Full Day in Tequila with Tasting and party in Cantaritos

The best part of this long day is the mix of serious tequila-making and pure Mexican party spirit. You begin at Tequila Selecto de Amatitán with a guided look at production and seven tastings, then finish at Cantaritos el Güero #1, where music, dancing, and huge clay drinks take over.

I like the clear variety here. You get a proper distillery visit, a scenic swing above the agave fields, and time in the town of Tequila itself. Guides including Arturo, Jorge, Benji, and Don Benji are praised for warm, careful service and strong English. The main drawback is the schedule: this is a 10 to 11-hour day, and a late start or a long distillery visit can reduce your time in town.

Key points

• Seven tequila tastings: Try blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, and two tequila-based liqueurs.
• A scenic swing stop: Ride above the agave fields at Columpio Extremo, with time for photos and drinks.
• Two hours in Tequila town: See the church, kiosk, José Cuervo walkway, mural, and possibly the Papantla flyers.
• A huge final party: Cantaritos el Güero #1 serves giant drinks of up to 21 liters, though your drink is extra.
• Private transportation: The van carries a maximum of 20 people and returns you to the Guadalajara meeting point.
• A full-day commitment: Travel time is part of the 10 to 11-hour schedule, so arrive fed, pace yourself, and wear practical shoes.

A full day built around tequila and good company

This is not a quick distillery outing. It is a broad tour of the tequila region, with a little education, a little sightseeing, and a very large party at the end.

You leave from the OXXO at Avenida Ignacio L Vallarta and Fernando de Celada in Guadalajara. From there, private transportation takes you west toward Amatitán and Tequila. The ride from the meeting point to the first stop takes about 40 minutes, followed by several shorter transfers and a return drive of one to two hours.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Arturo is praised for explaining the production process in fluent English and Spanish, while Benji and Don Benji are known for treating the group like friends. Jorge, Julio, Alex, and other guides may also lead the day. The tone is informal and social, but the better guides keep an eye on timing, safety, and everyone’s comfort.

That matters because alcohol is central to the day. You will taste seven drinks at the factory, then have the option to order more at the swing stop and Cantaritos. You should eat breakfast before meeting the group, drink water, and take the tasting slowly. Alcohol cannot be consumed inside the van, and the operator warns that spills may result in a cleaning fee equal to one day’s vehicle rental.

Tequila Selecto de Amatitán and seven different pours

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

The visit focuses on how tequila is made. You learn about the production process before tasting seven varieties: blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, and two liqueurs. That range gives you a useful way to compare tequila at different stages of aging. Blanco is generally the clearest expression of the spirit, while the aged styles offer more time in wood and a different character. The two liqueurs add a sweeter finish to the tasting.

The guide’s explanation makes this stop more than a series of samples. Arturo, in particular, is praised for answering questions clearly and making the process easy to follow in English. If you are new to tequila, this is the part of the day that gives the rest of the experience some context.

The factory also has a pop-culture angle. The video for Adiós Amor by Cristian Nodal was filmed here, and the tequila produced at the site includes the brand associated with Adam Levine of Maroon 5. Those details may not matter to everyone, but they give the hacienda a point of interest beyond the tasting room.

The limitation is time. An hour can feel short if you want a slow factory visit, a long tasting, and plenty of shopping. Several visitors have also noted that the distillery stop can run long if the group is having a good time. That can affect the later schedule, especially the time available in Tequila town.

Columpio Extremo and the agave views

After the distillery, you drive about 20 minutes to Columpio Extremo. The planned stay is around 90 minutes, which gives you time for the swing, photos, and a drink or snack if you wish.

The main attraction is a large swing with views across the agave fields. This is the most scenic stop of the day and a good break after the tasting. You can ride the swing, take pictures, and enjoy the setting without needing to follow a formal tour for every minute.

Drinks and snacks are available on site, but they cost extra. The stop is not a full agricultural tour, so set your expectations correctly. You come for the view and the swing, not for an extended walk through fields or a detailed lesson on agave farming.

One visitor found the hacienda and swing area smaller than expected. That is useful advice. Photos can make the attraction look grander than it feels in person, and the swing stop is best treated as a scenic activity rather than a major destination on its own.

Two hours in the town of Tequila

A short drive brings you to Tequila, the town that gives the spirit its name. You have about two hours here, including time to eat.

The center offers an easy introduction to the town. You can see the historic church, central kiosk, mural, José Cuervo walkway, and possibly the Papantla flyers show. The town has a lively public square feel, with places to browse, eat, and take photographs.

Lunch is not included. The suggested market meal usually costs about $6 to $10, and quesabirrias or meat dishes prepared in Tequila are among the local choices. The market is a practical stop because it lets you eat without committing to a long restaurant meal, but food quality and value can vary. One complaint about the day involved a late lunch and a meal that did not feel worth its price.

For that reason, breakfast is important. The tour notes specifically ask you to arrive having already eaten, but breakfast alone may not carry you through tequila tastings, transfers, walking, and the evening party. Keep some cash available for lunch and consider ordering promptly when you reach town.

Your two hours can disappear quickly. If the distillery visit runs over, you may have less time to shop or explore before leaving for Cantaritos. If seeing the town is a priority, tell your guide early and keep an eye on the clock. The tour is social, and it is easy to linger over a tasting or conversation.

