In colonial times, San Sebastián was part of an area granted by Francisco de Montejo to his son. Seeking to establish large estates, he forcibly removed the Indigenous Maya, relocating them to what is now known as San Sebastián.
For hundreds of years, this area was home to the disenfranchised local Maya and lower-class immigrants. Historical accounts describe them as “passing their days outside the city walls, living in homes of stone and straw, or in the dark and dusty streets and plazas.”
In the early 20th century, San Sebastián was considered a dangerous area, earning the nickname Barrio Bravo, as young men frequently fought among themselves and against rival barrios. Rumor has it that the metal fence surrounding the government offices on Calle 75 was built using repurposed rifle muzzles from the Mexican Revolution.
Today, San Sebastián’s small food market—offering fresh fruits, vegetables, butcher shops, and cocina económicas—is especially busy on weekend nights.