Entreamigos Community Center: San Pancho's Nonprofit Hub

Entreamigos Community Center sits at Av. Tercer Mundo 13 in San Pancho, Nayarit, a 15,000-square-foot former warehouse that has operated as a free, donation-funded community space since 2006. Visitors can walk in Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with free guided tours offered at 11 AM and 3 PM — just ask at the front desk.

The center is not a museum or a typical tourist attraction. It is a working nonprofit that runs a bilingual library, computer lab, recycling program, thrift shop, artisan gallery, and classrooms for local children and adults. Tourists are welcome, but the pace and purpose are set by the community, not by visitor schedules. That distinction shapes everything about how you should plan a stop here.

What You'll Find Inside the 15,000-Square-Foot Facility

The building itself is a restored warehouse on the main entry street into town, about a half mile from Highway 200. It has won recognition for sustainable design, and you can see why within a few minutes of walking through: natural light, repurposed materials, and open-air circulation instead of air conditioning.

The Library and Computer Lab

A bilingual library serves both children and adults, stocked with English and Spanish titles. The borrowing system runs on an honor code — no card, no checkout desk, no fees. The computer lab is used by local elementary school classes during the week, so daytime access for visitors is limited; mornings tend to be busier with school groups than afternoons. If you want quiet time in the library, aim for after 2 PM.

The Artisan Gallery and Recicla Thrift Shop

Two retail spaces fund a meaningful share of the center's programs. The gallery carries work by local artisans — textiles, jewelry, and household items, much of it made from recycled materials. The Recicla thrift shop sells secondhand clothing and goods, and it is where I found the most genuinely useful souvenirs in San Pancho: a hand-printed t-shirt designed by a local artist, priced under 300 pesos. Every purchase supports the center's scholarship program, which has funded education for more than 80 local children.

The Recycling Center and Workshop Spaces

A glass workshop and extensive recycling program operate on-site. Locals bring glass bottles for processing, and the center turns recycled material into products sold in the gallery. You can watch part of the process if a workshop is running, but there is no fixed demo schedule — it depends on which volunteers are in that day.

How to Visit Entreamigos: Tours, Timing, and Practical Details

Entreamigos is open and free of charge for everyone, including visitors and tourists. No reservation is needed for general admission. Guided tours are the single best way to understand what the center actually does, and they run twice daily at 11 AM and 3 PM at no cost.

Getting There from Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita

San Pancho is about a 45-minute drive north of Puerto Vallarta's PVR airport via Highway 200. A local taxi from the airport runs roughly 40 USD. From Sayulita, the trip is about 15 minutes by taxi or a short bus ride. Once in town, Entreamigos is on Ave. Tercer Mundo, the main street leading in from the highway — you will pass it on your way to the beach, roughly a half mile from the highway turnoff. There is no dedicated parking lot for the center, but street parking on Tercer Mundo is generally available outside peak holiday weeks.

When to Go and How Long to Stay

Weekday mornings are the busiest with school programs, so the 3 PM tour slot often has a smaller group and a more relaxed guide. Plan 45 to 90 minutes for a visit that includes a tour, the gallery, and the thrift shop. If you are volunteering or attending a class, block out two to three hours. The center closes for a summer break and typically reopens in early October — check the official site or social media before making a special trip in September.

Volunteering and Donations

Volunteers with a specific skill — art, music, English teaching, sewing, baking — are welcomed and can inquire at the front desk or by email. The center is funded entirely by donations and run largely by volunteers, so cash donations and purchases in the two shops are the most direct way to contribute. Note that fees and hours can change by season; confirm current details on the official site before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an entrance fee for Entreamigos?

No. The center is free and open to everyone, including tourists. Guided tours at 11 AM and 3 PM also cost nothing, though donations and purchases in the gallery and thrift shop support its programs.

What are the opening hours?

Monday through Friday 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, closed Sunday. Hours have shifted between 10 AM and 11 AM openings in past seasons, so verify before a morning visit.

Can I visit without joining a tour?

Yes. Walk in during open hours and explore the library, gallery, and shops on your own. The tour adds context about the recycling program and scholarship fund that is not obvious from the displays alone.

Is Entreamigos suitable for children?

Yes. There is a dedicated play space for young children and a playground on-site. School-age kids tend to engage most with the recycling workshop and the library's bilingual collection.