Sharing is caring!

Puerto Vallarta and the towns around it have quite a reputation in Mexico. They’re known as crazy tourist towns where you can party the night away. But not San Pancho Nayarit! In fact, it’s one of the most relaxing places you can visit on the Pacific Coast. We loved spending a few days here, and want you to enjoy the same peace we did, so here are the top 15 things to do in San Pancho Nayarit in Mexico.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For more information, please see our disclaimer here. We take all the efforts necessary to ensure the information included in this post is accurate, correct and current, sometimes, things just change! Travel information like opening hours, business operations and prices may change. If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated, please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers. Cheers!

Where is San Pancho Nayarit?

San Pancho Nayarit, also known as San Francisco Nayarit, was probably the best-kept secret of the whole Riviera Nayarit… until people discovered how amazing it was and started spreading the word.

We can’t blame them! Our friends Bre and Daniel from Theloveandadventure.com told us about it, and we’re so happy we took their recommendation to visit San Pancho. Initially, we only had Sayulita on our list, but since San Pancho was only a 15-minute bus ride from there, we figured why not visit! What a great decision.

San Pancho Nayarit is located about 1-hour thirty from Puerta Vallarta when you take the bus. It’s a cute little pueblo known for its community living and eco-conscious mindset.

How to get to San Pancho Nayarit from Puerto Vallarta

The best way to get to San Pancho from Puerto Vallarta is to take the bus. The bus provider we used is called La Compostela. They’re known for their white and green buses that run all around the area.

We caught the bus to Sayulita from the airport in Puerto Vallarta. You can do the same to go to San Pancho – just make sure San Pancho is on the list of destinations written on the bus.

To get to the bus from the Puerto Vallarta airport, you have to cross the pedestrian bridge located outside the airport, right by the highway. There, you’ll see a bunch of people waiting for the bus. You can ask a few locals to tell you which one goes to San Pancho, but they usually have the destinations written on the windshield of the bus.

The ride will cost you about 60 pesos per person. And the bus makes a few stops along the way, notably in Bucerias, Sayulita, San Pancho, and beyond.

You can also hop on the bus to San Pancho from the bus station in Puerto Vallarta if you’re already spending time in the city.

Getting from Sayulita to San Pancho

There are a few ways to get to San Pancho from Sayulita. You can either hike, take the bus, or even hitchhike.

Since we had a lot of bags with us, we chose to take the bus. But if you’re going on a day trip from Sayulita, the hike may be a nice option as well. You can read all about it here. And hitchhiking can also be a good option if you are fluent in Spanish.

The bus ride from Sayulita to San Pancho is about 15-20 minutes – depending on how quick the driver is, and if you get stuck behind a truck or not. The cost for the bus from Sayulita to San Pancho is about 30 pesos per person. You can grab the bus from the main bus station in Sayulita. Once again, you’ll be riding with La Compostela.

Depending on the type of bus you get, you may be able to put your bags in the boot below. If not, you’ll have to carry them on the bus with you. We managed to store our bags below on the bus ride from San Pancho back to Puerto Vallarta, but for all the other rides, we held them with us.

The only thing to note is that the bus gets really full, depending on when you take it and from where. Weekend buses tend to be quite full as people travel for weekend getaways from Puerto Vallarta to San Pancho, Sayulita, or Bucerias.

The bus stop in San Pancho

There is no formal bus stop or bus station in San Pancho. The way to know you have to get off is the bus driver will yell out “San Pancho”.

If you’re coming from Sayulita or Puerto Vallarta, your stop will be across town. So you’ll need to cross the ‘highway’ to get into the town. There’s a gas station on the corner of the main street, so you should be able to orient yourself easily.

If you’re heading out of San Pancho Nayarit, you can take the bus on the corner of the main road, across the gas station, but on the same side of the highway. Again, you’ll see buses with their destinations on the windshield. Just flag them down. You can also ask the driver if he is heading to your destination. Just ask “Te vas a Sayulita?” (Are you going to Sayulita?) and wait to see their response. Usually, they yell out the stop, so you can know where to get off.

