Pal.Mar Tropical Hotel Review: A Sustainable Boutique Stay in San Pancho

Address: America Latina 777, 63729 San Francisco, Nay., Mexico
Phone: +52 322 158 3579
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Website: https://www.palmartropical.com/

There are places you visit to see sights, and places you visit to unwind. San Pancho is the latter.

As someone with an endless to-do list, I wanted to start the year somewhere that required very little from me each day. I found my way to San Pancho in the Nayarit, Mexico, in search of stillness, slow mornings, and the kind of travel that doesn’t require an itinerary.

Pal.Mar Tropical Hotel became the backdrop for that time away—quietly beautiful, intentionally designed, and perfectly positioned to let San Pancho do what it does best.

My to-do list shortened quickly, just as I’d hoped. Choosing a different taco cart and making my way to the beach for sunset was about as complicated as each day got.

What is San Pancho About?

San Pancho, also known as San Francisco, is a small sleepy beach town just over 30 miles north of Puerto Vallarta.  Full time residents account for about 1500, but swells to about 4000 during peak travel season, expats included.

Stretching barely more than a square half mile, this intimate community is a tranquil coastal destination, making nearby Sayulita seem like a party hub in comparison. 

Sandy beaches, stunning sunsets, and its proximity to PVR, the main airport in Puerto Vallarta, make San Pancho an alluring destination for travelers that like the quaintness of Sayulita but are interested in a more relaxed and ulra mellow atmosphere.  

For those seeking nightclubs and hotel chains, opt to stay in Puerto Vallarta.  If you’re looking for a place to rest, swim, and enjoy a good book or two, head to San Pancho- you will not be disappointed.

Famous for their awe-inspiring sunsets, locals and tourists alike gather at the beach around sundown.  This shared experience with a beachful of strangers brought me to tears on my first evening in San Pancho- not only was the sunset itself breathtaking, but the mutual appreciation of this simple daily occurrence fostered a kinship with strangers I haven’t felt in a long time. 

Applause often breaks out after the sun dips below the horizon. 

San Pancho is the most dog-friendly place I have ever visited.  Dogs are not only a popular pet to own, but many travelers brought their own furry friends from wherever they were visiting from.  I vow to return with our own dog in the future-l the weight of guilt being there without her was palpable as there were few places dogs were not allowed to be.

Much of the the charm of San Pancho is that it lacks brand name hotel chains. Instead, small boutique hotels and vacation rentals are the go to, each with unique charm and traditional design and decor that immerse you in the beauty of San Pancho. 

Pal.Mar Hotel Tropical is a stunning boutique hotel in the heart of San Pancho. Its modern design paired with traditional Mexican decor and lush tropical foliage makes the property feel like a true sanctuary, complete with a heated pool and rooftop palapa.

Each of the fifteen rooms is unique, and the suites come with kitchenettes. Meticulously decorated and sparkling clean, every room includes a private patio or balcony. The hotel has high-speed Wi-Fi, can arrange airport transfers, and offers yoga on the rooftop palapa on Fridays at 10 am.

While San Pancho is very dog-friendly, this property unfortunately does not allow pets.

The hotel’s commitment to sustainability is impressive—and a departure from my usual experiences in Mexico. Filtered water faucets are available in each room and in the reception area. As tap water in Mexico isn’t drinkable, having instant access to filtered water felt like an unthinkable luxury. Composting and recycling are also offered, which was a standout feature.

Near the entrance of the hotel is a spigot for washing off sandy feet and shoes—an unexpectedly appreciated amenity.

Location

Pal.Mar Hotel Tropical is a stunning stay, centrally located in San Pancho on America Latina street- just two blocks off the main road.  The town is compact- even so, the hotels’ location just a half block off the main road helps is a nice escape from the energy of the main road, Avenida Tercer Mundo.

The location can’t be beat, with two markets within a minutes walk of the hotel.  I purchased produce each day at El Indio, the market one block south of the hotel, and La Vaquita, the mini mart La Vaquita, was where I purchased my Topo Chico each day.  

Getting to San Pancho from PVR (Puerto Vallarta International Airport)

Getting from PVR to San Pancho is straightforward, with several options depending on budget, time, and tolerance for logistics.

Uber (Easiest Option)

Uber is the easiest and often most cost-effective way to get to San Pancho. Our ride cost just over 700 pesos—expect to pay between 500–1,000 pesos ($29-$58 USD) depending on demand.

Once your phone establishes you’re in Mexico, the Uber app functions just as it does in the U.S. You’ll need a working internet connection, but no pesos.

Due to congestion, Uber pickups happen across the street from the airport, in the same area as the bus pickup. Exit the airport, keep left hugging the building, cross the pedestrian bridge, then continue walking so you’re not directly under it—just past the El Taco de Marlin stall.

