Finca 18 Puerto Vallarta Tequila Tour + Chocolate Pairing

Finca 18 gives you something most Puerto Vallarta tequila stops do not: a quiet 12-acre ranch where you can see agave plants, learn how the spirit is made, and taste small-batch pours in the same place. The visit has a personal, family-run feel, with guides such as Mario, Greg, Alex, Emily, and Javier helping explain the work.

I like the welcome cocktail and the walk through the agave nursery and fields. I also like the tasting format, especially the chocolate pairing, which gives you a useful way to compare flavors instead of simply knocking back shots. The main drawback is location: Finca 18 is outside central Puerto Vallarta, and the snacks are light, so you should eat before you go.

Key points to know before you book

• A real ranch setting: Finca 18 has more than 150 years of family roots in Puerto Vallarta and covers 12 acres.
• Five or more tasting pours: The session includes agave spirits presented in a guided, sommelier-style format.
• Chocolate makes the tasting better: The local chocolate pairing adds another layer to the spirit tasting and is worth selecting.
• Small groups matter: The activity is capped at 10 people, so the presentation feels more personal than a large bus tour.
• Plan for the drive: The ranch is in El Colorado, near Ixtapa, rather than in the hotel zone or Romantic Zone.
• Bring room for a bottle: The shop sells spirits, gifts, beer, wine, and extra pours, with no pressure to buy.

Why Finca 18 feels different from a city tequila stop

Many Puerto Vallarta tequila experiences take place in town, where the focus can be on sampling and shopping. Finca 18 takes you out to a working family property. That setting gives the lesson some weight: you are not only hearing about agave, you are seeing the nursery, fields, ovens, and distillery in sequence.

The family connection is a major part of the visit. Finca 18 is owned by a family with more than 150 years of roots in the area, and the ranch itself gives the tour a sense of place. You get a look at a quieter side of the region, away from the busy center and the usual tourist circuit.

I especially like that this is not presented as only a tequila tasting. The experience covers agave-based spirits more broadly, including tequila, mezcal, and raicilla as described during the tastings. The point is to learn how different spirits can come from related raw materials and processes, then use your own palate to compare them.

The group limit of 10 is another practical plus. A small group makes it easier to ask questions, take photos, and follow the guide around the property without feeling herded from one station to the next.

Arriving at the family ranch

The meeting point is Finca 18 Agave Spirits Distillery on Carr Las Palmas at kilometer 18 in Ixtapa, El Colorado. The activity begins and ends at the ranch, and the visit lasts about two hours.

Your arrival starts with cold filtered water, fresh fruit, and a welcome cocktail. The cocktail has been a favorite part of the opening for many people, and one guide even provided the recipe for the Tequila Mule. It is a pleasant way to settle in before the more serious tasting begins.

The ranch dogs are also part of the welcome. Luna and several other friendly dogs appear often around the property, adding a warm, informal touch. If you like animals, they will probably become part of your memory of the visit. If you do not, the staff can still focus the experience on the ranch and spirits.

The property is described as beautiful and peaceful, with plenty of spots for photographs. You should wear comfortable shoes because the tour includes walking around the grounds, and the activity is not recommended for anyone who has trouble walking.

Seeing agave from nursery to distillery

The guided walk introduces you to the agave nursery and fields before moving toward production. This is one of the strongest reasons to choose Finca 18 over a tasting held entirely indoors. You get visual context for the plant before discussing what happens after harvest.

The presentation explains the process from growing agave through cooking, distillation, and bottling. You may see the ovens and the distillery equipment, though the production process may not be running during your visit. One person visited during a season when the distillery was not active, but still found the explanation clear enough to understand each step.

That seasonal limitation is worth keeping in mind. If your top priority is seeing every stage in operation, Finca 18 cannot promise that. The tour is better understood as an educational visit to a small producer, with the chance to see the facilities and learn how production works, rather than a guaranteed live-production demonstration.

The guides make a difference here. Mario has led visitors around the ranch and explained the property and production process. Greg, one of the founders, has also hosted tastings and discussed the craft behind the spirits. Alex, Emily, and Javier have each been praised for their friendly approach and clear explanations.

I like the balance between technical information and conversation. You can ask about the agave plants, the ovens, distillation, naming, or the differences between pours. The experience is not built around rushing you through a sales pitch.

The five-plus-pour tasting

After the walk, you sit down for a tasting of at least five agave spirits. Some sessions have included six or seven pours. The presentation follows a sommelier-style approach, so you are encouraged to pay attention to aroma, texture, and flavor rather than treating every sample as the same drink.

Javier has led parts of the tasting, while Greg has hosted other sessions. The staff explain the character of each spirit and help you compare them side by side. Some people have especially enjoyed Mi Compa, mezcal, and Madera, though your favorite may be different.

The tasting may include spirits served in different vessels, giving you another way to notice how presentation affects the experience. The purpose is not to tell you which bottle is best. It is to help you understand why small-batch agave spirits can differ from one another.

That makes the experience useful even if you are not already a tequila fan. One couple included a person who did not particularly like tequila, yet both enjoyed the tour and tasting. If you already drink tequila, mezcal, or related spirits, you will get more from the comparisons and production discussion.

Pacing matters. This is a guided tasting, not an open bar. You should expect measured pours and explanations between them. The included water and snacks help keep your palate fresh, but you should still eat a proper meal before arriving.

Why the chocolate pairing is worth adding

The chocolate pairing is the most distinctive extra. Award-winning local chocolate is matched with the agave spirits, helping you notice how sweetness, bitterness, roast, and spice can change the way a pour tastes.

