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