Mexico’s worldwide popularity is, without a doubt, the most extraordinary aftermath that results from its unique folkloric roots mixed with a unique climate.
These conditions allowed Mexicans to create a very original way of living, giving food a special place in their culture and keeping Mother Earth’s ancient flavors in every dish.
To this date, this continues to happen generation after generation.
But besides this well-known truth, Mexican gastronomy is deeply connected to its most acclaimed gift to the world: Tequila production.
If you like this Mexican spirit, keep reading our Tequila Tasting Cabo San Lucas Guide and enhance your Cabo experience with this clever shortcut.
For those in the wonder, there are only a few places in the country where you can enjoy this traditional elixir and become a “new expert” at the same time.
Luckily for us, the town of Cabo San Lucas is one of these places. Yep, there is nothing better than a refreshing Margarita on Medano Beach!
Take a look and discover the history of this celebrated spirit on a guided tour that includes visits to some of the best tequila shops in town.
I promise you’ll be surprised by tequila once you try one of these tours – and I don’t mean the hangover!
Are you ready to learn about tequila production methods, taste different varieties, and buy some bottles to take home?
Whoa!
Story of Tequila (Told by a Mexican)
The story of tequila is a story of Mexico. It is a story of proud and passionate people who have been making this unique spirit for centuries.
Tequila production in Mexico dates back to the 16th century, when the first distilleries were established in the town of Tequila, in the state of Jalisco. Since then, tequila has been essential to Mexican culture and heritage. Salud!
Tequila is made from the blue agave plant, native to Mexico. The agave plants are harvested, and the hearts of the plants are roasted, which gives tequila its distinctive flavor.
Tequila is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It can be sipped neat or used in cocktails like the popular “Paloma” or “Dove” as translated to English – my favorite, by the way!
Whether you’re enjoying a glass of tequila at a Mexican cantina or mixing up a cocktail at home, the story of tequila is sure to add some flavor to your experience.
As a Mexican, I can say that there are plenty of things in our culture that makes us a unique country, but I think it is the Mexican gastronomy accompanied by a fine tequila that brought us the fame and glory we love to share with every visitor!
When you come to Cabo, consider taking a tequila tasting tour and enjoying the Mexican millenary flavors that only tequila can bring! You’ll not regret it – just don’t drink too much!
6 Best Tequila Tasting Cabo San Lucas Tours
If tequila is your drink of choice, then you’ll definitely want to find the best tequila-tasting tours in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Like with everything else during a trip to Cabo, there are a few different tequila tasting tours to choose from, so you’ll want to do some research first.
But don’t worry, I already did some digging!
Our Tequila Tasting Cabo San Lucas Guide will compile all these tours to help you find a good option to taste some of the best tequilas that Mexico has to offer, and why not? A lot of fun too, guaranteed!
Private Tequila Tasting
Also known as in-rental tequila tasting, this is probably a more exclusive experience, hosted at your villa rental, where knowledgeable guides are sent to your residence and will bring you some of the best tequila samples in town.
For some people, this is a more comfortable way to do a tequila tasting session, and it’s also available with certain businesses like Santos Destilados and Cuvee.
When booking an in-rental tequila tasting, you can spend a fantastic afternoon or evening, learning everything about this delicious Mexican spirit and of course, tasting it too!
So what are you waiting for? Raise a glass for an unforgettable experience!
1. Tequilera Santos Destilados
This place is on top of our Tequila Tasting Cabo San Lucas Guide, and you’ll see why!
Tequilera Santos Destilados is a tequila boutique shop that provides free tequila tasting to any visitor that wants to spend a great day in Cabo San Lucas.
You can come by from 9:00 to 21:00 and have a sample of any product you are interested in buying. Amazing, right?
Visitor’s reviews are highly inviting as most people recommend this place if you want a memorable tequila tasting experience.
Santos Destilados offers the traditional on-site tequila tasting session, but they also have in-rental tequila tasting deals.
They’ll send a Maestro Tequilero (or expert staff) to your villa or home rental to show you and your guests the magical universe of tequila.
Either way, you’ll get to sample some of the best tequila in the world accompanied by a delicious food pairing sample set, and at the same time, you’ll learn about the ancient art of tequila making.
