Musings: San Pancho – Riviera Nayarit’s Cultural Capital. Immersing ourselves in Mexican Riviera culture | FAQs
Located just 5-km north of the fast-paced and vibrant town of Sayulita, San Pancho is a smaller and more laid back but fast-growing small town. It’s quickly becoming more well known to tourists from Canada, the United States, and Europe.
San Pancho is also known as San Francisco, Mexico, which struck a chord. I went to college in San Francisco, and my husband and I grew up and worked in the Bay Area. Tim in Silicon Valley and me in the Northern California wine country.
The town's street names fascinated us as their named after various countries from around the world. We rented an apartment on Africa Street just down from Pakistan Street and on the corner of Tercer Mundo.
I've only recently learned that San Pancho is considered the "cultural capital" of the state of Riviera Nayarit. It’s exciting to learn about the town’s history and its proximity to other nearby Riviera Nayarit destinations.
The history of San Pancho can be read on the walls of a compound near the San Pancho beach. Here you'll find amazing images painted in acrylics depicting colorful personalities sprinkled across landscapes known to this area.
A little sparkle and shine to ring in the New Year in San Pancho’s Town Square.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is Riviera Nayarit?
Located between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre Mountain range and just North of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the state of Riviera Nayarit is 192 miles long. It includes popular tourist destinations like Sayulita Punta Mita, Nuevo Vallarta, and Bucerias on Banderas Bay.
What airport is near Riviera Nayarit, Mexico?
Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR), which is located just 15 minutes north of Nuevo Vallarta Nayarit, is the nearest airport to Riviera Nayarit. In 2018, PVR received 4.6 million passengers. The official name of PVR is Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport.
What is the best time to Visit Nayarit, Mexico?
Any time you'd like! Tourism remains strong throughout the year mainly because the sun shines 90% of the time and the average annual temperature is a comfortable 25°C (77°F).
What is there to do in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico?
From golfing, fishing, and Banderas Bay's beaches to the many sanctuaries and the San Juan State Biosphere Reserve, there is no shortage of things to do in Riviera Nayarit, including surfing, whale watching, bird watching, boat tours, island tours, and so much more.
Check out the beautiful murals located at the Plaza del Sol in San Pancho.