks for your comment! As far as I know, almost everything is business as usual. Some of the festivals have been cancelled. But the restaurants, beaches, and community center (Entreamigos) are open. Some places, like the center, are taking appropriate measures like mask-wearing, sanitization, and social distancing while the residents and other places do not – so just be aware of that! Hope you have a great and safe time! x
With the new shut down requirements, will the Tuesday market still be going on? San Pancho beach open?
Hey Lauren! I asked my friends who are there right now and they said businesses are supposed to close now by 8 pm, but there have not really been any shutdowns of sorts. So yes, I assume the beach is still open for now as well as the market (with social distancing in place).
Hi Bri! Thanks for a fun and informative post! I’ve been researching cities and towns in Mexico to move to (or at least live for an extended period of time if I can’t convince my husband to move out of the US), and San Pancho is on my list. As far as rentals, I’d rather not go the Airbnb or hotel route, but what other options are there (if any) for finding a place to stay for long-term rental (anywhere between 1–6 months)? Is it easy to find a rental property owned by locals once you arrive? I’m trying to figure out how much planning versus how much “seat of your pants” this involves. Also, how long did you stay in San Pancho (and where did you stay– hotel? Airbnb? Other?) Thanks again for a helpful post!
Hi Rachel! Thanks so much for writing 🙂 You will LOVE San Pancho! You can definitely find “local” housing, i.e. rent directly instead of booking through an Airbnb/hotel. That’s at least, what we did the 2 years we lived in San Pancho. We rented actually from 3 different SP locals or residents and 2x with the same person – Karina – who, together with her family, was an awesome host. I’d suggest you join the San Pancho Facebook group (San Pancho Communidad Participativa) and post asking about housing/rentals. The season gets cheaper after the holidays, so keep that in mind. If you haven’t yet, my complete guide to San Pancho talks about when to go so as to not miss the cool events (although I imagine this year they will be partially canceled or pushed back), among a few other “good to knows”. Though I imagine you can find Karina’s apartment posts in the FB group, feel free to reach out to me by email and I’ll be happy to share her contact info with you. Cheers! x
Puerto Vallarta is not a capital of Nayarit. It’s a city in Jalisco;)
Cool article otherwise. Can’t wait to check out the Baba De Diablo!!!)))
Thank you for sharing.
Hi Diana! Thank you! I didn’t catch that, I know that Tepic is the capital of Nayarit. I thought I mentioned Puerto Vallarta as the “gateway to the Riviera Nayarit”, but it might have been in another article. Hope you have the best time in San Pancho!! x
Hi Bri…great info. Is there a map showing all the places you recommend?
Thanks!
Hi Pat! Thank you! I don’t have one now, but I could certainly make one & would be happy to share 🙂
Is there good fishing in San Pancho Nayarit mexico
Hey Linda! Yes! It’s a great destination to go fishing 🙂
Hey Bri! How is it down there with Covid? Are many activities still available? Thanks in advance!
Hey Kaycee! Thanks for reaching out 🙂 I am not in San Pancho at the moment (now I’m in Tulum on the east side), but what my friends tell me, it seems like things are picking up and weekends are fairly busy. I know the Entreamigos had planned to open back in October, but I’m not sure!
FYI…the golf course closed permanently in December. 🙁
Oh wow, thanks for sharing! I definitely didn’t know that. I’m not much of a golfer myself, haha. I will update the article. Thanks Andrew!
I like the idea of volunteering on vacation. You get a good feel for the local culture and may get to know some locals, too!
Thanks, Sharon – I definitely agree! The center is truly the spirit of the town so it’s a must-see when visiting!
I’ve never heard of this town but it looks so peaceful and quaint ?
Thanks, Claire! It is veryyy small. But it has a big heart!!
What a fantastic list of things to do in San Pancho! Who would have thought it would have had so much to offer! The community centre looks lovely. It’s always amazing to experience community spaces and see communities come together. Just from reading your post it is clear that San Pancho has a really strong community spirit and looks like a really welcoming place. Thanks for the fantastic guide!
Hannah
Thanks, Hannah!! Yes, it truly has a magical vibe about it… so many people come here and grow, learn, heal, etc.!!
I am so interested in the Turtle Rescue research center. Did you visit it? I also want to help release baby sea turtles. That’s totally on my bucket list!
Hey Patti! Yes! It is owned by a man, Frank, who came here in the 80’s I think. His program has released over 1 million turtles from SP beach since the 90s. Truly amazing work. He replenished basically the turtle population of the entire Riviera. Amazing!!