Red tiled roofs crowd around a white church tower with wooded hills rising behind.

Experiences · Banderas Bay · Sierra Madre

San Sebastián del Oeste a day in the mountains.

A former silver-mining town in the Sierra Madre, about 90 minutes by road from Puerto Vallarta. A guided walk, coffee, tequila and lunch, with a photographer along for the day.

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About 8 hoursDuration

About 90 minBy road from Puerto Vallarta

Ages 6 +Small group

1,500 mIn the cloud forest

PhotographerAll your photos included

The town

An old silver town in the Sierra Madre.

San Sebastián del Oeste is a former silver-mining town in the Sierra Madre, about 90 minutes by road from Puerto Vallarta and one of Jalisco’s Pueblo Mágico towns. This San Sebastián del Oeste tour from Puerto Vallarta is a small-group day on foot, along cobbled streets, past whitewashed buildings, quiet plazas and an 18th-century church.

The town sits at about 1,500 m among cloud forest, so the air is cooler than on the coast. Along the way there is coffee at a family-owned farm, a silversmith’s workshop, a bakery and a local museum, then a three-course lunch and a tequila tasting at a local distillery.

A professional photographer walks with you all day, and every digital photo is yours at the end of the tour.

A woman walks up a cobbled lane between stone walls under heavy green trees. — Every street here is cobbled.

Choose your day

One town, two ways to go.

The small-group day runs from Puerto Vallarta, and a private day can be requested. Both are run by Vallarta Adventures and booked through us.

A small town of red roofs sits in a bowl of green hills under a clear blue sky.

Shared · small group

San Sebastián, small group

About 8 hours Small group Ages 6 +

Guided walk and entry to a local museum
Professional photographer, all digital photos
Coffee farm, bakery and silversmith’s workshop
Agave fields, tequila tasting and lunch with wine and beer

Free time to explore the town at your own pace.

Reserve Ask us

Operated by Vallarta Adventures

Low white mist lies along forested mountain ridges above a valley in morning light.

Private · on request

San Sebastián, private

About 8 hours Your party only

The San Sebastián day, for your party only
Requested through our concierge
Details confirmed by Vallarta Adventures

Ask us when you book the villa or once you arrive.

Reserve Ask us

Operated by Vallarta Adventures

Our concierge confirms availability and books it for you.

Booking for the whole villa? A private San Sebastián day can be requested for your party; our concierge arranges it with Vallarta Adventures.

The day

Up the mountain and back.

Leave Puerto Vallarta

About 90 minutes by road into the Sierra Madre

ii.

Coffee and the old town

A coffee farm, the church, the museum and the plazas

iii.

Workshops and shops

A silversmith, a bakery and local artisans

iv.

Lunch and tequila

Three courses, agave fields and a tasting

Back to the coast

About eight hours in all

The order of the day as the operator runs it; exact times are confirmed when you book.

The gallery

See it for yourself.

When to go

Through the year.

Jan Year-round

Feb Year-round

Mar Year-round

Apr Year-round

May Year-round

Jun Year-round

Jul Year-round

Aug Year-round

Sep Year-round

Oct Year-round

Nov Year-round

Dec Year-round

Cool mountain air throughout the year

Good to know

Before you go.

Bring a layer

The town is at about 1,500 m and averages around 20°C, so a light sweater helps.

Lunch

A three-course Mexican lunch with wine, beer and fruit drinks; the menu suits vegetarians and vegans.

Photos

A professional photographer joins the tour, and all digital photos are delivered at the end.

Pace

Relaxed, with walking on cobbled streets. Minimum age 6.

Our take

“This is the day I suggest when the group wants a change from the beach: cooler air, a mountain town and lunch looked after. Bring a sweater, and let the photographer take the pictures so nobody spends the day behind a phone.”

Founder, Villa Experience

Before you go, a transfer from the villa to the Puerto Vallarta departure point, arranged by our concierge.

Questions

Before you ask.

How far is San Sebastián del Oeste from Puerto Vallarta?

About 90 minutes by road, up into the Sierra Madre. The whole day takes around eight hours, and it can run a little longer if the group wants more time at a stop.

What do we see there?

A guided walk through the old town, an 18th-century church, a local museum, a family-owned coffee farm, a bakery and a silversmith’s workshop. Lunch, a visit to agave fields and a tequila tasting at a local distillery are part of the day, with free time to explore.

What is the road like?

The drive is about 90 minutes each way and climbs into the mountains, so the views are part of the day. Our concierge can tell you more about the journey when you book.

Is the San Sebastián del Oeste day trip good for children?

Children can join from age 6. The pace is relaxed, with walking on cobbled streets.

Will it be cold?

The town is at about 1,500 m in cloud forest and averages around 20°C, so bring a light sweater.

Can we go privately?

Yes, on request. Our concierge arranges a private day with Vallarta Adventures.

Villa Experience Concierge