San Sebastián del Oeste
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◈ It was originally a mining town that had its boom during Spanish colonial rule. Being here is like going back in time. The churches, haciendas, and old mines remain as witnesses of the passage of time, telling us their stories of grandeur.
While most residents migrated when the mines were closed, those who stayed zealously care for the richness that surrounds them and work to keep that history alive.
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◆ Climbing Cerro de la Bufa and watching the landscape from high above.
◆ Walking through the hand-rolled cigar factory.
◆ Checking out Quinta Mary, where they produce a fine, 100% organic coffee.
Spend a night at Hacienda Jalisco and feel like in you’re in the wild west.
❖ Casa Museo Doña Conchita Encarnación
Travel in time to the mining boom with original objects that exemplify the region’s riches.
Here, you’ll see an exhibition of objects, photographs, and documents collected by Doña Conchita Encarnación, a member of a major mining hacienda family. You can talk with her family who has incredible stories to tell about the place.
❖ Hacienda Jalisco
It was built nearly 200 years ago in order to store the valuable ores from the surrounding mines, before shipping them to Spain.
Lamps and candles account for most of the lighting, which maintains the rural ambiance you feel from the start. There are two large rooms where they display documents, letters, and objects related to the region’s history. Spend a night there and feel like you’re in the Old West.
❖ Mina Santa Gertrudis
See what, over 150 years ago, was once an active silver mine. That silver brought prosperity to the region.
It was one of the most productive mines in San Sebastián in the 19th century, when silver mining under Hacienda Jalisco was at its peak. The mine is some 197 feet deep straight down, with a height of 5’11” and width of 5’7”, getting smaller until the end.
❖ See How Hand-Rolled Cigars Are Made
Across from Templo de San Sebastián, you can find a place called Puros Artesanales “Don Raúl Bernal”. Don Raúl has a lifetime making 100% hand-rolled cigars. It’s well worth it to talk to him and learn about the process that every cigar must go through.
❖ Learn About Coffee Production at Quinta Mary
Quinta Mary dates from the 19th century. The estate is devoted to fine coffee planting and roasting. Here, you have the chance to learn about how coffee is made. You’ll check out the coffee plantations where coffee is harvested and the mill. In the end, you’ll have a chance to do a coffee tasting.
❖ Mountain Climb and Rappel
Just over six miles from the Estancia de Landeros crossing, you’ll find Rancho Ecoturístico Potrero de Mulas, an environmental management unit (UMA) where you can walk a number of interpretive trails, mountain climb, do rappel, and practice archery.
❖ Explore the Town Aboard a Tourist Train
Hacienda Matel offers tours at its tourist unit, including a tour of the best things to see in San Sebastián del Oeste. It’s a good choice and an original way to get to see these places.
