A Taste of Mexico’s WinesNew

$60Tuesdays, Wednesdays (Groups of 5-10)2 pm

Join me on this VIP “walk” through five Mexican wines selected especially for your group. This is a fine wine and culinary experience that you will not find anywhere else in town. Each wine has been carefully selected to represent the wines of Mexico, the oldest wine-growing country in the entire American continent, for over 500 years. The chef has created an appetizer plate to enhance each wine’s characteristics while showcasing Mexico’s food and ingredients.  The five wines representing 5 different states will include reds, whites, and sparkling selections from over 150 of Mexico’s wineries.

You will enjoy the new private tasting room of your host, DiVino Dante. Jazz, their sommelier, will explain the history, viticulture, and characteristics of these five wines. You will receive a map of Mexico’s wine regions as well as the menu of the food pairings.

If you are a lover of wine or a foodie wanting to learn more about Mexico’s culture, this wine-tasting tour is for you.  Groups of 5-10.

See the Wine Tasting Photo Gallery

San Sebastian del OesteNew

$129Sunday, Thursday8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Join me for an adventure into Old Mexico. This tour is an all-day driving and walking tour of this once bustling silver mining town located 5000 feet up in the Sierra Madre mountains. Originally settled by the Spanish conquistadors during the 1500s, old mines were discovered and by 1605 the town of San Sebastian was founded. The town grew to have nearly 30 mines and ten gold and silver reduction foundries by 1785. At the height of its population in 1900, there were approximately 30,000 people living here. The prosperity of the city declined after the revolution of 1910 and the last of the mines shut down forever in 1921. Today the population is only about 600 people.

Time has stood still in this charming rural town. Most of the buildings are over 200 years old. With its cobblestone streets, stone bridges, and stunning vistas, it has continued to maintain its historical character and was named a Pueblo Mágico in 2012.

Begin with our first stop for Mexican coffee or hot chocolate and warm pastries. Then we cross the huge expansion bridge to the entrance of the town, passing the organic coffee plantation which we will stop at later. As we walk the narrow streets we will visit an abandoned silver mine, a small silversmith shop, the church, the plaza with its small local shops, the jail, a small history museum, an herb shop, a raicilla distillery, and the cemetery. As we walk, you will hear about the history of this town and stories that tell of its pioneer characters.

Included: lunch served family-style in one of the oldest family restaurants; RT transportation in AC van; tour guide; water.

NOTE: this walk is not suitable for those with mobility or balance issues.

Pickup Locations:  PV southside; Sports Stadium; Marina; Home Depot. You will receive times and details after booking.

See the San Sebastian Photo Gallery

Historic El Centro ~ NEW Audio Tour Option Below

$60M,W,F9:30 am

This is my most popular walk. If you have taken this walk before, come again. I have revised the route, adding several new locations. This walk covers the oldest and most historic part of Vallarta on the north side of the Rio Cuale. From the Central Plaza, we walk the surrounding cobblestone streets with its old colonial architecture and new urban art. You will hear about Vallarta’s history, Talavera pottery, origins of chocolate, vanilla, coffee, Huichol beadwork, ancient milagros, and more as we stop in some of these specialty shops.  We will take a break at the Chocolate Factory to sit and ask questions. Then a stroll through Gringo Gulch, famous for Elizabeths Taylor’s house and villas built by Guillermo Wulff, who also built the sets for the movie “Night of the Iguana” in 1964. We end at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Meet at the Los Arcos Amphitheater on the Malecon across from the downtown Central Plaza. Walking time, 3 hours.

If you like to explore a place on your own at your own pace, my AUDIO VERSION is for you!  You get to walk the route I use and listen to my voice sharing the history and stories of this exciting town. Take this walk any time of day, although shops typically open at 10 am. Stop to shop or eat, then start again at your leisure. Once you have downloaded the app on your phone or computer, you can purchase my walking tour and hundreds of others worldwide for under $10 USD per tour and watch virtually if you are not in the actual tour location.

AUDIO VERSION will take you directly to my walking tour page on VoiceMap. Follow the directions to create a free account, download the app, and purchase the tour.  Now you can walk the tour using the GPS on your phone. If you are not in Vallarta, watch it virtually. Once you purchase my tour you can use it as many times as you wish.

