| Just beyond Banderas Bay and the city of | | | | the 18th century silver boom that drew over |
| Puerto Vallarta, the Sierra Madre Mountains | | | | 30,000 people to the area are hiding |
| create an epic backdrop to one of Mexico's | | | | throughout the countryside. Today, the |
| premier destinations. Within the valleys and | | | | current residents embrace tourists and love |
| canyons of this mountain range, a lush | | | | to share stories with curious travelers. One |
| rainforest serves as home to an incredible | | | | of the most interesting characters is |
| variety of plant and animal life. Though | | | | Pachita, a 92-year old woman who has spent |
| human residents are few within the Sierra | | | | her entire life in San Sebastian and works at |
| Madre's rainforest, tourists visit this | | | | the town's quaint candy story. Most tours to |
| enchanting natural environment everyday for a | | | | San Sebastian also include a fresh-cooked |
| number of unique activities. On any given day | | | | meal at one of the town's colonial haciendas. |
| in the rainforest, you can visit a strange | | | | |
| colonial boomtown high in the mountains, | | | | If you want to experience the natural beauty |
| swing from the treetops on a canopy tour and | | | | of the rainforest at the ground level, there |
| go for a simple hike through some truly | | | | are a number of hiking and biking tours |
| incredible scenery. If you want to experience | | | | available in Puerto Vallarta. Most tour |
| the rainforest while in Mexico, look no | | | | companies offer different excursions to suit |
| further than the Sierra Madre Mountains in | | | | all ages and skill levels. The most popular |
| Puerto Vallarta's backyard. | | | | hiking tours generally last 2-3 hours and |
| | | | wind through incredible vegetation, while the |
| In recent years, canopy tours have become a | | | | advanced tours incorporate all the best sites |
| favorite adventure for tourists in Puerto | | | | of the rainforest and can last all day. Along |
| Vallarta. Originally developed in the | | | | the way, tour guides will point out |
| rainforests of Costa Rica, canopy tours allow | | | | interesting species and assist tourists in |
| thrill-seeking travelers to ride pulley lines | | | | bird and animal watching. Mountain biking |
| between platforms high in the trees. During | | | | tours offer similar opportunities, yet some |
| the tours, helpful guides are on hand to help | | | | tours also allow guests to ride from the |
| even the most timid participants make the | | | | cobblestone streets of Puerto Vallarta |
| most of the scenic experience. As you glide | | | | directly into the mountains. |
| from tree to tree, the guides will also point | | | | |
| out unique plant life and offer plenty of | | | | While most of the tours mentioned here will |
| information about the rainforest's extensive | | | | provide transportation from your resort and |
| ecosystem. Though the activity might seem | | | | food throughout the day, there are a number |
| dangerous, each tour is supported by an | | | | of items you should bring along for a day in |
| incredible array of safety equipment and open | | | | the rainforest. For your comfort, you should |
| to children six and older. Ask your concierge | | | | pack both sunscreen and insect repellent and |
| for tour recommendations as some tour | | | | apply each throughout the day. If you plan on |
| companies will pick up outside the best | | | | taking a dip in any of the rainforest's |
| resorts and discounts are often available to | | | | waterfalls or lagoons, you might want to pack |
| guests. | | | | a swimsuit and towel. To make the most of the |
| | | | scenery, you should also bring along |
| If you want to go deeper into the rainforest | | | | binoculars and a camera to preserve the |
| and see the remains of a once-prosperous | | | | memories. |
| mining town, take the 15 minute flight to San | | | | |
| Sebastian. Though seeing the town of San | | | | If you are looking for some unique outdoor |
| Sebastian can be an eye-opening experience, | | | | activities for your trip to Mexico and Puerto |
| the journey can be just as captivating. The | | | | Vallarta, look no further than mountains |
| short tour flights fly low over the mountains | | | | above the city. As the rainforest and all of |
| and the rainforest canopy, passing | | | | its activities lie just a few miles from the |
| picturesque waterfalls and canyons. When you | | | | luxurious resorts of Puerto Vallarta, this |
| reach the remote village of 500 situated at | | | | special destination is able to provide the |
| over 4,300 feet, it might be hard to spot San | | | | best of both worlds unlike anywhere else. |
| Sebastian's prosperous past. Yet, remnants of | | | | |