San Francisco, Cultural Capital of the Riviera Nayarit

A little over a decade ago San Pancho began a cultural, ecological, environmental and artistic revolution that changed the town’s history and now offers one more tourist attraction for visitors.

The civil associations that make up the Las Fábricas de San Pancho Cultural Center were the foundation of the cultural change in San Pancho. It all began with the Entre Amigos Community Center, a place that offers games, recycling, a library and free classes for the local children plus all sorts of fun activities. Your kids will love it!

The Colectivo San Pancho is comprised of a group of artists who work on diverse cultural projects in the Bodega 3. There’s also the Bodega Teatro, where they practice the performing arts. The Bodega Circo is home to the Children’s Circus, created by Gilles Ste-Croix, co-founder of Cirque Du Soleil, where kids and youths learn the circus arts and put on a yearly show. The Alianza Jaguar works in pro of jaguar conservation and its ecosystem. Every time you visit these bodegas, or warehouses, you know that in order to change the world, all you need to do is start with your own neighborhood.

The Plaza del Sol is the meeting point for festivals. Here you’ll find a mural composed entirely of bottle caps—yes, that’s right: the creators of this unique artistic expression collect the caps and transform them into art. The Casita Mágica is a lovely little art gallery you won’t want to miss.

La Perla and Las Palmas—both beachside restaurants—are quite good. Ask for the tostada de atún (tuna on a crispy tortilla) or the traditional aguachile verde (shrimp), cured in lime juice with red onions, cilantro and spicy chile. In Las Palmas they also sell red and black aguachile, each spicier than the last.

La Patrona Polo Club is the only one of its kind in the Riviera Nayarit. As unique as the Lo de Perla orchid garden, a 1.24 mile path in the jungle full of nature. Prefer to putt? Check out the Las Huertas Golf Club and practice your swing on this 9-hole course.