Traditional and Folkloric Activities in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

The Sierra Madre and Puerto Vallarta are places where you can find the pure traditional and folkloric stuff, representing the real Mexico. You will be able to fly in a private plane above the jungle, then walk and discover the secrets of the typical colonial haciendas, the Gothic churches, or a silver mining old town.

Colonial cities: Puerto Vallarta was populated by Indians tribes for centuries before the Spanish entered the region in the mid 1500’. The bay with the Sierra Madre nearby, was an ideal spot to seek refuge from the ocean storms. it was a harbor to refill the ships with fresh water and food also. The town remained quite small until the mid- 1960’ when Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor made it famous with their romance. Since then, tourists came to discover this beautiful town.
From the Spanish Puerto Vallarta kept the architecture. You can walk downtown and watch great houses, small streets, and all the details left from the colonial time. The Church of Gualadupe is a traditional landmark of the city and great place to visit.

Talpa is located in the heart of the Sierra Madre, and is one of the most important religious centers of Mexico, thanks to the Virgin of Talpa, "Rosario de Talpa". The city kept its old charm from centuries ago and you will be able to discover the real Mexico, with colorful houses, far away from the hotels and nightclubs of the coast.

Mascota is also an old colonial city in the Sierra Madre, founded around 1592. You will be able to observe the traditional haciendas, and the paved streets. Don’t miss to the church, dedicated to Virgen de los Dolores (Virgin of Sorrows), which was completed in 1880 and took over 100 years to build. When visiting the town, try the favorite drink of the locals, "Raicilla". Local distilleries can be visited.

San Sebastian is an old mining town, founded in 1605. It was one of the main silver and gold mining centers of Mexico. The city was almost deserted when the gold rush vanished, and from the more than 40,000 inhabitants, a population of 600 is estimated now. But all the haciendas, and the typical colonial buldings are still standing and they are well worth the visit to meet the real Mexico.