Tour El Tuito, Jalisco

  
El Tuito is a small agricultural town located about one hour south of Puerto Vallarta. The name El Tuito comes from a Nahuatl word which can mean: "Valley of Beauty."  It was founded in the mists of time but under the Spanish conquest sometime in the the 1700's.  Many of the core village structures are made of rock or concrete and were erected in the 1800's.  The town is centered on a traditional plaza which is fronted by the goverment admistrative building and traditional mercardo.  

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We will travel from Puerto Vallarta to El Tuito utilizing local public bus.  Most other passengers will be a mix of locals returning from their hotel and resort jobs in Puerto Vallarta to their homes in the various small ranchos.  The drive is extremely scenic traversing a semi winding jungle canyon following the course of the river and then over a small mountain pass.  

We will disembark the bus and immediately have access to restrooms and convenience stores (tiendias) where you can make sure all have water or hydration and snacks for the walk.  

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We will head down the main historic business street meandering through a mixture of small shops and cottages.  We will visit a variety of businesses including a tortilla factory, panaderias (breads and pastries,) Ferreteria (hardware and gifts,) art galleries, cheese shops, and perhaps a distillery.   For lunch we will stop at a restaurant in the Main plaza area (not included). 

After lunch we will walk through some very rural areas of the valley surrounded by pastures and oak savanna grasslands to visit the cemetery.  Back in town we will visit briefly a couple of cute lodging establishments (in case you wish to return and explore on your own) the local church, and government buildings.  

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Around 3 pm our El Tuito Walking Adventure will make our way to the bus stop for the hour ride and reflection back to Puerto Vallarta.

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 ESSENTIALS

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• Walking Difficulty: Moderate  (long walk with some dirt paths, broken and cracked sidewalks with often changing elevations.)

• Meet at 8:45AM in the heart of the Romantic Zone (exact location and directions will be in your email confirmation after reserving.  ​

• Return approximately 5 to 6 PM

• Wear comfortable walking shoes, hat, and have water or other hydration. 

• Bring a rain umbrella (rainy season June to October) and recommended for hot sunny days for personal shade.  We do not cancel when it rains we celebrate - It is approximately  5 degrees  cooler during a rainstorm.  We may consider a cancellation in the event of a hurricane.  

• In the unlikely event we only have 1 participant for the tour, we will not cancel  - our guides do not like to stay home.  

• Lunch (not included) usually around 1 PM

• Bring Pesos for shopping - many of the merchants in El Tuito do not accept cards.  (and we highly encourage our guests to shop as much as their budget will allow as El Tuito does not get a lot of tourists so every purchase will help the merchant pay for essentials - not luxuries.  

• Price is $45 per person ($49.50 in 2024) with prepaid reservation or $50 ($55 2024) payable to the trip leader (if space available at time of departure.) 

• Price of the round-trip public bus is not included.  (under 50 pesos each way) The trip leader will instruct the group on how to recognize the destination and route of buses in general and how to pay so you will feel comfortable traveling on the buses alone in the future)

• Price does not include customary tip for the adventure leader.  (we recommend 20% minimum.)  

• This El Tuito tour scheduled weekly usually on Sundays. 

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