Full Day in Tequila with Tasting and party in Cantaritos

The best part of this long day is the contrast: you learn how tequila is made, then swing above the agave fields, eat in the town that gives tequila its name, and finish with music and giant drinks at Cantaritos el Güero #1. It is part tasting lesson, part road trip, and part Mexican party.

I like the seven tequila samples, which include blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, and two liqueurs. I also like the guides’ personal touch. Arturo is praised for clear English explanations, while Benji and Don Benji are known for making the group feel welcome and keeping the mood light.

The main drawback is the pace. This is a 10 to 11 hour outing with several drives, and food comes out of your pocket. One less favorable experience also points to a real risk: if the distillery stop runs long, your time in Tequila town may feel rushed.

Key points at a glance

• Seven tastings at Tequila Selecto de Amatitán: Try four main tequila styles plus two liqueurs, with the production process explained along the way.
• A swing above the agave fields: Columpio Extremo gives you about 90 minutes for the swing, photos, snacks, and drinks, though extras cost more.
• Two hours in Tequila town: See the church, mural, José Cuervo walkway, kiosk, market, and possibly the Papantla flyers.
• A loud finish at Cantaritos el Güero #1: Expect regional music, dancing, and giant cantaritos made with tequila, juice, salt, and lemon.
• Private transportation from Guadalajara: Driving time is built into the 10 to 11 hour day, with return to the original OXXO meeting point.
• A social, alcohol-heavy day: Pace yourself, eat breakfast, drink water, and remember that cantaritos are not included.

Why this Guadalajara day trip works

Tequila is not just a drink on this excursion. It is a town, a farming region, a production method, and a social ritual. This experience gives you a taste of all four without asking you to arrange separate transport between Amatitán, the swing, Tequila town, and the final party stop.

That matters in Jalisco. The places are spread out, and the day involves enough alcohol that driving yourself would be a poor plan. Private transport removes that concern and lets you focus on the day. The group can reach 20 people, so this is not a completely private outing, but it is small enough for a guide to keep an eye on the group.

The strongest part is the mix of serious explanation and easygoing fun. The distillery supplies the context. The swing supplies the photo stop. Tequila town adds food and local sights. Cantaritos brings the day to a noisy, festive close.

You should know what kind of day this is before booking. It is not a quiet museum tour or a slow countryside walk. You will spend many hours in a vehicle, taste a good deal of alcohol, and finish in a busy party setting. That combination suits social couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy joining a group, and families with older children who are comfortable around alcohol. It is less suitable if you want a calm, tightly controlled schedule.

Starting from Guadalajara and settling into the drive

The meeting point is the OXXO at Av. Ignacio L. Vallarta and Fernando de Celada 2912 in the Vallarta San Jorge area. You return to this same point at the end, after another one to two hours on the road from Cantaritos.

The first drive to the distillery takes about 40 minutes. Since the full day is long, arrive having eaten breakfast. The operator specifically advises against white shoes, which is sensible for a day involving agave fields, outdoor stops, food, and drinks.

Transportation time counts toward the total tour length. That is useful to remember when you see the 10 to 11 hour estimate. You get a full regional day, but not 10 hours of sightseeing. The vehicle has air conditioning, an important comfort point in Jalisco, and guides such as Arturo have been praised for careful driving on uneven roads during the return.

Alcohol is not allowed inside the van. This rule helps avoid spills and cleaning charges, but it also means you need to finish or store your drinks before getting back into the vehicle. A cleaning fee equal to one day’s vehicle rental can apply if the van is damaged or badly soiled, so treat the transport with care.

Tequila Selecto de Amatitán: start with the production story

The first stop lasts about an hour after the 40-minute drive. Admission to Tequila Selecto de Amatitán is included, and this is where the day earns its educational side.

You learn how tequila is produced and taste seven drinks. The lineup includes blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo tequila, along with two liqueurs. That range gives you a useful comparison. Blanco shows the spirit in a more direct form, while the aged styles let you notice how time changes the drink. The liqueurs break up the tasting and give you another flavor category to compare.

