Recreation
The Nayarit Riviera is home to the Huichol (Native American) handcrafts
and cultural center, the Alta Vista archeological site (still in use for sacred
rituals), the unique island town of Mexcaltitán (accessible only by boat and believed
to be the fabled Aztlán homeland of the Aztec people), river trips through mangrove
forests, beautiful volcanic crater lakes, great beaches, and our village of San
Pancho.
If you enjoy outstanding nature photography, be sure and check out both links under
Birding and Nature Tours.
Note that all phone numbers listed in this guide are Mexican, unless noted otherwise.
To reach Mexican phones from the US and Canada, dial 011-52 and then the number.
You must dial “1” before the area code to reach Mexican cell phones, which have
the (322) area code.
SAN PANCHO
SAYULITA
PUERTO VALLARTA
SAN PANCHO RECREATION
San Pancho is an excellent place to relax and enjoy quiet days. There are also a
lot of great choices if your idea of a good time involves getting out and actively
seeking adventure. If your idea of a fine day is an exquisite massage, followed
by yoga and a spa treatment, you too have come to the right place.
Adventure Guides
Tailwind is located at Selva Del Tigre, five magical acres of dense coastal jungle
adjacent to San Pancho. This area is known for its natural beauty—white sand beaches
and some of the last remaining wild jungle on this coastline. Tailwind is family-owned
and operated by some of the most knowledgeable and all-around FUN people you will
meet, including father-daughter guide team Tiger and Tamara. They offer ecologically-friendly
lodging in tent platforms, kayaking tours, jungle adventures, and recreational packages.
Join them for an invaluable vacation experience while connecting to the natural
world and local peoples of San Pancho.
Tailwind Outdoor Company seeks to demonstrate
the comfort and joy of a low impact lifestyle. They are committed to sustainable
tourism and take great care to ensure that all activities respect the integrity
of the natural environment and our local community. Tailwind donates 1% of its profits
to the EntreAmigos community center and local conservation programs. They also run
educational programs to teach local children about the rich biodiversity of the
jungle.
Go 2 Guy Tours
(360) 472-1460 (US)
(322) 149-8899
Sean Ochoa is a world-traveler, sportsman, surfer, and an excellent guide and host who helped write up the following local recreational opportunities. He is also available for guided tours of Puerto Vallarta nightlife and is a great resource for any questions you may have about local activities.
Here are two other good local adventure guides:
Pedro at Diva Tours
(311) 258-4017
Monico is a certified tour guide who worked at Costa Azul Adventure
Resorts for many years.
(311) 258-4497
Costa
Azul Adventure Resorts
(800) 365-7613 (US toll free)
(311) 258-4120
You can join a Costa Azul Adventure Resorts group expedition on a space -available
basis.
Coastal Fishing and Deep Sea Fishing
Fishing success is all but guaranteed. Choose between a standard canopy-covered
ponga (a small open-bow boat) with an outboard motor and bench seats or
a super ponga with dual hydraulic props, steering console, outriggers and
baño (for true anglers). Half days (4 hrs) or full days (8 hrs) include
captain, gas, bait, gear , and tackle (you are welcome to bring your own gear).
Four persons maximum. Fish for dorado (mahi-mahi), tuna, sailfish, sierra, red snapper,
marlin, rooster fish, bonita, and more. Crews will clean and fillet your catch.
Ask about heading out to the corvatena (a reef teeming with sea life),
which is available only on full-day trips.
Click here for an article on local fishing .
Pando is a local commercial fisherman who will take you on a fishing
trip, adventuring up the coast, or over to the Marietas Islands National Marine
Sanctuary for snorkeling.
(311) 258-4076
Fishing
with Carolina
(322) 224-7250
Hardcore anglers in search of big game will definitely enjoy a day on Candace “Carolina”
Shaw’s namesake boat out of Puerto Vallarta. Check out her website for details and
a local fishing photo album.
Numerous fishing charters also operate out of Bucerías, 23 km (14 mi) south of San
Pancho, on the way to Puerto Vallarta.
Click here for information and pictures from the annual “Hook the Cure” charity fishing and golf tournament
.
Snorkeling
Early mornings are the best time to leave. Gear and guide are provided and the trips
usually last four hours. Enjoy a quick and easy boat ride up the coast to the Marieta
Islands National Marine Sanctuary, where you can snorkel through a big cave that
leads to the small sandy “beach of love.” This bird and marine sanctuary is home
to a spectacular array of tropical fish, marine life, and the famous blue-footed
boobies. The captain will drop you off (with your gear and coolers) on a white beach
with private coves where you can spend the rest of the trip relaxing, eating, or
enjoying more snorkeling. Memorable coastal views of the jungle meeting the sea
are an added bonus, as well as the chance to see whales, turtles, and dolphins on
the way to the islands! Half -day ponga trips for up to six are under USD $200.
