San Pancho is a quaint Pacific coast town in Mexico. Some know it better as San Francisco but this quiet town is not to be confused with the big bustling city of San Francisco in the United States. San Pancho is a great area to get away from the noise of everyday life and is the perfect place to just relax and let your stress melt away. A good amount of the San Pancho real estate has been bought by those who want a quiet place to sneak away from the cold winters up North.
Many people also find San Pancho to be the best place to vacation or even to call this small Nayarit village home. Since San Pancho is a small yet well-placed town people find this hidden gem to be an up and coming treasure for the San Pancho Mexico real estate market. This rustic town is on the coast right next to a beautiful beach that seems almost untouched by man.
On top of the ideal coastal location of the town, San Pancho is also only about a 45-minute drive to Puerto Vallarta which is the second of the largest cities in Nayarit. There is so much to do and see in the city of Puerto Vallarta if you find yourself itching to get out and experience some big city nightlife. The first largest city in the state is Guadalajara which with the finished construction of the new highway will only be about a 2 ½ hour drive from San Pancho.
The San Pancho area truly is the ultimate blend of rustic and modern yet remains a quiet town that is just within reach of vibrant big city life all while accompanied by majestic views and ocean sunsets. This charming place has been the best-kept secret of Nayarit for too long and now the San Pancho real estate market is swelling with sellers and buyers who can’t wait to own a home here.
The History of San Pancho
San Pancho is a truly unique area to live in for many different reasons. The village is small and it always has been. In fact, at one point the only people who lived here were able to fit in a simple hacienda. That means the only San Pancho real estate was a large estate or plantation probably used for farming. This is where San Pancho (aka San Francisco of Nayarit) got its start.
Eventually, the single estate transformed into more of a communal area. This started when more and more people from the tribes near Southern Sierra Madre started to make this place their home. And who could blame them? The land found here in the town has always been beautiful and incredibly ideal for living. At the time the Spanish had started to develop ports to both the North of the town and the South of the town. Although areas like San Blas, Puerto Vallarta, and Guadalajara all started to dramatically increase in population San Pancho remained a quiet little area not big enough to really even call a village. This is one of the things that gives San Fransisco of Nayarit a quant and undisturbed feel. A shroud or better yet a protective barrier of rustic living has preserved this small town in a bubble hidden away from big city life.
It remained a small and nearly uninhabited part of Nayarit until 1931. After the Mexican Revolution ended in 1920 many changes began taking place all throughout Mexico. One of these such changes was land reform. Because of the new land reform, San Pancho, as well as some other areas nearby, were transformed into what was known as communal ejido territory. An ejido is simply communal land that is used for farming and agricultural purposes. Many people will live in an ejido and will all work to farm different things and everyone shares in the spoils.
San Pancho started to become more populated and also became more well known for their fishing. The villagers lived off of the fish that they would catch and sell. Even today the village is still incredibly well known for its fish and fishermen.
In the 70’s President, Luis Echeverria took a very special interest in the town. When the President started to take an interest in San Pancho he began to spend money developing the town. At the time San Pancho was still so hidden away from big city amenities that the town didn’t even have electricity. After Echeverria started the progression of the town roads began to be built, schools were constructed, and even a state of the art hospital were all added to the town. Now the town has electricity, phone towers, and even high-speed internet.
Echeverria had a dream of turning this quaint village that he considered to be “third world” into a thriving town. However, at the end of his Presidential term, the flow of funds that were being spent to improve the town stopped with a grinding halt. San Pancho did not see defeat when the government stopped helping develop the town. This quiet little village has become an incredibly special place and is starting to become a hot spot for tourism. That is why the San Pancho real estate market has truly blossomed with folks looking for the perfect holiday or vacation home. This place may be small and it might not have a robust history but it makes up for big city amenities with tranquil homes and enchanting views.
What to do While in San Pancho
Whether or not you plan to make San Pancho the location for your vacation home or if you plan to permanently move here we have plenty to keep you occupied. Walking down the beautiful beach during the sunset can lift up anyone’s spirits. The breathtaking views that the San Pancho beach has to offer are one of a kind and cannot be matched. This is because the beaches found around this area aren’t very populated. Unlike most beaches, there is no litter because of an eco-initiative headed by many town locals. One amazing thing that you can do at the beach is watching turtles being released back to their natural habitat in the ocean and they occur almost every evening. Watching the sunrise and sunset on the beach is one of the most memorable things to do while in San Pancho.