Guides Arturo, Jorge, Benji, Don Benji, and others have received strong praise for explaining the process in an engaging way. English support is available, and one particularly useful account describes Arturo explaining the subject fluently in both English and Spanish. If you do not understand Spanish, this is worth noting. You should still expect the exact guide to vary by departure.

The factory has a few pieces of pop-culture interest. The music video for Adiós Amor by Cristian Nodal was filmed there, and the tequila made at the factory includes a brand associated with Adam Levine of Maroon 5. These details are entertaining, but the real value is the tasting sequence and the chance to connect what you drink with how it is made.

Pace yourself here. Seven samples can sound modest when each pour is small, but they add up, especially before lunch and before a giant drink later in the day. Ask questions, eat breakfast first, and drink water whenever it is available. The guide’s recommendations can help you compare the samples rather than simply rushing through them.

Columpio Extremo and the agave views

After about 20 minutes on the road, you reach Columpio Extremo for roughly 90 minutes. Admission to the swing is included.

The attraction is simple: you climb onto a large swing and look out over the agave-growing region. This is the day’s main outdoor photo stop, and it gives you a visual link to tequila that a factory room cannot provide. You are not only tasting the finished spirit. You are seeing the fields where the story begins.

The site also sells drinks and snacks, but these are not included. That extra time is useful if some people in your group want more photos while others want to sit down. The stop is described as having beautiful views, but expectations matter. One less favorable account found the hacienda and swing area smaller than expected. Think of it as a scenic stop with one main attraction, not a large park filled with rides.

Ninety minutes is a generous amount of time for a swing, photos, and a break. It can also feel long if you are not interested in the activity or if the weather is poor. The experience depends on good weather, and the tour may be moved or refunded if conditions force cancellation.

Tequila town: food, church, murals, and a short walk

From the swing, it is about 10 minutes to Tequila town. The scheduled visit lasts around two hours, including time to eat.

The center gives you a change of pace. You can see the historic church, the central kiosk, the mural, and the José Cuervo walkway. A Papantla flyers show may also be part of the visit, depending on timing and what is taking place that day. These sights help you understand that Tequila is a living town, not simply a stop built around distillery tours.

Lunch is not included. The plan is to eat at the town market, where you can look for quesabirrias or meat dishes associated with the region. The stated guide for a market dish is about $6 to $10, but your final cost depends on what you order.

This is one place where timing can affect the experience. A well-run day gives you enough time for food, a walk, photos, and a look at the shops. If the distillery tasting stretches beyond its planned hour, the town portion may be shortened. One past account describes lunch arriving as late as 3 p.m. and the town visit feeling rushed after extra time at the distillery bar.

For that reason, I would treat the town stop as both a cultural visit and your main meal break. Do not count on a long shopping period. If you have a specific shop or sight in mind, tell your guide early and keep an eye on the meeting time.

Cantaritos el Güero #1: a very Mexican finish

The final stop is Cantaritos el Güero #1 in Amatitán, about 20 minutes from Tequila. The planned stay is about two hours, followed by a one to two hour drive back to Guadalajara.

This is not a quiet tasting room. Cantaritos is known for regional music, dancing, and large clay cups filled with tequila, juice, salt, and lemon. The biggest versions can hold up to 21 liters, or about 5.5 gallons. You do not need to order the largest size, and cantaritos are not included in the tour cost, so check prices and choose a portion that suits your group.

The atmosphere is the main attraction. Several guides, including Benji and Don Benji, are praised for joining the fun while still watching the group. Some accounts also describe reserved tables and a waiter, which can make the stop easier than arriving independently and facing a long line. Still, service arrangements may vary, so do not assume every departure will have the exact same setup.

The two-hour plan can sometimes stretch if the group is enjoying itself. That flexibility sounds appealing, but it also pushes the return to Guadalajara later. If you have evening plans, keep them flexible. You may be tired by the time you reach the meeting point.

