11 Best Tequila Tours in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Sip Happens

Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by Kirsten Raccuia

Are you looking for the best tequila tours in Puerto Vallarta? Don’t worry! I’ve got your back.

My love for tequila runs deep. I’m pretty sure it’s my spirit animal.

And living in Puerto Vallarta means I get to dive into the world of sophisticated sips. Each drop of tequila tells a story of tradition, heritage, and maybe even a secret recipe passed down from the wise agave spirits. Ok, ok. So, I’ve had a few tequilas while writing this, but Mexico is full of ancient lore, so anything is possible.

Forget about those wild college memories and shots that made you question your life choices. We’ve all grown up, and so has tequila. It’s time to up your game.

I’ve had the privilege of exploring every nook and cranny of this tequila-rich town. From secret distilleries nestled in the hills to sun-kissed agave fields ripe for harvesting, I’m about to share the best of Puerto Vallarta’s tequila tour scene. And in these tours, you’ll be rubbing elbows with master distillers and learning tequila-making magic.

So, hold on to your shot glasses. It’s time to start sipping…

Tequila Knowledge Drop

The History of Tequila

Tequila is the OG of North American spirits. Literally. Plus, it’s the life of the party in Mexico.

It started back in the day when the Aztecs used the agave plant to make pulque. It’s a funky fermented drink you can try at places like BomBon in Puerto Vallarta—coconut pulque is the best flavor—of course, we’ve tried it! Mark is more of a fan than I am.

Anyway, back to the Aztecs.

At the time, they had no idea their methods would continue and lead the way for tequila greatness.

Fast forward to today. Making tequila is still all about TLC. It’s a passion project. It’s hard, hot, and a slow, laborious process. Even the youngest tequila takes at least five years from start to finish.

The Tequila 411

I don’t want to get into all the nitty-gritty because when you take one of these tequila tours in Puerto Vallarta, you’ll get the inside scoop on the whole tequila enchilada—from agave to ahhh delicious.

You’re not just chilling and drinking the whole time, not that there is anything wrong with that. You know we don’t judge.

But here are some basics about tequila—the 411—if you will…

It all starts with the star of the show—the agave plant. The Blue Agave, to be exact. This spiky, bluish punk rock looking plant only grows in a handful of Mexican states like Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, Guanajuato, and Jalisco, home to the town of Tequila (and Puerto Vallarta, where we live).

Tequila isn’t just a drink; it’s a bona fide pueblo magico and the birthplace of the very first tequila distillery.

After all my years of drinking tequila, I didn’t know it was a town until we moved to Mexico. So, if you didn’t know, you’re not alone.

To earn the tequila title, it’s gotta come from these states. Just like champagne is only deemed the real stuff if it’s made in the Champagne region in France. The same rules apply here.

Anything made outside of these sacred states is not tequila. It’s an agave spirit like raicilla or mezcal. So, don’t let anyone fool you if you’re in Playa del Carmen and they try to take you on a tequila tour.

Fun fact: In 2006, the Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila were deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site. So, agave and tequila are an integral part of Mexican culture. It’s not just because Mexicans love a good fiesta!

Quick Tequila-Making Overview

Ok, so how does it go from plant to palate?

The agave journey begins with the jimadores, the unsung tequila farmers. These guys still use ancient methods and tools to harvest the agave. Once an agave plant reaches the ripe age of 5-7 years, they slice off those pointy spikes, leaving behind a heart called the piña.

These piñas get roasted, sometimes for days, and all the sugary goodness ferments with the yeast, creating some alcohol magic.

Then, it’s ready to get distilled and aged.

The various categories of tequila hibernate in barrels for different lengths of time, giving them unique flavors and personalities.

• Blancos: Aged up to two months.
• Reposados: Minimum of two months up to a year.
• Anejos: Minimum of one year.
• Extra Anejos: Aged for at least three years.
• Cristalino: Made from anejo or extra anejo tequila filtered to remove the color and bring out the floral and fruity vibes.

Most tequila does its aging dance in oak barrels, sometimes from old whisky ones. The longer it hangs out, the deeper the color, aroma, and flavors get. It’s where it picks up those honey and caramel notes, too.

So, there you have it, the tequila 411 in a nutshell.

Now, let’s quench your thirst.

