Some History

San Francisco, or San Pancho as it is more commonly referred to, is a quaint Mexican village nestled between the verdant Sierra Madre Mountains and jungle and a long stretch of pristine Pacific coast. 

In close enough proximity (hour drive) to the international airport at Puerto Vallarta, yet full of small town appeal, San Pancho is being proclaimed as one of the next great destinations in the so-called Riviera Nayarita, and as another desirable alternative to the more commercialized vacation typical of resort areas like Puerto Vallarta.

History

Before the arrival of the Spanish, and still somewhat today, the mountainous region that nears San Francisco and is known as the Sierra Madre Occidental was sparsely populated by indigenous groups like the Cora and Huichol.

As the Spanish put down roots and began to develop ports at San Blas to the north and Puerto Vallarta to the south, the region began to increase in population but still at a much slower pace and cut off from urban centers like Guadalajara. 

The presence of Franciscan-order priests also took hold, with many presiding along with landowners over huge latifundio estates and peons.

Long after Mexican independence, in 1931, as part of sweeping land reform following the Revolution, the land that comprises modern-day Sayulita and San Francisco was transferred to communal ejido ownership.

San Francisco remained a sleepy communal village, surviving on subsistence fishing and some mango and tropical fruit cultivation, until the small town struck the fancy of the Mexican President Luis Echeverría in the 1970s. 

First charmed enough by San Pancho to make it the site of his family vacation mansion, Echeverría then directed a flow of federal funding to San Francisco to be put towards his dream of making it a "self-sufficient" "Third World village".

While the President's vision did not come to fruition, since funding ended as did his presidential term, the town still benefits today from the cobblestone streets and full-service hospital that came out of his efforts and facilitate both visiting and living in San Pancho now.

Today

With only approximately 1,600 full-time residents, San Francisco still displays the characteristics of a more traditional Mexican town—with men on horseback riding through the streets, or roosters running free in a neighbor's yard for example. 

Yet even for such a small village, the population is still reasonably diverse. Drawn by the tranquil pace of life, the months of unwavering sunshine, and the tropical coastal atmosphere, San Pancho is also home to a growing number of ex-patriots hailing from the United States, Canada, or even Europe or southernmost Latin America. 

The result is an eclectic cultural mix that—along with the beautiful natural environs—is creating even more of a draw for visitors and new residents.

Alongside the interesting cultural mix of a fine art gallery or hidden haute-cuisine restaurant, San Pancho is also brimming with art and social responsibility activity. 

An art collective organizes various art expositions and events throughout the year, and a community volunteer organization mobilizes recycling education and efforts and youth activities in the town. 

Various environmental organizations also work to educate about and protect for instance the local jaguar habitat or the nesting turtle populations on San Pancho beaches.

While recently certain development projects have been planned and commenced in and around San Francisco, the peace and tranquility in the town is still uncompromised. 

San Francisco (San Pancho) is a unique spot, where pristine white beaches meet jungle green, and old Mexico meets a new international fusion.

The Villa and Accommodations

Each guest casita is autonomous, with its own:

• Powder room
• Shower and/or Jacuzzi tub
• Walk-in dressing area
• Kitchenette with refrigerator and ice maker
• Telephone
• Satellite television
• Air conditioning
• Ceiling fans
• Terrace
• A bathroom lounge plumped with pillows
• Outdoor shower
• One suite with an office with computer and fax.
• A couple of two-story family-friendly casitas have three bedrooms, their king-size beds adaptable to singles.

Overlooking a shimmering expanse of blue, a gym is outfitted with:

• A duo of treadmills
• Vectra On-line 3800 Universal
• Stairmaster
• Full complement of free weights
• Chage rooms
• Showers
• Steam room
• Sauna
• Television
• Fridge
• Icemaker

Feature / Amenities / Particulars / Highlights

• No neighbors
• A water treatment plant
• High-capacity electric generator
• Driver picks you up at the airport
• A friendly staff of eight
• The chef prepares three meals a day, whatever and whenever you like
• Fax or email your desired menus
• Cocktail parties for up to 60
• Bilingual house manager
• Plan your culinary agenda together.
• Every morning he buys fresh fish from the fishermen whose blue pangas neatly line up beside the villa when not in use.
• Go out and catch your own huachinango, dorado, sierra or maybe even tuna.
• WaveRunner jet ski
• Experience life in small-town Mexico with a 10 minute stroll North along the pristine sand to the vilage of San Pancho (population 10,000).
• Good restaurants and shopping.
• Two Chevrolet Suburbans at your disposal to visit the funky surf town of Sayulita, the high end enclave of Punta de Mita or the tourist haven of Puerto Vallarta just 45 minutes away.

And San Pancho even has a full-fledged adventure activity center with:

• Kids’ club
• Kayaking
• Horseback riding
• Whale-wathcing

Rates include: 3 meals per day featuring authentic Mexican Cuisine, 2-9 passenger Suburbans, 2-2 passenger ATVs with one tank of gas each.