This stop also brings the clearest safety issue. You have already tasted seven drinks, and the final stop adds more alcohol in a loud setting. Stay with the group, keep track of your belongings, and listen to the guide’s instructions. The operator does not permit hostile behavior, and that rule is especially important when alcohol is involved. One past complaint involved a disagreement between a driver and a participant, so everyone should help keep the return calm and respectful.

What the included value really looks like

The price is not provided here, so I cannot call the tour cheap or expensive in dollar terms. I can explain what you are paying for: private transportation, the tequila factory entrance, the seven-drink tasting, and the swing entrance.

That package has practical value. Arranging a private vehicle for a full day, finding a distillery with English support, reaching the swing, locating the town market, and getting to Cantaritos would take time and local planning. You also avoid driving after a day built around alcohol.

You still need money for lunch, drinks and snacks at the swing if desired, and cantaritos. Those costs can make the final bill higher than the headline tour price. Bring enough for food and drinks, but do not assume the biggest cantarito is the best value. A smaller serving lets you enjoy the music without turning the return drive into an ordeal.

The group limit of 20 is a fair compromise. You get the social energy that makes the Cantaritos stop fun, but you should not expect a fully personalized private guide. The most praised guides work hard to keep people comfortable, answer questions, and adjust the mood, but the exact service depends on who leads your departure.

Who should book this day?

I would choose this for a first visit to Guadalajara if I wanted one full day focused on tequila and did not want to arrange transport. It works especially well for couples, groups of friends, solo visitors who like meeting people, and families with older children. A 12-year-old has joined the experience successfully, and the town and swing are not limited to drinkers, though the day clearly centers on alcohol.

I would hesitate if you dislike loud music, do not drink, need an early evening, or prefer a slow, precise schedule. The Cantaritos stop is the emotional high point for many people, but it may feel overwhelming if you want a polished tasting-room finish.

English is offered, and guides such as Arturo have provided detailed bilingual explanations. The tour has a 4.9 rating from 356 reviews, with 97 percent recommending it, but the few negative accounts are useful. They point to possible late lunch, reduced town time, an unexpectedly small swing venue, and tension if someone ignores the group’s conduct rules.

The booking policy is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If poor weather cancels it, you can receive another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum group size is not reached. Confirmation is sent at booking, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

My call: book it for the full Jalisco mix

Book this tour if you want tequila explained, tasted, photographed, eaten, and celebrated in one day. The strongest reasons are the broad tasting lineup, the English-capable guides, the included transport, and the unusual finish at Cantaritos el Güero #1.

Go in prepared. Eat breakfast, wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty, bring money for lunch and drinks, drink water, and protect your evening schedule from a late return. If you accept the long day and the party setting, this is a lively and useful way to connect Guadalajara with the tequila region.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full day lasts approximately 10 to 11 hours. This includes driving between Guadalajara, the distillery, the swing, Tequila town, Cantaritos, and the return to Guadalajara.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the OXXO at Av. Ignacio L. Vallarta and Fernando de Celada 2912, Av. Ignacio L. Vallarta, Vallarta San Jorge, 44690 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Guadalajara.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included, and driving time is part of the total tour duration.

How many tequila samples are included?

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

Is the tequila factory entrance included?

Yes. Entrance to Tequila Selecto de Amatitán is included.

Is the swing entrance included?

Yes. Entrance to Columpio Extremo is included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is purchased separately at the market in Tequila. A dish is estimated at about $6 to $10.

Are the cantaritos included?

No. Cantaritos at Cantaritos el Güero #1 must be purchased separately.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English, and guides including Arturo have provided explanations in English and Spanish.

Can children join the experience?

The information states that most people can participate, and a 12-year-old has joined successfully. The day includes alcohol tastings and a party setting, so families should decide if that environment suits their children.

What should I bring or do before departure?

Arrive after eating breakfast, avoid white shoes, and plan to drink water during the day. Alcohol is not allowed inside the van.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. A refund is available if the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached.