Magical Town: A Day Trip To The Home Of Tequila

Tequila is one of the most emblematic symbols of Mexico, but especially western Mexico. Although it’s been made since the Spanish colony, since the ’90s there has been a boom of this liquor made from a plant called agave. Nowadays it has an appellation of origin, meaning there are only certain places allowed to produce it. One of them is precisely Tequila, a small town an hour from Guadalajara, and the capital city of the state of Jalisco. Here is everything you need to know for a one-day visit.

Morning

If you are arriving from from Guadalajara, the best time to travel is early in the morning. Remember, you will be traveling for more than an hour by car, so around 7–8 a.m. would be an ideal time to depart. At this time the sun will already have risen, and you will be able to enjoy the view of the landscape as you arrive into Agave (pronounced ah-GAH-vay), which has been considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 2006.

There’s always the option to make the trail by the famous Tequila Express that departs from Guadalajara, and includes a stop at the Hacienda San Jose del Refugio, where tequila Herradura is produced. On the way you will pass through some other beautiful places, like El Arenal, Amatitán, Magdalena, and Teuchitlán, where there is an archaeological zone called the Guachimontones.

Some years ago, the Tourism Ministry of the Mexican Government declared some towns as “Pueblos Mágicos” (Magic Towns) because of their historical, cultural, or societal value. One of them is, of course, Tequila. Once you arrive from Guadalajara you will be hungry. It’s time to get a real Mexican breakfast, which includes coffee, sweet bread, orange juice, scrambled eggs, and chilaquiles. We recommend you visit the La Posta restaurant, located on the main avenue of the town.

Afternoon

Once you arrive in Tequila, you will have many options to have a proper meal, with all budgets catered for from a simple, but no less delicious taco, to a fancy restaurant where you can sample the local produce of Tequila.

At this time you can continue your tour to the local factories of tequila, known as destilerías. You can also take a walk around the first square of the town, the main plaza with its colorful kiosks, and the nearby streets where the original spirit of this place dedicated to the fantastic beverage unfolds in every corner.

Evening

What better place to take some shots of tequila than the town of its birth. There are at least 10 bars and canteens around town where you can find some place to spend the evening tasting a good tequila. One option is La Jima Bar, a great place with a relaxed ambience and incredible cocktails all made with tequila.