Things to Do in Tequila, Mexico: A Perfect One-Day Itinerary
Tequila is best known for the drink that shares its name, but there is much more to this little town in Jalisco than distilleries and tastings. Between colourful streets, mariachi music, historic churches and vast blue agave fields, it makes for one of the most memorable day trips from Guadalajara.
We stayed in Guadalajara for a family event and decided to spend one day in Tequila. It was one of those days that felt easy from the start: a long lunch, a distillery tour, a slow walk around town, sunset over the agave fields and one last very lively stop before heading back.
If you are looking for things to do in Tequila, Mexico, this guide follows exactly how we spent a perfect day: where we ate, what we visited and the moments we would not miss next time.
How to Get to Tequila from Guadalajara
Tequila is around 1 to 1.5 hours from Guadalajara, depending on traffic. You can drive yourself, hire a driver or take an Uber. We paid roughly €50 each way for an Uber, which was convenient but not especially cheap if you are travelling as a couple.
As you get closer to Tequila, keep looking out of the window: the final stretch of the journey opens onto seemingly endless rows of blue agave, giving you a first glimpse of the landscape that defines the region.
The main thing to consider is the return journey. Once you start tasting tequila, you will not want to be thinking about driving or trying to arrange transport at the end of the day. If you take an Uber, it is worth planning your return before you begin drinking.
If you would rather have everything organised, a guided day trip can be an easier option. This classic Tequila route from Guadalajara includes a stop at Cantaritos El Güero and is the closest to the day we had. Alternatively, this premium Tequila route is a good choice if you are especially interested in a more professional tequila tasting experience.
Should You Stay Overnight in Tequila?
Although we stayed in Guadalajara, spending a night in Tequila would be a lovely alternative. It gives you more time to explore the town without watching the clock, enjoy the agave fields at sunset and stay at Cantaritos El Güero without needing to organise a late return to Guadalajara.
Tequila is small, so one night is enough. You could arrive in the afternoon, explore the town and visit a distillery, then enjoy sunset and dinner at a slower pace. The following morning, you could have breakfast in town before heading back to Guadalajara.
Where to Stay in Tequila
We did not stay overnight ourselves, but if you are looking at hotels in Tequila, these are three options worth considering.
Casa Hotel Marchel is a lovely choice if you prefer somewhere small and relaxed. It has a homely feel, a garden and terrace, and works well for a simple overnight stay after a full day exploring Tequila.
Casona 1530 is a boutique mid-range hotel in the historic centre. Its colonial style feels right for the town, and its location makes it particularly convenient for exploring on foot.
Hotel Solar de las Ánimas is the special-occasion option. It is a beautiful, more luxurious hotel beside Parroquia Santiago Apóstol, with traditional Mexican architecture, elegant rooms and views towards the volcano.
Things to Do in Tequila, Mexico
Lunch at La Fonda Cholula
We arrived in Tequila around lunchtime and went straight to La Fonda Cholula. It was one of those restaurants that instantly sets the tone for the day: colourful, busy, traditional and full of people enjoying a long meal.
We ordered meat dishes and everything was delicious. There is a large menu of Mexican classics, all well prepared, and it feels like the kind of place where you should take your time rather than rush through lunch.
While we were eating, mariachi musicians came inside and started playing. Yes, it is a touristy moment, but it still felt incredibly special. They played the classic songs you hope to hear from a mariachi band, filling the restaurant with music while everyone carried on eating, talking and enjoying the afternoon.
For us, the most memorable moment was when they played Un Poco Loco from Coco. Sitting there in Tequila, surrounded by the warm colours of the restaurant and the sound of real mariachi musicians, it genuinely felt as though we had stepped into another reality for a few minutes. It was one of those small, unexpected travel moments that stays with you.
What we particularly liked was that the restaurant did not feel built only for international visitors. There were plenty of Mexican families there too, which made the whole experience feel lively and genuine rather than staged.
