San Pancho Guidebook
Local Food Scene
There are lots of great restaurants in San Pancho. Most are found on the main street, Av. Tercer Mundo, but lots can be found on the side streets like Calle Latin America and Calle Asia. There's a nice diversity of flavours, and price points, and each have their own charm.
Right in the heart of downtown San Pancho. Delicious and higher end plates. Mexican done in an up scale way. Great food, good atmosphere and service tends to be better. Mexico is notorious for slower service, you just have to adjust your pace. Try the angel hair pasta, tortilla soup and the wasabi crusted catch of the day.
22 íbúar mæla með
La Ola Rica
14 Av. Tercer MundoRight in the heart of downtown San Pancho. Delicious and higher end plates. Mexican done in an up scale way. Great food, good atmosphere and service tends to be better. Mexico is notorious for slower service, you just have to adjust your pace. Try the angel hair pasta, tortilla soup and the wasabi crusted catch of the day.
Every Tuesday is open mic night. That may not sound exciting to you, depending on you interest in music, but San Pancho is a way station for some of the most talented travellers in the world, and they all go to La Buena Vida on Tuesday. Most have several albums, and they’ll blow your mind. New flavour of talent weekly. The food is great too, pizza, burgers, and comida español.
La Buena Vida
6 AfricaEvery Tuesday is open mic night. That may not sound exciting to you, depending on you interest in music, but San Pancho is a way station for some of the most talented travellers in the world, and they all go to La Buena Vida on Tuesday. Most have several albums, and they’ll blow your mind. New flavour of talent weekly. The food is great too, pizza, burgers, and comida español.
100% Organic Menu, in the gorgeous Cielo Rojo Hotel Courtyard. Perfect spot for breakfast, lunch and brunch. All the breakfast items are delicious, healthy (ish) and if you’re feeling adventurous they have a surprisingly scrumptious beet burger.
8 íbúar mæla með
Hotel Cielo Rojo
6 Asia100% Organic Menu, in the gorgeous Cielo Rojo Hotel Courtyard. Perfect spot for breakfast, lunch and brunch. All the breakfast items are delicious, healthy (ish) and if you’re feeling adventurous they have a surprisingly scrumptious beet burger.
Amazing seafood, served right. I always have the garlic prawns served on a bed of pesto risotto. The have an awesome smashed avocado toast, Ahí tuna entré... it’s all good, make a point to hit that for dinner once.
6 íbúar mæla með
Barracuda Cocina del Mar
58 calle MéxicoAmazing seafood, served right. I always have the garlic prawns served on a bed of pesto risotto. The have an awesome smashed avocado toast, Ahí tuna entré... it’s all good, make a point to hit that for dinner once.
What can I say, it’s in the name. It’s right downtown, great ribs done on an open wood fired grill.
15 íbúar mæla með
Mr. Ribs San Pancho
17 Av. Tercer MundoWhat can I say, it’s in the name. It’s right downtown, great ribs done on an open wood fired grill.
Owners name is Rolando. He’s an ex pro surfer from France, who spear fishes every morning for the catch of the day on the menu. The guys a legend, the tacos are amazing, and the place is right in the heart of the downtown. Worth checking out.
9 íbúar mæla með
San Pancho Marino Restaurant and Bar
12 Av. Tercer MundoOwners name is Rolando. He’s an ex pro surfer from France, who spear fishes every morning for the catch of the day on the menu. The guys a legend, the tacos are amazing, and the place is right in the heart of the downtown. Worth checking out.
Great authentic Mexican food, made right in front of you in the open kitchen. Flavours change daily, and also a great breakfast spot. They have a live music and a good sized dance floor.
28 íbúar mæla með
El Gallo
17 Av. Tercer MundoGreat authentic Mexican food, made right in front of you in the open kitchen. Flavours change daily, and also a great breakfast spot. They have a live music and a good sized dance floor.
Great food, good atmosphere, just off the Main Street of Tercer Mundo. It’s a cafe that has great breakfast and lunch options. It’s a new spot here in San Pancho, and it’s been getting great reviews.
11 íbúar mæla með
Kokonati
47 C. CubaGreat food, good atmosphere, just off the Main Street of Tercer Mundo. It’s a cafe that has great breakfast and lunch options. It’s a new spot here in San Pancho, and it’s been getting great reviews.
