Talpa and Mascota
Superior Tours offers day tours and overnight tours to Talpa/Mascota
A private tour for your group via comfortable tour Van with A/C. Duration: 10 hours.
Cost 400US in total (1-10 persons) Lunch not included
A overnight tour 2 night/3 days "Highlights of Jalisco" Click here for more info
A private tour for your group via comfortable tour Van with A/C. Duration: 10 hours.
Cost 400US in total (1-10 persons) Lunch not included
A overnight tour 2 night/3 days "Highlights of Jalisco" Click here for more info
Go back in time as we visit these two "pueblitos" nestled inland in the mountains
behind Puerto Vallarta.
Mascota,(4300ft) with a population of 10000 people is charming as well as rich in
history. Once an important trading city, now people live mainly of agriculture. There is
a big chance that if you bought apples, avocados or oranges in Vallarta, that they are
from Mascota. The church, which was started in the late 1700's took over 100 years to
complete. Known for raicilla (a local moonshine) handmade candy, prized horses, the
Mascota Casa de Cultura Museum (closed on monday) and "The Fred Flintsone
Home."
Talpa de Allende is known for it's pilgrimages to the stately church that shelters the
beloved virgin, Rosario de Talpa, majestic views and kind inhabitants welcoming you
to their village. We will show you the church and will make a small hike to one of the
viewpoints above the village. Almost every day you can witness impressive
processions to Talpa, but Sunday is the most magical day to visit. There is free time to
buy your souvenirs, like "Rollo de Guayaba", or "Chicles". Sit down at the mains
quare, have a drink, do some people watching, there is no time to get bored! You will
have lunch here before we head back to Vallarta (not included).
behind Puerto Vallarta.
Mascota,(4300ft) with a population of 10000 people is charming as well as rich in
history. Once an important trading city, now people live mainly of agriculture. There is
a big chance that if you bought apples, avocados or oranges in Vallarta, that they are
from Mascota. The church, which was started in the late 1700's took over 100 years to
complete. Known for raicilla (a local moonshine) handmade candy, prized horses, the
Mascota Casa de Cultura Museum (closed on monday) and "The Fred Flintsone
Home."
Talpa de Allende is known for it's pilgrimages to the stately church that shelters the
beloved virgin, Rosario de Talpa, majestic views and kind inhabitants welcoming you
to their village. We will show you the church and will make a small hike to one of the
viewpoints above the village. Almost every day you can witness impressive
processions to Talpa, but Sunday is the most magical day to visit. There is free time to
buy your souvenirs, like "Rollo de Guayaba", or "Chicles". Sit down at the mains
quare, have a drink, do some people watching, there is no time to get bored! You will
have lunch here before we head back to Vallarta (not included).
The following article is taken from www.mexicoguru.com
Talpa de Allende
Although only connected to Puerto Vallarta by a good, safe road since early 2007,
Talpa de Allende is no stranger to tourism. The town has long been one of Mexico’s
most cherished pilgrimage sites. Devout Catholics from coastal Jalisco and Nayarit
and from Guadalajara have for centuries walked here to show their devotion to the
Virgin of Talpa. Many attribute with life-changing powers the diminutive
representation of Our Lady of the Rosary, or Nuestra Senora del Rosario.
The icon is housed in Talpa’s basilica, built in her honor in 1782. Displaying multiple
architectural styles from Roman and Gothic to neoclassical, the twin-spired, quarry-
stone temple is the soul of this town of about 7,000. The church faces the plaza,
which due to the large number of visitors is lively most any day of the year.
Professional photographers snap pictures of kids on plastic ponies in front of the
church, and a man with a real, live equine that’s even tinier gives squealing tots a
ride around the square.
Things to Buy, and See
After checking out the church and the chapel of Our Lady of Talpa---where the Virgin
resides in a glass case---visitors stroll the town center, where shops sell many
different types of souvenirs. Typical are rollos de guayaba, a sweet made of cooked
and pressed guava. The ubiquitous candy is feted during the town’s Feria de la
Guayaba the second week of November.
Coffee from the region, both ground or whole bean, is sold in tiny storefronts. Other
stores sell homemade, cream-based rompope liquor in a variety of flavors. Small
figures from flowers to images of the Virgin are made of chicle, a natural gum. (Yes,
this is the original basis for chewing gum.) Tiny wooden chairs and stools are another
popular souvenir.
