Just after lunch we boarded our bus taking on the brief drive from the cruise ship pier to the offices of Vallarta Adventure. Here we divided into two smaller groups of English and Spanish. 14 guests were in the English group and 16 in the Spanish group. We occupied two 20 passenger vans based on these criteria.
Jal-70 to San Sebastian
1-hour, 45-minute drive
Our guide was Diego, a lively storyteller who made the lengthy drive pass quickly. Diego developed each one of us into a character participant of a historical retelling of the history of San Sebastian.
Don Lalan Hacienda
15-minute visit
Jal 544 99, 46995 San Sebastian del Oeste, La Estancia, Mexico
Our first stop was at the Don Lalan Hacienda. Don, an accomplished local brewer of Tequila, has been on this route for many years. Don gave us a first-hand understanding of what it takes to make a fine quality tequila and followed that up with testimony and several free samples. I tried the Amaretto, Orange, Chocolate, Coffee and several straight varieties.
Afterwards, we chatted with Don a bit since last meeting him four years earlier on a previous Colonial San Sebastian tour. Don humorously replied, ‘That guys not me’ with an enormous smile and chuckle.
Back in the van, having stored my bottle of fine quality Amaretto Tequila, we left the comfort of a paved road for a course cobblestone combination as we continued our ascent into the Sierra Madre mountains.
After some time, we arrived at the historic colonial-era town of San Sebastian whose past inhabitants were once wealthy miners.
San Sebastian
2-hour visit
San Sebastián del Oeste Centro Jalisco, Mexico
San Sebastian is a village deeply raveled in the history and folklore of the Aztec’s. It’s a former mining town offering an unusual historical and rare opportunity to peek into the everyday life of such a remote place.
Mi General Steak & Burgers
1-hour lunch
Gral Aguirre 128, San Sebastián del Oeste Centro, Jalisco, Mexico
We began our visit by having a hot lunch consisting of salad, bean soup, chicken, steak and pork burritos.
Home-made hot chocolate, tortillas with cinnamon and sugar, and Mexican pumpkin cheesecake were served after the meal. Everything was delicious and very filling.
La Quinta Mary Coffee Plantation & Cafe
30-minute visit
Gral Aguirre 110, San Sebastián del Oeste Centro, Jalisco, Mexico
After lunch, we ventured across the street to the La Quinta Mary Coffee Plantation & Cafe.
Here, we observed the coffee milling process and enjoyed several varieties of coffees and coffee bean confectioneries.
Main Town Square
30-minutes free-time
San Sebastián del Oeste Centro, Jalisco, Mexico
Since this was an afternoon tour, as opposed to our past all-day visit, we found ourselves short on time. Instead of being able to walk to the main town square, we rode in the van.
Parish of San Sebastian Martir
Quick peek
No. 01 C.P. San Sebastián del Oeste Centro, Jalisco, Mexico
With just a short amount of time we visited the Parish of San Sebastian Martir, circa 1608, then ventured down the main road through the town. We tried best to capture the everyday life of San Sebastain through our photos.
Return to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Soon we were back on the road for the return journey to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Arriving at the cruise ship pier just in time for dinner.
Cruise Port: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Tour Name: Revisiting Colonial San Sebastian
Cruise Line/Ship: Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas
Tour Operator: Vallarta Adventures (Mexico)
