When my friend and I booked accommodations at Surf House San Pancho, I really didn't know what to expect. I had assumed it was a big, impersonal hostal with rotating staff and many beds. As it turns out, the house only sleeps six at a time, and the owners, Luis and Bianca, are also the only staff.
The intimacy this creates was a wonderful surprise. I felt more like a house guest than a customer. Luis and Bianca treat you like good friends, and consequently, you end up spending most of your time with them as well as the other guests. Bianca makes the most amazing meals for breakfast and dinner, which is included in the price. You end up getting to know the other guests very well since you share meals together, go surfing together, and generally are on the same schedule throughout your stay. It kinda brought me back to my childhood when I would spend a week at camp, and leave with lots of fond memories and new friends.
I would say this is a great place to stay if you generally prefer a hostal-like environment and are not looking for a private, resort-like getaway. If you are a social person and enjoy meeting new people, or are a solo traveler and would like to have some friends to share your vacation with, then this is the place for you. Also, surfing is a huge component of Surf House San Pancho, as the name implies. If you love to surf, or are interested in learning how to surf, then this is the place for you. Luis was such an excellent instructor. There were three of us who had either never surfed, or had only surfed a few times, and all three of us were able to ride a few very small waves to the shore by the end of a week. Both Luis and Bianca are so encouraging to those of us who were learning. Their positive attitude was infectious - we were all cheering each other on and celebrating our small surfing successes!
It was such a special experience. I had so much more fun than I possibly could have imagined. It was only five days, but it felt like 10. I really can't say enough great things about this place.