As the eponymous home to one of Mexico’s most legendary spirits, the town of Tequila is like no other destination.
The Mexican government has designated the destination a Pueblo Magico (“Magical Town”), while UNESCO has named its agave landscape and “ancient industrial facilities” a World Heritage Site. The town’s multifaceted, multi-flavored charm can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, as I discovered during my most recent visit.
The fact that every one of my visits to Tequila has been a different experience is proof that, while small, the town caters to a variety of traveler types. It’s just a matter of choosing the best options to fit personal preferences and budget.
The Jose Cuervo Express runs on Saturdays and offers an upscale train experience.
Credit: 2025 Guadalajara Tourism
With its historic roots (the town was founded in 1530, during the Spanish colonial period) and easy accessibility (it’s about an hour from Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s largest cities), Tequila provides an attractive backdrop for anything from a day trip to an indulgent, multiday stay. Here’s a quick guide for putting together a memorable visit to Tequila.
Travel Options Between Guadalajara and Tequila
Located in the state of Jalisco, Tequila is conveniently close to the city of Guadalajara. Rental cars and private drivers offer the most flexibility for reaching the town and visiting the surrounding area, but there are other options, as well.
Several tour operators offer packages with transportation. Experience Agave, for example, offers an eight-hour guided tour that includes pickup and drop off at any hotel in Guadalajara, as well as lunch and a distillery visit and tasting, with an emphasis on less visited, independent distilleries that are Mexican-owned. For a more extensive introduction to the region, the company also offers two different four-day options, one of which includes visits to multiple distilleries, agave fields and the villages of Tequila, Amatitan and El Arenal. Private tours can be arranged for clients, too.
Guided group and private tours that highlight the Tequila-making process abound in the eponymous town.
Credit: 2025 Guadalajara TourismOne of the newest modes of transport between Guadalajara and Tequila, meanwhile, is the Tequila Express (https://www.tequilaexpress.mx), a rail service that relaunched in September 2024 after a nearly nine-year absence. The train features two classes of seating and also offers packages that include admission to the Casa Sauza distillery, but travel advisors should be careful when booking, since the train doesn’t always operate on the days that are listed on the organization’s website, and a recent visit to the site found no availability for several months on the automated booking platform.
Another rail option is the Jose Cuervo Express, an upscale service that operates on Saturdays. Levels of service include Premium Plus, which includes a three-glass tasting of Jose Cuervo tequila, and Diamond, which also features food, a sample of the company’s Reserva de la Familia Premium tequila and a visit to the Reserva de la Familia cellar.
The most economical way to travel between Guadalajara and Tequila is by public transport; buses depart from two stations in Guadalajara.
The core of an agave plant is cooked, mashed, mixed with water, fermented and distilled to make Tequila.
Credit: 2025 Guadalajara TourismDistillery Tours in Tequila
It’s no surprise that one of the most popular activities in Tequila is touring the distilleries to learn about the tequila-making process and sample some creations. Several facilities are open for tours, providing multiple opportunities to learn about big international brands, as well as smaller operators.
Among the best-known distilleries is Casa Sauza, which dates to 1873. Here, visitors can choose from tours that range from one to three hours and include a guided, behind-the-scenes look, as well as a cocktail. The three-hour Hornitos Tour also includes a barbecue lunch at La Cueva de Don Cenobio, the distillery’s own restaurant.
La Rojena, meanwhile, is the distillery for the Jose Cuervo brand. Its tours highlight the story of the company’s various types of tequila, and its Jose Cuervo and Campos tour also includes a visit to an agave field to learn about the plant used in the creation of tequila. Foodies may also want to consider booking one of the experiences that pair tequila with chocolate or other foods.
For clients considering an overnight stay, El Tequileno may be one of the most convenient choices. In addition to a range of guided tours, tastings and tequila-and-food pairings, the distillery offers accommodations at its own adjacent hotel, Casa Salles Hotel Boutique, an upscale property with a bar, restaurant, outdoor swimming pool and spa.
Other Hotels in Tequila
While it’s easy to do Tequila as a day trip from Guadalajara, travelers looking to immerse themselves in the town’s relaxed vibe may want to stay a night or more.
One of the town’s most upscale hotels is the 93-room Solar de las Animas, which has a restaurant and a rooftop bar and is affiliated with La Rojena distillery. Budget-conscious travelers, meanwhile, can consider Hotel Boutique Gloriagave and Nueve Agaves Hotel.
Then, a unique and eye-catching hotel option is Matices Hotel de Barricas, where accommodations include casitas and cabins shaped like giant barrels. The property offers tequila tastings and guided tours, as well as horseback riding in agave fields, cycling and hiking.
