Full Day in Tequila with Tasting and party in Cantaritos

The day’s big finish is at Cantaritos el Güero #1, where giant clay cups hold tequila, juice, salt, and lemon, and the music keeps the party moving. Before that, you get a useful look at tequila production, seven tastings, a swing above the agave fields, and time in the town of Tequila itself.

I especially like the mix of learning and celebration, and the fact that guides such as Arturo, Benji, and Don Benji are described as attentive, warm, and good at explaining the process in English. I also like the reserved table at Cantaritos, which can save you from waiting in a long line. The main drawback is the pace: it is a 10 to 11 hour day, lunch is not included, and one delayed stop can leave less time in Tequila town.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven tastings at Tequila Selecto de Amatitán: Try blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, and two tequila-based liquors after learning how the spirit is made.
• A dramatic swing above the agave fields: Columpio Extremo gives you about 90 minutes for the swing, photos, drinks, and snacks.
• Two hours in Tequila town: See the historic church, José Cuervo walkway, mural, kiosk, and possibly the Papantla flyers show.
• A party finish with giant drinks: Cantaritos el Güero #1 serves clay cups reaching up to 21 liters, though your drink is not included.
• Private air-conditioned transportation: Driving time is built into the 10 to 11 hour schedule, with a group limit of 20 people.
• Come prepared for a long, spirited day: Eat breakfast first, wear practical shoes, drink water, and pace yourself at the tasting.

Why this Guadalajara day trip works

This is not a quiet museum-style visit to tequila country. It is a full day that moves from production to scenery, then to town life and a loud regional party. That range makes it a strong choice if you want your visit to Jalisco to feel social and lively rather than strictly educational.

The tour begins at an OXXO meeting point on Avenida Ignacio L. Vallarta in Guadalajara. From there, private transportation takes you toward Amatitán and Tequila. The total driving time is significant, but it is part of the point: you are leaving the city for the agave-growing region and returning the same evening.

The group can reach 20 people, so this is not necessarily a one-on-one outing. Still, the guides appear to play a major role in how personal the day feels. Arturo is especially praised for giving clear English explanations, while Benji and Don Benji are known for a friendly, family-like manner. Guides have also been described as careful drivers on uneven roads, an important detail after an afternoon of tasting and partying.

Tequila Selecto de Amatitán: start with the spirit

The first stop takes about 40 minutes from the meeting point, followed by roughly an hour and 40 minutes at the factory. Admission is included, as is the tasting of seven drinks.

The tasting covers the main tequila styles: blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo. You also try two liquors. This gives you more than a quick sample of one house product. You can compare the clear, younger style with the oak-aged versions and start to notice how color, aroma, and time in barrels change the drink.

The factory visit also explains the tequila-making process. That matters because tequila can otherwise become just a series of shots and souvenir bottles. A good guide gives the tasting some shape, helping you understand what you are drinking instead of simply handing you one glass after another.

Arturo has received particular praise for explaining the process in both English and Spanish, with enough detail to satisfy questions without making the visit feel like a classroom. The factory has some fun pop-culture connections, too. The music video for Adiós Amor by Cristian Nodal was recorded there, and tequila for Adam Levine of Maroon 5 is made at the facility.

That information adds color, but the main value is the chance to taste several categories in one sitting. Pace yourself here. Seven samples can add up quickly, especially when the day still includes a large drink at Cantaritos. Eat breakfast before leaving, and use the time between stops to drink water.

One point to watch is scheduling. The tasting is a popular part of the day, and a long stop here may reduce the time available later. One account of the outing described less time in central Tequila after the group ran behind at the distillery. That does not appear to be the normal plan, but it shows why the guide’s time management matters.

Columpio Extremo: a swing with an agave view

A 20 minute drive brings you to Columpio Extremo, where you spend about 90 minutes. The entrance to the swing is included, but drinks and snacks on site cost extra.

The swing is the photo stop. You sit above the agave fields and look out across one of the prettiest views in the region. It is a simple attraction, but it changes the rhythm of the day. After the indoor tasting, you get open air, movement, and a chance to take photos without rushing through in five minutes.

The property is described as a small hacienda area, so keep expectations sensible. This is not a vast adventure park or a full day of activities. The appeal is the view, the swing, and the easygoing break with the group.

If you do not want to ride, the stop can still work as a scenic pause. You might find drinks and snacks available while other people take their turns. These purchases are not part of the tour cost, so carry some spending money if you want something beyond the included activities.

I would treat this stop as a pleasant bonus rather than the main reason to book. The view gives the trip a strong visual moment, but the tequila factory and Cantaritos party provide the day’s deeper content.

Tequila town: two hours for food and local sights

After about 10 minutes on the road, the group reaches the town of Tequila. The planned stay is two hours, which is enough for a guided look and a meal, but not enough for an unhurried exploration of every shop and side street.

The town center includes a historic church, a central kiosk, murals, and the José Cuervo walkway. You may also see the Papantla flyers show, a traditional performance in which flyers descend from a tall pole. The exact timing of the show is not guaranteed in the supplied details, so consider it an added possibility rather than a promised centerpiece.

Lunch is taken at the town market and is not included. Quesabirrias and meat prepared in Tequila are suggested local choices, with the meal generally described as costing about 6 to 10 US dollars. That price gives you a reasonably affordable way to eat local food, though the quality and value of a market meal can vary from stall to stall.

The food timing deserves attention. Breakfast is your responsibility, and one outing ran late enough that lunch did not happen until around 3 p.m. If you are prone to getting hungry, do not assume the tasting will replace a meal. A light breakfast and perhaps a small snack for the van are sensible, provided you follow the rule against alcohol in the vehicle.

