The Ultimate Guide to San Pancho Surf
San Pancho surf is upcoming on the Riviera Nayarit. Just to the north of Sayulita and Puerto Vallarta, it’s certainly one of the most enchanting and authentic Mexican towns to chase the waves.
An introduction to San Pancho surf
We’re almost reluctant to talk about San Pancho. This hidden little spot on the ever-popular Riviera Nayarit has managed to retain a little of the Mexicana charm that other nearby towns haven’t (Sayulita, we’re looking at you).
Its cobbled streets and pastel-painted casas are a vision of the real Mexico. You can spend mornings listening to coconut sellers in the street below (coco frios!). There are evenings of sizzling tacos and cold cerveza by the shore. If all that sounds nostalgic, it’s because it is. We can’t wait to return.
San Pancho surf is getting increasingly popular. But we’ll be honest – the break itself isn’t all that amazing. Yes, it’s consistent and quite punchy. However, we’d rate it as a mediocre beach break that’s heavy on the closeouts and downright nasty when you get on the wrong side of the reef.
However, staying here means you can be within easy striking distance of some of the best Nayarit surfing, from La Lancha surf to Punta Mita and beyond.
In addition, you don’t really come to San Pancho for just the surf. You come to stay in a vibrant little beach town with a long length of stunning golden sand backed by palm trees. Come for the cool Mex-Veggie eateries on the main street. Choose it for the chilled surfer vibes and roastery coffee shops.
Seriously, we love this place way more than nearby Sayulita as a spot to bed down. Just be aware that you’ll need to travel to the best breaks in the region.
This is a part of our greater guide to surfing Mexico.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
The surf in San Pancho at a glance
The good:
The bad:
What will I find in this guide to Playa San Pancho
Where is San Pancho?
San Pancho sits on the iconic Riveira Nayarit. It’s about an hour’s drive north of Puerto Vallarta and about 15 minutes’ further along the riviera than the most famous surf town in Mexico: Sayulita.
Geographically, San Pancho is just below the Sierra Madre mountains, facing perfectly NW into the central Pacific Ocean. It’s got long, sandy beaches to its north and south, and one right out front, which is where you’ll find the surfing.
Importantly, the Bahia de Banderas is just to the south. You can head there to find surf spots that face slightly different angles and pick up different swells. More on that below…
How to get to San Pancho?
The most convenient option is to fly into Puerto Vallarta. There are lots of connections these days, including easy domestic hops from Mexico City and plenty of mainstay low-cost airlines from the US (it’s a major destiantion for spring break, after all!).
Try using Kiwi to search flights – they have a unique algo that links together all airlines to get the best deal, not just the ones that use codeshares. It can turn up some great bargains.
Once you’re on the ground, San Pancho is easy to access on the main 200 Highway by car. We probably wouldn’t rent ourselves since the driving is a bit sketchy, though you can (RentalCars is the best option for that). Much easier are direct transfers like this one for just $200 for a whole group of up to 7! A transfer takes around 50 mins to 1 hour.
Alternatively, there are regular local buses from PV’s downtown that will set you back under $10 a pop. They’re not so great if you want to bring a surfboard along – we’ve had trouble with that. But they are the cheapest option. It’s 1.5 hours on those to San Pancho because of all the stops.
San Pancho surf spots
San Pancho is fronted by a long and lovely stretch of yellow sand. That’s where all the surfing happens.
You’ll find that there are actually plenty of peaks to get stuck into all along its length.
However, the locals have identified two that are the most consistent and the most popular: A point on the south end of the bay and a wedge near the river mouth.
We take a look at both of those, along with a few nearby options on the line up of nearby Nayarit surf spots.
Playa San Pancho point
Intermediate+
Although you can find waves pretty much anywhere along the shoreline, the far south end of Playa San Pancho hosts the main surfing spot. It’s a left-hand point that breaks off the rugged headland that juts out from the fenced-off resort. Expect a five-minute walk from the main street (that’s if you’re quick) to get here. The paddle out is usually nice and easy. With the best conditions, the wave is hollow and glassy and moves nicely from right to left. Unfortunately, it’s only with big summer swells that the spot holds up well. In the winter, it’s more likely to be a closeout that can draw you in like a tumble drier.
Playa San Pancho beach break
Intermediate+
The river mouth part of Playa San Pancho is another of the main peaks that’s recognizable on this stretch of shore. It’s not a very forgiving wave. It sucks up quick, has strong rips, and even some big patches of jagged coral underneath – a real hazard at low tide. For intermediates and pros, it’s a fun drop in that’s very fast and can get hollow. On big days, there’s an inevitable closeout and winds can really cause it to mess up. We’d say beginners beware – don’t be temped by the foamy stands on the sand. You’re better off waiting for a surf trip down to La Lancha surf beach.
