Sat, May 19

ENGLISH/ESPANOL

Enhanced Listings

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Rancho Ermitas
San Sebastian del Oeste
$862,000

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Bonita
San Sebastian del Oeste
$54,000

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Calle del Pacifico, Norte 15
San Francisco
$649,000

Developers

Mexico & The Sierra Madre Area East of Puerto Vallarta Mexico is a country filled with many beautiful cities, people, and rich history. Among these cities, there remain a few that were seemingly lost and just beginning to re-emerge as places of interest to outside travelers. One of these cities is known as San Sebastian del Oeste.  In the past, travel to the San Sebastian was not easy.  Poor dirt roads, potholes, and hairpin turns made it practically impassable by the modern vehicle.  Thankfully, due to recently paved roads, adventurous tourists can find their way there in about 90-minutes from the near-by major city of Puerto Vallarta.  San Sebastian is perhaps, one of the most enchanting places to visit in Mexico.  This quiet city has retained the authenticity of its past while continuing to provide an idyllic place of retreat for anyone looking to get away from it all.  Once you arrive, you will feel as if you have been transported to another time and place. Established in the 16th century, San Sebastian still maintains most of its original structures.  Cobblestone streets weave throughout the city, and original buildings constructed of adobe line the avenues.  Lush, tropical bougainvillea flowers overflow the walls of the walkways and terraces of many of the buildings.  With the city situated within a valley, the peaks of the surrounding Sierra Madre Mountain Range rise up grandly on all sides, creating a panoramic backdrop. When the city was originally established, it made its living providing mineral resources to Spain. This created a successful economy and attracted more than 20,000 people to inhabit its walls. This in turn allowed for a huge growth and created jobs and technology. Unfortunately, the Revolution of 1910 wiped out this mining source and the economic decline forced the city into hibernation.  500 years later, this “sleeping bear” has awoken and is beckoning tourists from all over to experience all it has to offer. Although San Sebastian is just a quaint community of around 600 people, its inhabitants frequently throw festivals to honor their deep seated Catholic beliefs.  On August 15, you can witness their festival to honor the Virgin of Asuncion, on October 7, the festival honors the Virgin of the Rosary, and on December 12, all of Mexico honors the Virgin of Guadalupe. For a beautiful spiritual encounter, you can visit the Temple of San Sebastian. It was originally built in 1608 and then restored after an earthquake in the 1850s.  The church itself boasts beautifully painted cathedral ceilings and stately columns that line the sanctuary. Among the aesthetic pleasures to experience is Café de Altura, a coffee plantation run by Rafael Sanchez Alvarado.  Here you can purchase homegrown organic coffee and mocha blends and rest comfortably among the locals while sipping on the rich concoction.  If you begin to feel the grumblings of hunger in your belly, not to worry, there is also a selection of fine local cuisine sure to satisfy any taste bud. Among the restaurants to enjoy are Real y Minas, El Fortin, Los Arrayanes, and Los Arcos. The variety of fare ranges from Italian to classic Mexican. San Sebastian is a place to re-discover. Its colorful past and true Mexican spirit make it a “must see” on your itinerary. Make sure to bring a jacket (the temperature tends to cool at night), and a pair of a good walking shoes. Once you have experienced San Sebastian, you will alter your whole view on life. Real Estate Opportunities   San Sebastian Properties is a real estate company operating in San Sebastian del Oeste, Mascota, and Talpa de Allende whose broker is a member of AMPI (“Asociacion Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios”), Mexico’s national association of real estate professionals. Terry is also   an International member of the National Association of Realtors in the US and has been designated by NAR as a Certified International Property Specialist.   San Sebastian Properties’ goal is to act in the best interest of its customers by providing experience, knowledge, and integrity. Please call or email us and let us know the kind of property you are looking for. If we do not have a listing which fits your description, we will find such a property if it is available.	Puerto Vallarta is a mystic city that harbors its tradition in its plazas, its streets, in its people, a city that expresses the color of its culture and natural beauty at every turn.                  ~~~~~~~~ Located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, where the states of Jalisco and Nayarit meet, at the heart of Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta offers the best of two worlds: tradition and the vanguard, making Vallarta a window to the world. Puerto Vallarta counts with many global accolades that are a testament to the uniqueness and warmth of the city. It has been voted the friendliest city in the world by Condé Nast Magazine (2003), named the best place to retire globally by The American Association of Retired Persons (2010) and the best Mexican Vacation destination by USNews.com (2010) beating out Cancún and Los Cabos for the top prize.