The 15 best things to do in San Pancho Nayarit

Ok. We’re going to be honest. We saw a few articles talking about the 100 best things to do in San Pancho (we’re barely exaggerating). They kind of missed the point about the essence of San Fransico Nayarit. This isn’t the type of place you want to spend your time doing everything and anything possible.

San Fransisco Nayarit (aka San Pancho) is known for being laid-back and chill. It’s known for being a quiet town where people go to enjoy peace and tranquility. So the goal why you are here is not to have jam-packed days, but instead, to enjoy every moment possible.

So here are some of the amazing things you can do in San Pancho.

1. Enjoy the beaches in San Pancho, and don’t be afraid to venture off

San Pancho has one of the nicest beaches we’ve seen in Mexico. The main beach stretches across town, about one kilometer, and it’s soft sand all throughout. There is one section of the beach, near town, that has a few restaurants and beach clubs that offer food, seating and parasols.

However, if you walk down the beach, you’ll find a large stretch of it that is pristine and empty. If you’re looking to enjoy some time away from the crowds, we recommend you head out further and chill on the deserted part of the beach in San Pancho Nayarit. Make sure you bring your towel, water and food.

2. Check out the weekly market at Plaza del Sol

Just like in many cities across Mexico, there is a local artisan market that takes place in San Pancho Nayarit on Tuesdays. The market unfolds at Plaza del Sol – it’s impossible to miss.

Here, you’ll find a ton of tents set up selling everything from jewelry to food, clothes, art, textiles, lotions, potions, soaps and more. There’s really something for everyone, and for every budget. It’s a great place to discover local artisans, buy some souvenirs to take home and to immerse yourself in the energy of the place.

This market does move around (we were told they head to Sayulita on Saturdays), so if you’re in the area and regret not buying something, you can check them out in another town too.

The vendors are all super sweet, and although haggling is expected, it’s always important to be mindful and respectful of their work. For many, this is their livelihood, so if you plan on buying something and negotiating its price, make sure it stays fair for the person who made it. You may only be asking for $5-10 discount, but at the end of the day, it makes a big difference to these vendors

3. Catch a sunset on the beach

San Pancho Nayarit is known as one of the best places in Mexico to catch a sunset. It may have the official title for it too! (Just kidding! Well, it could. That’s how nice they are).

We always make time to catch sunsets when we travel, and the ones in San Fransisco Nayarit did not disappoint. They were absolutely beautiful. The sky lit up and was absolutely stunning.

We were able to catch some sunsets on the beach, but we were also very lucky to catch them from the comfort of our room at the Maraica eco-hotel in San Pancho. We had a room with an ocean view and a hammock hanging on the balcony, so we loved watching the waves crash as we slowly swayed to the rhythm of the wind.

Whatever you have planned that day, make sure you catch the sunsets in San Pancho. They are absolutely epic. And, as we mentioned, life in San Pancho is all about the Pura Vida. Don’t forget to slow down and enjoy the little moments.

4. Volunteer at the community centre

No visit to San Pancho would be complete without paying homage to the great work done by Entreamigos Community Centre. When people admire the community-oriented living in San Pancho Nayarit, Entreamigos is often cited as being the main force behind this mindset.

The Entreamigos community center was started by an American woman as an after-school activity club. Today, it has grown into so much more. It includes a library, computers for local kids and schools to use, a thrift store, a ton of activities for kids and adults alike (yoga, language lessons, dance classes, and so many others fun pastimes).

What we love about Entreamigos is that they really do what they can to reinforce their pillars of community, education and sustainability. It’s all about giving back to the community and to the people.

If you have the time while you’re in San Pancho, make sure you go visit the centre and see how you can help. If you are feeling generous, you can also donate to the cause, or take part in their annual fundraiser.

5. Walk around town to enjoy life off the main trail

Most people will walk around the main part of town, but one of the best things to do in San Pancho is to go off-the-beaten-track. In fact, there are a ton of little homes, galleries and hidden gems to discover if you walk around town.

We loved taking in the sights and getting away from the crowds on the same trail as usual. Don’t be afraid to venture out when you’re in San Pancho.

6. Catch live music and shows at night

San Pancho is quite lively yet chill during the day. But at night, the town comes to life to the rhythms of all sorts of different musical genres.

