Traveling to Mexico and looking for things to do in San Pancho?
Then I can give you all the help that you need to find some great activities.
Located around 50Km from Puerto Vallarta, San Pancho is also known by many as San Francisco.
Table of Contents
Things to do in San Pancho
So, what, then, are some of the best things to do in San Pancho, Mexico? What can you find here?
Where is San Pancho?
San Pancho is a small Mexican town that is based in the large state of Nayarit.
It’s part of the central Pacific coastline of the country and can be reached by following Highway 200 all the way from Puerto Vallarta, which is around 50km south.
How to get to San Pancho
The best way to get to San Pancho is via Puerto Vallarta. You can get a bus there without much issue, though it has no room for luggage.
Depending on your style of travel, you’ll likely feel more comfortable traveling by taxi or using some other form of private transport.
Things to do in San Pancho
If you are looking for some awesome of the most popular activities in San Pancho, Mexico, then you should definitely look at the following activities.
San Pancho Beach
A good place to start is to head on down to San Pancho Beach. This can allow you to enjoy a simple trip to the beach, allowing you to easily get a good spot for the day.
Refreshments and entertainment are common here, so be sure to come here with plenty of time to spare.
You can do a tour from Puerto Vallarta which offers transport and access to two of the most popular beaches, including this one.
It definitely is a good place to come for relaxation, though it can be quite busy and raucous at weekends.
Learn about Chocolate
While most don’t associate chocolate with Mexican culture, learning about chocolate is one of the best things to do in San Pancho.
It’s the ideal place for you to come if you are looking for an easy way to learn about chocolate and the important history that it has in this amazing place.
You can take various tours, but please be aware that some tours are in Spanish only – so be sure to look for a tour in English.
San Pancho Market
For those who want to come home with some unique artifacts and buys, I recommend heading out to the San Pancho market.
So long as you are aware of your surroundings and keep all of your obvious goods (phone, wallets, etc.) hidden away.
This will mean you can shop without having to worry about being a target for thieves and vagrants.
The markets are full of interesting and unique buys, so bring make sure you’ll have room in your bag!
San Pancho Music Festival
Latin American music is among the most beautiful in the world, and that shines through if you come to the San Pancho Musical Festival.
It has many great acts that play every year, local or otherwise.
It’s a good place to come to if you are looking to meet up and mingle with some of the locals.
Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to come and take a look, though, as the festival can soon fill up with many guests.
The event takes place most commonly in February and in March, which it will do in 2020.
Visit Sayulita
If you want to have a good time shopping and meeting with other Mexicans, one of the best things to do from San Pancho is to go to Sayulita, the nearest town.
You can do this via bus or taxi, though the bus will take longer it will save you money. Be sure to visit this place, though, as there are many interesting things to do there also.
You will find plenty of opportunities to have fun in Sayulita!
Go Surfing
For those with a daredevil streak in them, going surfing can be a lot of fun. I recommend that you give it a try if you are looking for an easy way to give yourself a fright.
Surfing is fun, but make sure you have the skills for it; if you are looking to learn how to surf, you can find many English speaking surfing tutors in San Pancho. Give surfing a try, though; you’ll love it!
Where to stay in San Pancho
If you are looking for an easy way to find a place to stay, I recommend that you check out any of the following places in San Pancho.
Hostal San Pancho
- Good quality of rooms
- Great standard of cooking
- Staff are extremely caring
Come here and you will soon feel right at home due to the caring nature of the staff who work here. A great ‘home base’ for all of the adventures you’ll undertake in San Pancho, Mexico.
Hotel Cielo Rojo
- Enjoy great housekeeping services
- Staff give you privacy
- Rooms are very safe
If your main aim is to find a safe place to stay for the week, then you should definitely look to come to Hotel Cielo Rojo. Great rooms available long-term with added safety features.
La Selva
- Great room standards overall
- Breakfast is regularly available
- Brilliant care by staff
If you want to make friends along the way as you make your way through Mexico, stay at La Selva. The staff is so friendly that you will leave having made more than a few friends for life!
Hotel Refugio de Sol
- Enjoy great room standards
- Excellent value for money
- Local amenities based nearby
Give yourself all the help that you need to enjoy a much simpler and easier living experience. The Hotel Refugio del Sol offers a great place to stay when you want privacy and protection.
You will find that each of these venues offers you a safe and easy place to stay. Not to mention helping to keep you safe and give you a roof over your head.
San Pancho, Mexico: Things to do
So, with so many things to do in San Pancho, you might not be sure where to begin your journey.
Whether backpacking Mexico or just here on vacation. No matter how you plan to get here I recommend you work your way down this list.
So long as you have a few days to spare, you can easily take in everything this town has to offer!
📌 Like this article? Pin it…
💬 Leave a nice comment or let’s start a conversation below!
“Dear friend! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, book a hostel or sign up for a tour, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot and helps me to keep traveling and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”
