San Sebastián del Oeste
Colonial mining town in cool Sierra Madre mountains—coffee farms, tequila tasting, and escape from coastal heat
Overview
San Sebastián del Oeste is Puerto Vallarta's best-kept secret for escaping coastal humidity—a **colonial mining town at 1,480 meters** (4,856 feet) in the Sierra Madre, where cool mountain air, cobblestone streets, and haciendas from the 1700s feel like stepping back in time. Just **1.5-2 hours from Puerto Vallarta** via winding mountain road (four-wheel drive recommended during rainy season), this **Pueblo Mágico** was once one of Mexico's wealthiest silver mining towns, supporting 20,000 residents at its peak. Today, fewer than 1,000 remain, leaving atmospheric ruins and eerily preserved colonial architecture. Visit a working **coffee farm** (Hacienda Jalisco offers tours and tastings), sample **raicilla** (the "moonshine" cousin of tequila unique to this region), and explore abandoned mines. Guided tours from Puerto Vallarta run **$100-150 including lunch**; independent travelers can rent a car or hire a taxi (negotiate ~$1,500-2,000 pesos roundtrip with waiting time). Combine with **Mascota** and **Talpa de Allende** for an overnight mountain towns circuit.
Highlights
Practical Information
Full day or overnight
Free
Free to visit. Guided tours from PV $100-150. Taxi roundtrip ~$80-100.
Year-round. Dry season (November-May) easiest for driving. Bring a jacket—temperatures 10-15°C cooler than coast.
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