Sports here are incredibly popular. There is a local futbol (aka soccer) field in town and practices as well as local games occur there basically every day. Another incredibly popular sport from all over the world is golfing. Golfing is a rather social and leisurely sport so you can simply play a friendly game or take a more serious approach depending on your mood. This popular sport has become a very fun way to spend time with locals and vacationers alike. The local golf club has gorgeous green fields with teeing grounds, fairways, and hazards like ponds with cascading fountains. However, it maintains that quaint charm due to the cobblestone roads and paths that you use to get around the grounds. Surfing is another incredibly popular sport and has even begun to influence the San Pancho real estate market.
Serious surf enthusiasts and professionals like to surf here in San Francisco. A main reason for the popularity here for surfers are the practically empty beaches which mean that the waves here are free for the taking. The less crowded the beaches the more waves they get to surf. Another popular aspect is the level of difficulty the waves here are to surf. Waves here are great for more experienced surfers.
San Francisco is also well known for its exquisite and authentic food. Some of the freshest fish you will ever eat can be found here. Yet there are fine dining and casual places to eat no matter what you are in the mood for. One of the best places to find seafood is at Las Palmas. Las Palmas is literally on the beach and the food is some of the freshest that you will find in all of San Pancho. Bistro Organico is an organic and sustainable concept restaurant. Almost everything that you will eat here comes from local farmers and helps fuel the exceptional flavor the chef pours into every dish.
Last but certainly not least is Maria’s. This place might seem like a simple restaurant but the food will not disappoint you. Everyone who lives in San Pancho knows about the excellent service and terrific cuisine that will be found here. The owner Maria is a San Pancho native and makes sure to share every bit of love she has for this town with the locals and visitors alike.
So not matter if you are searching San Pancho Mexico real estate for the perfect vacation home or if you are simply looking for a great place to make a permanent move to there is always something fun to do in San Francisco.
Cities and the Nightlife Around San Pancho
Everyone loves to be able to relax and lounge around the beach but what if you are also looking for something exciting too? No matter where you are in San Pancho there are always options for those who are looking to have a good time. There are many restaurants and bars that you can choose from. Cervecería Artesanal San Pancho opened its doors in 2017 and even though they are a new bar they have quickly become a favorite place for locals and vacationers both. They offer 100% Mexican made craft beer with wonderful snacks like hummus and cheeses.
Maybe you have been looking for a property that has access to the larger cities as well. San Pancho is just a short drive from some of the largest cities around. Puerto Vallarta is the closest large city at only a short 45-minute drive. This is a great place to take in more of the beautiful and authentic Mexican architecture in an area known as the Old Town. They also have some of the best spots to go scuba diving. If you are an experienced diver you can see some of the most tantalizing underwater views here and spot some incredible marine life as well. Even if you have never been scuba diving this area truly is a wonderful place to visit. On top of scuba, they also have amazing whale watching opportunities here so this is definitely a city you will love to visit when you live in San Pancho.
With the addition of the new highway being built the historical city of Guadalajara is only going to be a couple hour drive away from San Pancho. In fact, Guadalajara is the second largest city in all of Mexico. With how large the city is there is no end to the vast options of activities that you can take part in.
One popular aspect of Guadalajara is the historic downtown which is the oldest part of the city. Some of the most beautiful pieces of architecture can be found here and have even been written about in history books for architecture and art lovers alike. Old cathedrals, antique paintings, and historical artifacts are some of the cities more prized possessions. The Regional Museum of Guadalajara (aka the Jalisco Regional Museum) is a fine arts museum that houses an immense collection large enough that you could spend an entire day there and still not see everything its halls have to offer.
Guadalajara also has a rather large zoo that is perfect for family outings with the kids. Zoologico is actually home to the largest number of animal inhabitants in all of Latin America. In fact, Zoologico is one of Guadalajara’s most popular tourist attractions and once you’ve been there you will see why. The sheer amount of animals they have to see is mind boggling and fun for all ages.
No matter if you want a quiet place to relax in seclusion or if you want to get out and explore the big cities San Pancho will not disappoint you. This small town almost seems like it was put here purposefully to be the best of peaceful and tranquil yet with plenty to keep you occupied.
San Pancho Mexico Real Estate Opportunities
San Pancho is truly one of the most sought after slices of paradise that you can find in Nayarit Mexico. Living in these glorious properties and being able to experience the simplicity of the lifestyle here is what makes this a one of a kind place to live. The San Pancho real estate market is climbing and is predicted to shoot up drastically. So much so that there is some concern that there won’t be enough homes for the number of buyers who are looking to buy property here.
