San Sebastian Del Oeste: Private Day Trip from Puerto Vallarta

How delightful to be picked up at our hotel on time by Jose (Pepe), a true PV native, who drove us up the mountain to San Sebastian and gave us plenty of history and tips along the way. This is butterfly season - we drove through swarms of butterflies on the way into the Sierra Madre. The tequila/raicilla tasting at Don Lalin was wonderful as was lunch at El Comedor de Lupita in San Sebastian, a local authentic Mexican restaurant - the chicken mole was superb. We enjoyed popping into the local shops and walking around the town. Unfortunately, the plaza is being repaired right now, but it's still a lovely day trip, especially now in the off season since it's much cooler in the mountains and traffic is less crazy!

Time for a review of one of the BEST travel experiences I’ve had in a long time! During a two-week visit in March to Puerto Vallarta (my “home away from home”), I had the great pleasure of working with “Obi” of Obi Tours. I had read positive online tours of the company and decided I wanted to give them a try. Now THAT was a good decision! After confirming some details via email, I signed up to participate in the San Sebastián del Oeste day trip on March 14th. Turns out I was the only person who chose that tour for that day, so the event turned out to be a one-on-one experience – even better! As agreed, Obi picked me up right on time, and our wonderful adventure together began. I quickly realized that Obi is both an excellent tour guide and a skillful driver, so I felt at ease immediately. He knew exactly where to go and how to get there, navigating back roads I wouldn’t have dreamed of traversing on my own. We soon identified our main area of shared interest – the history and culture of Mexico and its people – and our dialogue evolved as we explored the countryside together. I soon realized that the day’s itinerary of meeting people and visiting places wasn’t something he had just conjured up from a guidebook. Rather, the tour was his PERSONAL presentation of the Sierra Madre mountains, to introduce clients to precious places as well as some of his friends and family along the way. For me, the experience was insightful and evocative, expanding my understanding of the complexity and diversity of Mexico’s evolution and economy. Our day’s adventure followed a scenic trek through the Sierra Madre mountains. We visited the lovely little town of Las Palmas, where Obi introduced me to some of his friends and family members and showed me around the town square. The town was peaceful and tidy, perfect for strolling around and taking photos. Our next stop was the Hacienda Don Lalin Distillery, perched on a high bluff with a view of the spectacular concrete arch “Progress Bridge” (hey, I’m an infrastructure geek!). We enjoyed a good explanation of the production of raicilla, which I learned is made from the agave plant but is a more artisanal, aromatic spirit than mass-produced tequila. Don Lalin (the boss himself!) presented a tasting of different spirits, explaining the qualities of each product. Meanwhile, the food being served at Restaurant Don Lalin looked delicious, so we opted for an early lunch there – good call! I loved everything about this place: the view, the processing equipment, the hacienda, the spirits, the personal service, and the food. Our next stop was at a roadside stand selling locally produced candies and pastries, tasty and colorful, some of them unlike anything I’ve ever seen or tasted. Of course, Obi knew the owners, and I was happy to purchase some goodies from this charming family business. Increasingly, I began to appreciate Obi’s ability to showcase aspects of Mexico that I might never have found on my own, weaving a narrative of evolving history and local culture that have bought Mexico into the 21st century. Our next stop was the historic La Quinta Mary coffee estate, on the outskirts of San Sebastián del Oeste. I was fascinated by the grounds of the plantation as well as the handsome old buildings, which presented photos and memorabilia about the dedicated family that has kept the plantation in operation for generations. In the afternoon, we reached the highlight of our day trip, the town of San Sebastián del Oeste. Walking the narrow, hilly streets of this mountain town, you really begin to understand you’ve reached a place far removed from the busy coastal city of Puerto Vallarta: older, quieter, more nuanced, and more precious in scale and character. The mining of silver was essential to the development of San Sebastián del Oeste and environs during colonial times, and the architecture and character of the town really reflect its historical prosperity. We toured a lovely historic house (one of many) that has been made into a hotel for visitors. The interior of the church of San Sebastián was especially evocative, with a tranquil atmosphere and intimate scale that appealed to me. I really enjoyed the visit to a shop of a local artisan who makes exquisite silver jewelry – I had no idea the process of working with silver was so complex! What I loved most about San Sebastián del Oeste was the town’s walkability. The pace of our visit allowed me time to stroll around and enjoy the unhurried, uncrowded atmosphere: time to chat with local folks, poke my head into shops, breath the fresh mountain air, and photograph cats and dogs (hey, I’m an animal lover!).The town square and cobblestone streets were in the process of being refurbished while we were there, so I look forward to returning on a future visit and seeing the completed work. Eventually, it was time for our return drive to Puerto Vallarta. The long drive proved to be a great opportunity for more dialogue, with Obi willing and able to answer my many questions. We discussed Mexico’s successful evolution into the 21st century and the needs and aspirations of its citizens. Thanks to Obi, I now have a better understanding of how Mexico is facing – and addressing – issues of importance to evolving societies everywhere: the opportunities offered by ecotourism and cultural tourism, the challenges of gentrification, and the need to recognize and cherish indigenous cultures while embracing a future in which all are welcome. So, as you can see, I had a wonderful experience working with Obi, one of the most talented and insightful tour guides I’ve ever met! I highly recommend the San Sebastián del Oeste day trip, and I can’t wait to return to Puerto Vallarta soon and participate in other experiences offered by Obi Tours.