Fantastic breakfast. They’ve been doing business for quite sometime, and they really have it down to an art. The pancakes with fruit are delicious, as well as the huevos rancheros. Definitely recommend doing a breakfast here at some point during your stay.
40 íbúar mæla með
Maria's Restaurant
14 Av. Tercer MundoFantastic breakfast. They’ve been doing business for quite sometime, and they really have it down to an art. The pancakes with fruit are delicious, as well as the huevos rancheros. Definitely recommend doing a breakfast here at some point during your stay.
Owned by Wally Walsh, this is a must stop in San Pancho. Live music acts play right on the street out side to the patio guests. A craft beer bar featuring 100% Mexican made Artesanal Ales, Lagers and Food. They’re located just a few blocks north of Avenida Tercer Mundo at Calle Egipto. Open 7 days a week from 5pm to midnight. Try the charcuterie, it’s always a great bang for your buck!
9 íbúar mæla með
Cerveceria Artesenal San Pancho
EgiptoOwned by Wally Walsh, this is a must stop in San Pancho. Live music acts play right on the street out side to the patio guests. A craft beer bar featuring 100% Mexican made Artesanal Ales, Lagers and Food. They’re located just a few blocks north of Avenida Tercer Mundo at Calle Egipto. Open 7 days a week from 5pm to midnight. Try the charcuterie, it’s always a great bang for your buck!
Best Beaches to Visit
Here’s a quick breakdown of the beaches in the area.
You came to San Pancho for a reason. Why not enjoy the beach. Between the three beaches close by (Sayulita, San Pancho, Lo de Marcos), San Pancho is by far my favourite. It’s definitely not as crammed with people as Sayulita, and not a ghost town like Lo de Marcos. It’s a very long beach, with most people grouping around the playa entrance to the town. Walk in either direction and you’ll find peace and space. The beach is lovely, although the waves can be a lot more aggressive then others in the area. The surfing, generally is for those with experience and confidence on a board, not a place to learn, or try surfing for the first time. As for vendors, you’ll find most people are selling homemade food from several different cultures, and less of the nick knacks and junk you’ll be bothered with elsewhere
165 íbúar mæla með
San Francisco Nayarit
You came to San Pancho for a reason. Why not enjoy the beach. Between the three beaches close by (Sayulita, San Pancho, Lo de Marcos), San Pancho is by far my favourite. It’s definitely not as crammed with people as Sayulita, and not a ghost town like Lo de Marcos. It’s a very long beach, with most people grouping around the playa entrance to the town. Walk in either direction and you’ll find peace and space. The beach is lovely, although the waves can be a lot more aggressive then others in the area. The surfing, generally is for those with experience and confidence on a board, not a place to learn, or try surfing for the first time. As for vendors, you’ll find most people are selling homemade food from several different cultures, and less of the nick knacks and junk you’ll be bothered with elsewhere
Sayulita is located about 4 minutes south of the Hacienda San Pancho. It’s a lively town with great restaurants, packed bars, and late night/early morning night clubs. It’s also great for shopping. However, Sayulita’s beach is often very crowded, especially during the high season (December - May). There are a lot of reasons I don’t often go to Sayu’s beach, such as: vendors bothering you every 5 minutes, over crowding, rocky, can be dirty with all the people, and so on. However, Sayulita is a great place for groups with young kids, or for those that like to shop, and want a lively atmosphere. It’s a great place to learn how to surf, with several surf schools, and places to rent boards. I guess it all depends what you’re looking for.
63 íbúar mæla með
Sayulita
Sayulita is located about 4 minutes south of the Hacienda San Pancho. It’s a lively town with great restaurants, packed bars, and late night/early morning night clubs. It’s also great for shopping. However, Sayulita’s beach is often very crowded, especially during the high season (December - May). There are a lot of reasons I don’t often go to Sayu’s beach, such as: vendors bothering you every 5 minutes, over crowding, rocky, can be dirty with all the people, and so on. However, Sayulita is a great place for groups with young kids, or for those that like to shop, and want a lively atmosphere. It’s a great place to learn how to surf, with several surf schools, and places to rent boards. I guess it all depends what you’re looking for.
