 Just half an hour north of the airport is a pretty pueblo nicknamed San Pancho that's about as laid back as it gets - its vendor- and time share-free wide, sandy beach stretching as far as the eye can see.
It has such a different vibe," says US expat and long-time Vallarta resident Bonnie Grueb, when asked why she recently moved to Mexico's own San Francisco. "It's absolutely enchanting, super friendly, and the open sea keeps it from being overrun by development."
It's got all the amenities for a great getaway, including the requisite sun, sand and sea, really good restaurants, diverse accommodations, an Internet café, a comfortable new drinking hole called The Drunken Monkey, and a well-run adventure activity center.
A 1970s political experiment, San Pancho was a model for other Third World Countries to emulate. A 1970s political experiment, San Pancho was a model for other Third World Countries to emulate. While that may have been a bit high-minded, it is a place that works, with well-constructed streets and a respected community hospital - as well as a shady little park with benches perfect for people watching.
Should eating well, exploring and lazing pale, there are activities available to everyone - kids included - at the popular Costa Azul Adventure Resort. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snorkeling, surfing, sunset sails, trophy fishing, whale watching, kayaking and a Mexican fiesta on Friday nights, for starters.
Making friends is easy, the town's ambiance conducive to spontaneous chats. You'll get surprisingly good food along with conversation at Los Arcos - a favorite for a dozen years and it just keeps getting better - Sandra's, Celia's, La Ola Rica and Café del Mar.
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