San Francisco [San Pancho]
BY JESUS DE AVILA - EDITOR OF PVMIRROR

It is situated north at approximately 40 minutes from the airport of Puerto Vallarta , and the majority of its streets have cobble stones. San Francisco is a small, picturesque and very clean village located in front of the ocean. Its inhabitants are engaged in fishing and tourism and it is better known as "San Pancho".

Its beach has a length of approximately 1.2 kilometers and 50 meters of width. Its sand is golden and of a fine texture, ideal for walks and for collecting diverse types of small shells. The color of its sea is blue with a strong surf. If you like to practice surfing, this is a place which you absolutely must visit. Navigating along the coastline by sailboat is another romantic and exciting activity to carry out.

It is important to remember that this beach is located outside the bay, on the open sea; therefore it is suggested to always take precautions while swimming.

Protected by the Sierra de Vallejo, San Pancho offers unique landscapes which make lovers of photography feel as if they were in paradise. All the activities that can be carried our, puts you in direct contact with nature. It is an excellent place to tour by bicycle or to take an excursion on horseback, whether it is on the beach or in the mountains. It is also a great place to watch birds and it is common to see falcons and "aguilillas" flying in the air. Towards the southern part of the village, places can be reached on a dirt path that offer spectacular views of some cliffs being hit by a roaring sea.

If you are in favor of the conservation of the species, San Pancho offers you the possibility to support the program of the conservation of turtles, and as a matter of fact you can participate in the liberation of the baby turtles, which in itself is an unforgettable experience.

Thanks to the availability of some of the local inhabitants and foreigners, people in San Pancho are working together in order to achieve being one of the villages where cleanliness and tranquility are the prior elements for all their inhabitants. Many foreigners agree on considering San Pancho as an ideal town for retirement.