Surfing
San Pancho and neighboring areas are a surfer’s dream. Grab a board and get some
expert help on getting to the best spots based on your skill level and the day’s
swell, wind, and tides. Lefts, rights, and mellow long-boarding waves can all be
found within a half-hour drive from San Pancho. You can travel by ponga to get to
breaks that can’t be accessed by land. This is a bit more expensive but allows you
to surf more than one break a day. Private lessons and board rentals are available.
San Pancho Surf Shop
(311) 258-4312
The local surf shop is a great place to stop in for equipment rentals, lessons,
trips, and fishing expeditions.
Scuba Diving
You can rent equipment, although most divers bring their own. Scuba trips are more affordable than elsewhere, averaging $75 for one-tank dives and $100 for two-tank dives.
Kayaking
Kayak adventures up or down the coast can provide a close look at a wide variety of birds, turtles, dolphins, and whales in season.
Hiking
If you are ready to get a good sweat going and see this area from a vantage point
comparable to no other, this tour is for you. Hike up a rugged jungle path to the
peak of Monkey Mountain! The trailhead is a 10-minute drive from San Pancho. Snacks,
water, and trail-blazing machetes are included. It takes about 90 minutes to reach
the breathtaking views at the peak. Stop for a picnic under “the tree” before heading
back down. You can see many creatures, birds, and trees on this adventure.
Other popular hikes take you through parts of the jungle where giant parrots live.
You end up on private beaches accessible only by foot.
Bicycling
Bicycling on your own or with a guide is a fun alternative to hiking. Ask one of
the guides listed above about rentals.
Horseback Riding
A San Pancho vacation is not complete without a horseback ride down an empty beach
as the sun sets and the waves wash ashore. A range of horseback tours is available,
from beginning to advanced. Guided tours can take you to empty beaches and virgin
jungle never found by the average tourist. A horseback tour allows you to experience
the true beauty and life of the jungle. Horseback riding generally costs around
USD $25/hour.
Polo and Soccer
San Pancho has a polo field and a soccer field off Tercer Mundo, on either side
of Ceilan. For polo information, contact Ivan or Gabrielle Echeverria at (311) 258-4391.
Click here for an article on polo in San Pancho . Soccer is played most
weekends. These events are a great opportunity to take in a game and observe a big
crowd of local families cheering on our boys. Expect joyous celebration late into
the night when we win a big one.
Folk Ballet
Alberto Diaz Castillo, who studied at the Institute of the Beautiful Arts in Mexico
City, founded the local Huitari (which means rain in Huichol) Ballet to promote
the traditional classical dances of Mexico and offer dance education, especially
to young people. The Huitari Ballet company performs at many local events. Contact
Alberto at (311) 258-4262. Click here for an article on folk ballet in San Pancho .
Birding and Nature Tours
Frank McCann, renowned photographer and naturalist, has lovingly documented the
natural wonders of Bahía de Banderas on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. We are grateful
that he has allowed us to share a few pictures from his wonderfully evocative, extensive
collection of wildlife and nature photographs. To purchase your own slide show of
these and many other inspiring images, contact Frank
.
Luis Morales
(322) 779-0517
Luis is a naturalist, an ecologist, and an expert on local flora and fauna, especially birds. Take a lovely walk with him through the jungle and gain wonderful insight into local habitat and creatures. You will be astonished by his ability to identify the scores of bird species you will see, in either English or Spanish! Luis will also entertain you with local history and culture anecdotes. Ask if you have any other questions about San Pancho, Mexican culture, politics, or current events. Luis is a great San Pancho ecology and social systems guide.
Click here for the
Birding in Mexico site and pictures
.
Turtle Watching
Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde
(311) 258-4100
San Pancho is home to a wonderful ecology group dedicated to preserving marine wildlife, especially turtles. In 1993, Grupo Ecológico was the first nonprofit environmental group in the State of Nayarit to be granted official recognition by SEMARNAT (the Federal Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources). They also produce workshops and field campaigns for children, and sponsor community and wild-land preservation and clean-up campaigns.
During the summer and fall months, female turtles come ashore to dig holes in the beach with their flippers, where they lay their eggs. Volunteers traverse the beach on a dune buggy throughout the night and gather the warm eggs to protect them from human and animal predators. Director Frank Smith then stores the eggs under environmentally controlled conditions until they are ready to hatch. The hatchlings are then returned to the beach, where they waddle back to sea.