While walking around looking for a restaurant, we noticed a few places had live bands or solo musicians creating a unique ambiance for diners. From full mariachi bands to songstresses and even some young kids putting on a break dancing show, there was something for everyone.

Whether you’ll be eating at the restaurant with the show, or just grabbing a drink, you want to venture out and enjoy the talents of the musicians in San Pancho.

7. Practice yoga in the many centres in San Pancho Nayarit

If you’re looking for what to do in San Pancho, and you’re a big fan of yoga, well, look no further! San Pancho has a ton of amazing places to practice yoga. And if you’re really looking to get grounded and connect on a deeper level, this is the place to do it.

Although there are a ton of places that offer yoga classes in San Fransisco Nayarit, we loved being able to practice at Maraica hotel. They have daily courses there offered in English. With the amazing view we had, it was quite a lovely place to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature and ourselves.

8. Eat some amazing food in San Pancho

With an influx of visitors, San Pancho is growing on the culinary scene as well. And as vegan travelers, there is no shortage of amazing places to eat. And best of all, quite a few places offer vegan options as well.

We absolutely loved the Muvieri restaurant at the Maraica hotel. When you’re not looking to go far, and you’re looking for amazing food, this is the place to go. Carine enjoyed the variety of vegan dishes they had, like the coconut ceviche, the smoothie bowl and the mushroom pozole. Derek fell in love with his avocado toast on a brioche, the tuna tartar and the tuna steak. No matter what you choose to have, you’ll love it!

Plus, being an eco-hotel, the restaurant uses produce they grow on their farm or that they purchase from local producers. Everything is in season and fresh. And they compost the food scraps and waste, which is a great way to create a circular cycle.

We also loved Yum Yum restaurant. Everything there was vegan and delicious! Carine enjoyed the bowl with a ton of fresh and cooked veggies, and falafels. Derek devoured his wrap and potatoes. We also spotted a few of the other orders at nearby tables, and everything looked amazing.

Another place we really enjoyed was Yasmina’s Itzalanyasayan. Located right on the main road, next to Chichili’s – a vegan ice cream place, Yasmina’s is a chill place to enjoy brunch or supper. What’s great about this place is that they have a ton of dishes that they make in a vegan and non-vegan version as well. Derek and I ended up enjoying the same bowl, his with tuna, and mine with tofu.

9. Release turtles into the wild

Although we weren’t here at the right time for this, one of the things to do in San Fransisco Nayarit is to release turtles into the wild. If you’re looking for another way to give back to the community and Mother Earth.

Project Tortuga or Marine Turtle Conservation is another one of those great local initiatives worth supporting. It’s also one of the largest turtle conservation projects in Banderas Bay and the Riviera Nayarit. Starting in 1992, the team here has been working on protecting the leatherback turtles in the area for the last 30 years. You can also choose to volunteer here if you’re looking for something different to do in San Pancho.

Project Tortuga runs programs and visits at different times of the year. From July through November, you can visit their marine turtle nursery in San Pancho. If you’re looking to release hatchlings, it happens nightly, in front of the town, at sundown between mid-November and mid-February. The best time to visit San Pancho for turtle release is from July to December, and volunteers are accepted from May to November.

10. Enjoy one of the many festivals in San Pancho Nayarit

There are a ton of festivals in Mexico, and San Pancho is no exception. There are a ton of events and festivals happening all year round.

• In February, come to San Fransisco Nayarit for the San Pancho Music festival. It’s a great time to hear music from all over and discover new artists. Unfortunatley, the festival has been cancelled for the last two years, for obvious reasons. But hopefully, it will be back in 2023.
• In March, you can enjoy the Circo de los Niños fundraising event. Started in 2011, a brainchild of Cirque du Soleil’s Gilles Ste-Croix, his wife Monique Voyer, and the children of the Entreamigos community centre, this event showcases the talent of local kids. It’s also a great way to support the projects of Circo de los Niños – they currently have over 140 children enrolled in their programs, they own a space for training, and they operate a cultural center.
• In late September to early October, San Pancho celebrates its patron saint. San Pancho, also known as San Fransisco de Nayarit, celebrates a nine-day festival honoring its namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi. During this time, you can expect a ton of food and drink, music, parades, nighttime candlelight processions and a ton of other traditions.
• In December, there’s the SinergiArte festival. It’s an annual art festival organized by a collective of artists fro San Pancho, that they have been holding for the last 13 years. The event now goes beyond traditional art and includes live music, dane, theatre performances, visual art exhibitions and more. There are also workshops held where you can try your hand in different fields like dance, music, literature, photography, and so many other activities.

