Mascota

Mascota is a Pueblo Mágico tucked into the Sierra Occidental of western Jalisco, about three hours from Guadalajara and roughly 90 minutes inland from Puerto Vallarta, sitting at a cool highland elevation that offers relief from the coastal heat. The town centers on a well-preserved colonial plaza and the Parroquia de la Virgen de la Natividad church, surrounded by streets of red-tile-roofed houses that have changed little in appearance for over a century. Visitors spend time walking the plaza, visiting the small Museo El Pedregal, which displays pre-Columbian artifacts from the surrounding valley, and exploring nearby attractions including Yerbabuena Lake and the archaeological site of Las Piedras Bola, a set of unusual giant stone spheres in the nearby hills. A single day is enough to see the town plaza and church, while an overnight stay allows time to add the surrounding natural sites at a relaxed pace. The mountain setting keeps evenings cool year-round, and the town is quietest and most atmospheric overnight or in the early morning, before day-trippers arrive from the coast or Guadalajara.