At one time, vast swaths of turtles climbed onto pristine beaches. These hordes dwindled to a fading remnant of 72 nesting females when Grupo Ecológico began its work. Thanks to their efforts, the population has increased to 661 nesting females.
On Thursdays at 7:00 PM, Grupo Ecológico offers a presentation and slide show, hosted by Gallo's Restaurant, across Tercer Mundo from the soccer field. Hatchlings, when available, are released on the beach after the presentation. Check out Grupo Ecológico’s archived newsletters on their website for fun reading about turtle-saving adventures.
Rejuvenation and Healing
A variety of renewal therapies, from yoga and massage techniques to spa treatments, are available in San Pancho.
Massage
by
Certified Massage Therapist Judith Garcia
(311) 258-4113
(322) 146-2078 (mobile)
Massage, Manicure and Pedicure
by Silvia Elena Arce G.
(311) 258-4241
Massage and Yoga
by
Physical Therapist and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Silvana Marveggio
(322) 134-7912
Yoga and Body Work
El-Estar Yoga Center
(311) 258-4256
El-Estar offers yoga classes, private yoga lessons, and a wide variety of body work and therapies, as well as biodegradable and eco-friendly products. This is the purple place, located on the north side of Egipto, east of America Latina.
Yoga Retreat and Vegetarian Restaurant
Haramara Retreat Center
(888) 494-3688 (US toll free)
(329) 291-3558
The sanctuary of Haramara (Grandmother Sea in Huichol) offers Hatha and Ashtanga yoga, as well as Vipassana meditation in the Yoga Pavilion, which is located on top of a hill with 360° views. An ongoing program of massages, restorative treatments, and holistic therapies is offered, as well as a variety of yoga and meditation workshops with word-class teachers.
Haramara also has a delicious vegetarian and seafood restaurant that blends macrobiotics with Asian, Mediterranean, and Mexican traditions. Call for reservations 24 hours in advance. Located just west of Sayulita on the road to Punta Mita.
SAYULITA
Sports and Nightlife
San Pancho’s neighbor, Sayulita, is located 5 km (3 mi) to the south and has an active surf scene, many great restaurants (check out Don Pedro’s on the beach), lively nightlife, and a similar variety of recreational activities. If it is after 10:00 PM and you are still looking for adventure, Sayulita is your nearest party town. In addition to being a haven for surfers, Sayulita also sports baseball, softball, and soccer games, and a mountain biking team.
Canopy Tour and Horseback Riding
If the thought of screaming through the jungle on a zip line fills your heart with glee, then fasten your seatbelt, because there are several choices. The nearest option is in Sayulita.
Rancho mi Chaparrita
(329) 291-3112
Luis Verdin has set up a zip-line canopy tour for aerial gliding fans. Experienced guides from Rancho mi Chaparrita also offer great horseback tours, ranging from serious adventures to milder rides that you can combine with the canopy tour. The office is located in Sayulita, across from the baseball field.
PUERTO VALLARTA
Visit the
Maps & Directions
page for links to online Puerto Vallarta maps and other mapping resources. You will also find it helpful to print the following documents to use as a reference when driving from San Pancho to Puerto Vallarta:
Puerto Vallarta to San Pancho Map
Puerto Vallarta to San Pancho Driving Guide
A movie on Puerto Vallarta by the Convention and Visitors Bureau
Click here for an
overview of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta
.
The best of the free print guides is “bay vallarta.” Look for it in town. It has extensive listings, informative articles, and a collection of helpful maps and phone numbers in the back. Rumor has it that they are launching a website soon.
Adventure Guides
In addition to the recreational possibilities already mentioned, Puerto Vallarta offers a wide selection of additional adventures, such as:
-
Sailing
-
Whale watching
-
Sport fishing (three international tournaments are scheduled for 2008)
-
Diving adventures and snorkeling in the Los Arcos Marine Sanctuary
-
World-class yacht racing
-
Swimming with porpoises and sea lions
-
Music and dinner tours on the water
-
ATV and jeep tours of the jungle
-
Bungee jumping
-
Tequila and cigar factory tours
-
Tours via airplane
-
Ranch fiestas
-
Rodeos (
charreadas
)
-
Crocodile farms
-
A riverside botanical park with an island museum
-
A nautical museum
-
Village and culture tours
-
Mariachi bands and salsa dancing
-
Live music and happening nightlife
-
Outrageous street performances
-
Water parks
-
Windsurfing, parasailing , and jet skis
-
World-class golf, also tennis
-
A pirate ship
-
A flea market (
mercado municipal
)
Click here for a
good guide to Puerto Vallarta tour and activity vendors
.
