Full Day in Tequila with Tasting and party in Cantaritos

The big appeal here is that you get the full tequila day, not just a distillery visit. You learn how tequila is made, taste seven pours, see agave fields from a high swing, eat in Tequila town, and finish with music, dancing, and giant Cantaritos in Amatitán.

I like the private transportation, which keeps a long day comfortable, and I like the guides’ personal touch. Arturo is praised for clear English explanations, while Benji and his father are known for making the group feel like family. The main drawback is simple: this is a long, alcohol-centered day, and the stop at Cantaritos can feel more important than time in central Tequila.

Key points to know

• Seven tastings included: Try blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, and two tequila-based liqueurs at Tequila Selecto de Amatitán.
• Private air-conditioned transport: Travel between Guadalajara, Amatitán, the swing, Tequila town, and Cantaritos without arranging your own rides.
• English support: The tour is offered in English, with guides such as Arturo able to explain the tequila process fluently in both English and Spanish.
• A real party finish: Cantaritos el Güero #1 serves enormous tequila cocktails, live regional music, dancing, and a loud social atmosphere.
• Food and drinks cost extra: Market lunch runs about $6 to $10, while the Cantaritos are not included.
• Plan for 10 to 11 hours: Driving time is part of the day, and the return to Guadalajara can take one to two hours.

A tequila day with a party at the end

This tour covers the tequila route in a way that suits anyone who wants more than a factory lecture. You move from production to views, then to town life and a large Mexican drinking party. The order matters: the cultural and educational parts come before the loudest stop.

The experience begins at an OXXO on Avenida Ignacio L. Vallarta in Guadalajara. You should arrive with breakfast already taken care of. The operator specifically advises against white shoes, which is sensible for a day around agave fields, factory grounds, food stalls, and spilled drinks.

The group can reach 20 people, so this is not a private guide-and-car outing for just two people. Still, private transportation gives the day a more organized feel than piecing together buses and taxis. Guides such as Arturo, Benji, Jorge, and their family team are praised for keeping an eye on the group, answering questions, and making the ride back safe and orderly.

Tequila Selecto de Amatitán and seven pours

Your first major stop is Tequila Selecto de Amatitán, about 40 minutes from the meeting point. You spend roughly an hour at the factory, with admission and the tasting included.

The useful part is the range of tequila styles. You taste blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo, along with two liqueurs. If you have only tried tequila in a mixed drink, this helps you notice how aging changes the spirit. Blanco gives you the direct agave character, while reposado and añejo bring more time in wood and a softer profile. Extra añejo is the slowest and most aged style in the lineup.

The tasting is not just a quick shot at the counter. The factory visit includes an explanation of how tequila is made, and the best guides turn this into the intellectual center of the day. Arturo, in particular, is praised for detailed explanations in clear English. That matters if you do not speak Spanish and want more than a few memorized facts.

Tequila Selecto de Amatitán also has a pop-culture angle. The video for Adiós Amor by Cristian Nodal was filmed at the factory, and the tequila made there includes a brand connected with Adam Levine of Maroon 5. Those details will not replace the production lesson, but they give the visit a bit of local celebrity color.

You should pace yourself here. Seven samples can add up quickly, especially when the day continues with more drinking later. Take water when you can, eat breakfast first, and treat the tasting as a chance to compare styles rather than a race.

One practical note: the tour rules do not allow alcoholic drinks in the van. That protects the vehicle and avoids a cleaning charge equal to one day’s rental, so finish each tasting before you leave the factory.

Columpio Extremo above the agave fields

After the factory, the van takes about 20 minutes to the Columpio Extremo. You have about 90 minutes here, including time for the swing and the surrounding view.

The swing is the quick-hit adventure stop. You sit high above the agave fields and swing out over the view, making this one of the best photo opportunities of the day. It is not a full amusement park, and one less favorable experience describes the hacienda and swing area as smaller than expected. Set your expectations accordingly. This is a scenic stop with a memorable ride, not an all-afternoon attraction.

Drinks and snacks are available on site but are not included. The extra hour and a half gives you time to take photos, watch others use the swing, and buy something if you want it. If heights make you uneasy, you can still enjoy the setting without forcing yourself onto the swing.

This stop also breaks up the tasting. After an hour inside the factory, you get open air and a change of pace. For many people, that balance helps the day feel like a proper excursion rather than a long bar crawl.

Tequila town, food stalls, and central sights

From the swing, it is about 10 minutes to the town of Tequila. You get around two hours here, enough for a meal and a look at the center, but not enough for a slow, unplanned afternoon.

The town visit includes the historic church, central kiosk, mural, José Cuervo walkway, and the Papantla flyers show when scheduled or available. These are the stops that give the excursion its sense of place. Tequila is not only a drink name on a bottle. It is a living town with a plaza, local food, religious buildings, public art, and a long connection to the spirit made in the surrounding area.

Lunch is on your own at the market. A typical dish costs about $6 to $10, and quesabirrias or meat cooked in Tequila are suggested choices. Food is not included, so keep cash or a payment method ready for the market, and remember that your lunch timing may depend on the group’s pace.

This is where the schedule needs attention. One person found that too much time at the distillery bar left too little time to shop and eat in town, with lunch delayed until around 3 p.m. That is not a reason to reject the tour, but it is a reason to speak up early if you want time for food or souvenirs. A long tasting can easily push the rest of the day later.

