Hola amigos, welcome to the San Pancho food and surf guide! I was fortunate to spend the month of October in the bohemian Mexican town of San Pancho located on the Riviera Nayarit. The surf and food still have me buzzing, but first a little backstory. San Pancho holds a near and dear place in my heart as I started the Covid lockdown, March 2020 with 2 dear friends here. We were in different parts of Mexico when the world started closing and freaking out. We made a (genius) game time decision when the media was telling us to go home and met in San Pancho to ‘shelter in place’ for a few weeks. I fell in love with the art, people and overall chill of the town, however it was very much shut down.
During my Covid trip, I didn’t grasp the food scene or how the town comes alive Thursday – Sunday. My recent month here showcased the best of San Pancho and some other gems of Nayarit. We can’t wait to share our insights on the San Pancho food and surf guide!
Riviera Nayarit
The travel world seems to be lusting over the Riviera Nayarit right now, and rightfully so. It’s a gorgeous sliver of Mexico that is not overdeveloped. I hope with its large hills, two-lane roads and rugged terrain, it stays somewhat wild. The glory of this region is in no way a secret as a One&Only resort is open and they are even selling luxury homes for a casual $6 – 18.5 million USD. 😮, say what? Read more about that development on the recent Globetrender article, here.
If that is not enough, a neighboring Rosewood property is accepting reservations starting April 1, 2025. The beauty is you can live resort life in the mountains with private beaches and also experience the down-to-earth towns of the area. These towns are a cosmopolitan blend of locals, expats (mainly from the US and Canada) and tourists from all over the world. As you are creating a visual, this is not resort row, this is secluded, bespoke, jungle elegance.
Getting There
San Pancho (officially San Francisco) is one of these small beach towns in the Riviera Nayarit and getting there is easy. Its located an hour north of Puerto Vallarta and conveniently, PV has an international airport. San Pancho is chiller than neighboring Sayulita to the south and a bit more lively than neighboring Lo de Marcos just north. Its charm lies in its colorful streets, relaxed vibe and the perfect blend of surf and Mexican culture.
To avoid the super hot and rainy season, plan your visit between October – May. You can take Ubers and taxis from the PV airport, however I highly suggest renting a car for your entire trip. This will make getting to other towns, surf spots and amazing restaurants easier. Speaking of food, let’s get into the yummy part of the San Pancho food and surf guide!
Best Food in San Pancho
After our month of eating out for most meals, I have a solid grasp on the best food in San Pancho. My mouth salivates just thinking about how well we ate.
Tacos
After eating many tacos, these were the best in town!
• Restaurante El Rinconcito – the sweetest family run this down-home joint and they serve hearty portions at very fair prices. Order tacos or a quesadilla filled with a variety of seafood, veg or meat options. The fresh salsa waiting on the table is the way to my heart and it was HOT. Thick, handmade blue corn tortillas take it over the top. I loved seeing the owner grin as he watched the gringos try his fuego salsa, classic! The quesadilla is huge and could easily feed 2 people.
• Taquería Los Arbolitos – another no-frills, street, dollar taco type place that will leave you ready for a return. Their model is simple. Fresh tortilla filled with your choice of meat or veg, and you do the rest. A well-equipped DIY topping bar awaits with cabbage, onions, cilantro, cucumbers, mild salsa and a very hot salsa for the brave. They do not serve seafood here.
• Ikan – for a more upscale taco experience, head to Ikan. The service here was polished and professional, even when every table was full. We enjoyed their crispy soft-shell crab tacos, charred romaine salad and delicious wine from the Valle de Guadalupe! Enjoy their quaint al fresco dining right off the main road.
*Pro tip ~ Like Oaxaca, salsa macha is readily available in Nayarit. Ask for it if you don’t see it on the table. 😏
Dinner
These dinner places stand out and will impress your friends. With 2 people dining, we hardly broke $100 a night eating and drinking till we were content at the nicer places in town.
Mexican
• Restaurante Limbo – enjoy dinner right on the main street or in their cozy restaurant. Another place with large portions, 1 plate per person is plenty. Their flavors are very deep and developed, it felt like we were eating in Oaxaca. We loved their veg mushroom dish and fish on a bed of risotto-style crispy rice and salad. BUT the best part is, a lovely abuelita is sitting on the street level with you making warm perfect tortillas on a skillet. Count on everything you order being wrapped in a perfect tortilla poof. 💀
• Su Pancha Madre – a place with such good Google reviews you wonder if they are forced or fake. Well, they are not. The concept here is sleek, one item and do it well. They make sopes and only sopes, really really good sopes. The passionate owner Mau welcomed us like family grinning from ear to ear. He explained their mole is an old family recipe dating back a few generations and comes from Oaxaca. If you do nothing else, order their sopes with mole. To top it all off they have talented jazz-style musicians playing and singing in the garden. This is not to be missed!
Italian
• Habibi – how about some sweet northern Italians from the motherland serving you perfect Italian food in a tiny Mexican village? Habibi is a jackpot and the desert chic design is on point. We didn’t have a bad dish here, truly comparable to meals in Italy but more creative. The pesto ravioli is one thick ravioli sheet swathed into a perfect cheesy bliss bundle. The charcoal sourdough burrata starter is artistic, perfectly salted, edible joy on a plate. The yummy wine and gregarious staff will make your heart swell. We couldn’t help but eat here twice and strategically for our last memorable dinner.