According to our Tequila Tasting Cabo San Lucas Guide, the Tequilera Santos Destilados tour session is one of the best options to date.
| Location: | Mariano Matamoros, Blvd. Lázaro Cárdenas y, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S. |
| Departure and return: | Not needed |
| Average Price: | on-site 35 USD / in-rental 45 USD |
| Availability: | Subject to the calendar. For on-site tours, you can book up to 6 hours in advance. |
| Duration: | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Group size: | on-site up 24 people / in-rental unlimited |
| Time of the day: | Morning, afternoon, or evening |
| What is included: | 6 tequilas + 3 mezcals + food matching |
| Mobile ticket: | Yes (immediate confirmation) |
| Language: | Spanish and English |
| Cancellation policy: | Free cancellation up to 24 h with re-scheduling flexibility |
| Book Online: | Official website, Airbnb Experience, Viator |
2. Rancho Tours
Rancho Tours is a tour operator company located in Cabo San Lucas and they offer a variety of other Cabo adventures for keen travelers.
The tequila tasting tour is part of a more complete city adventure that includes three alternatives: Basic, Cabo San Lucas City Tour, and Explorer Cabo, each one with different schedules, prices, and durations.
Their tequila tasting tour is led by knowledgeable guides from the Tequila Lighthouse Distillery business, located at the Cabo San Lucas Marina.
Here you’ll learn about the different types of tequilas available and the history and production of this unique spirit. There is no doubt this is a favorite tour stop for many visitors!
If you are looking for a full-day adventure and want to explore Cabo further, Rancho Tours is a great way to experience the tequila tour as their pricing is more flexible, offering you other activities to have some extra fun!
| Location: | Calle Mariano Abasolo s/n, Downtown, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S. |
| Departure and return: | Hotel pick-up and drop-off |
| Average Price: | Basic 50 USD / Cabo San Lucas City Tour 60 USD / Explorer Cabo 99 USD |
| Availability: | Subject to Calendar |
| Duration (entire trip): | Basic 2.5 hours / Cabo San Lucas City Tour 3 hours / Explorer Cabo 6 hours |
| Group size: | up to 14 people |
| Time of the day: | Morning or afternoon |
| What is included: | Basic Tequila Tasting Tour / Cabo San Lucas City Tour same as Basic + Blown Glass Factory Visit / Explorer Cabo same as Cabo San Lucas City Tour + San José del Cabo Centro Histórico + Mexican Restaurant Closure Meal |
| Mobile ticket: | Yes (immediate confirmation) |
| Language: | Spanish and English |
| Cancellation policy: | Free cancellation up to 24 h |
| Book Online: | Rancho Tours website |
3. Tequila Lighthouse (El Faro)
The Tequila Lighthouse is a distillery business that operates in Jalisco (another state of Mexico), but they have a presence in Cabo San Lucas as well.
Located at the Cabo San Lucas Marina, the Tequila Lighthouse tour offers visitors an opportunity to taste an exclusive tequila brand in Mexico.
You can come to Tequila Lighthouse as part of the adventure city tour offered by Rancho Tours (number 3 on our Tequila Tasting Cabo San Lucas Guide).
Here, you’ll not find any commercial product but only special “tequila delicacies” like their unique flavored brand with chocolate, vanilla, almond, and coffee liquors.
This alternative stands out from this list because they fabricated their tequila and created a unique brand they don’t sell it anywhere else besides their two branches in town.
The Tequila Lighthouse tour is entirely free, creating a dynamic that is more like a warm welcoming to visitors interested in buying a great tequila rather than a scheduled touristic activity.
Here you’ll have a brief walkthrough where you’ll learn about the basic tequila production methods and finish with a delicious sampling session of their unique tequila brands: Cantera Negra (their traditional brand), Agua Luna (exotic flavored liquor), and Reserva Única (exclusive for Cabo San Lucas).
Also, they have a souvenir shop where you can walk around and find cute items to bring back home. This is always a pleasant way of wrapping up, right?
Reservations are not needed unless you want to bring a big group, you can be book through your hotel concierge or online (see table below).
| Location: | Blvd. Paseo de la Marina S/N-Local 9 y 10, Centro, Marina, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S. |
| Departure and return: | Not needed |
| Average Price: | Free |
| Availability: | Anytime from 8:00 to 21:00 (up to 20:00 at their smaller branch) |
| Duration: | 30 minutes (approx.) |
| Group size: | up to 150 people (3 areas with a capacity of 50 people each) |
| Time of the day: | Morning, afternoon, or evening |
| What is included: | 5 – 10 minutes walkthrough + 4 tequilas + flavored liquors |
| Mobile ticket: | Not needed |
| Language: | Spanish and English |
| Cancellation policy: | Not needed |
| Book Online: | Big groups – use Facebook or contact María de Jesús +52 624 239 9021 |
4. Camel Safari
Hundreds of visitors have praised this famous tour with excellent overall reviews, so here it is!