Behind the church, La Cruz de Romero scenic lookout provides a view of the
neighboring municipality of Mascota, only about half an hour away by car. The lovely
forests of the region are characterized by maple, oak and fir trees as well as endemic
species like orchids and ferns.
Religious Festivals
Talpa’s many modest hotels are booked to critical mass during the town’s most
popular religious festivals, most of which include fireworks, mariachis and parades in
addition to Mass and other forms of religious devotion. The most significant of the
festivals are:
Candlemass (Fiesta de la Candelaria, January 25 through February 2);
Feast of Saint Joseph (Fiesta de San José, March 10 through 19);
Anniversary of crowning of the Virgin of Talpa (May 10 through 12);
Anniversary of the Renovation of the Virgin of Talpa (September 10) and
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (Fiesta de la Virgen del Rosario, October 7)
Talpa is a great destination for foreign travelers. Accustomed to, and prepared for,
tourists, it is still patently Mexican in flavor.
Talpa de Allende
Although only connected to Puerto Vallarta by a good, safe road since early 2007,
Talpa de Allende is no stranger to tourism. The town has long been one of Mexico’s
most cherished pilgrimage sites. Devout Catholics from coastal Jalisco and Nayarit
and from Guadalajara have for centuries walked here to show their devotion to the
Virgin of Talpa. Many attribute with life-changing powers the diminutive
representation of Our Lady of the Rosary, or Nuestra Senora del Rosario.
The icon is housed in Talpa’s basilica, built in her honor in 1782. Displaying multiple
architectural styles from Roman and Gothic to neoclassical, the twin-spired, quarry-
stone temple is the soul of this town of about 7,000. The church faces the plaza,
which due to the large number of visitors is lively most any day of the year.
Professional photographers snap pictures of kids on plastic ponies in front of the
church, and a man with a real, live equine that’s even tinier gives squealing tots a
ride around the square.
Things to Buy, and See
After checking out the church and the chapel of Our Lady of Talpa---where the Virgin
resides in a glass case---visitors stroll the town center, where shops sell many
different types of souvenirs. Typical are rollos de guayaba, a sweet made of cooked
and pressed guava. The ubiquitous candy is feted during the town’s Feria de la
Guayaba the second week of November.
Coffee from the region, both ground or whole bean, is sold in tiny storefronts. Other
stores sell homemade, cream-based rompope liquor in a variety of flavors. Small
figures from flowers to images of the Virgin are made of chicle, a natural gum. (Yes,
this is the original basis for chewing gum.) Tiny wooden chairs and stools are another
popular souvenir.
Behind the church, La Cruz de Romero scenic lookout provides a view of the
neighboring municipality of Mascota, only about half an hour away by car. The lovely
forests of the region are characterized by maple, oak and fir trees as well as endemic
species like orchids and ferns.
Religious Festivals
Talpa’s many modest hotels are booked to critical mass during the town’s most
popular religious festivals, most of which include fireworks, mariachis and parades in
addition to Mass and other forms of religious devotion. The most significant of the
festivals are:
Candlemass (Fiesta de la Candelaria, January 25 through February 2);
Feast of Saint Joseph (Fiesta de San José, March 10 through 19);
Anniversary of crowning of the Virgin of Talpa (May 10 through 12);
Anniversary of the Renovation of the Virgin of Talpa (September 10) and
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (Fiesta de la Virgen del Rosario, October 7)
Talpa is a great destination for foreign travelers. Accustomed to, and prepared for,
tourists, it is still patently Mexican in flavor.
Guest Comment "We found Superior Tours though Tripadvisor and were surprised about the small budget pricing. The trip to Talpa was one of our highlights. We were impressed by the processions. We will recommend Superior Tours Vallarta 100%" Ans and Henk-Holland |
| Did you know that Superior Tours Vallarta is the only travel agent in Puerto Vallarta that provides both daytours as well as overnight tours to Talpa and Mascota? |
Make your reservations right here
"Fred Flinstone´s" house
Main square of Mascota
Church in Mascota
Talpa
Processions in Talpa
Inside the Church
Talpa cowboys
Mariachis
"Elote" (corn on the cob)
Viewpoint
Statue on top of the hill
La Virgen de Talpa