11. Visit the Islas Marietas while you’re in San Pancho Nayarit

Whether you are a certified scuba diver or looking to snorkel while you’re in San Pancho, Las Islas Marietas are the perfect place to go. Some tours will take you from San Pancho, while for others, you’ll need to go to Sayulita. Since it’s a 15-minute drive, it’s really easy to go there.

We chose to go scuba diving in the Marietas Islands. And we had the best experience ever! Since it was March, whale migration season, we heard the whales singing underwater and when we headed back to shore, we met a whale splashing around. It was such an amazing experience! We highly recommend it.

If you’re not a certified diver, there are plenty of tours that go to the Marietas Islands where you can snorkel, go to the hidden beach and explore more of the islands. This may be a great option to visit the islands.

12. Go surfing, if you already know how to

San Pancho is a great place for surfers who already know how to surf. If you’re looking to learn how to ride the waves, Sayulita may be a better bet for you.

If you want to watch the surfers hit the waves, the late afternoon is the best time to head to the beach. That’s when locals go surfing after a long day at work.

If you do want to learn to surf, there are a few places that will teach you in San Pancho, but whatever you do, make sure you watch out for the undertow and the currents. They can get surprisingly strong.

13. Go on a hike in San Pancho Nayarit

San Pancho Nayarit is a great place to go hiking. You have a few options here, depending on how much time you have to spend and your skill levels.

Your first option is to hike from San Pancho to Sayulita. This 6-km hike will take about 1.5-2-hours to complete. It’s pretty easy overall – it’s mainly flat, terrain, but it does tend to get tricky in parts. The hike is free to do, but you will either need to walk back or grab a bus back to San Pancho. Make sure you pack plenty of water, snacks and a towel, if you plan on jumping into the beach at any point.

A second hiking trail in San Pancho is Monkey Mountain. Located near Punta Mita, Cerro del Mono in the Riviera Nayarit (aka Monkey Mountain) is a 2-hour hike round-trip. You can either choose to hike it on your own, or you can go with a local guide. This hike is a little tougher than the first. The hiking trail varies a lot between stretches of loose dirt, firmer ground and rock climbing. You may want to take it a bit slower, especially if it’s very hot out there.

Either way, these are two great hikes to enjoy in the Riviera Nayarit.

14. Check out the street art in San Pancho

San Pancho, like many other Mexican towns, has a ton of street art all around. Being such a bohemian town, it’s not so surprising to see such beautiful art all around.

You’ll find street art sprinkled all throughout the town and in the plazas. With so many artists living in the area, it’s so lovely to walk around in what feels like a

15. Stroll the art galleries and shops in San Pancho

If street art is not your thing, you’re in luck, because San Pancho Nayarit is also home to some of the best art galleries and shops in the area. They have a wide array of galleries sprinkled all throughout town, but particularly on the main street.

It’s lovely to walk, take a look at the different artists’ work and take in the beauty of their world. If you can, buy a piece to help encourage them.

4 amazing day trips from San Pancho

Although San Pancho is small, you can still use it as a base to visit other towns and cities around. If you’re spending an extended amount of time here, there are a few day trips you can do.

A day trip from San Pancho to Sayulita

Located about 15 minutes by bus, or 1.5-2 hours hiking away, Sayulita is the perfect place to explore from San Pancho.

Much bigger and rowdier, Sayulita is perfect for those looking to party or go surfing. It’s a chill beach town with much more to do. Compared to San Pancho, there are a few more beaches to visit, a ton more restaurants and bars in Sayulita.

Getting here is quite easy by bus. Just follow the instruction we listed above. You’ll get dropped off at the small bus station in Sayulita, about 5 minutes walking from the city center.