The town stop is also where the itinerary can feel compressed. You may want time to shop, photograph the church, eat, and see the main sights, all before the group leaves for Cantaritos. If the party atmosphere is your priority, that tradeoff may not bother you. If Tequila town is your main interest, you may wish the schedule allowed more independent time.

Still, two hours provides a useful first look. You get more than a factory visit, and the town helps connect the drink to the place that gives tequila its name.

Cantaritos el Güero #1: the loudest finish

The final major stop is in Amatitán, about 20 minutes from Tequila. You spend around two hours here, though the guides may allow more time if the group is having a good time. The return drive to Guadalajara takes about one to two hours, depending on conditions.

Cantaritos el Güero #1 is known for its large daily party, regional music, dancing, and clay cups filled with tequila, juice, salt, and lemon. The biggest cantaritos can hold up to 21 liters, or about 5.5 gallons. That is a group drink, not a sensible personal serving, so decide in advance how much you want to consume.

The cantaritos are not included. You pay for them separately, along with any other purchases at the venue. This is the biggest extra cost to plan for beyond lunch and the optional snacks at the swing.

The reserved table is a real practical advantage. Without it, you may face long lines or trouble finding a place to sit. A table also helps the group stay together once the music starts. The party is not a quiet tasting room, and the volume and drinking culture may be too much for anyone looking for a calm end to the day.

This stop suits people who want dancing, music, and a shared celebration. It is also where you need the most self-control. Do not treat the giant cup as a challenge. Drink water, pace yourself, and remember that you still have a van ride back to Guadalajara.

The provider does not allow alcoholic drinks inside the vehicle. That rule is tied to cleaning costs, with a cleaning fee equal to one day’s vehicle rental if the van is soiled. It is a fair rule for a long group outing, and it is worth following carefully.

What the guides add to the day

The guides are central to this experience. Arturo is repeatedly singled out for clear English, detailed tequila explanations, careful driving, and close attention to the group. Benji and Don Benji are praised for their energy, friendliness, and ability to turn a group of strangers into a social bunch. Other guides named in the feedback include Jorge, Alex, and Julio.

That range of names suggests that your exact guide may vary. The consistent expectation is a host who does more than drive between stops. The best guides keep the tasting understandable, recommend food and tequila styles, answer questions, and watch the clock.

The friendly approach is a plus, but there is one caution. Alcohol can make small conflicts grow quickly. One negative account described a disagreement between a driver and a passenger after drinking. The operator also states that hostile behavior is not allowed. You should follow the guide’s instructions, keep your behavior respectful, and remember that safety comes before extending the party.

Value, group size, and what is included

The tour includes private transportation, factory entry, seven tequila tastings, and entrance to the swing. It does not include lunch, cantaritos, or drinks and snacks at the swing.

Because the actual booking price is not provided here, I cannot judge the tour by a fixed dollar amount. I can judge the structure. You are paying for a long day of transport, a factory visit, several tastings, a scenic attraction, time in Tequila, and a reserved party stop. That is useful value if you would otherwise need to arrange separate transport and decide where to go in the tequila region.

The value is less clear if you plan to spend most of your day quietly touring one distillery. In that case, the swing and Cantaritos stop may feel like extras you did not need. The tour is strongest for someone who wants several different experiences in one day and does not want to manage the driving.

A group limit of 20 keeps the outing from becoming enormous, though it is still a group tour rather than a private guide at your side all day. The mobile ticket and English offering make booking simple for an English-speaking visitor.

Who should book this tequila excursion

I would choose this for couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who are comfortable around alcohol and music. One family brought a 12 year old and found the Wednesday outing suitable, but the party setting is still the main focus at the end.

It is a good match if you:

• Want tequila education plus nightlife
• Prefer a planned day to arranging several taxis or buses
• Like scenic photo stops
• Enjoy regional music and dancing
• Are comfortable eating lunch at a market
• Can handle a long day with several hours on the road

I would hesitate if you want a slow, highly independent visit to Tequila town, dislike loud party venues, or do not drink alcohol. You can still enjoy the sights and swing, but much of the day is built around tasting and celebration.

Wear practical shoes and avoid white footwear. The operator specifically advises arriving after breakfast, and that advice matters. You should also bring water and avoid alcohol in the van.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the OXXO at Av. Ignacio L. Vallarta and Fernando De Celada 2912 in Guadalajara. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The full day takes approximately 10 to 11 hours. Driving between stops is included in that total, and the return trip to Guadalajara takes about one to two hours after Cantaritos.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included, and the vehicle is described in the provided information as air conditioned.

How many tequila drinks are included?

Seven tequila tastings are included. These include blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, and two liquors.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is purchased separately at the market in Tequila. The suggested meal price is about 6 to 10 US dollars.

Are the Cantaritos included?

No. Cantaritos are an extra cost. The venue serves giant clay cups with tequila, juice, salt, and lemon, with sizes reaching up to 21 liters.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather or too few bookings?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Your own cancellation is non-refundable and cannot be changed.

Should you book it?

Book this day if you want a social tequila-country outing, not just a distillery tour. The strongest combination is the clear factory lesson, seven tastings, scenic swing, useful stop in Tequila town, and big party finale. Guides such as Arturo and the Benji family add warmth and practical help.

Skip it if you need a relaxed schedule, a quiet lunch, or extensive free time in town. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded way to see the region from Guadalajara, provided you eat breakfast, pace your drinks, budget for lunch and cantaritos, and arrive ready for a long day.