Vallarta Adventures
(888) 303-2653 (US toll free)
(322) 297-1212
Vallarta Adventures is the big daddy of Puerto Vallarta recreation. In addition to providing much of the excitement listed above, they also offer:
1) Plane tours to remote villages and cultural treasures.
2) “Rhythms of the Night” is a romantic evening of magical music and contemporary dance over candlelit dinner on Las Caletas, a Garden of Eden built by John Huston and accessible only by boat. USD $80/person. Come early and relax in the beautiful setting with snorkeling or kayaking and a spa treatments.
Canopy Tours
3) Vallarta Adventures also offers a full-day expedition that involves a speed boat ride to a secluded beach, followed by a drive in Mercedes 4x4 Unimogs high into the Sierra Madre Mountains and a mule ride through the jungle. You return via the highest and longest tree canopy zip-lines in Mexico, jungle bridges, and waterfall rappels. No kidding!
Click for specifics
. Be sure to check out the movie and the map. Outrageous! USD $95 per person.
Canopy Tours de los Veranos
(877) 563-4113 (US toll free)
(322) 223-0504
Another well-regarded zip-line tree canopy tour is offered by Canopy Tours de los Veranos in the Las Juntas de los Veranos ecological preserve, located south of Puerto Vallarta. Fourteen cables gradually take you higher and faster over a magnificent tropical environment until the final one shoots you over rapids and into a traditional Mexican palapa bar, which stocks 80 different tequilas! Tours (including transportation to the site) leave from several locations in Puerto Vallarta and cost USD $79 for adults.
Botanical Gardens
Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens
(322) 223-6182
The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens is an educational research center and pleasure garden just 20 km (12 mi) south of Puerto Vallarta. Located on 20 acres high in the glorious Sierra Madre Mountains, the gardens feature over 3,000 different species of plants. The beautiful visitor’s center has a nice restaurant overlooking splendid views. Guided hiking and birding tours are also offered.
Boardwalk, Cathedral and Old Town
The Puerto Vallarta boardwalk (
malecon
) hosts an astonishing show with clowns, comedians, mimes, magicians, jugglers, and other street performers, as well as a variety of art and live music. Watch the aerial acrobatics of the Papantla Flyers, celebrating an ancestral earth ritual as they fly a hundred feet above the crowd. Witness muscle men delicately balancing massive stones in seemingly impossible ways. Enjoy the crowd of beautiful people and happy kids. Have a great evening!
The cathedral with the signature crown,
La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, is an architectural delight
. Nearby are a public amphitheater, the excellent nautical museum, and a park along the river. Take the swinging bridge to Cuale Island and see what is happening at the Cultural Center. A dozen art galleries are within a few blocks.
On Sunday evenings, the municipal band puts on a performance at 6:00 in the main plaza, followed by a community dance to the danzón music of Cuba. The dance is punctuated by the nightly fireworks display, launched from the
pirate ship
in the harbor.
World-Class Golf
With almost a dozen fine courses in the area, Puerto Vallarta has been host to several PGA tournaments. Click here for ratings and details on
world-class golf courses
designed by Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Robert von Hagge, Roy Bechtol, and Joe Finger.
Restaurants and Mariachis
Puerto Vallarta is home to almost 300 great restaurants. Click here for a
searchable restaurant guide with ratings
.
Click here for a
fun guide to, and interviews with, local mariachi bands
.
Nightlife
The word in Puerto Vallarta is that nightlife ends early… around 6:00 AM. Most party folks finish a nice dinner and hit the clubs around 10:30 or 11:00 when things really start picking up. Here are three good guides to the action:
Frommers gives a high-brow list of recommended spots
. Note that in their perverse rating system, “no stars” means that they recommend the club. Three stars are reserved for truly exceptional places. Read the reviews for insight.
If you prefer to hear from the proletariat, then read the
people’s reviews on the Yahoo Travel site
. These are written by regular folks who share their experiences with you (and provide ratings using a normal five-star rating system).
This guide consists of
deep insight by insiders
.
Oh yes, you can also go to the cinema. Click on the
guide to the movies for current listings
.
Meetings
If you end up sticky and wasted, head back to San Pancho and the local AA chapter, which is located on the north side of Tercer Mundo, east of America Latina, behind the ferreteria and up the stairs. It is a nice gathering place. Glenda Harrison, who is a kind and loving person, facilitates meetings. You can reach her for meeting times at (311) 258-4488.
Your Comments are Welcome
With so many outstanding places to have fun and enjoy the finer things of life, we have inevitably missed something important. If you find we have missed a local or regional activity that you enjoy,
please e-mail us with your comments
.
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