2026 - Visited San Pancho - Jonathan & Yali
We kicked off the New Year with a weeklong escape to San Pancho, spending December 29th through January 4th soaking up the warm holiday energy of this vibrant little town. It turned out to be the perfect blend of adventure, family time, and the laid-back spirit that makes Mexico so special.
We traveled as a full crew—Jonathan, Yali, Jon Ryan, and Sean, along with Barbara and Bob, Jonathan’s parents and the boys’ grandparents. And thanks to Don and Marylou’s incredible hospitality, we had the perfect home base. Their place couldn’t have been more accommodating. With the nearly separate living quarters—two beds, a common room, a kitchen, and a bathroom—it felt like we had our own little retreat within their home. They’ve done an amazing job with the place, and it shows in every detail.
San Pancho itself welcomed us with exactly the kind of charm we were hoping for. The town is friendly and lively, yet wonderfully relaxed—full of small-town warmth and just steps from the beach. There’s a fun hustle and bustle to it—music drifting from restaurants, colorful shops lining the streets, people out enjoying the evenings. And being there over New Year’s added an extra layer of energy and celebration.
Food quickly became one of the highlights. The boys practically adopted the smash-burger cart on Main Street, making it their late-night stop three out of the six nights we were there. Dolce Amor kept us cool with excellent ice cream, and DoughJoe Café became our go-to in the mornings—great pastries, strong coffee, and waffles the boys would’ve happily eaten every day. We also found a favorite in Pizza El Punto, perfect after long beach days.
One afternoon, when the surf was up, we rented boards right on the beach. Bob and Jonathan paddled out and spent a couple of hours riding the waves—definitely a highlight, along with a good reminder to watch out for the rip current.
The town’s shops were another fun surprise—unique, colorful, and easy to spend time browsing. Yali found a couple of tops she loved, including one that had to be brought over from Sayulita because the San Pancho shop didn’t have her size. That kind of personal touch really captures the feel of the area.
One of the most memorable adventures was the hike from San Pancho to Sayulita. Bob, Jon Ryan, Don, and I made the trek together, winding through the jungle, over a pass, and down to Playa Malpaso. That secluded beach was one of the most beautiful we’ve seen—soft sand, clear water, and a vibe that felt like a classic Hawaiian beach.
But as great as all the activities were, some of the best moments were the simplest ones. Evenings were spent relaxing together with Don and Marylou. On the very first night, the boys learned the dominoes game Train—and if we had let them, Jon and Sean probably would have played it nonstop for the rest of the trip.
Toward the end of the week, a few of us came down with the flu on our second-to-last day. Not ideal, but certainly not Mexico’s fault—just one of those things. Even with that, the trip meant a lot to us, especially because this region is part of Yali’s family heritage. Her mom grew up about three hours north in Teacapán, on the border of Nayarit and Sinaloa, and her father, Arturo, is from Huajicori, Nayarit. Being able to bring the boys here and show them where their family is from made the experience even more meaningful.
By the time we packed up to head home, we were already talking about coming back. We hope to return at least every other year. San Pancho has a way of staying with you—a mix of family, culture, adventure, and warmth that made this New Year’s trip one we’ll always remember.
—Jonathan, Yali, Jon Ryan, and Sean
Key Themes
1. Family Time Across Generations - A special trip bringing together parents, kids, and grandparents—creating shared experiences that everyone will remember.
2. The Joy of Simple Moments - From dominoes at night to morning coffee runs, the most meaningful memories came from time spent together.
3. A Town with Energy and Heart - San Pancho’s unique mix of lively culture and relaxed beach-town feel made it both exciting and comfortable.
4. Adventure and Discovery - Surfing, jungle hikes, and discovering Playa Malpaso added a sense of exploration to the trip.
5. Food as Part of the Experience - From late-night smash burgers to morning waffles, food became part of the rhythm and fun of each day.
6. Connection to Heritage - Visiting a region tied to Yali’s family roots made the trip deeper and more meaningful for the whole family.
7. A Place Worth Returning To - San Pancho left a lasting impression—strong enough to already be planning the next visit.