My Top 3 Picks: Best Tequila Tours in Puerto Vallarta

Don’t have time to read this whole blog? These are the fan-favorite tequila tours, and they all have a nearly perfect rating!

Here are the Best Tequila Tours in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta tequila tasting tour cost key.

• Under $50 = $
• $50 to $100 = $$
• $100 to $150 = $$$
• Over $150 = $$$$

Note: Prices are in USD.

These tours are through Viator, the world’s largest and most trusted online tour provider. If you book from a link on this post, I’ll make a small commission, but it doesn’t change your cost, so it’s a win-win. You get an incredible tour to try the best tequila in Puerto Vallarta, and I make a little something to buy myself a tequila drink. All good!

1. Full-Day Tequila, Jalisco tour from Puerto Vallarta with Tequila Experience

I wanted to start this list of tequila tours with the ultimate immersion into Mexico. It’s a 12-hour tour for the most dedicated fan of tequila. You have to be ready for a long haul with this tour because you’ll actually drive from Puerto Vallarta to the town of Tequila—a four-hour drive—making stops along the way.

This isn’t for the tequila curious. It’s for the tequila devotee. It’s also the most expensive on this list because it’s a small group (10 max) tour that immerses you in authentic Mexican culture. It’s waaaay more than just sipping tequila. You get to experience a lot.

You get picked up at your hotel in Puerto Vallarta and start off with a traditional Mexican breakfast of birria tacos—a yummy, hearty street food.

Then, you’ll hop into your air-conditioned van and head to Toriles, where you’ll explore Aztec ruins, tombs, and temples dating back over a millennium.

But you aren’t here for Raiders of the Lost Ark stuff. You are here for the best tequila tours.

So, let’s move on to the liquid gold portion of the day. I can tell you’re getting thirsty.

As you leave Toriles, the landscape will change, and you’ll start to see the blue agave fields that seemingly never end. Until you hit Tequila, the town. Not the bottle.

You’ll spend some time walking around Tequila with your private guide. It’s an adorable pueblo full of cute bars and a lively square with roaming mariachis just waiting to play to a dancing crowd. That doesn’t take long since the entire town is hopped up on go-go juice from morning to night. And when Mexicans are happy, they like to sing and dance. Add in a little tipple, and it’s an effervescent scene.

After your walking tour, you’ll head to Jose Cuervo, the oldest tequila distillery in the world, founded in 1812. Here’s where you’ll learn how it all began. Besides the history, you’ll learn the ins and outs of tequila making. We loved the Cuervo tour, and we tasted all their top-notch tequilas!

If you get a chance, try Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia. It’s like sipping a fine scotch with caramel, honey, and vanilla notes. It’s our favorite, but it’s not cheap.

After your tasting, you’ll hop back in the van for the journey home. Sweet dreams!

What’s included in this tour to Tequila from Puerto Vallarta?

• Breakfast
• Tequila tasting
• Bilingual tour guide
• Non-alcoholic drinks during the ride
• Travel insurance
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

What’s not:

• Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
• Gratuities
• Lunch

Cost: $$$$ | Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Duration: 12 Hours | Check rates, availability, and reviews

BOOK THIS FULL-DAY TEQUILA TOWN AND EXPERIENCE FROM PUERTO VALLARTA

Other options for tours of Tequila town

If you have more time and want to spend it in Tequila, you can rent a car and do a similar tour yourself. Or you can show up at any distillery and book a tour when you arrive.

Another option is this tour from Guadalajara, which is only 2 hours away. Or the infamous Jose Cuervo train tour. We haven’t taken it, but from what we hear, it sounds like a booze cruise on a train. And it sells out almost daily. You might hear it called the Puerto Vallarta Tequila Train, but that’s a misnomer. It starts and ends in Guadalajara, not Vallarta.

2. ATV Adventure Tour in Puerto Vallarta, Including Tequila Tasting

Where the last tour was a bit more civilized, this Puerto Vallarta tequila tour is all about getting down and dirty.

This two-hour tour fuses adrenaline-pumping action with tequila. A perfect combo—am I right?

Hop on your ATV and start busting through jungles and untraveled paths in the Sierra Madre mountains. If you slow down, you might see some cool flora and fauna, but otherwise, you’ll be whizzing over rocky terrain on your way to the crystal-clear El Salto waterfall for a cool down. And to get the dust and mud off.

