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Planning a trip to Tequila from Puerto Vallarta? As one of Mexico’s most popular pueblos magicos, Tequila is a must on your Jalisco itinerary.
One of the best parts about visiting Puerto Vallarta is that it’s an ideal location for taking day and weekend trips to other beautiful destinations in Mexico.
There’s no shortage of great beach towns nearby, like Sayulita and San Pancho. But if you’re looking for something a little different than the beach, Tequila is a great option.
This post will cover everything you need to know about planning a day or weekend trip to Tequila from Puerto Vallarta!
BEST TEQUILA TOUR FROM PUERTO VALLARTA
The easiest way to visit Tequila from Puerto Vallarta is on this full-day tour.
You’ll explore ancient Aztec ruins, traditional tequila, and historic architecture in the famous town of Tequila!
Where (and what) is Tequila?
Mexico is world-famous for Tequila (the drink), and this small town is the best place to learn more about it.
During the colonial era, Tequila was the administrative capital of the area and the center of the tequila industry by the XVII century.
Today, Tequila is still one of the leading production areas for Tequila with its massive fields of blue agave fields that only grow in a few places in Mexico.
Tequila is part of Jalisco, about a four-hour drive from Puerto Vallarta
The town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and Pueblo Magico, a designation by the Mexico tourism board for towns with cultural heritage. So, needless to say, this town is pretty unique! It’s one of the nine Pueblos Magicos to see in Jalisco.
How To Get To Tequila From Puerto Vallarta
Tequila tours from Puerto Vallarta
For the easiest experience, there are also tours available to Tequila from Puerto Vallarta.
This full-day tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, breakfast, entrance fees, and a knowledgeable guide. You’ll explore ancient Aztec ruins, traditional tequila, and historic architecture in the famous town of Tequila!
By Car
The easiest way to get to Tequila from Puerto Vallarta is by renting a car. The trip takes about four hours via highway 200. As most people end up drinking in Tequila, I would turn this into an overnight trip and spend the night – or turn it into an extended road trip around Jalisco!
It’s easy to rent a car in Puerto Vallarta.
The best way is to look on Discover Cars, which searches multiple agencies at once to find you the best deal.
Another option is to share a bla bla car. My friend did this from Puerto Vallarta and said it worked well!
Via Guadalajara
As Tequila is just an hour from Guadalajara, a beautiful city in Mexico, many people combine the two destinations in one trip.
By Bus
Unfortunately, there aren’t any direct busses from Puerto Vallarta to Tequila that I know of, so you’ll have to take a bus to Guadalajara first and then get a bus to Tequila from there.
In Guadalajara, head to the Tequila Express bus station. The bus takes about 1.5 hours and leaves every hour or so in each direction.
There are also many day tours to Tequila that leave from Guadalajara.
By Flight via Guadalajara
If you are short on time, you can fly to Guadalajara From Puerto Vallarta, which takes less than an hour.
I went for a weekend trip to Guadalajara, and we visited Tequila as a day trip from there. I got a round-trip flight for less than $100 from the local airline Aeromar and took the bus to Tequila from Guadalajara.
Train
For one of the most unique and bucket-list-worthy experiences in Mexico, you can get to tequila by riding on the Jose Cuervo Express, an all-you-can-drink Tequila train.
It’s an 11-hour journey through the state of Jalisco, between Guadalajara and the actual town of Tequila, with sightseeing and cocktails experiences along the way.
How long should you spend in Tequila?
Tequila is about four hours from Puerto Vallarta, so while you can visit as a day trip, I recommend staying overnight or combining it with Guadalajara for a weekend trip. Otherwise, it’s going to be a really long day!
Best things to do in Tequila Mexico
Take a Tequila tour
This is, of course, the number one thing you should do while visiting Tequila! You can either arrange a tour in advance or try to get one once you’re there.
I recommend booking your tour in advance as they do fill up. We didn’t book in advance, ended up showing up late in the afternoon, and could only get a Spanish tour. I still enjoyed the tour, but it would have been nice to understand everything the guide said.
BOOK A TOUR OF TEQUILA BELOW
My Tequila tour experience
We left the town on a giant-pepper-shaped bus and headed towards a local distillery, where we were given samples of Tequila on arrival.
After a few samples and an obligatory photo op, we went inside for a walking tour of the distillery to see how the Tequila is made from Agave plants to the finished product; all smells included. They also showed us where the Tequila is stored underneath in the cellar.
My favorite part of the tour was getting to visit the never-ending fields of agave fields. They are so beautiful against the backdrop of the mountains!
Once we got back to town, we were given more Tequila shots at their local shops and sent on our way to explore Tequila.
Walk around the town (shopping + eating)
While in Tequila, spend a couple of hours strolling around the town, wandering the charming cobblestone streets and well-preserved colonial buildings that will make you feel transported back in time.
Be sure to check out the main square, Plaza Principal, and the town’s main church, Parroquia Santiago Apóstol, which was built in the 18th century. Nearby the main square, there is a street full of delicious food stalls. Don’t be afraid to try it!
Tequila is also a great place to go shopping and pick up some local Mexican souvenirs. I found the prices here to be much better than in Puerto Vallarta, and it’s where I found my favorite hat!
The National Tequila Fair (early December)
If you’re a real die-hard Tequila fan, visit during the National Tequila Fair, and you’ll be able to see an exhibit of the leading tequila manufacturers in Mexico. This is a great way to sample all of the Tequila, and the prices are typically better.
Where to Stay in Tequila
If you want to spend the night in Tequila, which I recommend if you’re coming all the way from Puerto Vallarta, then here are a few great options to choose from:
Matices Hotel de Barricas has barrel-shaped rooms making it one of the most unique places to stay in Tequila! Plus, it’s located next to a Tequila Brewery that offers tequila-tasting sessions and guided tours of the facility.
Each barrel features a spacious, air-conditioned room layout with a private terrace that offers excellent views of the surrounding landscapes. You can sample regional food and tequila-based cocktails at the on-site restaurant and walk to central Tequila in around 10 minutes.
If you’re looking for a bit of luxury, look no further than Hotel Solar de las Animas. This five-star hotel features a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, garden, sauna, and terrace.
Tequila is a small place, and you can pretty much walk from anywhere in town to the main plaza, so getting a hotel around here is your best bet if you don’t have your own car.
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I loved visiting Tequila; it’s such a cute town. If you’re spending some time in Puerto Vallarta, plan a weekend in Guadalajara and Tequila. It’s guaranteed fun!
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[…] You can also visit Tequila as a day trip from Puerto Vallarta. […]