Cinziabi
1 mag 20209 min
Ocean, fine sand beach. relaxation ... a typically Mexican seaside village, authentic!
Here we are: San Francisco, better known by the name of San Pancho, is a Mexican town located in the state of Nayarit about 50 km north of Puerto Vallarta, very close to Sayulita.
Although is very close to the tourist chaos of Vallarta, San Pancho is a different world: at the foot of the South Sierra Madre, immersed in a lush jungle. arriving from the Hw 200, which cuts through the bursting nature, we realize that it is an authentic pleasure: you already perceive a state of tranquility and relaxation.
In San Pancho you don't need a car to move: walking through its old-fashioned cobbled streets, you realize that the world has stopped: you meet roosters, chickens, sleeping cats, squirrels ... dogs of all breeds and not, walking undisturbed (absolutely not dangerous).
Along the streets with names that recall distant countries such as Kenya, India, Pakistan ... you can find everything: from cultural centers, to art galleries, to the football field, but especially in the main street, Avenida Tercero Mundo , you can taste, in small restaurants, typical local and international dishes, you will find artisan bakeries, coffee shops, shops where you can admire the Huichol art, or buy clothing, centers that offer yoga lessons, stalls....
Dal terrazzino di casa, ospiti inattesi... ma divertenti: scoiattoli!!!
From the terrace of the house, unexpected guests ... but fun: squirrels !!!
Along the streets you meet local people but also many foreign families who have decided to "change their life" and to live it in contact with nature and FOR nature ...
In San Pancho there are numerous initiatives for the care of the environment ...
We came across a demonstration in defense of the Earth ... happy, peaceful and above all ... colorful !!!
No! Here "NoGlobal" are not allowed !!!
The children!!!! they are fantastic ... here there is no difference in color, race ... The games are "on the street", better to say on the beach ... there are a lot of recreational and cultural activities organized for them ... even football training they are made on the beac... More in nature than this !!!
Great importance is given to the education of children ... there is no shortage of schools, cultural centers dedicated to them; in 2011 the Circo de los Niños de San Pancho was born, needed by the administrators of Cirque du Soleil, a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of children using modern circus arts.
But the thing that pleases the soul is to see their smiles ... their eyes where you can see their simplicity, their joie de vivre reflected ...
San Pancho is the cultural capital of Nayarit, for many cultural initiatives and activities that are organized, such as educational projects, environmental care and promotion of the arts.
From the Community Center with local cultural events, to the Children's Circus, a world-class Polo Club, an Arts Collective.
There is a local environmental group with programs for the protection of the jaguar and sea turtles.
But San Pancho is famous for the Music Festival: one of the largest musical events in the region. Every years at the last weekend of Ferbuary for 3 days, artists from all over the world (Europe, United States, South America, New Zealand and from all parts of Mexico) perform in a unique environment
The Festival is very interesting as the philosophy of the residents is shared, joining, in one of the most beautiful regions of Mexico, multiple cultural diversities, countless artists who come together to share a unique musical experience.
Curiosity - Luis Echeverria, ex mexican President, was so fascinated to San Pancho beauty, so much to obtain funds for the improvement of the roads and the construction of a high-level hospital.
He often came here to rest and relieve stress.
San Pancho beach is spectacular: long, wide, with light and soft sands...
... a strip of sand that cuts through the jungle, where beautiful eco-sustainable buildings overlook ...
A gulf where, from November to March, can be watch whales...
... an ideal place for those who love amateur or sport fishing and where diving it's wonderful.
A one-of-a-kind beach: while you watch the waves, behind you a myriad of birds splash in a lagoon surrounded by thick vegetation ...
But above all, the San Pancho bay, in summer, offers the best conditions for those who love surfing.
Here everything "oozes" surf ...
Curiosity - The story of San Pancho is told on the walls of a farm near the beach, with images painted in acrylic with colorful characters as protagonists,
San Pancho: here you can still enjoy the serenity of old Mexico, where people have time to talk to each other, to relax under a palm tree while enjoying a good margarita ...