End the tour with a well-earned tequila tasting.

What’s included in this Puerto Vallarta tequila tour?

• Professional guide
• Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
• All necessary equipment
• Tequila tasting

What’s not:

• Food and drinks (other than the tequila tasting)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Vehicle Insurance ($20 per person, payable on the day of the tour)

Pro tip: You’ll need a driver’s license, and the minimum age is 18 years old.

Cost: $$ | Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 | Duration: 2 hours | Check rates, availability and reviews

BOOK THIS PUERTO VALLARTA TEQUILA TOUR ATV ADVENTURE TOUR

3. Vallarta Botanical Garden and Tequila Tour in Puerto Vallarta

If you know me, you probably know that I dream of having a garden, but I kill everything in sight, except Mark. I have a black thumb of death no matter what I do.

Thankfully, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens are just south of our home, so going there for a few hours is easy.

These are no ordinary botanical gardens. They are award-winning stunners set between the ocean and the mountains. And during hummingbird season, you can feed one from the palm of your hand. Total magic!

Anyway, I digress. On to the tour and the tequila tour bit.

You’ll get picked up in an air-conditioned van and head to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. With your private guide, you’ll explore the garden packed with 3000 plant species and over 230 bird types.

Additionally, there is THE most glorious chapel I’ve ever seen. And I’m not too big into chapels, but this one is a showstopper. It’s tiny, but the walls are covered in flowers and butterflies, and I didn’t want to leave.  

But you have to. Because, tequila.

Time to hop back in the minivan to head to Rancho Los Veranos, a distillery and restaurant where tequila is the star of the show.  

There, you’ll learn all about the process of tequila making and distilling and, of course, taste a few while you’re at it.

Pro tip: Lunch isn’t included in the price of the tour, but you can buy it while you’re there.

What’s included in this Puerto Vallarta tequila tour:

• Bottled water
• Tequila tasting
• Driver
• Professional guide
• Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
• Transport by air-conditioned minivan

What’s not:

• Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
• Gratuities
• lunch

Cost: $$ | Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 | Duration: 6 hours | Check rates, availability, and reviews

BOOK THIS VALLARTA BOTANICAL GARDEN AND TEQUILA TASTING IN PUERTO VALLARTA

4. Puerto Vallarta Adventure Tour: Ziplining, Rappelling and Tequila Tasting

Some say tequila makes them so crazy they’ll do anything, even swing from the trees. Well, in this Puerto Vallarta tequila tour, that’s pretty much what you’ll be doing.

This is when you get to channel your inner Tarzan. We love zip lining and went on a 7-hour extreme zip line adventure for Mark’s birthday. The only problem was that we didn’t get to add tequila to the mix. This tour would have solved all our woes.

Anyway, after soaring at high speeds through the treetops, you can rappel or free-fall down to the jungle floor.

Then, you’ll hop into an innertube and float down a river to meet your next mode of transportation—your personal Mexican limo, aka, a mule. 

Armando, the mule, will escort you to the top of the hill for your tequila tour and tasting.

What’s included in this Puerto Vallarta tequila tour?

• Local guide
• All necessary equipment
• Tequila tasting
• Transport by private vehicle from a central meeting point
• Welcome drink

What’s not:

• Food and beverages (other than the tequila tasting)
• Gratuities
• DVD of your day (available to purchase)
• Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Vehicle insurance ($20 per person, payable on the day of the tour.

Cost: $$$ | Rating: 5 stars out of 5 | Duration: 2.5 hours | Check rates, availability, and reviews

BOOK THIS PUERTO VALLARTA ADVENTURE TOUR: ZIPLINING, RAPPELLING AND TEQUILA TASTING

5. City and Tequila Tour in Puerto Vallarta

If you are short on time and want an overview of Puerto Vallarta while sipping on tequila, the fine juice of life, then this tour is for you. You’ll tour the city, stopping at famous sites and learning about the local silver and fire opal jewelry industry.

Then, you’ll head off to nearby Los Arcos Park for a wander and breathtaking views of the bay.

Next, you’ll head to the Rancho Verano Distileria de Tequila to learn, sip, and sip some more.

What’s included in this tequila tour?