Entertainment
As stated earlier, San Pancho comes alive with entertainment Thursday through Sunday. Sunsets at the beach are a celebration and the energy continues into the streets. Enjoy performers, artists, fire dancers and music galore while you dine outdoors. Daytime is just as fun, with unique options like a polo match or a long day at the beach club. Here are the best of.
Daytime
• Polo Brunch – enjoy a glam daytime Sunday brunch on the polo fields in the heart of San Pancho! $75 gets you a welcome drink and unlimited food with various open-air kitchens and fresh delights. The lovely hosts explain the sport and narrate the match in a digestible way. Each party has a private couch and umbrella on the field and this event lasts 4 hours. You can even hang out with the horses in the shade while they cool down, very special experience!
• Baby Turtle Release – this typically occurs from July to December, with peak activity in August through October. Hatchlings are released in the evenings, usually around sunset, to maximize their chances of survival. The releases are often organized by local conservation groups, such as Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, which runs the town’s turtle protection program. You can participate or observe these magical events while learning about sea turtle conservation efforts. Just about the cutest thing you will ever see!
• Tierra Tropical Beach Club – indulge in a day of ultimate relaxation with spa services, lap pool, delectable cuisine, and serene surroundings right on the beach. Entry for the day is $70, with a $45 credit toward your food and drink tab. The best part? They keep the capacity just right, ensuring everyone has their own lounge chair and shade. Make a reservation a few days in advance, get there when they open and veg out.
* The beach and polo clubs are run by the same family and these meals will easily be some of the best and freshest of your trip!
Nightime
• Gipsy – our favorite nighttime open-air lounge for live music, hookah and a nightcap. Gipsy captures the bohemian spirit of San Pancho perfectly with an eclectic crowd, dancing in the streets and highly curated musicians. We enjoyed a Cuban jazz night and other worldly beats here.
• Pezetarian MX – hands down the most diverse selection of mezcals and tequilas in San Pancho. The passionate bartenders and owner will take you on a journey of high-end spirits that you have never tasted before. Be sure to try the mouth-numbing Chilcuague spirit for a very unique experience!
Surf
San Pancho
Onward with the San Pancho food and surf guide. The surf story is quite easy as there is one main break in SP. When the main road dead ends to the ocean, head to your left. You will see plenty of surfboard rentals right on the beach and someone is usually open for business by 7:30-8am. We loved the vibe of Noyo’s surf shack. They were incredibly friendly and gave us great pointers about surf in the area, swell directions for certain waves and local marine life.
This beach break works best with a summer south or southwest swell, delivering punchy waves and fast rides. While it’s not ideal for beginners, the vibe in the lineup matches the town’s laid-back charm. The locals in the water were so delightful, I wish I could ‘copy paste’ them around the world. Their kind nature made me go for waves I usually wouldn’t have and this helped me level up. I am forever grateful and I might just become one of those cool locals, haha. My dream.
Lo de Marcos
If the waves in SP are looking too large or you are more of a longboarder, head 10 minutes north to Lo de Marcos. There needs to be some swell for this point to break and the ride is perfect for practicing turns. This break in LDM is on the south end of town, park by Tomatina restaurant as a reference point.
Chacala
This wave is located in the picturesque fishing village of Chacala, 30 minutes north of San Pancho. Here you can have a mellow and consistent surf experience. This right-hand point break is ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers, with clean, manageable waves. The best conditions typically come with a west or northwest swell, particularly during the winter months. You have to walk to the north end of the beach and ask the local fishermen to take you to the surf break in their boats. Be sure to have some pesos and your board ready. We didn’t see any boards for rent on the beach. Even if you don’t surf you must visit this adorable town!
Matanchen Bay
We were taking a leisurely road trip north of SP and 2 hours later stumbled upon Matanchen Bay. We had never heard of this place and upon Googling, we realized it is one of the longest and most famous waves in Mexico. Huh? We felt like modern day explorers, charting new lands, haha. The day we visited the water was very calm, there are no waves here without swell. The wave works best with a northwest or west swell and is suitable for intermediate to advanced surfers due to its size and speed. Its known for its long, peeling right-hand point break, offering consistent rides that can stretch for several hundred meters.
If you hope to catch this wave plan your trip in the winter, Nov-March. Be warned that the drive getting here had tons of large potholes. If you can splurge for a nice SUV with good tires for your trip, do it! I loved the down-to-earth vibe of this town and its restaurants. A very authentic Mexican experience. If you catch swell and want to stay the night, accommodation will likely be rustic.
Obsessed with Nayarit
Well friends, the San Pancho food and surf guide was an easy one to write as I am obsessed with Nayarit. I can still taste all these dishes, remember smiles with strangers and friends and indulge in these recent memories. I have dreamed about living by warm water waves my whole life and also living full-time in Mexico. My vision board is calling me to spend extended time here and it makes me giddy.
You may be wondering why I haven’t mentioned the goodness of Punta Mita. Well, I loved our finds in Punta Mita so much I will give it a separate article. We surfed till our arms fell off and ate so well in Mita. The joys. Thank you for coming along on this Mexican food + surf journey. If you have been to the region and have any magic to share, please drop us a note!
Con amor,
Rach
PS ~ With Guadalajara City an hour flight or 3 hour drive from Nayarit, be sure to check out our quick guide here! Pair your beach vacation with some city hustle and live it up! xx