Take a day trip from San Pancho to Bucerias

Located about 45-minutes south of San Pancho, Bucerias is a beautiful beach town worth the detour. With lovely beaches, a chill vibe and more affordable pricing than Sayulita, Bucerias has quite a bit going for it.

It’s a destination popular with snowbirds, retirees and digital nomads. You can explore the town, chill on the beach, get a massage there, and enjoy one of the many new restaurants.

Head on a day trip to Puerto Vallarta from San Pancho

Located about 1-1.5 hours away by bus, Puerto Vallarta is a much bigger city to visit from San Pancho. Chances are, you probably flew into Puerto Vallarta to get to San Pancho.

Puerto Vallarta has a ton of beaches to chill on, a boardwalk, shops and stores, bars and restaurants, parties, shows and cruises. Basically, anything you could possibly need and want from a big city. There are a ton of places to explore in Puerto Vallarta that a day wouldn’t be enough. Between the Malecon, the Zona Romantica, the beaches, and even day trips from Puerto Vallarta, you would need a few days here to get your fill!

But if you’re looking for a major change of scenery, or if you need to purchase items only found in big cities, Puerto Vallarta is the place to go!

Visit las Islas Marietas or Punta de Mita from San Pancho

We mentioned it before, but there are great tours that go to la Islas Marietas. It’s the perfect way to spend a day outside of San Pancho. You can explore the hidden beach, go snorkeling or scuba diving.

But if that’s not your thing, you can also head to Punta de Mita. It’s located about 30 minutes away 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 here.

You can explore more beaches (notice a theme here?!). The hidden gem here is Playa de La Lancha. It’s the perfect place to go surfing. You can also walk around town or the marina, and go shopping.

Where to stay in San Pancho

If you’re looking for a beautiful and eco-friendly place to stay in San Pancho, look no further than Maraica eco-hotel. This place has everything you need to reconnect to nature, while still enjoying the comforts of a high-end hotel.

We already mentioned how much we loved the Muveri restaurant at Maraica hotel, and how we enjoyed being able to practice yoga in their amazing studio overlooking the ocean. But there are so many other reasons to love this eco-friendly hotel in San Pancho… and yes, them being eco-friendly is only one of those reasons.

An amazing eco-friendly hotel in San Pancho

Let’s talk about their environmentally conscious efforts. First, the power at Maraica comes from solar panels which you can actually see. We love that they have made this shift to get power from a renewable source. They also recycle their waste – using food scraps and waste to create compost. The compost in then reused in their gardens on location or their farms. They also re-incorporate their treated wastewater and use it to irrigate their beautiful gardens.

Unlike many other places in Mexico and the world, they have gotten rid of single-use plastics, styrofoam and straws. Instead, they provide everything in a reusable format.

The water in Mexico is not potable, and to reduce use of plastic water bottles, Hotel Maraica has made drinking water available in all common areas and in the rooms as well. Water bottles in the rooms are refilled daily, while there are also large bottles of water in the halls, restaurant and lobby. All you need to bring is your reusable water bottle.

Finally, Hotel Maraica takes things a little further. They provide 100% natural personal hygiene and beauty products for each guest. In your room, you’ll find bottles of body lotion, shampoo, body wash and hand soap. All their products are locally sourced. And yes, they smell heavenly and make your skin feel amazing.

Enjoying the amenities at Hotel Maraica in San Pancho

Beyond the delicious food and drinks available at the beautiful restaurant at Maraica Hotel, there are so many other amenities we enjoyed.

The first was their amazing pool. No matter what time of year you choose to visit, the weather in Mexico is bound to get hot. March was no exception. We adored having a pool we could cool down in.

We also loved all the different spaces outdoors where we could hang out. Overlooking the property. On their beautiful terrace. In the restaurant. We loved being connected to nature all the time.

We really enjoyed the open space above the restaurant as well. It was the perfect place to work from, to hang out, or to do yoga. If you don’t want to follow a class, the yoga space is available at any time of day, with mats and some tools available.

The amazing rooms at Hotel Maraica

No, we didn’t forget to tell you about the amazing rooms at Hotel Maraica. It’s one of the things we loved the most!