• Transportation
• Certified guide
• Tour of the tequila factory

What’s not:

• Food and drinks (other than the tequila tasting)
• Gratuities

Cost: $$ | Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 | Duration: 6 hours | Check rates, availability, and reviews

BOOK THIS PUERTO VALLARTA CITY AND TEQUILA TOUR

6. Food and Mixology Tour: Tequila, Tacos, and Mexican Cocktails in Puerto Vallarta

Shout out to all my foodie readers out there! This tequila tasting in Puerto Vallarta will have your foodie soul doing the salsa.

It’s led by one of the best food tour companies in town, Vallarta Food Tours.

It’s a walking, eating, and drinking tour of some of the best mom-and-pop taco stands, restaurants, and mixology bars in Puerto Vallarta. Besides tequila, you’ll learn about and taste two other spirits that come from the agave plant: raicilla and mezcal.

Unlike most tequila-tasting tours, where you only sample the spirit in its natural form, this is a mixology tour, so you’ll get to try the different spirits in cocktails. You’ll get a hint of Mexican cocktail magic, and there is a lot more than just margaritas.

You may walk off some of the tacos, but none of the tequila. Plus, you’ll go to one of our favorite bars in Puerto Vallarta, Bar La Playa!

This is one of our favorite tequila tasting tours in Puerto Vallarta.

What’s included in this tequila tour?

• 5 food tastings
• Local guide
• 6 Mexican cocktails

What’s not:

• Gratuities
• Transportation to and from the meeting point

Cost: $$ | Rating: 5 stars out of 5 | Duration: 4 hours | Check rates, availability, and reviews

BOOK THIS FOOD AND MIXOLOGY TOUR: TEQUILA, TACOS, AND MEXICAN COCKTAILS

7. Puerto Vallarta Original Canopy Tour, Ziplining, Tequila and Speed Boat Ride

This tequila tour starts with a speedboat ride across Puerto Vallarta’s bay as you head toward the zipline course. If you’re lucky and it’s whale-watching season, you might even spot a humpback on your way! Once on land, you’ll get prepped to fly through the sky via 15 different zip lines. The last zip line propels you directly into the tequila bar and riverfront restaurant.

How’s that for an entrance? Take that, James Bond!

Here, you’ll have your tequila tasting, and if you want mango margaritas and a three-course lunch (for an additional cost), you’ll have plenty of time.

Afterward, you’ll have time to hurl yourself down waterslides into the river’s natural pools. If you’ve had enough of launching yourself for the day, you can grab a kayak and float around. And if you think tequila and watersports don’t mix, stay dry on land at the on-site menagerie.

What’s included in this tequila tour?

• Land or sea round-trip transportation
• Zipline course with water stations
• Traditional tequila tasting
• Kayaks, water slides and water activities on the river (weather permitting)

What’s not:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Food and drinks (other than the tequila tasting)
• Photo and video services
• Port Fee 30 pesos or 2 USD

Cost: $$$ | Rating: 5 stars out of 5 | Duration: 5 hours | Check rates, availability, and reviews

BOOK THIS PUERTO VALLARTA ORIGINAL CANOPY TOUR, ZIPLINING, TEQUILA AND SPEED BOAT RIDE

8. Connoisseur Tequila Tasting Tour in Puerto Vallarta

This tour is excellent if you are already familiar with the legendary elixir.

Like true tequila connoisseurs, you’ll compare notes on bodies and bouquets, just as a sommelier does with wine.

You’ll taste a lineup of artisanal varieties from smoky dark añejos and exclusive extra añejos to the latest cristalino trend. This tour is all about fine-tuning your appreciation for the nectar of the Gods.

Additionally, the tequila tour is in Versalles, one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta. It’s known as a haven for all things food, so after your tour, stick around and check out Lamara, Florios, and Oregano, which has a little piggy running about named Arepa. But if you’d rather eat a little pig than pet one (sorry, Andrea), head to Puerco de Oro.

What’s included in this tequila tour?

• Tequila tastings
• Tequila expert/guide

What’s not:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Gratuities

Cost: $$ | Rating: 5 stars out of 5 | Duration: 1.5 hours | Check rates, availability, and reviews

BOOK THIS PUERTO VALLARTA CONNOISSEUR
TEQUILA-TASTING

9. Tequila and Tacos Sunset Bike Tour in Puerto Vallarta

You’ll start your bike ride on the famous Malecon. This flat boardwalk runs for miles along the waterfront and has unique sculptures on every block. Then, you’ll head to the iconic Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, that church you see in every photo of Puerto Vallarta, the one with the crown.