Surfing around San Pancho
The truth is that most surf travelers will base themselves in San Pancho and drive around the surrounding area to find the best breaks.
The cream of the crop are in Sayulita and Punta Mita, both of which are to the south – it’s between 20 minutes (for Sayulita) and 40 minutes (for Punta Mita’s various spots).
There’s also little Lo de Marcos a little to the north, and – further again – Chacala, which is best visited on its own since you’ll need to stay in the town and travel to the breaks by boat taxi, which is worth it because if the swell is right they are fantastic!
Chacala
Beginner-Intermediate
About 50 minutes’ drive north of San Pancho, the tiny town of Chacala is what the riveira was 20 years ago. A clutch of beach hotels spill onto a lovely arc of sand, though the main village beach has almost no surf – it’s too protected.
To surf here, you’ll need to stay in Chacala and organize a taxi boat to one of two bays just north. If you catch them with a mid-size, long-period swell it’s incredible, and one of the spots can be the best left in the region on its day.
Where to stay? Casa Liquen is our favorite hotel in Chacala. It’s very cool. Luxury yet authentic Mexicana.
>>We have a complete giude to surfing in Chacala right here!
Lo de Marcos
Beginner-Intermediate
Lo de Marcos is the next break you come to if you follow the Riviera Nayarit surf coast north from San Pancho. It’s an even more chilled fishing town than Pancho itself, actually. Still only afew rows of breeze-block cabanas front the beach. There’s a taco stand here; a coconut seller there. Very nice. Very chilled.
Surf wise, look to the southern end of the town’s beach. Conditions are famously unpredictable, but dry season swells tend to offer neat little right handers off the point. Better for beginners than Pancho. Less busy.
>>Read our full guide to surfing in Lo de Marcos
Sayulita
All levels
Sayulita isn’t hailed as one of the very best surf towns in all of Mexico for nothing, you know!
It’s got a mellow beach break that’s cracking for beginners, along with smaller sections of reef that hit the spot for improvers in the intermediate category.
It’s a short 15-min drive south of SP and a much livelier surf town overall! And, Sayulita has loads of great surf camps.
If you’re not fussed on crowds, want surf lessons, and surfing every single day, there’s a good argument you should be skipping San Pancho and coming to Sayulita instead!
Where to stay? Hotel Ysuri is one of our long-time favorites. It overlooks the beach (and the surf) and has a gorgeous pool.
>>Check out our complete guide to the surf in Sayulita to learn all about it!
La Lancha
All levels
We wouldn’t say that you should totally discount San Pancho as a surf destination if you’re a beginner. Instead, come to stay and enjoy the chilled beach vibes, but look to the La Lancha surf for your days on the waves.
The spot is about 30 minutes’ drive away. You could do it by car, but we’d recommend an organised surf tour.
La Lancha is often their go to place. Why? It has two breaks: One for complete beginners (a light right-hander over sand) and one for improvers (a speedier left-right wedge that’s further out.
Stinky’s
All levels
Close to La Lancha, Stinky’s sits on the front shores of the Bahia de Banderas down in Punta Mita. It’s a lovely little spot that’s known for its consistency.
Good at low tides and can also handle those hefty summer S-SW punches. Bottom is a blend of rock and sand. There are left and rights but it’s predominantly left. Great choice for starters on low days. Also nice for longboards. (Don’t worry about the name – it’s inspired by the local fishing boats, not the pollution).
This is just one of the many spots that tuck into the Punta Mita headland.
Top hotels (for surfers) in San Pancho
San Pancho is still an upcoming destination on the Riviera Nayarit. That means hotels and B&Bs seem to be opening here all the time. Some of our favourites currently in the mix are…
PAL.MAR Hotel Tropical ($$-$$$)
Whitewashed walls and bamboo-clad towers welcome you to PAL.MAR Hotel Tropical. They make this boutique B&B lodging really look the part.
In the garden out back is a glimmering pool and shaded sitting areas for that post-surf R&R. Rooms and minimalist with a touch of Mexicana charm. Every option has air con and a private bathroom.
Habitaciones Samy ($$)
Small but friendly Habitaciones Samy strikes a great balance between cost and comfort. The rooms are compact but have everything you need for a great surfing trip in San Pancho – plush mattresses, clean bathrooms, seating areas.
The location puts you right on the main street, a short walk to the breaks of Playa San Pancho but also between some great cafes and taco stands.