We had a double room overlooking the ocean. It was perfection, to say the least. The high ceiling and spacious room still felt cozy. With big windows and sliding doors that connected to the balcony, we felt like we were immersed in nature. The best thing was falling asleep to the sound of the waves crashing.

The balcony, with its lounge chairs and hammock, was the perfect place to hang out after a long, yet relaxing day in San Pancho Nayarit. We loved swinging from the hammock and reading our book to the sounds of nature.

Booking.com

A few things to know before visiting San Pancho

We loved our time in San Pancho Nayarit, and can’t wait to go back! But there are a few things we would have liked to have known before we came. To avoid the same mistakes we made, here are some tips for you.

There are not many ATMs

Although most places take credit cards, ATMs are hard to find in San Pancho. That’s why we recommend coming with a fair amount of money. Obviously, don’t walk around with all your money on you!

Be sure to hit up the ATMs in Sayulita or Puerto Vallarta before heading to San Pancho. Of course, there are some ATMs in San Pancho, but often, we found they didn’t work. There are also a lot of scammers out there, so some street ATMs are just not safe to pull from (they clone your cards). As a rule of thumb, always pull out from a bank ATM.

Bring your own container to restaurants in San Pancho

We absolutely loved the fact that San Pancho was so eco-friendly! But that also comes with some challenges. For example, if you want to take food to go (“Para llevar“) you need to bring your own container.

This has been a big push in recent years to make San Pancho as sustainable, clean and plastic-free as possible. As eco-travelers, we’re big fans of this, and encourage you to do your part as well.

We have a ton of articles to help you reduce your footprint as you travel, and even at home. Make sure to check out our sustainability section for some tips to be an eco-warrior too.

Choose the best time to visit San Pancho

Well, this is one thing we got right! We didn’t know the best time to visit San Pancho Nayarit, but we did end up picking it!

Although December to May is the best time to go to San Pancho – it’s the dry season, so you can expect nice warm and sunny days, we recommend going from February to April. This way, the holiday crowds will be gone, and you’ll actually get to experience San Pancho in a more relaxing way. Which is the way San Pancho was meant to be experienced!

This is also when there are quite a few events and festivals happening, so if you want to immerse yourself in some Mexican culture, make sure to visit San Pancho during the dry season.

Don’t forget to chill out and enjoy your relaxing getaway to San Pancho

We gave you a ton of ideas of things to do in San Pancho, but don’t forget to just stop and chill out.

Sure, you can spend your days packing in activities, going to a million places, but another option is to use your time in San Pancho to just relax. Chill out on the beach. Read a book in your hammock at Maraica hotel. Enjoy some delicious food in a local restaurant. Talk to some locals. Reconnect with nature.

This is what San Pancho is all about, after all!

Top 15 relaxing things to do in San Pancho Nayarit

There you have it! A quick little list of the best things to do in San Pancho. It will give you enough to spend a good 3-4 days here… or even longer, if you have the time.

But like we said, make sure you disconnect and enjoy living the chill life while you’re in San Pancho. As a recap, here are the best things to do in San Pancho Nayarit:

1. Enjoy the beaches in San Pancho, and don’t be afraid to venture off
2. Check out the weekly market on Tuesdays at Plaza del Sol
3. Catch a sunset on the beach
4. Volunteer with the community center
5. Walk around town to enjoy life off the main trail
6. Catch live music and shows at night
7. Practice yoga in the many centers in San Pancho Nayarit
8. Eat some amazing food in San Pancho
9. Release turtles into the wild
10. Enjoy one of the many festivals in San Pancho
11. Go diving at las Islas Marietas
12. Surf, if you already know how to
13. Hike to Sayulita from San Pancho
14. Check out the street art
15. Stroll the art galleries & shops in San Pancho

We’d love to hear your thoughts. What are you most looking forward to experiencing in San Pancho? And if you’ve been, what did you think of San Pancho? Did you enjoy it as much as we did? Did we miss out on anything? Let us know in the comments.

---

We put a lot of time and effort into the content we create. Please like, comment and share, every action on your part helps us out tremendously and is very much appreciated.

You can also help us by pinning it for others to find.

---