Taxi (Direct, Cash Required)

Taxis are another direct option and take about 50 minutes, but require pesos. Some taxis accept credit cards, but there have been reports of scams, so I recommend sticking to cash.

You have two options:

• Airport-arranged taxis: Available just after customs. Convenient for lots of luggage and typically cost 1,300–1,600 pesos ($75-$92 USD). Most accept credit cards.
• Street taxis: Found across the pedestrian bridge near Uber pickup. Negotiate before getting in—expect 800–1,000 pesos ($46-$58 USD), cash only.

Bus (Cheapest Option)

The bus is the least expensive option but takes the longest. The ride is about 1.5 hours and costs roughly 50 pesos (~$3 USD).

Exit the airport and head left, hugging the building. Cross the pedestrian bridge and look for the green-and-white Compostela buses.

• Direct to San Pancho: Runs about once per hour. Drops you at the entrance to town, about 0.75 miles from Pal.Mar.
• Direct to Sayulita: Runs every ~20 minutes. From Sayulita, take a quick 5-minute taxi to San Pancho.

I recommend taking the bus during daylight hours only.

Private Transfer

Private transfers can be arranged through your lodging or companies like Wildmex, GetYourGuide, and Viator. This is the most expensive option but makes sense for groups, travelers with mobility concerns, or anyone wanting a fully prearranged arrival.

Returning to PVR

Ubers are unlikely to pick up from San Pancho. There’s a Taxi Station at the corner of Asia and Avenida Tercer Mundo where you can arrange a return ride to PVR. Expect to pay around 1,000 pesos, with pickup directly at your lodging.

Since I’m a Nervous Nelly, I exchanged WhatsApp messages with my driver confirming the pickup time, location, and price. I was ready to negotiate and pleasantly surprised when the driver quoted 1,000 pesos ($58 USD) upfront.

PVR is a smooth running airport and has plenty of dining and shopping options. That said, it’s smart to give yourself plenty of time to not only get to the airport, but also to get through security as PVR is not a part of TSA pre-check.

If you happen to have airport lounge access, PVR has several options to choose from with access through Priority Pass and American Express.

Pal.Mar falls in the midrange of hotels, averaging around $150 USD depending on the season.  Prices can dip as low as $87 but can go up to almost $300 in peak seasons.

They takes all major credit cards, and is bookable online through their website or through a variety of third party sites.

Hot Tip: Pal.Mar appears on Rocketmiles.com, offering boosted Atmos Rewards points. If you’re working toward Atmos status, this can be a great way to stack value. Read my previous post where I do a deep dive on Rocketmiles and Atmos points boost.

Hotel booking can be tricky- prices, cancellation policies and hotel loyalty can differ drastically based on how you make a booking. My previous post about hotel bookings is great place to get started if you’re overwhelmed with the options.

Pal.Mar Hotel can currently be booked with points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal as well as the Capital One Travel portal.  While the rates may not be the best available, if you have a glut of points, it’s a fabulous way to use them.  

I snagged this hotel with Chase Points- even better, it was one of the Points Boost properties, so my points stretched an extra 25% in value, allowing us to book 5 nights in the Junior Suite for 98,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points.

Walkability

San Pancho is a relatively flat town, making it an accessible destination for most.  Cobblestones and lack of sidewalks in some areas are a factor however, so traveling with strollers, wheelchairs and walkers might require a little bit of extra effort in some areas. 

San Pancho in tiny- barely more than a half square mile.  So while people do use cars and golf carts to get around, being on foot is the main mode of transport there. That said, a car is a great asset for day trips or accessing hiking trails outside of San Pancho.

Keep in mind that taxis and buses, and arranging private transfers is always an option if you want to get out of San Pancho but don’t want to deal with renting a car. 

Don’t count on being able to catch an Uber from San Pancho. You might get lucky if someone has just finished a ride into San Pancho, but most drivers aren’t coming out that way unless dropping someone off. 

The Pal.Mar’s location in town was undeniably a supreme feature of the hotel.  San Pancho’s famed sandy beach is a quick 5 minute walk from the hotel and almost everything is walking distance.  

The main gate is locked between 9 pm and 9 am but accessible to guests with a lock code provided at check-in. While San Pancho is extremely safe, this added layer of hotel security is always appreciated. When reception is closed, a security guard is available in their place.

Room and Amenities

We stayed in the Pal Gallo, a junior suite on the second floor. Our room was incredibly spacious, with high ceilings, a powerful ceiling fan, and A/C. The kitchenette was well stocked, and the hotel provided ground coffee that was refilled each day. The refrigerator was a good size and could accommodate our beers and leftovers as long as we removed the honor bar refreshments available for purchase.