The town stop works best if you decide your priority before arriving. If you want a proper meal, eat first. If you want photographs or shopping, do not linger too long at the market. You will not have unlimited time to do everything.

Cantaritos el Güero #1 and the giant final party

The final stop is Cantaritos el Güero #1 in Amatitán, about 20 minutes from Tequila. The listed stay is around two hours, though the schedule has sometimes been flexible when the group is having a good time.

This is the most social and least restrained part of the day. Cantaritos are clay cups filled with tequila, juice, salt, and lemon. Some can hold up to 21 liters, or about 5.5 gallons. You do not need to order the largest size, and you should think carefully before treating one as a personal drink. Cantaritos are not included in the tour price.

Expect regional music, dancing, a reserved table, and a party atmosphere that can be very loud. A dedicated waiter can make the visit easier, since you do not have to wait in the longest lines for service. The stop is designed for fun rather than quiet tasting, so it suits a social group better than someone seeking a calm final drink.

This is also the point where responsible behavior matters most. The operator does not allow hostile attitudes, and guides may intervene if someone becomes difficult after drinking. One negative account focused on a disagreement between a driver and a participant. The lesson is practical: pace yourself, respect the guide’s rules, and remember that everyone still has a long ride back.

The return to Guadalajara takes one to two hours. Guides are praised for driving carefully on uneven roads and keeping the van comfortable even when the group is still in party mode. You should not expect to arrive early. This is a full-day commitment that may run close to 11 hours.

What the guides add to the day

The strongest feature of this experience is the guide service. The names that come up most often are Arturo, Benji, Benji’s father, Jorge, Julio, and Alex, though your guide may differ on the date you book.

Arturo is a particularly good match for an English-speaking visitor who wants substance along with fun. He is described as fluent in English and Spanish, with clear explanations of tequila production and careful attention to comfort and safety.

Benji and his father bring a more family-style energy. They are known for joining the fun, helping strangers become a group, and keeping the day light without losing control of the schedule. That warmth is useful on a tour with people who may not share a language.

The balance can vary by guide and by group. Some people love a guide who joins the party. Others want a tighter focus on history and town sightseeing. If you prefer the second style, say so early and ask your guide to protect your time in Tequila town.

What is included, and where the value lies

The package includes private transportation, entry to Tequila Selecto de Amatitán, seven alcoholic tastings, and entry to the swing. It does not include lunch, snacks or drinks at the swing, or Cantaritos.

The value comes from having the transport and major admissions handled in one long day. A self-guided trip would require arranging transport between Guadalajara, Amatitán, the factory, Tequila town, and the final party stop. You would also need a safe plan for drinking and getting back to Guadalajara.

The cost makes more sense if you intend to use all four parts of the day. If you only want a distillery tour, this will feel too long. If you want tequila education, photos, town time, and a party, the package covers a lot.

Bring extra money for lunch and drinks. The market meal is reasonably priced at about $6 to $10, but the final Cantaritos can add considerably to your spending, depending on what you order.

Who should book this experience

I would choose this for couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who want a full day out. One family brought a 12-year-old and found the outing workable, particularly on a quieter Wednesday. The child can participate in the town, factory, and swing portions, but Cantaritos is still an alcohol-focused venue.

This is a good match if you want:

• A guided introduction to several tequila styles
• An English-speaking guide
• A planned route with private transport
• A scenic swing and agave-field photographs
• A lively party rather than a quiet tasting room
• Enough structure to avoid arranging several separate trips

Think twice if you dislike long van rides, loud music, drinking culture, or fixed schedules. You should also skip it if you want hours of independent shopping in Tequila town. The tour touches the town, but the final Cantaritos party is one of its main purposes.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a different date or a full refund, but ordinary cancellation does not qualify for a refund. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part.

Should you book the Tequila day?

Book it if you want the tequila region in one energetic package. The strongest combination is the clear factory lesson, the seven-style tasting, the agave-field swing, and the big finish at Cantaritos el Güero #1. Guides such as Arturo and the Benji family team add warmth and practical care.

Do not book it expecting a slow cultural tour or a quiet distillery visit. You will spend much of the day moving, tasting, eating, and socializing. Arrive fed, wear practical shoes, drink water, pace yourself, and protect your time in Tequila town.

For visitors based in Guadalajara who want one memorable day with both local culture and a serious party, this is a strong choice. The key is knowing what you are signing up for: tequila education in the morning, town and food in the middle, and a giant Cantarito-fueled celebration at the end.

FAQ

How long does the full-day tequila experience last?

The experience lasts about 10 to 11 hours. Transportation is included in that time, and the return trip to Guadalajara can take one to two hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at the OXXO at Av. Ignacio L. Vallarta and Fernando de Celada 2912 in Guadalajara. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English. Arturo, one of the guides, is described as fluent in English and Spanish.

What tequila tastings are included?

The tasting includes seven samples: blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, and two liqueurs. Factory admission is also included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is purchased separately in the Tequila town market. The suggested cost for a dish is about $6 to $10.

Are the Cantaritos included?

No. Cantaritos are purchased separately at Cantaritos el Güero #1. The venue serves large clay cups with tequila, juice, salt, and lemon.