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