The Jalisco Tequila Route
20°53′N 103°50′W
- Days
- 4
- Distance
- 260 km
- Pace
- Easy
- Waypoints
- 6
- Est. budget
- $1 500 pp
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
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- D
November to April (dry season); harvest runs year-round
Four days from Guadalajara through the heart of tequila country: the town of Tequila and its UNESCO-listed agave landscape, family distilleries in the Tequila Valley, and the cooler highlands of Los Altos where agave grows large and sweet.
THE ROUTE, STOP BY STOP
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1
Guadalajaratown · Day 1
Jalisco’s capital, with a historic centre and mariachi plazas.
Tip Try a tortas ahogadas for lunch.
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2
Tequilatown · Day 2
The town that gave the spirit its name, at the foot of the Tequila volcano.
Tip Visit the agave fields on foot or by bike.
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3
Amatitándistillery · Day 2
Home to historic haciendas in the Tequila Valley.
Tip Ask for a tasting of blanco beside reposado.
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4
Tequila Volcano viewpointviewpoint · Day 3
Views across rows of blue agave on red volcanic soil.
Tip Go early for the light.
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5
Arandasdistillery · Day 4
The heart of Los Altos and a hub of small family distilleries.
Tip Try a tahona-crushed blanco.
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6
Atotonilco el Altodistillery · Day 4
A highland town with several well-known tequila houses.
Tip Pair a tasting with local carnitas.
Scenic drive notes
Roads from Guadalajara are good; the Tequila Valley is about an hour away, and Los Altos around two. Hire a driver or join a small tour for tasting days.
GPS points are approximate.
Tasting-room etiquette
Book distillery tours ahead. Taste blanco first, then reposado, then añejo. Sip rather than shoot, and never drive after tasting. Ask to see the agave fields: the jimadores (agave harvesters) are proud of their craft.
Where to stay
Haciendas and boutique hotels in the town of Tequila, and central Guadalajara.
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