See the Historic El Centro photo gallery

Emiliano Zapata Neighborhood

$50T,T9:30 am

From the Vallarta Cigar and Chocolate Factory at the foot of the Insurgentes Bridge, we head over the Cuale River for the Emiliano Zapata Colonia on the Southside. As we walk through local cobblestone neighborhoods that are a mixture of old homes and new rentals, you will visit Vallarta’s largest central produce/fish market; meet the chicken lady; taste tortillas hot off the cooker or a free chocolate truffle that melts in your mouth; see Oaxaca tapestries, a renovated eclectic historic hotel, Banderas Bay’s largest ceramics factory where artists paint colorful tiles; find old-world antiques, folk art, and then step upstairs into Alfonso’s museum of hand-made leather where over 40 mannequins display historical clothes and headpieces all sewn by Alfonso.  Walk time, 2.5 hours.

See the Emiliano Zapata Neighborhood photo gallery

Rural El TuitoNew

$119W, SAT9:00 am - 4:00 pm

This tour has been revised to include several more interesting stops. El Tuito is a 500-year-old rural pre-Hispanic mountain town one hour south of Vallarta nestled in beautiful agricultural and ranch country. Our first stop is the famous family-run panaderia, where we sample empañadas baked in a wood-fired brick oven. Then across to Mi Pretexto, a small family raicilla farm started 20 years ago, to observe how raicilla is made. Next several stops include the brickyard where hundreds of hand-made bricks are made and fired daily; the plaza; 200-year-old church; local outdoor pottery studio; coop art gallery featuring over 500 paintings; behind the scenes in a tortilla shop and local cheese factory. Hear the history of this town since the days of the Spanish conquistadors. We end with lunch (fee not included) at a local family restaurant. Then a stop at the cemetery on our way back to Vallarta.

RT transportation from Vallarta in private AC car. Groups of 2-3 people.

NOTE: this walk is not suitable for those with mobility or balance issues.

See the Rural El Tuito photo gallery

Snorkel Hike Swim ~~ Adventure Tour

$60 Custom Tour (6-12 people)T,W,TH,F,S9:30 am Request a Day BEFORE you book

Take a day, get off the beaten track, and out on the water where you will see Vallarta in a different light. This 6 hour day trip on my friend’s boat includes snorkeling, an easy hike through a small village, then back to the tranquil beach and a palapa restaurant for a simple Mexican lunch (not included) and a dip in the clear ocean waters. Enjoy refreshing cold coconuts, talking with the locals, and perhaps some local raicilla. Optional hike up to a remote waterfall with a dip in its cool pool.

Captain Juan is a former lifeguard (think safety and first aid) and grew up in Mismaloya where he docks his boat. He knows the water and the local people. I know this isn’t my usual walking tour…but it is such a fine day that I am happy to arrange this for you and a few friends (minimum 6 and maximum 12). To schedule,  CONTACT ME:   322 228 9365 in Vallarta or  sandra.learn.vallarta@gmail.com

NOTE: If you have less than 6 in your party, we can make some adjustments.

FISH:  If you are interested, bay or deep sea, Juan has the gear and can take you out for a day. Ask me for details.

See the Snorkel Hike Swim photo gallery

Introductory Milagros Workshop

$35-85M, TH10 am

The history of Milagros goes back 4000 years to Spain. Milagro means miracle and indigenous people used them to express gratitude for health, home, and food, blessings, and answers to prayers. They would pin these small figures onto church statues praying for a miracle. This tradition was brought to Mexico in the 16^th century by the Spanish Conquistadors. Today you can make your own Milagro with the symbols that have meaning to you. Francisco and Lupita have been Milagro artisans for over 30 years and are conducting this workshop in the private garden of their home in Vallarta. These make beautiful gifts for family and friends as well as yourself. Or as a blessing to hang in your home. This is a hands-on 3-hour workshop.

Price of the workshop is based on the size of the Milagro figure you wish to make. Includes all materials and a personal interpretation by Lupita about the relationship and meaning of the symbols you have chosen. There are 5 groups which you can see in the Photo Gallery. Limited to groups of 2-6.

If you wish to make a larger Milagro, contact Lupita for prices and choices.      WhatsApp or call:  +52 322 109 0053

See the Milagaros Workshop photo gallery