Rural Mountain Villages
Though the coast of the bay is very well known, there are many inland villages in the Sierra Madre that are well worth a visit, and offer a different feeling of Mexican customs and people. With a slower pace of life, rural Mexico is a different experience, and its mountainous jungle a unique vision.

San Sebastian is the jewel of the Sierra Cuale. With only 200-300 inhabitants, this quaint mountain village was in former times a prosperous mining town. Many of Vallarta’s founding families came from San Sebastian and the neighboring town of Mascota. They brought with them their costumes, red tiles and architectural tradition. This is why Puerto Vallarta feels and looks quite different to other coastal towns of the region. You may fly, take a bus or drive there, thought the road requires an experienced driver and takes from 2-3 hours depending on the seasons. On the way to San Sebastian you will come across the village of Las Palmas. With scenic views of the mountains, this town is very popular among tourists and locals for its “paseadas”: a horseback riding fiesta, which is celebrates on July 26 every year. The town is also close to a new modern jungle experience known as the canopy tour.
Located further south, Talpa de Allende offers visitors an intimate contact with nature. A striking dark mantle of soil covers the land, and in its surrounding forests you’ll find deer, rabbits, squirrels and exotic birds. Talpa is also a journey to Mexico’s spiritual grounds, as it is the shrine of the famous Virgin of Talpa. Thousands of pilgrims come to offer their prayers every year in a moving procession to the oldest church in the region, built in 1782.
South of Vallarta on the main highway lies El Tuito. This is a small town in the middle of the jungle with great views of the mountains. It is known for its ancient cemetery, its great goat cheese and its production of Raicilla liquor.

Ixtapa
Small town just to the north of Puerto Vallarta. Site of new archeological discoveries of pre-Columbian México.

San Sebastian del Oeste
Interesting old mining town in the hills beyond Puerto Vallarta. Most easily accessed by air. Restored hacienda accommodations.

Talpa de Allende
Picturesque town south of San Sebastian and site of an important annual pilgrimage to the "Walking Virgen of Talpa." Hacienda accommodations available.