The suite had a king-size bed and a large daybed that could easily sleep an adult or two kids. A dresser and closet made it easy for my husband and me to unpack, and a safe in the closet was perfect for keeping passports and extra credit cards secure.

Natural wood double doors opened onto our balcony overlooking America Latina street. This perch became a regular part of our day: morning coffee and breakfast, afternoon beers, all-day snacks, and evening tequila. I love an outdoor space, and this balcony did not disappoint.

Double-layer curtains offered either filtered light or close to blackout. Traditional handmade crafts adorned the walls, and I joked about trying to maneuver the gargantuan wall tapestry into my suitcase because it was such a beautiful piece. The painted ceramic skulls in the bathroom inspired a similar purchase for our home from a shop at the end of the street.

The king-size bed was large and comfortable, equipped with four large body pillows for maximum support. An extra blanket in the closet was perfect for the coolness in the evening. We never had to turn the A/C on, but the ceiling fan was a regular fixture.

Blue-and-white striped towels were provided for the pool and beach, and replaced each day if desired. Reception also had folding beach chairs, beach umbrellas, and yoga mats to borrow—just inquire.

We found the beach chairs and umbrellas to be an especially amazing free amenity, along with the filtered water.

Bathroom Amenities

The walk-in shower was bright with natural light from the glass brick column, and the Verbena shampoo and body wash were heavenly. The bathroom was equipped with a hair dryer, cotton rounds, and earplugs in case the sounds of San Pancho were too much.

While I personally find the sounds of roosters in Mexico charming (and part of the experience), I can sympathize that might not be the case for everyone. The roosters living across the street were like clockwork about the coming mornings.

Bars and Restaurants

Pal.Mar is just steps from multiple bars, restaurants, and markets, making it a haven whether you want to eat out or cook in.

Cervecería Artesanal San Pancho is a local brewery a few doors down, and Verte sits right next to it. Verte is a narrow, shotgun-style bar with a record player and crates of records for patrons to play. A food cart parked out front has a rotating menu and serves as the kitchen for the bar.

I enjoyed a mouthwatering passionfruit margarita, but the highlight of the night was the marlin sashimi with Serrano peppers and thinly sliced cucumber. The fish was buttery soft, and the Serrano gave each bite a nice kick.

Just around the corner, I had the best Americano I’d had all week at Prieta Cafe. On Asia street, stop into El Restaurante Rinconcito for their shrimp tacos. The blue corn masa used for their tortillas has a heft and chewiness unmatched by any white or yellow corn.

A few steps further, Arigato Bake and Brew is a small Japanese and Argentinian bakery and bar, serving up a mind-blowing carrot cake made in-house.

For more fish, stop into Barracuda on Avenida Tercer Mundo. The Green Aguachile was large enough to eat as a meal and had us coming back for it a few days later. The array of salsas and oils that come with the tostadas was amazing—each delightfully different in flavor and spice level. Proceed with caution with the light orange one.

And of course, there are taquerias everywhere. I am huge fan of al pastor so I conducted my own research about the best al pastor in town. Lucky for me, what I deemed to be the most delicious was just a block and half down from Pal.Mar. I could not decipher a name, but it is where Avenida Tercer Mundo and Latina America intersect.

Pool & Palapa

Though small, the pool at Pal.Mar is a perfect size for a dip when things get a bit too warm. Sitting on a lounger and enjoying my book was a great way to relax when walking five minutes to the beach and getting sandy again felt like too much.

The rooftop palapa has two hammocks, a lending library, and yoga blocks and mats. The space hosts yoga classes on Fridays at 10 am, but otherwise is open to guests. The classes cost 200 pesos (about $11 USD) and are open to the public.

For more yoga options, Yoga El Estar is located next door to Pal.Mar. They offer daily yoga classes at a drop-in rate of 200 pesos ($11 USD), which includes use of a mat if needed. Alinea is the other studio in San Pancho, located just around the corner. They offer daily classes with a drop-in rate of 250 pesos (~$14 USD).

Final Thoughts

Pal.Mar was an extraordinary find, and I look forward to staying again in the future. The small details—sustainable touches, filtered water, beach chairs and umbrellas to borrow—made a huge impact and felt like true luxuries. The quick access to the beach made visiting multiple times a day a breeze, and being steps from shops, bars, and restaurants truly made staying at Pal.Mar a gush-worthy experience.

If you’re looking for a tranquil, safe, beautiful place to relax, I highly recommend Pal.Mar Tropical. As a design nerd and sucker for natural light and gorgeous decor, this hotel is a stunner.