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Bubba

Mar 30, 2005, 1:47 PM

Post #1 of 7 (756 views)

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Puerto Vallarta-San Sebastian-Mascota

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Good news for those of you who vacation in Puerto Vallarta and would like to drive from Las Palmas de Arriba (Puerto Vallarta) to Mascota via San Sebastion. The new carretera through the mountains is 95% complete and the carretera should be open sometime in April. This highway was supposed to have been finished in February but was delayed due to rain and unexpectedly rocky terrain. The new highway will open up the picturesque village of San Sebastion to tourists who wish to get there without flying or driving a four wheel drive vehicle over miles of bad road.

Get up there before the new road turns San Sebastion into a tourist zoo remembering that its isolation and interesting architecture comprise its charms. The road from Mascota to Guadalajara through Talpa de Allende ( a must-see pilgrimage center) and Ameca is a good one so one will be able to drive from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara through these beautiful mountains at one's liesure.

(This post was edited by Bubba on Mar 30, 2005, 2:19 PM)

tonyburton

Mar 30, 2005, 2:28 PM

Post #2 of 7 (743 views)

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MXC article on San Sebastian-Mascota-Talpa

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It's an interesting part of Jalisco. For an existing Mexico Connect article on this route, and some of its sights:
http://www.mexconnected.com/...es/sansebastian.html

Camille

Mar 31, 2005, 7:01 PM

Post #3 of 7 (692 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Puerto Vallarta-San Sebastian-Mascota

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Lamentable as San Sebastian's loss of isolation is, I'm dying to know what kind of time we're talking about to drive from PV to Guadalajara via this route?
Every time I walk into Sam's in PV I wish I were walking into Costco instead, and a shortcut would be welcome news.
And time from PV to San Sebastian? As of last June it was three rough hours... but a wonderful, northern- Italy- kind -of- getaway from the heat with fabulous food at El Rinconcito and El Fortin and we actually needed the blankets on our beds!
Oh my... now I'm remembering the incredible lasagna at El Rinconcito, such thin sheets of pasta, a perfect bolognese, like eating a cloud..... and mmmmmm, the sopa de cuitlacoche at El Fortin, laced with sherry and just delicious!
Any road info greatly appreciated!
Camille

Bubba

Apr 1, 2005, 12:35 PM

Post #4 of 7 (668 views)

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Re: [Camille] Puerto Vallarta-San Sebastian-Mascota

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Camille:

El Informador, the newspaper from which I took the information on the new Las Palmas-San Sebastion-Mascota carretera, states that the new road will be 65.6 kilometers in length when it ends in Mascota which ain't very far. One will pass through San Sebastion before arriving in Mascota. This should be a very modern highway in every respect so it shouldn't take even an hour to negotiate. Since it's not open yet - who knows?

I plan to take this route in mid-May before the expected huge influx of tourists in San Sebastion from Pureto Vallarta. Thanks for the restaurant reviews. How about a place to stay overnight?

We have driven from Mascota to Guadalajara in the past and the road is good. However, since we stopped for some time in Talpa de Allende - a must stop, I have no idea how long it will take non-stop. It's not a bad drive at all.

(This post was edited by Bubba on Apr 2, 2005, 6:52 AM)

Camille

Apr 1, 2005, 12:51 PM

Post #5 of 7 (665 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Puerto Vallarta-San Sebastian-Mascota

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We stayed in the lovely hotel on the square, on the corner... of course, I don't remember the name, but it is a restored hacienda about 200 years old. It is catty-corner from El Fortin and is the only hotel on the square on a corner. El Rinconcito is just around the corner. Forgot to mention they have one of the best salads I've ever been served in Mexico, and real fine espresso.
We were there in early June of last year and were the only guests at the hotel. This allowed us to take over the lobby for a toddy or two, move out to the lovely courtyard for another, and finally commandeer the kitchen to heat up our soup from El Fortin. We had a candlelit supper, washed our bowls, and retired to our room, which had been a study when the hacienda was functioning.
The owner was quite a horseman and there are beautiful marble intaglio portraits of some of his horses.
I would go back in a heartbeat, just to escape the coastal heat for a day or two and to eat.... both, in my book, worthy destination goals.
Maybe I can combine the escape with shopping in Guadalajara!
Camille

Bubba

Apr 6, 2005, 10:26 AM

Post #6 of 7 (594 views)

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Re: [Camille] Puerto Vallarta-San Sebastian-Mascota

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According to the Guadalajara press on April 6th, the Las Palmas-Mascota Carretera is finished except for a short space of two kilometers, 200 meters and the entire project will be finished in a matter of a few days. This is just in time for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of San Sebastian del Oeste which grew from the discovery and development of the mines at Hostotipac begun in 1542.

Get up there before the buses from Nuevo Vallarta turn the place into a mad house.

When I read that the road is open, I will post it here.

nlnic

May 17, 2005, 1:26 PM

Post #7 of 7 (476 views)

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Re: [Bubba] Puerto Vallarta-San Sebastian-Mascota

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Hey Bubba,
Just a note on your post about the road to Mascota. We drove it 2 wks. ago (1st of May) and it is maybe 90-95% finished, by Mexican standards. It is quite a drive. The unfinished section is full of switchbacks (one lane road) and a ford over a "river". They don't seem to be working on that section yet at all.
All in all, it still took us 2 1/2 hrs. or so to drive from PV. Very little, if any, traffic yet on the road so it was still a nice drive.
My only warning would be to wait until long after the rainy season to drive it. There are sheer cliffs that have been cut for the road hovering & waiting for a little moisture to bring them down...onto the road. I am certain this will happen. The cliffs above the road are loose rock and dirt and are sure to be loosened by the rains.
So, at least for now, I would say the road thru Tepic is still the best route, imho.
We even met several Mexican nationals who swore to us the road was finished, fast and easy and the best route to PV from Guad. But, they did admit that they hadn't actually driven it yet.
LOL<
Nancy
Con mi corazon en Mexico!