San Sebastián

Located in the northwest corner of Puerto Rico, San Sebastián offers travelers a mix of historical tourism and outdoor recreation.

The municipality’s full moniker is San Sebastián de las Vegas del Pepino, and its citizens are known as pepinianos.

San Sebastián borders Isabela, Camuy, and Quebradillas to the north; Las Marías to the south; Lares to the east; and Moca and Añasco to the west. San Sebastián is about an hour’s drive from Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla and two hours from San Juan.

History and Culture

Several sites of interest are dedicated to preserving the area’s past and celebrating the local culture.

The Historical Archive in the center of town includes a collection of original documents containing important information about the town. Down the street, Casa Doña Bisa was once a stately private residence and now serves as a museum housing a collection of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century furniture. The nearby Museo de la Hamaca details the Puerto Rican hammock-making process and includes a marketplace for local artisans to sell their crafts.

The Plaza de la Identidad Pepiniana is a permanent outdoor exhibit that recounts the political, cultural, sports, and religious contributions of the pepinianos. A colorful outdoor mural chronicling the town’s history adorns Paseo 24 de Septiembre. 

Set on land that was once used to grow and process sugar cane, coffee, and cotton, the Hacienda La Fe agricultural museum displays antique machinery and other farming-related artifacts.

The Pedro Tomás Labayen exhibition hall includes, among other displays, a permanent space that honors the heroes of the Pepino Power Authority, a grassroots effort organized by the municipality to restore electricity to the area after Hurricane María in 2017.

Pro Tip: Book a guided tour with local expert Tour Guide Debbie to make the most out of your visit to this mountainous town.