Then it’s time to eat. You’ll have five food tastings at some of the best stalls in the Romantic Zone. And in between courses, you’ll have a few drinks. Since you are riding a bike, they aren’t going to let you get hammered and fall off your bike. The drinks have less alcohol but are still fully flavored and crafted, so you can taste various mezcals, raicillas and tequilas.

What’s included in this tequila tour?

• Use of bicycle
• Dinner
• Alcoholic beverages

What’s not:

• Gratuities

Cost: $$ | Rating: 5 stars out of 5 | Duration: 3.5 hours | Check rates, availability, and reviews

BOOK THIS PUERTO VALLARTA TEQUILA AND TACOS SUNSET BIKE TOUR

10. Tequila, Mezcal, and Raicilla Tasting in Puerto Vallarta

If you want a comprehensive agave spirit tasting without spending half your vacation day or swinging from your toes, this is your tour.

It’s no frills, but it’s elevated. There is no adrenaline, no food, and no hijinks, just a fantastic, informative tasting just off the malecon. You’ll learn about the rich spirit-making history of Mexico with an expert in a beachfront setting. And you’ll visit the only distillery in the heart of downtown.

In this one-hour tour, you’ll learn the do’s and don’ts of drinking tequila, mezcal, and raicilla. And how to drink them.

You’re going to taste your way through a vital part of Mexican culture.

What’s included in this tequila tour in Puerto Vallarta?

• Guide
• Bottled water
• Alcoholic Beverages

What’s not:

• Gratuities

Cost: $ | Rating: 5 stars out of 5 | Duration: 1.5 hours | Check rates, availability, and reviews

BOOK THIS TEQUILA, MEZCAL, & RACILLA TASTING IN PUERTO VALLARTA

11. Tequila Tour and Tasting at a Puerto Vallarta Distillery

This is one of the coolest tequila tours in Puerto Vallarta; it goes beyond tequila and into all agave spirits.

You’ll spend the day at Finca 18, an agave ranch and one of the best tequila distilleries in Puerto Vallarta. Since this tour is at a distillery, you’ll see the entire process from pina to palate.

And after your tasting, wander around the stunning 12-acre tropical ranch with agave landscapes, flora, and fauna.

Gregorio, a master spirits distiller and certified agave spirits sommelier, will lead your private tour and take you on a deep dive into how to assess the quality of tequila during a five-course tasting.

What’s included in this tequila tour in Puerto Vallarta?

• Snacks
• Bottled water
• Alcoholic beverages
• Guided tequila tasting with an expert
• Travel in air-conditioned comfort

What’s not:

• Gratuities

Cost: $$ | Rating: 5 stars out of 5 | Duration: 4 hours | Check rates, availability, and reviews

BOOK THIS TEQUILA TOUR AND TASTING AT A PUERTO VALLARTA DISTILLERY

Free tequila tastings in Puerto Vallarta

As you wander around town, you’ll see a lot of liquor stores with signs for free tequila tastings. You can hop into any of these shops for a quick taste.

Sometimes, it’s low-quality tequila in fun and colorful bottles meant for tourists. But you might find a gem in there. However, if you truly want to get to know the spirit from an expert, take a tequila tour in Puerto Vallarta.

You will thank me later.

Where to Buy Tequila in Puerto Vallarta

1. Playa Liquor Store (there are many locations, and they all have big sales on Wednesdays)

2. Vinos Americanos

3. Any of those shops where you can get a free taste. But they are geared to the unknowing tourist, so be prepared for jacked-up prices.

4. Any grocery store:

• Chedraui
• Soriana
• La Comer
• Costco
• Walmart

A Final Toast to The Best Tequila Tours in Puerto Vallarta

Whether you’re a tequila virtuoso or still have flashbacks of questionable decisions involving this spirit, Puerto Vallarta’s tequila tours are an experience like none other.

And because we’ve made Mexico our home, I consider it my duty to whisk you away on a liquid escapade right through the heart of this country’s most beloved elixir. I know. It’s a Herculean task, but fear not, I’m taking one for the team. It’s all for you, my tequila-loving amigos.

What is your favorite tequila? Tell me in the comments box below.

FAQ About Tequila