Guadalajara to Tequila and Destileria La Rojena: Day trip

Step into the UNESCO-listed birthplace of Mexico's most iconic spirit, where endless blue agave fields, colonial cobblestone streets, and the world's oldest tequila distilleries make for one of the most spirited towns in all of Jalisco.

What to see

• The sweeping agave landscape surrounding the town — endless rows of blue agave stretching toward the Tequila Volcano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right
• The Plaza Principal, framed by the striking neoclassical Parroquia Santiago Apóstol and a colorful mural of Mayahuel, the Aztec goddess of agave, plus the occasional performance of the ancient Danza de los Voladores

What to do

• Tour one of the town's legendary distilleries — from the historic José Cuervo's La Rojeña, the oldest distillery in the Americas, to smaller artisanal producers offering a more intimate look at the craft
• Walk the blue agave fields with a local guide to understand the painstaking process behind every bottle, from planting to harvest

What to try

• Tequila, naturally — but seek out a proper tasting at a distillery or a cantina like La Capilla, the oldest bar in town and birthplace of the Batanga cocktail, made with tequila, Coca-Cola, and lime

Take note

• The José Cuervo Express, a vintage-style train from Guadalajara, is one of the most memorable ways to arrive — book well in advance as it sells out quickly, especially on Saturdays

Step inside the oldest active tequila distillery in Latin America and discover over 250 years of craft, tradition, and history at the legendary home of José Cuervo.

What to see

• The historic distillery complex itself, where ancient stone buildings, copper stills, and aging barrels tell the story of tequila production across more than two and a half centuries
• The surrounding blue agave fields, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed agave landscape that stretches across the Jalisco valley

What to do

• Tour the distillery with a bilingual guide to follow the full production process — from the cooked agave hearts through fermentation, distillation, and into the barrel
• Watch a live jima demonstration, where skilled jimadores show the traditional art of harvesting agave by hand in the fields

What to try

• A guided tasting of José Cuervo expressions, from blanco to reposado to añejo — the chance to taste the world's best-selling tequila straight from the source that made it

Take note

• Multiple tour options are available, from a classic 45-minute visit to a longer agave field and distillery experience — book in advance as popular time slots sell out quickly. Visit mundocuervo.com for current tour options and pricing