Discover the Hidden Gem San Pancho!

3 min read

San Pancho, also known as San Francisco, is a charming beach town located on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Situated about a 45 min drive (depending on traffic) away from the popular tourist hotspot of Puerto Vallarta, San Pancho offers a more laid-back and tranquil atmosphere. The town is full of people from all over the world and is known for its beautiful stretches of golden sand beaches, turquoise waters, and stunning sunsets. The waves here attract a huge surfing community for any surfing enthusiast looking for a laidback place to ride some waves. When we visited we came for a week and had the chance to house sit for a couple going home for Christmas. It was our first Christmas just the two of us and it was so nice.

The town of San Pancho has something for everyone from some of the Best coffee I've ever had at Prieta, and amazing homemade tacos at every turn to Pilates classes. Additionally, every Friday throughout the year, San Pancho hosts a popular farmers market where visitors can sample a wide range of fresh produce, artisanal crafts, and delicious street food and for Christmas the farmers market was full of Christmas spirit. The town is also known for its music and dance festivals, showcasing traditional Mexican performances. This is why spending Christmas here was so amazing, there were Christmas parades and performances almost every night for a week leading up to Christmas, and on top of that, most restaurants offered great Christmas dinner deals for people wanting to eat out for the holiday.

Places to eat and drink...

Resturante Emiliano: hands down the best most authentic Mexican food around. The owner remembered us after our first visit and was always quick to crack a joke. He also let us try their family Mole which was the best sauce I think I've tried. This hole in the wall is not fancy but has the best food at the best price. Each taco was a little over a dollar.

2. Ikan Cocina Marina: now here me out this asian restaurant has very good curry and I LOVED trying it after being tacoed out. This is a must try to switch things up!

3. Taqueria los Arbolitos: Located along one of the side streets there is a little kitchen that makes amazing pastor tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and more. They have any different types of salsa as well. I enjoyed this restaurant a lot due to their quieter setting and the more intimate vibe. The owner and his wife are so sweet as well. They even have Italian food options

ON that note their fresh produce, food, and drinks are SO cheap I would say if you are staying in a place with a kitchen think about cooking!

For those looking to explore the natural beauty of the area, San Pancho offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. The nearby Marieta Islands are a popular destination for snorkeling and diving, allowing visitors to discover the colorful marine life and unique rock formations. The coolest part is you can usually spot whaled out in the ocean launching out of the water in the colder months during mating season. This was a truly majestic thing to watch. San Pancho is also full of great hiking trails that we took advantage of as well.

If san Pancho isn't enough there are two other beach towns that you can access by bus. These other towns have just as much life and fun as San Pancho!

Travel tips and Tricks.....

#1 Places rarely take card so it is important to have cash on you. Here they only take pesos

#2 ATMs run out of cash regularly so when you can get as much as you think you will need for the week

#3 The waves are very powerful here and there is a massive rip current. Take causion when getting out in the water

#4 Whale watching from the shore is around Nov-March at 7-9am and 4-6pm

#5 If you Fly in from Puerto Vallarta airport Ubers have to pick you up across the highway by the restaurants. There is a huge bridge that leads across the street.