Camel Safari will provide all the fun and tasty tequila needed for those who want a desert adventure. After all, what better way to enjoy this Mexican spirit than during a camel tour?
The tour is arranged by different tour operators and starts with a 20-minute camel ride through the Tierra Sagrada Adventure Park – you’ll have to pay the entrance fee of USD 20 as this is not included in the tour price.
Once you arrive at the Safari stop, you’ll enjoy a delicious Mexican lunch buffet and the tequila tasting session. Here, you will be able to try a variety of tequilas like most tours, including some of the best in Mexico.
If you are up to a different experience in Cabo, book your Camel Safari Ride below!
| Location: | – |
| Departure and return: | Hotel pick-up and drop-off (except for downtown hotels, customers can walk to the Camel Safari meeting point). |
| Average Price: | 95 USD |
| Availability: | Subject to the Calendar |
| Duration: | 3.5 – 4 hours approx. |
| Group size: | Up to 14 people |
| Time of the day: | Morning or afternoon |
| What is included: | Camel ride + Mexican lunch + Tequila tasting |
| Mobile ticket: | Yes (immediate confirmation) |
| Language: | Spanish and English |
| Cancellation policy: | Free cancellation up to 24 h |
| Book Online: | Cabo Adventures, Viator, Tours Los Cabos, Venues Mexico |
5. Esperanza’s Tours
Similar to Rancho Tours (option 2), Esperanza’s tequila tasting tour is part of an entire city adventure that includes other activities like the blown glass factory visit and the glass-bottom boat tour.
If this is your first time in Cabo, this tour is highly recommendable as this company offers a variety of options for exploring this beautiful destination.
If you pick this tour, you’ll be picked up at your hotel, making it more comfortable.
The tequila tasting stop is Hacienda Tequila, a cute Mexican traditional souvenir shop decorated with skulls and colorful items.
The knowledgeable staff will guide you through various tequilas, explaining the different types and how they’re made, and then provide you with tequila samples, including some exclusive blends you’ll rather not miss!
Whether you’re a tequila “aficionado” or just looking to learn more about this famous Mexican spirit, Esperanza’s tequila tasting tour could be an excellent and pocket-friendly way to do it.
| Location: | Boulevard Marina, Edificio Plaza API, módulo B-8 Marina de, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S. |
| Departure and return: | Hotel pick-up and drop-off |
| Average Price: | 65 USD |
| Availability: | Subject to Calendar |
| Duration: | 30 minutes |
| Group size: | up to 7 people |
| Time of the day: | Morning or afternoon |
| What is included: | Roundtrip transportation |
| Mobile ticket: | Yes (Immediate confirmation) |
| Language: | Spanish and English |
| Cancellation policy: | Free cancellation up to 24 h |
| Book Online: | Esperanza’s website |
6. Pancho’s Restaurant
This tour includes a guided tequila tasting of four different tequilas (White, Reposado, Añejo & Extra Añejo) and a Mezcal.
Pancho’s Restaurant is located in the heart of Cabo San Lucas, making it easy to find and access. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour, making it the perfect activity for a day in Cabo San Lucas.
Pancho’s Restaurant offers four different tours: Basic (average tequila brands sampling), Delux (premium tequila brands), Premium (premium tequila + pairing chocolate ice cream with extra añejo tequila), and Ultra-Premium (ultra-premium tequila brands + pairing chocolate ice cream with extra añejo tequila).
In any case, you can add USD 20 to include a four-course food pairing Menu (small portions) for your Tequilas.
If you’re looking for a tequila tasting tour in Cabo San Lucas, Pancho’s Restaurant is a very basic but still a good option for you. Plus, the restaurant food is extremely tasty!
Attention! Reservations must be informed as a special request when booking.
| Location: | Calle Miguel Hidalgo Sur Casi Esquina, Emiliano Zapata, 23450 Cabo San Lucas |
| Departure and return: | Not needed |
| Average Price: | Basic 35 USD / Delux 45 USD / Premium 65 USD / Ultra Premium 95 USD |
| Availability: | Every day (16:00 – 20:30) |
| Duration (entire trip): | 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| Group size: | up to 30 people |
| Time of the day: | Evening |
| What is included: | 4 types of Tequila + 1 Mezcal |
| Mobile ticket: | Email confirmation |
| Language: | Spanish and English |
| Cancellation policy: | – |
| Book Online: | Pancho’s website |
Buy Tequila in Cabo San Lucas
If you’re looking for the best places to buy tequila, keep reading our Tequila Tasting Cabo San Lucas Guide, and we’ll tell you all about the best places in town to purchase your tequila.