Hotel Ysuri Bambu ($$)
The spacious suites at Hotel Ysuri Bambu are just a short walk from the bars and restaurants of San Pancho, but also within earshot of the waves.
Designed with a twist of Mexican art and heritage in mind, they have natural wood features and artistic flurries. Some have balconies, others have access to leafy garden spaces.
Hotel Casa San Pancho ($$-$$$)
This is a nice spot! Tucked away from the action on a side street, it’s a terracotta-coloured villa with a clutch of rooms. Some have breezy terraces where you can sit and take in the street scene below.
Others open onto the central courtyard where there’s a lovely 8-shaped pool. You’ll get views of the Sierra Madre from the patio and access to a lovely lounge that’s kept cool and relaxing.
Need more inspo? We’ve got a compelte guide to all the best hotels for surfers in Mexico, and it includes quite a few options on the Riveira Nayarit near to San Pancho.
Surf camps in San Pancho
Surf camps in San Pancho
There aren’t actually any dedicated surf camps in San Pancho. Instead, camps are mainly based in the next town over: Sayulita.
There are pluses and minuses to picking one over a self-planned surf trip to San Pancho itself.
First, the negatives…You won’t be staying in San Pancho itself and that means you’ll miss out on the lovely slow rhythms of life in the little beach town, the cool taco joints, and the all-round vibe. Sayulita is fine and all, but it’s A LOT busier and more commercial.
On top of that, Sayulita’s main surf spots are way busier, so there will be crowds.
On the plus side, Sayulita is considered as one of the very best places to learn to surf in the whole of Mexico, so it’s perfect if you’ve never paddled or popped up before. On top of that, some of the surf-camp packages here are seriously incredible value for money.
We’ll leave you make up your mind, while we tempt ya’ with a few of the best surf camps in Sayulita for the 2024/25 season…
- WildMex Surf & Adventure 7-day Progressive Surf Camp – This is a fantastic surf camp that has all the bells and whistles for a very good price. They’ve got some of the top instructors on the Mexican Pacific and include six nights accomodation in dorms or privates (depending on budget), 5x surf lessons, and all your gear.
- Variant surf Co. 4-day Surf Camp – A very action-packed four days in comfy apartment-hotel accomodation in Sayulita, with highly informative surf lessons on offer at nearby Punta Burros beach.
If you want even more inspo than that, check out our guide to the best surf camps in Sayulita, or even the best surf camps in Mexico for this year.
When to surf in San Pancho?
The San Pancho surf season runs roughly in line with the greater Nayarit surfing season. Summers are the biggest, with the strong SW swells, while winters (or the dry season) are smaller, better for beginners and improvers.
To put it simply – there’s always a swell here. That’s part of the charm. The real question is what sort of wave you’ll find, which all really depends on the swell direction. That does change, bringing different sorts of conditions to different spots in the San Pancho region.
Dry season/winter (November-March)
We’d say this is the best time of all to come surfing in San Pancho. There are lots of reasons. First off, the weather is at its peak. Hot, sunny days are broken by only occasional downpours. But it’s not too humid. You can still kick it on the beach and not sweat like you’ve run a 10k.
More importantly, N-NW swells come across the Pacific to crash down on the Nayarit surfing beaches. They curl beautifully into Banderas Bay to create glassy conditions most mornings. Couple that with N-NW offshores near La Lancha and cross-shores in San Pancho itself and you’re looking at some nice times.
Wear: Rash vest/board shorts/2mm wetsuit
Wet season/summer (April-October)
The summer is almost always bigger, less predictable, and wetter than the winter months. Predominantly powered by southerly swells, distant ocean storms, and westerly winds, the beach breaks of Pancho can easily go overhead and more.
In Banderas Bay, the pros will be waiting for some serious swell days that can go double or triple overhead even. Waking early is key before the rains come (this is rainy season and afternoons tend to be the worst). Downsides to surfing in summer are a lack of shape to some waves and occasional messy days.
Wear: Rash vest/board shorts/2mm wetsuit
One thing we would add: Never forget a good surf block and sunscreen in Mexico. San Pancho had, I think, one cloudy day the whole month we stayed there in 2023. What’s more, I found slim pickings of sunscreen in the local shops.
I use Suntribe blocks and face creams for out in the water. It’s non-nano zinc and it’s reduced the amount of chemicals to basically nothing, so way better for the ocean than lots of products out there. They’ve also kindly offered Surf Atlas readers 10% off with code Surfatlas10.
Surf shops in San Pancho
San Pancho has some very decent surf shops.
You’ll only need to hit the main street of the town, Av. Tercer Mundo. There, clusters of cafés and eateries mingle with all sorts of boutiques and surf outlets.
