San Pancho is located on the Mexican Pacific coast, in the state of Nayarit, along Highway 200. This eclectic, community-driven town is tucked away, surrounded by mountains and lush jungle. However, it’s conveniently close to major cities and airports.
Are you planning a trip to San Pancho but need information on how to get here? Don’t worry - we’ve got you covered! Below, we provide you with the ultimate guide to transportation to San Pancho.
Arriving From Puerto Vallarta & Puerto Vallarta’s Airport
San Pancho is just 1 hour (44.8 km, 27.8 miles) from Puerto Vallarta and the
Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport. There are multiple options available to get to San Pancho from Puerto Vallarta:
Authorized Taxi Company From Within the Airport
Rate: Between $1300 and $1600 MXN
Trip time: Approximately 50 minutes
This is the most convenient, but also the most expensive, option. Only a few taxi companies are certified to pick up passengers within the airport grounds. For this reason, these companies are more expensive and do not negotiate their rates.
Taking a cab from within the airport is the most reliable and comfortable option, especially if you have a lot of luggage. You can arrange a taxi as soon as you leave customs - you’ll see the taxi booths as you exit customs and enter into the airport.
Tip: There are a few options available, and rates will vary from company to company. Ask around to find the best rate. These companies accept pesos and credit/debit cards. Once you have bought your ticket, you’ll go to the airport exit, where you’ll be assigned a cab.
Street Taxi
Rate: Between $800 and $1000 MXN
Trip time: Approximately 50 minutes
If you’d like to try a more economical taxi option, you can hail a cab on the main road next to the airport. In order to do this, you’ll need to exit the airport grounds. Once you walk outside, you will see a highway to your left. Walk towards this highway and cross the pedestrian bridge. Once you reach the other side, hail any cab.
Tip: You’ll need pesos to pay for these cabs. Make sure you arrange the price of the trip in advance, before leaving, and ensure that the driver has change.
Uber
Rate: Between $500 and 800 MXN
Trip time: Approximately 50 minutes
Uber started offering its service in Puerto Vallarta in June 2017, and it's a great alternative to traditional taxis. Now, Uber is the cheapest car service option available. Rates for Uber rides are based on a dynamic pricing model. This means that, depending on demand, the price can change slightly. The exact rate will be given when requesting the ride.
Since Uber is not authorized to pick up passengers inside the airport, you’ll have to leave the airport grounds before you request a ride. Once you walk outside of the airport, you will see a highway to your left. Walk towards this highway and cross the pedestrian bridge. Here, you can request an Uber ride.
Tip: To use this service, you’ll need to have
the Uber app installed on your smartphone and an active data plan.
Bus
Rate: $50 MXN
Trip time: Approximately 1 ½ hours
If you crave the adventurous side of traveling, then the bus offers a great local experience for visitors. The ride is about 1 hour and a half, due to stops, and allows you to take in the beautiful scenic views of the jungle.
To catch the bus to San Pancho, you’ll have to leave the airport grounds. Don’t worry, this merely involves crossing the street. Once you walk outside, you will see a highway to your left. Walk towards this highway and cross the pedestrian bridge. The bus stop is in front of “El Tacon de Marlin,” which is also a highly recommended lunch spot! There's 3 options to get to San Pancho using the bus:
1) Take the bus directly to San Pancho. You’re going to be looking for a bus from the “Compostela” line - it will have a green sign that says “San Pancho” in the front window. You can also ask the bus driver if they stop in San Pancho if you’re unsure. The buses run on the hour.
2) Alternatively you can take a bus to Sayulita, which is only 5 minutes away from San Pancho. Buses to Sayulita run more frequently. From the entrance of Sayulita, where the bus will drop you off, you can then take a taxi to San Pancho for about $200 MXN. These buses run more often than the buses that go to San Pancho.
3) Another option is to take a taxi to the Central Camionera (bus depot), just 5 minutes from the airport. Here, you can catch a bus to San Pancho. Buses leave every 30 minutes from the Central Camionera - a plus if you don’t want to wait for the bus by the highway.
Tip: The bus will drop you off at the entrance of San Pancho. You will then have to walk from here. From the bus stop to the beach is 1.2 km (.75 miles), and Hotel Casa San Pancho is approximately 800 meters (.50 miles) from the bus stop. Sometimes, there are taxis at the entrance of the town, but this is not always the case.
Car Rentals
Rate: Varies depending on the type of car rented as well as add-ons such as insurance
Trip time: Approximately 50 minutes
You’ll find all of the major car rental companies at Puerto Vallarta’s airport, plus some smaller ones. If you’re planning on renting a car, you can do so online in advance or in the moment upon your arrival. Renting a car is a great option if you are looking to get to know some of San Pancho’s surrounding towns and beaches. You’ll be able to pick up the car at the airport and drop it off when you go back to catch your return flight.
Tip: Consider renting a car for the extra mobility and the ability to explore many of the nearby beaches in the region.
Driving From Puerto Vallarta
When driving from Puerto Vallarta to San Pancho, we recommend taking a look at
these Google Maps driving directions. Ideally, open these directions and save the route on your smartphone prior to the trip to avoid any issues. The trip will take about 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
Tip: As you approach the town, the sign for the entrance will say “San Francisco,” since San Pancho is a loving nickname. Pull into the lane on the right in order to make the left-hand turn into the town.
Arriving From Guadalajara
Guadalajara, the state capital of Jalisco, is
is 179.5 miles (289 km) from San Pancho by car.
Taking the Bus From Guadalajara
Rate: $700 - $850 MXN
Trip time: Approximately 3 to 4 hours
To get to San Pancho from Guadalajara by bus, your best option is to take a bus to La Peñita de Jaltemba, and then a taxi from there to San Pancho.
There are a few bus companies available, some of which are: Primera Plus, Vallarta Plus and ETN.
Tip: Ticket prices and trip time will vary depending on the origin and destination of your ticket. Typically, bus tickets will range from $700-850 MXN. If you take the bus to La Peñíta de Jaltemba, you can find a cab at the bus stop. A taxi will cost approximately $350 MXN.
Arriving From Sayulita
Taxi
Rate: $200 MXN
Trip time: Approximately 10 minutes
Sayulita is only
4 miles (7km) from San Pancho. By car, San Pancho is roughly 10 minutes from Sayulita, depending on the exact pick up location in Sayulita.
Bus
Rate: $25 MXN
Trip time: Approximately 10 minutes
You can catch a bus at the
Sayulita Bus Terminal that will drop you off at the entrance of San Pancho.
Tip: The bus will drop you off at the entrance of San Pancho. You’ll then have to walk from here. From the bus stop to the beach is 1.2 km (.75 miles), and
Hotel Casa San Pancho is approximately 800 meters (.50 miles) from the bus stop. Sometimes, there are taxis at the entrance of the town, but this is not always the case.
Which Way to San Pancho Will You Choose?
If you’ll be visiting us at Hotel Casa San Pancho from a location not listed in our Ultimate Guide, give us a call at +52 1 311 258 5022 and we’ll assist you with directions.
