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Hola Volunteers ~ Updated December 1, 2011

The schedule:

• The names of the volunteers and the countries they are coming from
• Whether family, couples or singles
• The date/s and length of stay
• The type of accommodations

General Information:

• Safety
• Passport and Tourist permits
• Things to bring and your arrival
• Volunteer accommodations
• Renting a private home
• What you should be careful of
• Things to do in the area

Other information about San Pancho:

• The community of San Pancho
• Landscape
• Climate
• Transportation
• Supplies
• Communication

The Schedule

The chart below contains the names of those volunteers who have been selected to join us this coming 2012 nesting season. Names in yellow are return volunteers and to the next column is the country they come from. If in blue they are a families or couples. In the month columns, the green color represents private homes while orange represents volunteer housing.  The dates below are approximate. Important, if any of the information below is incorrect or you wish to change your dates or remove your name/s from the chart, please let us know as soon as possible. 

To help plan your trip to San Francisco, (commonly called San Pancho by the locals,) we have written the following information to make your stay here more enjoyable.

In case you do not make your flight:

If you're not able to board your flight or bus to Puerto Vallarta, immediately call us at 311-258-4100, (if there is no answer then e-mail ASAP). Your call/e-mail should reach us here in San Pancho three to eight hours before your intended arrival time. In other words your call will stop us from making an unnecessary trip into Puerto Vallarta. We will also need a a passport type photo of you so we can identify you at the airport and to create an identification cards. If you arrive at the airport and we are not there to meet you, go to the left of the Fox Car Rental window and wait for us.

Passport and Tourist Visa:

To enter México you will need a Passport, there are no exceptions to this rule. A Mexican tourist permit or Visa will be issued at the airport when you arrive in Puerto Vallarta or cross the border by car or bus.. Be sure that the Tourist Visa covers the period of time you will be staying in México. If possible obtain a permit for 180 days. If your Visa expires before you leave México, we will have it extended in Bucerias, but there will be a charge.

Things to bring from home and your arrival:

ATM card with pin numbers, and/or
American Express card is handy (be sure to tell your bank or card holder you will traveling in México)
Traveler’s checks
Good Raincoat
Alarm clock
Flashlight (LED preferable) (to avoid blinding each other, we do not use head type lamps)
Beach shoes
Insect Repellent
Sun Block
Lip sun block
Sunglasses
Hat
Anti-diarrhea medicine
Sweatshirt or light jacket

Pack accordingly; keep in mind that we are in the tropics, pack light, although at night while on the beach a sweatshirt or light jacket may be necessary.  Also, keep in mind that almost everything you need can be purchased in Puerto Vallarta, Bucerias or La Peñita.

When you receive your airline tickets let us know the date, time, flight number and airline that you'll be arriving into Puerto Vallarta on. We will pick you up at the airport or bus terminal.

After your arrival you may need to exchange money and/or use your debit card. Important, bank debit cards must have pin numbers. Use only ATM machines within a bank, not market or store. Use only the type that allow you to hold on to the card, swipe through. Online banking is very handy incase of problems.

Once a week we'll traveling into Bucerias for food and supplies, as the choices of supplies are limited in San Pancho. 

Safety:

Several volunteers this year have voiced a concern regarding their personal safety. San Pancho is as safe as any country town in the United States, Canada, or the European Union. I have lived in this area of México since 1991 and feel very comfortable and safe here.

Volunteer housing:

At this time we have three very nice volunteer homes that can hold up to Five volunteers each. The cost of rent is 250 USD per each volunteer per month. The Group will pay all utilities and maid.    

You will need to purchase Ciel bottled water from water trucks that routinely drive though the area. Trash pickup is generally three times a week.  Fresh fruit and vegetables can be purchased from trucks that routinely drive the area. Listen for a loud speaker announcing vegetables for sale (generally in the morning).  We have four washing machines and three clotheslines.

There are several good restaurants in town. Check with other volunteers regarding which restaurants are recommended.

Since these homes are privately owned we ask that all volunteers follow these rules:

1. Absolutely No smoking in the house.
2. Absolutely No pets in the volunteer housing.
3. No overnight guests.
4. Do not remove or loan any of the property, i.e. blender, plates, sheets, etc.

Renting a Private Home:

Many families and some couples prefer their own private home rather than share with other volunteer. We can help you find nice homes, but you must make your own reservations, We subject that you e-mail Caren or Allison at: allison@sanpanchorentals.com or http://www.sanpanchorentals.com/ for accommodations. Also ask for a home close to the nursery on America Latina.