Visit José Cuervo’s Historic La Rojeña Distillery
There are several distilleries to choose from in Tequila, but for a first visit, José Cuervo felt like the right place to start. La Rojeña is the oldest working distillery in Latin America and has been producing tequila for more than two centuries. It is not a quiet, hidden discovery, but that is not what we were looking for. We wanted to understand the history behind the drink in the place that helped make Tequila famous around the world.
The tour begins with a short film about the history of José Cuervo before taking you through the distillery itself. You learn how agave is cooked, crushed, fermented and distilled, and see the scale of the process behind a bottle of tequila.
Our visit finished with the chance to taste several types of tequila, which was a lovely way to understand the difference between the various expressions. Once you have seen how much time, work and agave goes into it, the landscape outside Tequila starts to look completely different.
There are several experiences available. The Classic Experience is the simplest option, lasting around 45 minutes to one hour and currently costing 17,5 € (345 MXN) per adult. If you would like a more detailed tasting, the José Cuervo Experience lasts around 1.5 hours and currently costs 30€ (585 MXN) per adult. It includes the distillery visit as well as a guided tasting of José Cuervo Tradicional expressions.
Prices and experiences can change, so check the official Mundo Cuervo website before booking.
Walk Around Tequila Town
Tequila itself is small enough to explore slowly on foot. After the distillery tour, we wandered around without much of a plan, which is probably the nicest way to see it.
Start around the main square and make time for Parroquia Santiago Apóstol, the beautiful old church in the centre of town. We also stopped by the Pueblo Mágico mural, walked through the colourful streets and browsed a few of the local shops and markets.
There is not a huge checklist of attractions to rush through, and that is part of Tequila’s charm. It is a place to pause for a coffee, listen to the music drifting through the streets and enjoy the little details: bright façades, tiled courtyards, cowboy hats, small food stalls and the constant presence of tequila in one form or another.
Watch the Sunset Over the Agave Fields
Sunset in the agave fields was one of our favourite parts of the whole day.
Just outside Tequila, the town gives way to rows and rows of blue agave plants, with mountains in the distance. We stopped at Paisaje Agavero sobre las Vías, a viewpoint beside the railway tracks, and the light was beautiful. The sun was dropping behind the hills, birds were flying overhead and the agave fields seemed to go on forever.
As the afternoon light softened, the whole landscape seemed to change. The agave fields grew darker, the mountains faded into the distance and the town suddenly felt very far away. It was one of the calmest moments of our day in Tequila.
If you have the time, do not leave Tequila immediately after your distillery visit. Stay until golden hour and make this part of the day. It is a simple stop, but one of the moments that made the whole trip feel most memorable.
You can find the viewpoint here: Paisaje Agavero sobre las Vías.
End the Day at Cantaritos El Güero
From the agave viewpoint, we walked to Cantaritos El Güero for the final stop of the day. Calling it a bar does not quite describe it properly. It feels more like a huge open-air, rancho-style gathering place, with long rustic structures, music everywhere and people of every age sitting, dancing, singing and having fun.
The main thing to order is a cantarito: a drink served in a large clay pot, usually made with tequila, lime, orange and grapefruit juice. You choose the size you want and they prepare it right in front of you, which is an experience in itself.
We ordered a large one to share between the table and loved it. By then it was getting dark, the music was playing, people were dancing outside and the mountains were visible in the distance. It honestly felt like being inside a film.
It is lively, slightly chaotic and probably not the place to go if you are looking for a quiet drink. But for us, it was one of the most fun local experiences of the whole trip and the perfect ending to a day in Tequila.
Is Tequila Worth Visiting?
Definitely. We initially thought of Tequila as a place to visit for the distillery tour, but it ended up being much more than that.
The town itself is charming, the food was memorable, the agave landscape is beautiful and Cantaritos El Güero gave us one of those travel moments we still talk about. You can do the main sights in one day, but the best part is leaving enough time for the unexpected moments in between.
If you are staying in Guadalajara, plan a full day in Tequila. Take your time over lunch, learn how tequila is made, wander the town, wait for sunset and finish with a cantarito before heading back.
If Mexico City is also part of your trip, read our guide to the best things to do in Mexico City.