A local secret, and my favourite beach! It’s about a 40minute drive, as if you’re heading towards punta de Mita. You have to hike into the beach, but it’s well marked and only takes about 10minutes. The sand is white powder, with slow rolling waves, and no rocks! A perfect combination for any beginner surfer. There are many breaks, some more advanced then others, but surfers of all skill levels enjoy this playa. The best way to see it is to book a morning or afternoon ride/board through my favourite surf shop, Nativa, in San Pancho. They give you a board, a ride, a lesson (if you want) and a ride home. And it’s cheap. No vendors, no crowds, just pure heaven.
38 íbúar mæla með
Playa La Lancha
A local secret, and my favourite beach! It’s about a 40minute drive, as if you’re heading towards punta de Mita. You have to hike into the beach, but it’s well marked and only takes about 10minutes. The sand is white powder, with slow rolling waves, and no rocks! A perfect combination for any beginner surfer. There are many breaks, some more advanced then others, but surfers of all skill levels enjoy this playa. The best way to see it is to book a morning or afternoon ride/board through my favourite surf shop, Nativa, in San Pancho. They give you a board, a ride, a lesson (if you want) and a ride home. And it’s cheap. No vendors, no crowds, just pure heaven.
Very quiet beach. If you want tranquility, peace, no people, nothing but the sound of waves crashing, this is your spot. Located just 14 minutes north of San Pancho.
35 íbúar mæla með
Lo de Marcos
Very quiet beach. If you want tranquility, peace, no people, nothing but the sound of waves crashing, this is your spot. Located just 14 minutes north of San Pancho.
Local Tour Companies
Here are a few recommendations on tour companies.
Not so much a tour company, as it is a surf shop, but they do offer day tours to some great local surf spots. They’re located right on Tercer Mundo (the Main Street). You can rent a board, get a ride to and from La Lancha, or some other great spot, get a lesson or just ride. The owners name is Sam, and he’s got a great business there.
Nativa Surf Shop
#28 Av. Tercer MundoNot so much a tour company, as it is a surf shop, but they do offer day tours to some great local surf spots. They’re located right on Tercer Mundo (the Main Street). You can rent a board, get a ride to and from La Lancha, or some other great spot, get a lesson or just ride. The owners name is Sam, and he’s got a great business there.
Great Hikes to Check Out
I’ve been trying to get more hiking in, I’ll try to do more so I can share with you!
This is my all time favourite hike. There many ways to do this, and I would recommend having proper footwear as the hike is mainly in the jungle along the coastline. I’ve done this hike three times now, and it takes about 1 1/2 hours to get from Boca to Las Animas. Boca is a very small fishing town south of PV. You’ll probably need a vehicle to get to it, as I really have no idea how else you’d get there. There’s a trail along the coast line that dodges into the jungle and back out again into small secluded beaches! The trail is up and down, up and down, not a difficult hike, but you should probably liking hiking if you do it. Not for someone looking for an afternoon stroll. The view of PV, the ocean and the jungle is amazing. The trail is safe, with others passing by all the time, but not crowded. Once you get to Las Animas, you can grab lunch, explore the town (can only access by hiking or boat), and hike back or boat back for less then $80pesos. If you like hiking and want a full day adventure, ask me about this for more details.
Las Animas
Las AnimasThis is my all time favourite hike. There many ways to do this, and I would recommend having proper footwear as the hike is mainly in the jungle along the coastline. I’ve done this hike three times now, and it takes about 1 1/2 hours to get from Boca to Las Animas. Boca is a very small fishing town south of PV. You’ll probably need a vehicle to get to it, as I really have no idea how else you’d get there. There’s a trail along the coast line that dodges into the jungle and back out again into small secluded beaches! The trail is up and down, up and down, not a difficult hike, but you should probably liking hiking if you do it. Not for someone looking for an afternoon stroll. The view of PV, the ocean and the jungle is amazing. The trail is safe, with others passing by all the time, but not crowded. Once you get to Las Animas, you can grab lunch, explore the town (can only access by hiking or boat), and hike back or boat back for less then $80pesos. If you like hiking and want a full day adventure, ask me about this for more details.