San Francisco to Boca de Pascuales is about 243 road miles (391 km): roughly 5 h 11 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
| Distance | 243 mi (391 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 11 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-200 → MEX-200D |
| Mexican states on the route | Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-200D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
What the drive from San Francisco to Boca de Pascuales is like
MEX-200 (209 mi) and MEX-200D (28 mi) carry about 98% of the 243 miles. It runs through 3 states: Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-200D. Of the 6 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from San Francisco to Boca de Pascuales, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Nayarit |
| MEX-200 | 1–204 | 203 | Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima |
| MEX-200D | 204–232 | 28 | Colima |
| connecting roads | 232–237 | 5 | Colima |
| MEX-200 | 237–243 | 6 | Colima |
- Mile 22 of this route: Nayarit → Jalisco (state line)
- Mile 180 of this route: Jalisco → Colima (state line)
Places worth a stop between San Francisco and Boca de Pascuales
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Tranquila Beach (mile 30), Museo Arqueológico de Puerto Vallarta Cuale (mile 32), Vallarta Botanical Garden (mile 47), Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 221)
- Nature and outdoors: Costalegre (mile 27), Tranquila Beach (mile 30), Vallarta Botanical Garden (mile 47), Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve (mile 129)
- Museums and history: Museo Arqueológico de Puerto Vallarta Cuale (mile 32), Museo Comunitario de la Sal (mile 221)
Costalegre
Costalegre is a string of beaches, capes and bays of many sizes along Jalisco's Pacific coast, between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.
Tranquila Beach
Tranquila Beach is a stretch of sand in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, that sits right beside Las Glorias Beach.
Museo Arqueológico de Puerto Vallarta Cuale
The Museo Arqueológico de Puerto Vallarta Cuale presents crafts along with the hunting and gathering items used in pre-Hispanic times, with a focus on western Mexico.
Vallarta Botanical Garden
At about 1,300 feet above sea level near Puerto Vallarta, the Vallarta Botanical Garden covers 79 acres, 73 of them set aside as a reserve, and has been open to the public since 2005.
Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve
On the Pacific coast of Jalisco in La Huerta municipality, the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve was founded in 1993 and covers about 131 square kilometers.
Museo Comunitario de la Sal
Set in an old warehouse in Cuyutlán, the community Salt Museum (Museo Comunitario de la Sal) explains how local salt has been harvested, from the old tapeixtle technique to modern methods, with historic photos of the salt works.
More drives to Boca de Pascuales
- Sayula to Boca de Pascuales
- Mazamitla to Boca de Pascuales
- San Luis Soyatlán to Boca de Pascuales
- Cotija to Boca de Pascuales
- Ajijic to Boca de Pascuales
- Amatitán to Boca de Pascuales
From San Francisco to other places in Mexico
- San Francisco to Jalpa de Cánovas
- San Francisco to Maruata
- San Francisco to Nuevo Ideal
- San Francisco to Omitlán
- San Francisco to Huasca de Ocampo
- San Francisco to Mexcaltitán
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from San Francisco to Boca de Pascuales?
About 5 h 11 min of driving without stops, over 243 miles.
What is the driving distance from San Francisco to Boca de Pascuales?
About 243 miles (391 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from San Francisco to Boca de Pascuales?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from San Francisco to Boca de Pascuales?
The U.S. State Department rates Nayarit Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Jalisco Level 3: Reconsider Travel; Colima Level 4: Do Not Travel (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from San Francisco to Boca de Pascuales?
In order: MEX-200 and MEX-200D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from San Francisco to Boca de Pascuales?
Closest to the road: Tranquila Beach (beach, mile 30, 0.2 mi from the route); Museo Arqueológico de Puerto Vallarta Cuale (museum, mile 32, 0.2 mi from the route); Vallarta Botanical Garden (botanical garden, mile 47, 0.2 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on September 29, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.