These Tequila Tours Are the Perfect Way to See Mexico!
In Mexico, tequila and mezcal are integral to the country’s agricultural and cultural heritage. For this reason, visiting the places where they’re made gives travelers access to the whole picture, including how agaves are grown, harvested, cooked, and distilled. Most of these distilleries operate in rural areas, often utilizing equipment and processes that have been passed down through generations.
If you’re going to explore Mexico, these options could be your starting point.
Tequila Atanasio
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Atanasio’s three experiences range from light to labor-intensive. The Agavero visit includes a short walk through the fields and agave planting; meanwhile, the Jornalero tour gets you harvesting alongside workers and ends with a taco. Lastly, the Tequilero tour, available to private groups, offers a more in-depth experience. You’ll follow the distillation from start to finish, then label and bottle your own. Master tequilero René Carranza leads it and provides tastings throughout.
Tequila Fortaleza
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Originally known as Los Abuelos, this distillery continues to operate under a different name in Mexico due to a trademark conflict abroad. Fortaleza keeps its process rooted in tradition by using a stone tahona to crush agaves and copper pots for distillation. The Vive Abuelo tour walks guests through the facility before a four-course tasting inside a hand-carved cave.
Tequila Ocho
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Carlos Camarena’s Tequila Ocho changed locations in 2023. Now based at Tequilera Los Alambiques near Arandas, it sits on land owned by Camarena’s grandfather. The facility is modern but honors Ocho’s terroir-based philosophy. Tours demonstrate how agave is steam-roasted, fermented, and distilled, while tastings range from a single pour to a full flight, depending on the tour length.
Jose Cuervo Express
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Being the oldest distillery in the Americas, La Rojeña draws visitors eager to see how one of the world’s biggest tequila brands is made. The Jose Cuervo Express train departs from Guadalajara and travels to the town of Tequila on a 12-hour round trip. Along the way, participants enjoy cocktails, snacks, and a stop in the agave fields. At the distillery, tours include tastings and a cultural show.
Mezcal Lalocura
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Located in Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca, Mezcal Lalocura is run by fourth-generation mezcalero Eduardo “Lalo” Ángeles Carreño. The distillery operates beside his home, using traditional wood-fired pits and clay pot stills. You can personally see how agaves are processed and then sample a range of spirits, including finished mezcal and in-progress batches.
Experience Tequila
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Packages run by Experience Tequila typically span four days and include visits to several distilleries, guided tastings, meals, and transportation. These multi-day tours offer a deeper look into tequila production than most single-day options. Guides adjust the level of detail based on each group’s experience.
Tequila Factory & El Quelite Village Tour
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This six-hour tour moves through three towns, which include La Noria, La Vinata, and El Quelite, before arriving at a tequila factory. Guests are invited to explore traditional tools that date back to the 1800s and learn about how production evolved across generations. The setting makes it clear how much culture is tied to process.
Sayulita Tacos and Tequila Food Tour
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If you want a tasting experience without committing an entire day, this Sayulita tour is the one to go for. It runs two to three hours and offers tequila, mezcal, and the lesser-known raicilla. People stop at seven bars and restaurants, with each drink paired with regional cuisine, such as tacos or seafood. Small group sizes keep the experience conversational and easy to follow.
Cabo San Lucas Tequila Tasting Experience
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This 90-minute session in Cabo centers on education through guided tasting. Individuals sample nine spirits, six tequilas, and three mezcals, paired with snacks such as chocolate, roasted agave, and grasshoppers. An expert explains the flavor profile and production method of each pour.
Tequila Route Experience from Guadalajara
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The blue agave fields in Jalisco have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A tour through this area starts with a field walk and ends with a distillery tasting session. Guides explain cultivation techniques and introduce attendees to small-batch producers. Afterward, there’s time to explore downtown Guadalajara. This experience combines agriculture, heritage, and production into a single route.