Cantaritos el Güero #1 and the giant final party

The last scheduled stop is Cantaritos el Güero #1 in Amatitán. You drive about 20 minutes from Tequila and spend around two hours there, though the group may stay longer if the party is going well. The ride back to Guadalajara takes one to two hours.

This is the loudest and most carefree part of the day. Expect regional music, dancing, tables, drinks, and a large crowd. The venue is famous for its giant Cantaritos, clay cups filled with tequila, juice, salt, and lemon. Sizes can reach 21 liters, or about 5.5 gallons.

Cantaritos are not included, so budget separately for drinks. You may also want to agree with your group on how much to order. A giant cup is designed for sharing, and the combination of tequila and sweet juice can make it easy to drink more than planned.

The tour staff may reserve a table with a waiter, which is a useful advantage at a busy venue. It means you can settle in instead of spending your first minutes looking for service. The party has been a highlight for many people, but it is also where you need the most self-control. Pace yourself, drink water, and remember that you still have a long van ride ahead.

The operator takes safety seriously and does not allow alcohol in the vehicle. That rule is sensible, especially after an afternoon of drinking. Follow instructions promptly and keep the mood friendly. The host information makes clear that hostile behavior is not accepted, and one negative account describes an argument after drinking that affected the evening. Most of the day is built around fun, but responsible behavior protects the whole group.

How the timing affects your day

The advertised length is about 10 to 11 hours, and that includes all transfers. The rough schedule looks like this:

• About 40 minutes from the Guadalajara meeting point to the factory
• About 60 minutes at Tequila Selecto de Amatitán
• About 20 minutes to the swing
• About 90 minutes at Columpio Extremo
• About 10 minutes to Tequila town
• About two hours in town, including lunch
• About 20 minutes to Cantaritos
• About two hours at the party
• One to two hours back to Guadalajara

That is a lot for one day. I like the range of stops, but the schedule has little spare time. A late departure, slow meal, traffic, or an extended tasting can shift the balance between the stops.

If your main goal is tequila education, focus on the factory. If your priority is photographs and town sightseeing, protect your time at the swing and in Tequila. If the party is the reason you booked, the schedule usually gives Cantaritos the strongest finish, and the guides may allow extra time there when conditions permit.

What the included value really means

The tour includes private transportation, the factory entrance, seven alcoholic tastings, and admission to the swing. Lunch, snacks, and all Cantaritos are extra.

Since the tour price is not provided here, I would judge value by what you would otherwise need to arrange. You are paying for a full day of transportation between Guadalajara, Amatitán, the swing, Tequila town, and the party venue, plus a guide and the included admissions. That is useful if you do not want to navigate the tequila region yourself.

The value is strongest for someone who wants several different experiences in one outing. A basic distillery visit would be less tiring and more focused, but it would not include the swing, town visit, and Cantaritos party. The trade-off is that each individual stop receives limited time.

A group maximum of 20 keeps the outing from becoming a massive bus excursion, though the actual feel will depend on how many places are filled. Private transportation also makes the return simpler, especially after the final stop.

Practical advice before you go

Wear comfortable clothes and avoid white shoes. Agave fields, outdoor paths, food, and tequila are a poor combination for spotless footwear.

Eat breakfast before the meeting time. Bring money for lunch, snacks, and Cantaritos, since none of those are included. You should also plan to drink water throughout the day.

Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The tour is offered in English, with guides such as Arturo also explaining details in Spanish when needed.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants, with the same choice of a new date, another experience, or a refund if the minimum is not reached.

The activity itself is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so check your plans carefully before booking.

Who will enjoy this tequila tour most

I would recommend this for adults who want a social day rather than a quiet museum-style excursion. Couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children have all found something useful here. A 12-year-old can accompany the group, though the central focus remains alcohol, and the child will not take part in the tasting.

You will enjoy it most if you like meeting people, listening to guides, taking photos, and ending the day with music. It is also a good fit if you want the convenience of one vehicle and one guide for several stops.

I would hesitate if you want a slow, detailed visit to Tequila town or a polished luxury tasting. The party atmosphere can be noisy, the swing venue may feel smaller than expected, and the schedule can tighten. People who dislike drinking-centered activities should choose a different day trip.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the tequila region in broad strokes: seven tastings, a production lesson, an agave-field swing, a short town visit, and a giant party. The high rating of 4.9 from 356 ratings and a 97 percent recommendation rate fit the tour’s strongest qualities: friendly guides, careful driving, a good mix of stops, and a memorable finish.

Go in with realistic expectations. Eat first, pace yourself, bring cash, protect your time in town, and do not expect the swing stop or distillery to fill an entire afternoon. If you want a fun, social day with Arturo, Benji, Don Benji, or another attentive guide at the wheel, this is a strong choice from Guadalajara.

FAQ

How long does the tequila tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 to 11 hours, including the time spent traveling between Guadalajara, Amatitán, the swing, Tequila town, and Cantaritos.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at the OXXO at Avenida Ignacio L Vallarta and Fernando de Celada 2912 in Guadalajara. The tour returns to this same meeting point.

How many tequilas are included?

Seven alcoholic tastings are included. They consist of blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, and two liqueurs.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Food at the market in Tequila generally costs about $6 to $10 per dish.

Are the Cantaritos included?

No. Cantaritos must be purchased separately at Cantaritos el Güero #1. The venue serves drinks in sizes up to 21 liters.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, and guides may also explain the tequila-making process in Spanish.