Making sure that you are able to find the perfect home that will fit your needs and your budget is our specialty. We have plenty of listings in the San Pancho area for you to choose from and we obtain new property listings frequently. San Francisco is also known for its incredible and high-end villas. All of the properties found here boast of unimaginable and breathtaking views that are unmatched anywhere else in Mexico. Some of the homes and villas are within walking distance to the center of town and some have their very own private beaches.
One of the questions you need to ask yourself when first looking at homes here in San Pancho is whether or not you want to purchase an actual home that has already been built or if you are looking for land to purchase. For some, finding land that you can purchase and build a home on is more practical. If you are looking for something with very specific needs and have some time to spare going forward with a construction project might make more sense. Finding your absolute dream home and finding it in the right location can be tough, but if you are willing to take the time to make your dream come true, personalizing your home and designing it yourself could be your answer.
We have seen some of the lots listed with beachfront views and some with the jungle in your very own backyard. These types of listings are great for families looking for that perfect paradise to live and love with one another. San Pancho is the ideal place for your next home even if you only plan to use it for vacations or when the weather gets cold.
Another major aspect of San Pancho that makes this area so desirable is the location. Some of the biggest cities including Guadalajara are within driving distance and with the new highway that is being built that drive will be cut in half. The town is so incredibly close to some of the major cities yet far enough away to still feel secluded.
We understand that sifting through dozens or even hundreds of listing and looking for the ones that are tailored to fit your every need is not what you want to spend your time doing. Making sure that we handpick the best San Pancho real estate listings that match your needs is going to save you time and money. Our expert team is incredibly knowledgeable and ready to help you find your dream home.
A delightful coastal community, a short drive from the sky-scraping, timeshare hotels that line the Puerto Vallarta coastline, lies San Francisco (known locally as San Pancho) in the Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. A short ten-minute drive from lively Sayulita and a 45-minute drive from the Puerto Vallarta airport, san Pancho is the tranquil escape that we’ve all been looking for.
When you 
San Pancho has an old world charm and a community of artists, musicians, entrepreneurs and those who have chose to spend their winters here, soaking up the sun and the culture who make up this special place. They ride their bikes or walk everywhere they go. They stroll the beach at sunrise and watch baby turtles protected by the local turtle sanctuary make their way to their native ocean. They chat with friends at the local coffee shops over local coffee farmer’s lattes, homemade banana bread and savory empanadas.
On any given night, you can expect to hear live music coming from travelers from Argentina, Mexico city or Guadalajara softly strumming guitars and ringing acoustic to the enchanted visitors dining al fresco. The town hums with artists young and old, children running freely, young surfers running barefoot to catch the end of the day, and those with wanderlust strolling the promedade. One can hear multiple languages being spoken on the streets and the businesses are run by people from all over the world. This is not just your average Mexican village, this is melting pot of cultures who all seem to have one thing in common… a desire to savor life and to slow it down a bit.
Before the arrival of the Spanish, and still somewhat today, the coast of San Pancho and Sayulita and nearby mountainous region known as the 
Entreamigos offers more than 600 classes and workshops in the facility, most of them free of charge. The non-profit organization has a variety of programs that are intended to bridge cultural and economic differences with the intention of increasing educational opportunities, environmental stewardship and collective community responsibility. They offer scholarships to the local kids and some of the successful entrepreneurs in San Pancho are results of that very scholarship program.
Another spectacular feature in San Pancho is the formation of Circo de Niños (Kid’s circus) which was founded in 2011 by Cirque de Soleil’s founding directors, Gilles Ste. Croix and Monique Voyer. Initially conceived as a fundraising idea for Entreamigos, Gilles Ste. Croix offered to oversee a presentation involving about 40 children incorporating elements of his famous Montreal troupe. By autumn 2014, Cirque de Soleil had donated equipment and the Circo de los Niños began rehearsing in the Entreamigos space. An outdoor performance of ¡Órale! was given at the Plaza de San Francisco and the Mayan Palace in the Punta de Mita resort. In March 2015, Circo de los Niños was granted the use of one of the government warehouses on the same property as Entreamigos and performed a four night run of their first Cirque du Soleil like performance before audiences of about 250. The circus performance continues today with tickets selling out immediately and is an absolute marvel to witness. If one has ever seen a Cirque du Soleil show, this children’s circus has the music, the lights, the story, the acrobatics, and the magic of a typical show in Vegas, but with children of the San Pancho community who train all year to perform for their families and tourists alike.
The entire state of Nayarit is located south of the 
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