San Sebastian is a quaint little town, nestled in a narrow mountain valley less than a two hour drive from Puerto Vallarta. It is located on the western part of Jalisco state, at a height of 4,856 ft. It meets the state of Nayarit to the north; and to the south, the municipality of Mascota; to the east, the municipalities of Guachinango and Mascota; and to the west, Puerto Vallarta. San Sebastián was founded as a mining town in 1605 during the Spanish colonial period. Gold, silver and lead were mined around the area. More than 25 mines and a number of foundries had been established by 1785.
The town was declared a city in 1812 and reached a peak population of some 20,000 people by 1900. It receives some tourist visits from nearby Puerto Vallarta. In the surrounding valley you'll find cattle, corn and coffee plantations. This local coffee is excellent and you can sample and purchase it in town. The church, dedicated to San Sebastian, was originally built in the 1600s but was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1868. The mines are long gone, although the ruins of them are still there, some distance from the town. It is a joy to wander around in this very peaceful town, which has changed little in hundreds of years. |
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