Here are our top three picks!
1 . La Europea
This is one of the most popular places to buy tequila in Cabo San Lucas and for a very good reason.
Apparently, this shop has unbeatable prices and also has a wide selection of tequilas, both premium, and budget-friendly, so you’re sure to find something that suits your taste.
The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and can help you find the perfect tequila for your needs.
Where to find it?
- Carr. Transpeninsular km 5 local 61 A Plaza San Lucas. Col, 23454 El Tezal, B.C.S.
2 . Santos Destilados
Besides offering excellent tequila tasting tours, they can also give you a hand when it comes to deciding which tequila you want to buy.
This shop offers free tequila tasting to anyone interested in a particular brand. Yep! This is a regret-free purchase.
For those on the tequila hunt, this place has a great selection of tequilas, from premium to budget-friendly brands, so you’re sure to find something that suits your taste – and pockets.
Where to find it?
- Mariano Matamoros, Blvd. Lázaro Cárdenas y, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S.
3 . Tequila Town
This is an excellent option if you are looking for fun, as Tequila Town is a shop located in Cabo San Lucas Marina.
According to many customers, the staff here is amicable and ready to help you out with your purchase. Some people describe this place as a tequila museum-bar-liqueur store, all in one!
Actually, they also offer a cheeky tequila tasting – as per many customer reviews, this is the best part of all, no wonder!
Here you can bump into hard-to-find- tequila brands with reasonable prices for a touristic area, and in general, this is a great place to buy tequila as they have an overwhelming selection for tequila lovers.
Where to find it?
Blvd. Paseo de la Marina S/N, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S.
So there you have it – our top three picks for the best places to buy tequila in Cabo San Lucas.
Now get out there and start exploring all the tequila that Mexico has for you!
Tequila Travel Tips
Because we think sampling and buying tequila is not enough, we added a special section to our Tequila Tasting Cabo San Lucas Guide: How to take it home.
If you’re planning on bringing tequila back from Mexico to the United States, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First of all, make sure this is possible for you:
Step one – You’ll need to be above 21 years old
Step two – Be aware of the customs regulations for bringing alcohol into the United States:
a) You’re allowed to bring up to one liter of tequila per person into the country. Anything above will need to be declared and may be subject to taxes.
b) If needed, be ready to declare your tequila bottle by filling Customs and Border Protection form (6059B)
c) Verify Federal and Local laws, depending on your final destination (rules and regulations for alcoholic beverages in the USA may vary depending on the state and the county).
d) Check the amount of alcohol allowed in your state on the Alcohol Beverage Control board.
e) Check if your state will apply a special tax for each liter that you declare at arrival. For example, this is the case for Texas.
f) Make sure your tequila’s alcohol by volume is not above 40 ° vol. as this proves it is suitable for human consumption. The average range for Mexican products is 35 ° Vol. – 38 ° Vol.
g) Check the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau guidelines to ensure your tequila complies with the label regulations.
Step three – Pack your tequila in a secure and well-sealed container. You don’t want any leaks or spills during your travels. Trust me, it can happen!
b) Avoid packing your tequila inside your hand luggage. Always pack your spirit inside your check-in suitcase
a) Protect your tequila using bubble wrap films or packing tapes
Step four – Avoid arriving at a “Dry County” where alcohol is not allowed when you enter the United States. These areas are dry by default:
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
There you go! with these tips in mind, you should be able to transport your tequila safely and legally back to the States and get away with it hustle-free!
Salud My Friend!
Overall, the tequila tasting tours are a great way to spend the day in Cabo San Lucas, and by reading this Tequila Tasting Cabo San Lucas Guide, you’ll definitely have more accurate expectations when booking a tour.
Hopefully, you’ll take the opportunity to learn about the history and production of tequila while also enjoying some delicious samples!
Whether you’re looking for a fun activity to do with friends or a way to expand your knowledge of tequila, these tours are worth trying, right?
Enjoy your Cabo vacation and tequila tastings, and don’t forget to pack a little extra for the journey home.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and family. Until next time, happy exploring!
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