What you should be careful of:

There are very few biting insects here, although we have mosquitos and they can make your life miserable if you don’t take them seriously.  You must use good repellent, (we suggest 28% DEET) and start applying it the minute you get off the airplane, especially on the feet, ankles and legs.

There is good surfing and swimming in San Pancho. Be careful during high tide and/or heavy waves, you can run into serious rip-tides and undertow conditions, swim with others and at low tide if possible. There are several good swimming areas for children under 12. 

Do not drink out of the water tap. Use Ciel bottled water. All restaurants will serve potable water.

Most restaurants are good, but be careful what you eat. Don’t eat at a corner taco stand unless you know it's safe. The staff will recommend good restaurants.

And last, be careful of scorpions although there are not a lot of them here. You may never see one while you're here but be careful.

Things to do in the area:

Most of our work is between 6 PM and 4 AM which leaves time during the day to explore the country and have fun.  Following are some ideas to consider. (Also, several times during the season the entire group will drive to other nurseries and explore the countryside)

Los Ayalos – Is a small beach community near Rincón de Guayabitos.  The sea here is much calmer than in San Pancho.  There are palapa style restaurants along the beach but few gift shops.  To get there, take a colectivo (explained at the end of this section) to Rincón de Guayabitos (20 to 30 pesos) and catch a colectivo to Los Ayalos (15 to 20 pesos)

Rincón de Guayabitos  - Is another beach town with calm seas, much larger than Ayalos.  This is a Mexican resort town with nice hotels, restaurants and many gift shops.  To get there take a colectivo from San Pancho to Guayabitos for about 25 pesos.
                                                                 
La Peñita - Just north of Guayabitos, this town has good grocery stores, restaurants, a bank, automatic teller machines, post office, great ice cream, and souvenir/t-shirt type shopping.  Take the colectivo from San Pancho to La Peñita for 25 pesos.

San Blas - A town 74 miles to the north known for it’s surfing and birding.  There are boat trips available through the mangroves swamps where one can see a variety of birds, pond turtles and alligators.  There are good hotels, restaurants and a sixteenth-century Spanish fort in the area.  To get there, take a bus or colectivo to the La Peñita bus station.

Sayulita - Five miles south of San Pancho, Sayulita has some small grocery stores, good restaurants, gift shops, great ice cream, souvenir/t-shirt type shopping and incredible surfing.  Take the colectivo from San Pancho.

San Pancho -  If you are interested in birding take a look at our local lagoon, a nature hike up the road past the hotel or the road out to the river.  Just get out and explore. There is a lot to see in the area. Just don’t forget the insect repellent.

Colectivo - These are generally vans that carry several passengers to many destinations.  It is much less expensive than taking a private taxi.  There are several areas in San Pancho to catch one such as the hospital, the school or walk to the highway to catch one (sometimes this is faster, but not always.)

Other Information:

Community:  San Francisco is a small country pueblo of 2,300 inhabitants, located 32 miles north of Puerto Vallarta.  San Pancho as it’s commonly referred to, contains many small stores, gift shops, many good restaurants, and a regional hospital.  President Echeverria rebuilt the pueblo in the late 70’s.  It's parks, market place, and cobble stone roads reflect the charm of old Mexico.

Landscape:  The northwest edge of the pueblo is flanked by the Pacific Ocean and a one mile stretch of beach. The town is enclosed on three sides by rolling green hills of heavy tropical Jungle.  There are six other beaches within walking distance of the pueblo.

Climate: Throughout the summer, daytime temperatures range between 80° to 95° (27°c to 35°c), nights 72° to 85° (22°c to 29°c)  The ocean temperature runs a warm 86°± (30°c) in the summer.  Humidity ranges from 65% to 85%.  Heavy thunderstorms and rain may occur at anytime between mid-June and mid-October.  Yearly rainfall amounts range between 24 to 72 inches per year.  Except for storms, winds are gentle, 3 to 9 mph.

Transportation:  A personal vehicle is not necessary although it can be helpful.  Bus and mini bus (colectivos) service runs every 20 minutes between 6 a.m. and 9 pm.. 

Supplies:  Many necessities can be found in San Pancho while a greater variety including auto parts, gasoline, a large selection of groceries and household supplies can be obtained in Bucerias, La Peñita and Puerto Vallarta. Once a week, the volunteers will be driven to one of these towns to purchase food and supplies.

Communications:  We have Skype, a volunteer computer, and high-speed wireless Internet.  English language newspapers and magazines can be found in Sayulita and puerto Vallarta.  Personal mail can be sent to the Group's post office box, but not sent through the Mexican mail, or it may take up to a month to receive it by burro.

Frank D. Smith
Director
Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C.