San Sebastian: Day Trips and Tours from Puerto Vallarta

Take a step back in time in historic San Sebastian, cradled in the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains and one of Mexico’s last popular getaways with its remote location and special historic appeal.

Having changed little in hundreds of years, San Sebastian is a living museum, alive with culture, history and natural beauty. Take on a fascinating day trip to San Sebastian from Puerto Vallarta to experience its traditions and discover why it's one of the "magic towns."  

Here's all ou need to know about San Sebastian, one of the most historical destinations for day trips from Puerto Vallarta.

How to get to San Sebastian del Oeste from Puerto Vallarta?

From Puerto Vallarta to San Sebastian by car

San Sebastian lies about 75 kilometers east of Puerto Vallarta and the drive along the JAL 544 takes about 1.5 hours.

From Puerto Vallarta to San Sebastian by public transport

There are no buses going directly to San Sebastian, but take those going to Talpa de Allende. When you arrive at La Estancia (1 hour and 45 minutes), leave the bus and hire a taxi to San Sebastian (about 10 minutes).

Guided tours to San Sebastian from Puerto Vallarta

Guided tours from Puerto Vallarta to San Sebastian are available and are the easiest option, with transportation and hotel pickup and drop-off included in the tour package.

What is the typical itinerary?

You will be driven in a comfortable vehicle to historical San Sebastián and enjoy great views traveling through the Sierra Madre. You will experience Mexican rural life, and see how the locals raise cattle and cultivate coffee and agave.

On a tour of the village, you can admire traditional San Sebastian’s colonial architecture, its colorful village square and cobbled roads. One of the highlights is the 18th century Church of Saint Sebastian chapel.

As your tour concludes in San Sebastián, you will return to Puerto Vallarta and again enjoy the scenery along the way.

What kinds of tours are available to go to San Sebastian del Oeste?

San Sebastian guided tour from Puerto Vallarta

Explore historical San Sebastián in the Sierra Madre, one of Mexico's last hidden relics, on this day tour from Puerto Vallarta.

Experience scenarios of Mexican daily rural life, and wander among old whitewashed buildings and remnants of the town’s mining past.

You will travel in a comfortable vehicle, enjoying fantastic views through the Sierra Madre en route to San Sebastián. You will learn about the town’s history and rural village life, see how the locals cultivate coffee and agave, and farm cattle.

The old town was founded as early as 1605 and made famous by several silver mines. See examples of its traditional architecture from colonial times along with the colorful village square and old-world cobblestone roads.

Part of your tour includes a walking tour of the 18th century Church of Saint Sebastian chapel and a visit to a silversmith workshop. You will also see how the locals cultivate coffee at an organic coffee farm, as well as agave, and raise cattle.

At the end of your excursion in San Sebastián, you will return to Puerto Vallarta and again enjoy the scenic drive.

Full-day guided private tour to San Sebastian

Discover the spirit of rural Mexico on this full-day private tour with a guide to San Sebastian from Puerto Vallarta. Visit the towns of Las Palmas and San Sebastian, see how coffee and tequila are processed and admire the architectural beauty of a former mining center.

Your tour includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Puerto Vallarta. The first stop is the quaint farming town of Las Palmas, where you will be shown a typical rural Mexican town and have a chance to take photographs.

After a scenic drive along 544, you will pause at "Puente el Progreso" to admire lovely views of the Sierra Madre Mountains.

When you reach San Sebastian, you will meet the Sanchez family. They have kept a Quinta (countryside inn) built in the early 1800s, and have been growing coffee since then.

The family will share with you how they grow and process coffee, and walk you through the plantation. You will have time to buy coffee and other San Sebastian products.

From here, continue on a walking tour through the town, led by expert guides to show the sites of interest.

You will discover the architectural beauty and history of San Sebastian, and marvel at the rustic white-washed adobe houses from the 1700/1800s.

Iconic sites, amongst others, are the Town Square, the Town Hall, the Priest's House, the Silversmith’s workshop and the San Sebastian Parish and Museum.

When it’s time for lunch, your expert guide will introduce you to the area’s traditional food.

At the Hacienda Don Lalin you will discover the “raicilla” (traditional spirit). They will share with you the process of "raicilla" and tequila – cooking, milling, fermentation and distillation.

Taste both "raicilla" and tequila as well as some other flavored tequilas, including orange, almond and coffee.

How much does a tour to San Sebastian del Oeste from Puerto Vallarta cost?

For a comprehensive, guided-day tour with a small group, the 7-hour San Sebastian tour from Puerto Vallarta costs approximately US$100 per person.

If you're looking for a more intimate and personalized experience, the full-day private tour to San Sebastian del Oeste with a guide costs US$380 per group of up to 4 people.

What will you see?

The Church of Saint Sebastian

Located near the town square, the original church was built in the colonial Spanish Baroque style in 1608. It was rebuilt after an earthquake hit the town in 1868.

Notable features are the Corinthian columns and high-arched finely decorated ceiling. The far end of the church accommodates an impressive altar underneath the frescoed ceiling.

House and Museum of Doña Conchita Encarnación

In recent decades, some old haciendas in San Sebastian have been bought and restored. One of these is the home of a major former mining hacienda family, where photographs, historical artifacts and documents are displayed.

The hacienda was established in the 1770s by a Spaniard who came to San Sebastian to manage Santa Gertrudis, one of the old mines.

Hacienda Jalisco

The hacienda is one of the most interesting places to explore in San Sebastian. It is situated next to the main entrance to the town and across from a field of blue agave.

The hacienda is well preserved and a fine example of the architecture of the colonial mining times. The site also includes a mining museum.

When is San Sebastian del Oeste open over the year?

San Sebastian is open throughout the year. It has the status of a Pueblo Mágico, a town maintaining its historical character and which is promoted by the Mexican federal government as a tourist destination.

When is the best time to visit San Sebastian del Oeste?

San Sebastian lies at a height of 1,480 meters so it’s cooler than at the coast. It is pleasant to visit, irrespective of the time of year. Winters are dry, summers are more rainy.  

The warmest month is June (average temperature 20.7 degrees Celsius and the coolest is January (average temperature 16.2 degrees Celsius).

Travel tips

• Make sure to book your day trip to San Sebastian from Puerto Vallarta in advance.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring some layers for winter in San Sebastian.