(Probably worth saying that the surf shops in San Pancho aren’t quite as well-stocked as any in Sayulita, which are busier and more abundant. If you need for any gear, then a quick taxi there and you’ll almost certainly be able to find what you’re after).
- Nativa Surf Shop – Nativa is probably the most established surf shop/school in San Pancho right now. A swish logo and a great location make it a top pick for all your gear needs. Better yet, it’s locally owned – not a gringo store. It’s also brill for good deals on group lessons down at the popular La Lancha spot.
- Santamadre Adventures – Santamadre Adventures doubles as a surf school and a surf shop. Drop into thier place along Egipto street and you’ll find rash vest, tees, sun hats, beachwear, bikinis and more. It’s probably not quite as well equipped as some of the surf outlets in Sayulita but can take care of the basic needs.
- Pancho Vida – For branded clothes with a San Pancho surf twist
Where to eat in San Pancho
San Pancho surf swells are guaranteed to rustle up a hefty appetite. Thankfully, you’re in Mexico. That means the food will never disappoint. Here are a few of our favourite picks from this enthralling little corner of the Nayarit coast…
Taquería Los Arbolitos
It. Doesn’t. Get. Better. Than. This. Seriously, we love Taquería Los Arbolitos. Cheap (like $4 gets you a full meal with a beer sorta’ cheap!) and welcoming, it’s a joint that ticks all the boxes for local eats.
The tortillas are real corn and freshly made each day. There’s a mix of fillings, from meat to cactus and soya for the veggies. You’ll also get access to an awesome salsa bar with some challenging habanero dips.
The setting is lovely, just off the main street beneath a row of painted plane trees. Can’t beat it.
Dolce Jardin
Pizzas and Mexican food in one lovely little garden restaurant – that’s Dolce Jardin. We ate here several times around 2019 and went home happy – recent reviews show it’s still going and still much loved.
Local food is freshly prepared with a heavy focus on BBQ meats, but there’s also veg stuff to boot. The salsa buffet is banging. And the pizzas are probably some of the best the town has to offer.
Cerveceria Artesanal San Pancho
Skip food and head for a post-surf beer at this wonderful Cerveceria Artesanal San Pancho. There’s hardly a better memory than glugging a cold one (a craft cold one, at that) on the cobbled streets behind the beach after a few waves.
We did and got treated to live folk music that went on well into the night. Top crowd. Top beers.
Things to do (when you’re not surfing) in San Pancho
We’ll be honest – San Pancho is pretty chill. Mainly, come here to laze around, surf, and count down the hours until you can justify an evening marg.
There is one spectacular hike in the jungles going north. And another going south – to link up to Sayulita. They each take about 2 hours but are great fun for flat days. Just remember to take water cos it will get hot!
Hike the jungle
There’s a great jungle trail that leads all the way from San Pancho to Sayulita. It takes an hour or so to walk in total, but brings you through some dense pockets of coastal forest. Look out for high palm trees and swinging vines.
There are also monkeys about (or so someone told us, but it’s probably just a bird – see comments!), but we could only hear them when we ventured this way in 2019. Halfway between the two towns, the trail emerges onto a gorgeous beachfront that’s hidden by steep cliffs.
Discover remote Playa De Barro
More hiking to the north of San Pancho take you past some of the largest hilltop villas in the area. Beyond those are more jungle trails and the occasional Pacific lookout. Eventually, you can hit Playa De Barro.
It’s a truly gorgeous spot. We discovered it at the start of 2019 and found we were the only ones there! Some come for the natural “mud spa” that’s on the south end of the beach. We went to enjoy clear blue sees, watch the birds flying overhead and have some sand space to ourselves.
Visit Sayulita
Just 15 minutes away by taxi, the town of Sayulita is a hubbub of energy compared to chilled SP. It’s probably worth a night or two if you’re the hedonistic type. There are cocktail bars with top deals on margaritas and tequila. There are pumping surf hostels filled with young travelers catching their first waves. Generally, good vibes.
This ultimate guide to San Pancho Surf is always being updated and changed. If you think we’ve missed something or gotten something wrong, we’d sure love you to get in touch. You can use email or just drop a message in the comments below.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
There are no monkeys that far north. Look it up. They go as far north as, Oaxaca on the Pacific side and Vera Cruz on the Gulf of Mexico side. I know it looks like there should be. The forest is as thick as some parts of Costa Rica. Sloths never made it that far north either.
Hey Kirk! That’s what people kept saying and then someone else told us on that trail that the thing we were hearing was a monkey! Ah well… Will edit this one soon ay.