... and while you relaxing in the shade of a palm tree, you will not fail to see a fisherman by with his ... catch! Provecho!!!!
The ritual of the sunset is very suggestive ... it is always fantastic to see the sun dive into the ocean, while surfers immerse themselves in the waves reflecting the rays, while, in a meditative attitude, you gather all the energy you can feel inside you ...
Arrivare a San Pancho è molto semplice: dall'aeroporto internazionale di Puerto Vallarta ci sono taxi (quelli bianchi, federali) con circa 90 USD. Ma basta attraversare il ponte pedonale che si può trovare taxi molto meno caro, circa la metà (naturalmente SEMPRE contrattare il prezzo), o altra soluzione è quella di prenotare un Uber.
In ogni caso si possono prendere i bus al Terminal, con meno di 5 USD.
In auto, ci sono due strade: la carretera per Tepic, molto più veloce (circa 50 minuti dall'aeroporto, a seconda del mezzo, ma se non hai problemi di tempo puoi prendere il percorso panoramico attraverso Punta Mita e Sayulita.
Getting to San Pancho is very simple: from Puerto Vallarta international airport there are taxis (white ones, federal ones) with around 90 USD. But just cross the pedestrian bridge can be found much cheaper taxi, about half (of course ALWAYS bargaining the price) or, other solution, is to book an Uber.
In any case, buses can be taken to the Terminal, for less than USD 5 (we have traveled with them).
By car: there are two roads: the carretera for Tepic, much faster (about 50 minutes from the airport, depending on the vehicle, but if you don't have time problems, you can take the panoramic route through Punta Mita and Sayulita
Dove soggiornare: ci sono molti alberghi e appartamenti in affitto di tutti i prezzi... a seconda delle proprie finanze...
Ma se andate durante il Festival Musicale i prezzi triplicano!!!
Naturalmente e inconsapevoli dell'evento, noi siamo arrivati all'ultimo giorno della manifestazione e tutto era pieno e le e poche camere rimaste libere avevano prezzi per noi impensabili. Noi abbiamo scelto, a caso, un'agenzia immobiliare sulla Avenida Terzero Mundo, Calandria Realty... Il proprietario è stato veramente gentile e ci ha aiutato nella sistemazione.
Where to stay: there are many hotels and apartments for rent of all prices ... depending on your finances ...
But if you go during the Music Festival prices triple!
Of course and unaware of the event, we arrived on the last day of the Festival and everything was full and the few rooms free had prices unthinkable for us. We chose, at random, a real estate agency on Avenida Terzero Mundo, Calandria Realty ... The owner, the owner, an American guy who lives in Mexico since it is not known how much and married to a very kind Mexican lady, was really nice and helped us with the accommodation.
Una ultima cosa...anzi un consiglio spassionato!!
Non ci sono banche, quindi portatevi contanti.
Le carte non tutti le accettano. Eventualmente per prelevare non usate assolutamente gli ATM per la strada, ma fidatevi sono di quelli all'interno dei negozi (meglio di tutti la farmacia, sulla Avenida Terzero Mundo!)
Inoltre, non lasciate la carta in mano ai camerieri... stupidamente io l'ho fatto... ed è stata clonata... mi hanno preso il numero e il codice a 3 cifre...usata due volte on line (due abbonamenti a Netflix!!!)... per fortuna me ne sono accorta quasi subito!
One last thing ... a very important advice!
There are no banks, so bring cash.
Not all can accept cards.
If you need to withdraw money, absolutely don't use ATM's on the street but only ATM's inside the shops (best of all, the pharmacy on Avenida Terzero Mundo!)
Also, don't leave the card in the hands of the waiters ... stupidly I did it ... and it was cloned ... they took my digit number and code ... used twice online (two subscriptions to Netflix!!!) ... luckily I noticed it almost immediately!
The beauty, the tranquility, the fabulous temperature, the humidity of this little gem, together with its friendly people, but above all with the calmness of a fishing village that with their spirit of work, have made it prosperous over time, but without abandoning its essence.