A Visit to San Sebastian, Mexico

Not that many years ago it was very difficult for most tourists to get to San Sebastian del Oeste (del Oeste means “of the west”). About the only practical way was to fly there in a little plane and land just outside of the town. But now that a bridge has been built across the canyon that was the roadblock before it is only about a two hour drive from Puerto Vallarta.

Please join us as we take a tour bus to this lovely town in the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Off we go… leaving urban Puerto Vallarta for the rural countryside of Jalisco, Mexico. If you have never traveled outside the confines of the urban area you are in for a treat. Everything is green (as my husband has heard many times…”I love green”)…green agricultural areas, green grazing pastures for the horses and cattle, green foliage along the roadside and on the mountain slopes. (As you can tell, I really do love green.)

The sun is shining brightly but the TV weather forecast this morning was for showers.

Aside: For those of you who have never been to Mexico and just remember tales of Mexico long ago here’s an update. Mexico has radio, TV, cell phones, ATMs, and all the modern conveniences you have at home. I am not being flip in making that comment. Several people I talk to at home still have the idea that Mexico is old cars, dirt roads, sombreros and donkeys. Not so.

 

 

 

We cross over the new bridge which has made access to San Sebastian so much easier. Can you imagine how difficult it would have been to traverse this canyon before the bridge was built.

Doable, I hear…but difficult.

 

 

 

 

 

We stop at a coffee growing operation for a little tour.

Next stop is San Sebastian museum where we learn history of the area (Spanish influence, silver mining) and get to enjoy the lovely surroundings.

Our tour bus is not able to get right into the center of San Sebastian today because of roadwork so we have a short walk up a cobble stone road. The sky has grayed and now there are wispy clouds hanging on the mountain tops.

Time for lunch. After a walk along the cobblestone streets we arrive at the restaurant with its  lovely old architecture and decor. We are treated to a tortilla baking experience before settling down to enjoy the delicious buffet lunch.

 

 

 

 

The walk back to the town center takes us past a mountain stream and a residential area.

 

There’s the town center with its shops, traditional gazebo, and beautiful church (do go inside. It is lovely.)

On the return trip  we stop at a local tequila producer’s establishment to learn about the tequila making process and have a sample (or two). Another blog will show photos of that part of the tour.

So now settle back into your seat and enjoy the scenery on the return trip to Puerto Vallarta.

Enjoy the day? I sure did…hope you did too.

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How to get to San Sebastian

–Fly to Puerto Vallarta

–Book a tour (this blog is based on this tour)

–drive yourself from Puerto Vallarta

Hwy 70 north, about a 2 hour drive

(roads are pretty good but signage is not that great for a first time traveler)

–take a local bus

(It will drop you off quite a ways from the town.

From there one would have to walk or hitch a ride)