Mountain Escape to San Sebastian

Many of the local residents of Puerto Vallarta say that their dreams came true when they moved to such a beautiful coastal town. Puerto Vallarta has numerous beaches that are absolutely gorgeous, a warm climate year-round, and so many activities that you can enjoy. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is actually the perfect place to spend your retirement, spend your vacations at, or to live here full-time. However, like any other hometown, it is always nice to just get out and explore other places. If you live in Puerto Vallarta and you are really interested in learning what kind of activities can be done on weekend getaways, then continue to read below. One weekend getaway that is only 1 ½ hours from Puerto Vallarta is a quaint and charming town that is called San Sebastian. A mountain escape to San Sebastian is the perfect place for a weekend getaway from Puerto Vallarta.

San Sebastian – Charming and Quaint Town

The small, charming, and quaint town of San Sebastian was first founded as a mining town in 1605, and silver, gold, and lead were mined during the Spanish Colonial Viceroyalty of New Spain era. The mines increased to over twenty five working mines by 1785, and several foundries were also added. Just a few years later, San Sebastian was officially established in 1812 and at that time the population was close to 1,000. A century later in 1900, the population had soared to over 20,000. Unfortunately, the national revolution that happened in 1910 in Mexico prompted a major population decline, and the population today is only around 500 residents.

Pueblo Magico – Magic Town

The name and title of Pueblo Magico was granted to San Sebastian during 2005, which in English means “Magic Town”. The rich heritage and charm are just a few reasons the town was named a Pueblo Magico. The Church of Saint Sebastian is the main church in San Sebastian and it was constructed during the early 1600’s. The design and style of the church is Colonial Spanish Baroque, and every architectural detail was carefully orchestrated. The historic Corinthian columns are impressive along with the vaulted ceiling paintings. You will notice that many other buildings in San Sebastian were also constructed of stone and bricks during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Today, many of the local homes in the town have been fully restored to their original beauty. When you are ready to escape the Puerto Vallarta hot and humid months, you can go for a weekend getaway to San Sebastian.

Vacation Rentals and Hotel Lodging Availability

San Sebastian is proud to provide numerous vacation rentals and hotel lodging that everyone can afford. Whether you prefer to be in the center of town and in the middle of the action, or you opt for something a bit quieter just outside of the town, you will be able to find vacation rentals that suit your needs. A popular place to stay at and fully experience authentic San Sebastian is at the Hacienda Jalisco. It is located just outside of the town, and it is surrounded by a variety of lush gardens and vegetable fields. Adventurers will also enjoy staying at the Potrero de Mulas Ecotourism Ranch as it provides cabins that are situated amongst pine forests, detailed trails, and several freshwater streams. Would you prefer to stay in the center of the town so you can walk around on foot to see all the sights? If you do, then you should stay at the Mansion Real, which is located in the town center that is also the historic district. The Mansion Real is also priced so that everyone can afford to stay there.

Places Not To Miss in San Sebastian

There are several places that you will not want to miss when you are visiting San Sebastian such as the Quinta Mary, which is a coffee lover’s oasis. The Quinta Mary provides delicious organic coffee and their coffee plantations are eco-friendly as no harsh pesticides are used. Instead they only fumigate their coffee bean crops using onion, garlic, and chili. The health conscious coffee is the best and it is roasted, grounded, and packed for freshness. Along with delicious coffee, the Quinta Mary also offers traditional Mexican candy. You should make sure to take a break and relax at the central plaza while sipping on your delicious coffee. The San Sebastian central plaza has beautiful landscaping, a variety of restaurants to dine at and hometown boutiques for all your shopping needs. If the day is clear, head up to the lookout point known as La Bufa where you can even see the Banderas Bay waters. A popular cultural event that is perfect for culture lovers is the celebration of its patron saint, San Sebastian. This celebration is held in San Sebastian on January 20th each year. There will be many different cultural activities, live music, dancing, horseback riding, pyrotechnics, and so much more. On October 7th, another favorite event is the honoring of the Most Holy Virgin of the Rosary of the Real Alto. This event is honoring an ancient wooden altar that was actually constructed during the seventeenth century.

If you are wanting a refreshing and relaxing weekend getaway from Puerto Vallarta, then you should consider San Sebastian. For PV locals, you can easily get to this charming town as it is only 60 km from Puerto Vallarta.