I recommend adding it if the option is available when you book. The pairing turns a straightforward tasting into a more complete food-and-drink session. Chocolate can soften some spirits, sharpen others, and make flavors easier to recognize.

The ranch also serves guacamole, dehydrated snacks, and cooked agave from its ovens. These are useful palate cleansers and give you a taste of food made at the property. They are not a full lunch, though. A direct tip from the experience is simple: eat beforehand, especially if you are attending earlier in the day.

You may also be able to add other snacks, such as a Serrano toast, but optional food items are not part of the standard inclusions listed here. Ask about availability when you arrive rather than counting on them.

A look at the gift shop without hard selling

The final part of the visit gives you time for photos, cocktails, appetizers, and shopping. The gift shop carries bottles and gifts, while extra pours, beer, and wine are also available for purchase.

This is a sensible place to buy a bottle if one of the tasting pours appeals to you. The small-batch approach means the selection may reflect what Finca 18 is producing at that time. You are not simply choosing from a giant commercial catalog.

A useful advantage is the relaxed sales approach. The experience is designed around learning and tasting, and people have specifically appreciated not feeling pushed into buying. That matters because a good tasting should help you make an informed choice, not pressure you into taking home something you do not want.

Remember the practical side of bottle shopping. If you are flying, you will need to follow airline and customs rules for carrying alcohol. Those rules are not part of the tour, so check them before buying several bottles.

Getting to Finca 18 from Puerto Vallarta

Transportation deserves careful planning. The ranch is well outside the central tourist areas, and the trip can take close to an hour from the Romantic Zone, depending on traffic and the route.

An Uber can get you to the property, but the return can require more thought. Some people have used an Uber to the airport, met a prearranged transfer there, and then continued to the ranch. Others have returned by public bus or arranged a van. Finca 18 has also helped arrange transportation for some visitors, usually for an additional fee.

If you are coming from a cruise ship, allow extra time. One group reported nearly an hour of travel and needed help arranging a ride back. Do not schedule the tour too close to your ship’s departure or another fixed appointment.

Airport transfer advice also matters. If you use an Uber from the Puerto Vallarta airport after returning, arrange pickup at the pedestrian bridge across the road rather than inside the airport area. This can avoid airport pickup fees, according to practical directions shared by people who used that route.

The drive is not just wasted time. It takes you through countryside, villages, and small local communities, giving you a different view of the Puerto Vallarta area. Still, the distance means this is not the best choice if you want a quick activity within walking distance of your hotel.

What the $89.41 price gets you

At $89.41 per person, Finca 18 is not the cheapest way to taste tequila in Puerto Vallarta. You are paying for the ranch setting, the guided property walk, the distillery lesson, the welcome cocktail, five or more pours, water, snacks, and the included chocolate pairing.

The value is strongest if you want context with your drinks. A city tasting may be more convenient and could include a broader entertainment program, but Finca 18 gives you a smaller group, a family property, and a look at the production side.

Transportation is the main cost question. The advertised price does not list a transfer from your hotel, and arranged rides may cost extra. Add that expense before comparing it with a tour that includes pickup.

I consider the price fair for a focused two-hour experience, especially if you care about small production and want to see agave growing. I would not book it for a large meal, a full-day ranch outing, or a guaranteed working production line. The supplied snacks are light, and the tour is centered on education and tasting.

The experience is booked an average of 17 days ahead, so I would reserve it early if your Puerto Vallarta dates are fixed. The maximum group size is 10, which helps explain why dates can fill before larger, more heavily scheduled tours.

Who will enjoy this most

You should consider Finca 18 if you want:

• A small group instead of a large coach-style tasting
• A peaceful ranch outside the main tourist areas
• A better grasp of how agave spirits are made
• Five or more guided pours rather than one quick sample
• A chocolate pairing with your spirits
• A chance to buy bottles directly after tasting
• A friendly, informal setting with family hosts and ranch dogs

It works well for couples, adult families, solo visitors, and groups of friends. The tasting is for adults of legal drinking age, and one group of adult children enjoyed it as a family outing.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, dislike walking, or want a hearty meal included. I would also think twice if you have already booked a city tequila tour and mainly want a short, central tasting. Finca 18 asks you to spend time getting there, so the ranch setting and production lesson need to matter to you.

Booking details worth remembering

Your confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity is offered in English with a mobile ticket. Service animals are allowed, and the site is near public transportation.

You will need to sign a liability waiver on arrival. Most people can participate, but the tour is not recommended for those who have trouble walking.

Cancellation is flexible until 24 hours before the start time, when you can receive a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time in Puerto Vallarta.

Should you book Finca 18?

Book Finca 18 if you want tequila and mezcal explained in a real ranch setting, with a small group and enough tasting time to understand what is in your glass. Add the chocolate pairing, eat before you arrive, and plan your return ride before the first cocktail.

Skip it if you want a central Puerto Vallarta activity, a full lunch, or a lively party atmosphere. The appeal here is slower and more personal: agave in the fields, family roots, careful explanations, a handful of distinctive spirits, and a quiet place to enjoy them. For the right visitor, the extra drive is the point.

FAQ

Where does the Finca 18 tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at Finca 18 Agave Spirits Distillery, Carr Las Palmas KM 18, Ixtapa, Centro, 48280 El Colorado, Jalisco, Mexico.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

What is included in the tour?

The experience includes a welcome cocktail, cold filtered water, guacamole, dehydrated ranch-made snacks, cooked agave from the ovens, five or more agave spirit pours, a sommelier-style tasting class, a guided distillery tour, and the chocolate pairing.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

Hotel transportation is not listed as an included feature. Some people arrange an Uber, public transportation, or a private van, and Finca 18 may help arrange transportation for an additional fee.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English, and a mobile ticket is available.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.