Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business Mascota is a quiet colonial town in the mountains of central Jalisco, surrounded by pine-covered hills and just a few hours from the beach resorts of Puerto Vallarta. It holds Pueblo Mágico status and makes an easy weekend escape, with an unfinished church, a pretty plaza, river springs and a strong tradition of raicilla.
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores
Río Mascota and the hot springs
Talpa de Allende
San Sebastián del Oeste
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Mascota was the head of a pre-Hispanic cacicazgo long before the Spanish arrived, and its name comes from a word meaning place of deer and colubrids.
The appeal is its slow pace. You can wander the plaza, spend an afternoon among old churches and ceramics, soak by the river, and sip raicilla or coffee, all without crowds.
The central plaza is where Mascota gathers, with benches, shade, cafes and restaurants on its edges. Buses and taxis arrive close by, so it is a natural starting point.
This neoclassical parish church, begun in 1759, is a good example of the town’s colonial architecture. Its three-tiered bell tower is topped by a pyramid, and the bright interior stretches along a high central nave with period paintings and sculptures.
The parish church was begun in 1759 and has a three-tiered bell tower. Photo: Ray PVR, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
This nineteenth-century church was never finished, so it looks more like an archaeological ruin than a place of worship even though it was never abandoned. It is one of the most photogenic spots in town and a favourite for sunset pictures.
The regional museum shows ceramics, jewelry and other relics recovered from archaeological digs in the area, along with murals depicting historic events. It is a good place to learn about the cultures that lived here before the Spanish.
The Mascota River runs along the western edge of town and is a tributary of the Río Ameca. Locals hike, swim and relax along its banks, and there are thermal springs along the river.
The Mascota River runs along the western edge of town. Photo: FlorDeLaVidaRetreat, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A walk along Avenida Hidalgo and the nearby streets shows colonial mansions, small shops and a hacienda-style cafe known for coffee and homemade cookies.
The small villages of Tecuani and La Plata lie a short distance from Mascota. They offer a quiet look at rural life in the mountains and make a simple outing by taxi or car.
Mascota sits on the mountain road to Talpa de Allende, another Pueblo Mágico and a pilgrimage destination, with a basilica that draws millions of visitors each year. A day trip fits easily, and pilgrims walking the route have long passed through Mascota.
Talpa de Allende, a pilgrimage town, lies along the same mountain road. Photo: Jrobertiko, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
San Sebastián del Oeste is a mountain town in the same region and a common next stop for travellers leaving Mascota.
San Sebastián del Oeste is a colonial mountain town near Mascota. Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Intersofia assumed (based on copyright claims)., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Mascota is one of the municipalities covered by the denomination of origin for raicilla, an agave spirit with about 300 years of history. Ask your host about tastings or small producers, and always go with a local guide rather than on your own.
Raicilla is a spirit distilled from agave in western Jalisco. Photo: Parke, Davis, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Most visitors arrive from Puerto Vallarta, and the coast is a natural place to start or end the trip.
Puerto Vallarta is the usual gateway to Mascota. Photo: Another Believer, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Mascota’s food is traditional Jalisco home cooking. Look for birria, the slow-cooked meat stew served with tortillas, and pozole, the hominy soup that appears on many courtyard restaurant menus beside tacos.
The signature drink is raicilla, a spirit distilled from agave that is a close relative of tequila and mezcal and protected by a denomination of origin that includes Mascota. Sip it slowly and ask for the local sierra style.
Popular dishes to try in Mascota
Mascota is compact, and most lodging is in Centro, steps from the plaza, churches and restaurants. You will find colonial-style hotels beside the main square and a boutique inn in a restored mansion on Avenida Hidalgo, which makes this area ideal for couples and first-time visitors.
La Consti is a neighbourhood a short walk from the plaza with a newer hotel built around a central courtyard and offering breakfast, a comfortable choice for families and anyone who wants quiet nights.
Calzada Independencia is a short walk from downtown and has a small, moderately priced hotel with spacious rooms, a good fit for budget travellers.
Where to stay in Mascota
Mascota is a mountain town, so evenings can be cool and the air feels fresh. Dry months are the most comfortable for walking, river visits and day trips, while the rainy season in the hills of western Jalisco, which brings heavy rain to nearby Talpa in June and July, can affect roads and plans.
Because Mascota is on the pilgrimage road to Talpa, crowds and activity in the region rise around Easter week and October 7. Expect a livelier atmosphere then, and book lodging early.
The nearest airport with commercial flights is Puerto Vallarta International Airport, which is served by major Mexican carriers and many from the United States and Canada. From there, ATM buses run to Mascota at least five times a day, and the ride takes about two hours and fifteen minutes.
The bus stop is on the central plaza, where taxis usually wait for arriving passengers. By car, Mascota is on the mountain road between Puerto Vallarta and Talpa de Allende, so allow extra time for curves and slow trucks.
Arrive in the morning and walk the main plaza, then visit the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores.
Walk down to the river in the morning and check on the hot springs, then stroll Avenida Hidalgo for coffee.
Make a day trip to Talpa de Allende for its basilica and murals, or continue toward San Sebastián del Oeste. Return to Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara in the afternoon.
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