Major city · Mexico
San FranciscoSan Pancho
Two nights is enough: one beach day, one town evening. Skip it if you want nightlife or a resort pool — Sayulita is 7 km (4.3 mi) away.Two nights is enough: one beach day, one town evening. Skip it if you want nightlife or a resort pool — Sayulita is 4.3 mi (7 km) away.
San Pancho (San Francisco, Nayarit) is a small Pacific village of about 1,400 people, 45 km north of Puerto Vallarta. There are no high-rises and no big hotels: one main street, Av. Tercer Mundo, runs from the highway to a long sandy beach. Come for a quiet two-night stop between Sayulita and Bucerias, or as a low-key base for a week of surf and sun.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–May (dry season; surf biggest Nov–Mar)
- avoid Sep–Oct (rain, humidity, some closures)
- Airport
- PVR
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for San Francisco911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Francisco, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetySan Pancho is a small, calm village and violent crime against visitors is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 All emergencies · 078 Tourist assistance (Nayarit) · 078 Green Angels roadside help
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPVR Puerto Vallarta (Gustavo Díaz Ordaz) (About 45 km (28 mi) south; taxi or bus to the highway, then a green local bus north).PVR Puerto Vallarta (Gustavo Díaz Ordaz) (About 28 mi (45 km) south; taxi or bus to the highway, then a green local bus north).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealmain dishM$150–300
- Street or quick mealStreet-food taco or sopeM$25–60
- BeerPacifico beer: bar / OxxoM$50–80M$25–35
- Metro or bus rideBus ride on the highwayM$20–60 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$200–400
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personMX$400 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBoutique double room, a night, per roomMX$2,400 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedBoutique double room, a night, per roomMX$4,500 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$700 (≈ US$40) · Mid MX$1,500 (≈ US$85) · High MX$3,500 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PVR Puerto Vallarta (Gustavo Díaz Ordaz) (About 45 km (28 mi) south; taxi or bus to the highway, then a green local bus north)PVR Puerto Vallarta (Gustavo Díaz Ordaz) (About 28 mi (45 km) south; taxi or bus to the highway, then a green local bus north)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–May. Avoid: Sep–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Aug (15 rain days), driest Mar (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Francisco: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The whole village is about 1–2 km across and the streets are cobblestone, so a bike is worse than feet. Colectivos and green buses pass on the highway for Sayulita, Bucerias and Puerto Vallarta.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sayulita
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Green bus or colectivo on the highway, about 15 min
Busier surf town with more bars and restaurants; easy half-day.
Bucerias
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus south on the highway, about 45 min
Long beach and a bigger market; good for a lazy afternoon.
Lo de Marcos
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus north on the highway, about 30 min
Even quieter than San Pancho; bring cash.
San Blas
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus north via Tepic or a car, 2.5–3 h
Too far for a return day; sleep one night.
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus south on the highway, 1–1.5 h
Doable as a day, but you lose the point of staying here.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Av. Tercer Mundo)
Walk to beach, bars and street food in 5–10 min; the only real choice for a short stay.
North edge / beach side
Quieter, palapa-style hotels near the sand; 10–15 min walk to the main street.
Highway side
Cheapest beds and camping, but a 15–20 min walk to the beach and traffic noise.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$700–1,200 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,200–2,500 excl. bed
- High
- M$2,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Boutique double room1 × 2 nights × MX$2,400 | MX$4,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MX$1,500 | MX$6,000 |
| Bus PVR airport area → San Pancho highway stop, one way2 × MX$60 · check | MX$120 |
| Beach umbrella and lounge chair, one day1 × MX$200 · check | MX$200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$1,162 |
| Trip total≈ MX$3,196 per person per day, bed included | MX$12,782≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Street-food taco or sope | M$25–60 |
| Sit-down meal, main dish | M$150–300 |
| Pacifico beer: bar / Oxxo | M$50–80 / M$25–35 |
| Craft beer at the local brewery | M$70–110 |
| Beach umbrella and chair, per day | M$200 (check) |
| Bus ride on the highway | M$20–60 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | M$200–400 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The bus drops you on the highway, not in town — watch for the San Pancho stop or you ride on to Sayulita.
- Pacific surf here can be strong; casual swimmers should stay near others and watch the sets.
- Bring cash: a few ATMs (Banorte, Multiva) exist but fail often, and many small places take pesos only.
- September and October bring heavy rain and some businesses close.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 911
- Tourist assistance (Nayarit)
- 078
- Green Angels roadside help
- 078
Pocket card
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San FranciscoSan Pancho
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies911
- Tourist assistance078
- Green Angels roadside help078
Embassy
No consulate in San Pancho; the US consulate is in Puerto Vallarta, other embassies in Mexico City (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PVR airport area → San Pancho highway stop, bus: about M$50–60, 1–1.5 h (check)
- San Pancho → Sayulita, bus or colectivo: about M$20–30, 15 min (check)
- Taxi San Pancho → Sayulita: M$150–250 (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dees-KOOL-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HAY-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DON-deh es-TAH la PLAH-yah)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants; M$20–50 for porters and guides' helpers.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Francisco. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–May (dry season; surf biggest Nov–Mar) · avoid Sep–Oct (rain, humidity, some closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PVR: last bus north, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: beach, Av. Tercer Mundo, highway strip.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (beach, polo club, craft brewery) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rainy-season and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.