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