There’s so much to see and do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Not surprisingly, it is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations with its miles of beautiful beaches and warm weather all year long. Travelers really love the vibrant nightlife, excellent restaurants, art galleries, and small-town charm, too. However, did you also know that there are charming small towns to visit for day trips from PV? For example, Bucerias, San Sebastián del Oeste, Sayulita, El Tuito, and San Pancho are a few towns that you can visit on a day trip to see a different side of Mexico. San Pancho is an adorable Mexican town that’s about 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta on the open ocean (Pacific Ocean). The walkable town only has about 2000 residents but is a great place to explore. Read more below about taking a day trip from PV to visit San Pancho.   


Visit San Pancho from PV 

San Pancho’s official name is actually San Francisco, although most people refer to it by its nickname. The charming town is located in the state of Riviera Nayarit, just 25 miles north of the PV Airport. Travelers love the relaxed vibe of the town which is an ideal place to explore on a day trip from PV. The former fishing village has great restaurants, high-end art galleries, shopping, community cultural centers, and more. Plus, the beach is long and wide and is found north of Banderas Bay on the open Pacific Ocean. There’s also an estuary right off the beach that is home to many species of birds and marine life. If you want to catch a game of polo, you can head to La Patrona Polo Club to watch polo matches on Sundays during the high season. They also have an upscale beach club located in the town as well.  

Things to Do in San Pancho 

San Pancho has warm weather all year long so various outdoor activities can be enjoyed no matter when you visit. Popular water activities to enjoy in the area include surfing, snorkeling, sport fishing, diving, paddleboarding, and more. In addition, San Pancho includes a protected national marine reserve which is known as Las Marietas Islands. To get there, visitors need to take a boat to reach the island which contains a famous hidden beach. In addition, the Lo de Perla jungle garden is a nice place to visit which has some exotic orchids not found anywhere else. For people who enjoy hiking, one popular hike starts at Hacienda San Pancho then weaves its way south through the jungle to the neighboring town of Sayulita. Also, Plaza del Sol is the city’s main town square and the meeting point or location for various events, festivals, and more.   

Are you planning to visit Puerto Vallarta soon for a much-needed vacation? If so, make sure to take a day trip to get to know San Pancho. If you’d like to help planning your trip, call Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573. They are a reputable online travel agency that works with the country’s top resorts. Plus, they have special deals and discounted travel packages available right now to stay in Puerto Vallarta and in Nuevo Nayarit which is even closer to San Pancho. They have friendly travel specialists on hand to take your call right now that speak English and Spanish. If you want to take the stress out of planning your trip, give Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573 a call today and they will handle all the details for you. You and your loved ones deserve to enjoy a relaxing getaway in Mexico this summer!