There are lots of lovely little towns to explore near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Many of these hidden gems have maintained a sense of small-town charm that makes you feel as if you have stepped back in time when you visit. For example, Mascota is a wonderful town you can visit on a day trip from PV. Surrounded by roads and pine-covered mountains, you can reach Mascota from the road that leads to Talpa De Allende. Currently, it is estimated that the municipality has a total population of around 15,000 people. Keep reading below to learn more about Mascota, a quaint Mexican village worth a visit on a day trip from PV.
Highlight on Mascota: Day Trip from PV
A day trip from PV to Mascota is sure to be one of your favorite vacation memories. Visitors will fall in love with the small colonial town that also boasts a pleasantly cooler climate than Puerto Vallarta. The original inhabitants of the area were Teco Indians. The name Mascota was derived from the indigenous language Teco word “Amaxacotlán Mazacotla” which means the place of deer and snakes. Besides, during the Spanish conquest, the area was known as the Valley of the Deer. Today, Mascota continues to be a stunning place full of beautiful vistas that include mountains, forests, and rivers. Also, the locals are welcoming and proud of the region’s history. Visitors will love the old fashioned cobblestone streets and colonial style houses that still maintain their original charm.
History of Mascota
During the second half of the 17th century, Mascota became an established town. At that time, families began to build houses and roads without an established plan. As a result, an erratic street layout developed that can be a bit confusing to navigate. However, the eccentric lack of design is also part of this small town’s quaint charm. Besides, a day trip from PV to Mascota is not complete without a visit to the local Archaeological Museum. There, you will find many petroglyphs on display that have been recovered in or around Mascota. Specifically, artifacts have been discovered in local archaeological sites including El Pantano, El Ocotillo, Santa Rita, El Refugio, and Mesa Colorada. Information and history behind the artifacts are part of the permanent exhibition at the Archaeological Museum. One interesting fact is that a recent discovery by efforts led by a collaboration with National Geographic indicated that the area had commerce with Peru that dated back to nearly 2000 years ago. Mascota is also home to Casa de la Cultura where you can learn more about the city’s history.
Things To Do In Mascota
In addition to an interesting history, there are tons of great places to eat in town as well. To start with, visitors should make sure to try local coffee known as “café de olla” to start their day off right. Also, many bakeries offer tasty home-made cookies and locally made sweets including stuffed guayabas, sour guayabita, camote sweets, mango skins and more. If you want to try a sweet liquor, you can’t miss tasting rompope which is similar to eggnog. Different varieties of rompope include flavors such as vanilla, chestnut or seasonal fruits and berries. If something stronger if more up your alley, you can’t miss out on trying a taste of the local raicilla. Last, but not least, make sure to stop in at the Rock Museum El Pedregal, known as El Museo de Piedra El Pedregal in Spanish. The Rock Museum is unique because everything inside it is made of and decorated with rocks of all sizes, colors, and shapes.
Natural Beauty of Mascota
The natural beauty of Mascota is another part of what makes the area so attractive to visitors. The area has lovely forests, lagoons, and mountains that are ideal for family picnics and hiking. Also, the area is well suited for horseback riding, kayaking, boat tours, rappelling, rock climbing and fishing in the lagoons. If you would like to fish, Laguna de Juanacatlan is a 24-hectare lake situated just 8 miles northeast of Mascota. Surrounded by forests and hills with a wide variety of conifers, the lake itself is the crater of a dead volcano. If you have time, make sure to visit the petrified field at El Malpaís which is located a mile northeast of Mascota. Legend says that a day of strong volcanic activity covered the area with ashes and lava. Later, a fruit orchard was discovered in the middle of the fields where locals enjoyed the tasty fruits they found there. However, when they later returned to enjoy more delicious fruit, the orchard had mysteriously disappeared.
Looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of Puerto Vallarta for awhile? If so, take a day trip from PV to Mascota. This picturesque town will make you feel as if you have traveled back in time. Looking for the best travel deals to Puerto Vallarta? If so, check out Today Getaway, an online travel agency specializing in top deals to Mexico. They offer affordable all-inclusive resort packages so you can have your dream vacation to Mexico, but at a price, you can afford. Remember, check out Today Getaway today to start planning your next vacation to Mexico. While there, make sure to visit Mascota, a quiet and peaceful Mexican village that has a wonderful climate, an interesting past and natural beauty.