We found everything about this tour to be above expectations. Communication was excellent and we never had to worry about anything! Our guide, Liz, was very knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend the day with. The scenery was beautiful, the town was charming and the lunch was exceptional!!! All in all it was a great day!

From start to finish, everything is handled with exceptional professionalism, care, and attention to detail. The journey itself is scenic and comfortable, and once you arrive, you’re immersed in history, culture, and breathtaking mountain landscapes. Obi is outstanding — knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely passionate about sharing the rich heritage of the region. Every stop feels meaningful, well-paced, and thoughtfully curated, allowing you to fully enjoy the charm of this historic pueblo mágico. Plus everyone knows him and treats him well.

Our day trip to San Sebastián del Oeste was absolutely fantastic! The town is full of charm and history, and our guide made the experience unforgettable with interesting stories and local insights. We felt completely taken care of, and the private tour allowed us to explore at our own pace. Highly recommend this trip for anyone wanting a mix of culture, history, and stunning scenery from back in the 1800's.

It was an excellent day with Pepe. He was ready to pick us up in time and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip to San Sebastian from Punta Mita

This is our second tour with Obi Tours and it did not disappoint. We had the pleasure of visiting this charming town and surrounding area with Obi himself and his wife. They both are extremely knowledgeable, kind, and accommodating. They also excel in communication…quick and regular emails were exchanged when planning this trip and after, along with a ton of pictures capturing the day. San Sebastián itself was charming and definitely not a place we would have visited on our own. Be sure to bring some extra cash if you love silver! We would definitely book with Obi again!

Obi was incredible. From the moment he picked us up, we felt like family. The drive up and visit to San Sebastian was full of memorable stories, history, and sites. We were fortunate to stop at many spots including Lalo's tequila distillery, Comedor La Lupita for an amazing lunch (fresh, organic food - delicious!), Villa Cocoa for local chocolates, La Quinta Mari family coffee farm, and the San Sebastian Casa de Cultura Church and City museum. There we had a presentation from one of the descendants of the founding family. Obi's deep knowledge and personal connections made the trip even more special. If you want a truly memorable, local and authentic day tour, book this one. It's a full day of stops and conversation you won't forget and will be some of the best money you will ever spend. Thank you, Obi, for the incredible memories!!

This was a great trip. Our guide "Pepe" was knowledgeable, polite and fun. The food was incredible, the views were amazing and the town was so vibrant, authentic and welcoming. We will be back'

A very pleasant day trip from Puerto Vallarta and a nice respite from the heat. Several interesting stops and lots of local information from the guide Visio.