11 Best Tours for Tequila Tasting in Cabo San Lucas

Tequila tasting in Cabo isn’t run of the mill. No boring tastings here!

So, we’re going big in this tequila guide, because that’s how we do things. (Plus, we love tequila. So there’s that.)

We’re talking about really unique tequila tours in Cabo like tequila with camel riding – thankfully, not in that order. And tequila and grasshoppers – thankfully, in that order (you might need some liquid courage to eat insects).

There are a lot of unique things to do in this vacation playground. But our motto is, “It’s more fun with tequila.” Ok, maybe that’s not our motto, but when in Rome Los Cabos, right?

Take it from us. It gets hot in Cabo. You’re going to get thirsty. And we are here to help.

So, when planning your trip, take a cue from the Romans and enjoy one of the following best tequila tasting tours in Cabo!

(Scroll to the end for the best places to buy tequila in Cabo San Lucas and elsewhere in Los Cabos.)

Tequila 101: The drink of Mexico!

Tequila, North America’s oldest distilled spirit, is deeply intertwined with Mexican culture.

Centuries ago, even before distillation techniques were introduced by the Spanish conquistadors, the Aztecs revered the agave plant, consuming a fermented drink called pulque. This ancient tradition laid the foundation for what would become tequila.

The tequila-making process today is still a labor of love.

But we will simplify it here because when you take a Los Cabos tequila tour, you’ll learn all the details as well as the history of tequila.

Where does tequila come from?

This spikey blue agave plant only grows in certain states of Mexico – Guanajuato, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Michoacan and Jalisco, where the town of Tequila is located.

Yes, tequila isn’t just a drink. It’s also a famous Pueblo Magico (magical town) and where the first distillery was founded.

So, for something to be called tequila, it must come from these states. It’s kind of like how champagne can only be made in the Champagne region of France. The same goes for tequila.

Anything made outside of those states is called an agave spirit or mezcal.

Mezcal has a smokier flavor than tequila (cooking the agave in pits underground lends it the smoky flavor).

On our latest visit to Cabo, we tried ginger mezcalitas (made from mezcal) at Acre, one of Cabo’s top farm-to-table restaurants – and we’re now fans of mezcal as well as tequila!

How is tequila made?

The agave plants are harvested by jimadores, or tequila farmers, employing the same methods and tools used for centuries.

Once the plant is between 5 to 7 years old, the jimadores slice the spikes off the plant, leaving a bulb at the heart called a pina.

Next, they roast the pinas, sometimes for days. They then extract all the sugars and ferment them for a few days, which is when the yeast and the sugars combine to form alcohol.

Then it’s on to the distilling and aging process.

Most tequila is aged in oak barrels. The longer the aging process, the deeper the color, aroma and flavors will be.

So, there you have it. The CliffsNotes version of the tequila production process.

Now let’s wet your whistle…

Tequila tasting in Cabo: 11 best ways

We are starting with a private tequila tour because you might not want a bunch of rowdy frat boys doing shots while trying to educate yourself on the finer points of tequila.

And don’t worry, it’s a really affordable tour too!

Head over to Tequilera Santos Destilados right in the heart of downtown Cabo San Lucas. Here, in their private tasting room, you’ll taste six handmade tequilas and three mezcals.

But you’re not just going to glug each one down. They are all expertly paired with snacks that bring out the best in each libation.

Just like wine, good tequila has layers, so certain flavors of food pair better with the underlying flavors in the tequila.

By the time you finish, you’ll be like a tequila sommelier.

Tequilera Santos Destilados is very close to the marina and cruise ship tender pier, so this tequila tour is an ideal activity in Cabo for cruise ship passengers.

This 5-star-rated Cabo San Lucas tequila tour with Cabo Adventures pretty much takes the cake, er, shot for wacky (but in a good way!) things to do when drinking tequila.

After getting picked up at your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle, you’ll drive along the coast to Rancho Tierra Sagrada, where the fun really begins.

Climb on top of your trusty steed – in this case, a camel – for a stroll over the soft sands along the beach.

For this tour, just imagine ambling along the water’s edge on a camel instead. It’s Lawrence of Arabia meets Mexico.

After your photoshoot with your humped buddy, it’s time for your seaside lunch and tequila tasting.

Hop on a glass-bottomed boat for a 45-minute cruise in Cabo San Lucas Bay. Search the ocean for Nemo and blubbery sea lions while taking in the iconic Lover’s Beach, Divorce Beach and the famous Arch (El Arco) from a different vantage point.

Then head back to dry land to visit a glass-blowing factory in downtown Cabo San Lucas.

Next stop on this combo excursion is a walking tour of the historic center of San Jose del Cabo (different from Cabo San Lucas – it’s more artsy with more colonial architecture).

After all that touring around Los Cabos, tequila tasting is in order.

You’ll be parched and more than ready for a little tipple and some chocolate!

After the tasting, you’ll have some free time for lunch and shopping before heading back to your hotel.

There’s something about sailing off into the sunset. It’s magical. It’s romantic. It’s tranquil.

As the sun descends in Cabo, the sky turns from fiery orange to the ever-so-subtle shades in a pale pink and purple watercolor painting. Feel the breeze and sip a cocktail or two from the open bar as you float past the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and the city lights start to twinkle. 

Your sunset sailing tour is coming to an end but hold on to your sombreros – the real party is about to begin.

Hot tip: If you adore evenings on the water as much as we do, check out our fave sunset cruises in Cabo. 

Fancy horseback riding along the beach, with the sea breeze blowing your hair, followed by a fun and informative tequila tasting? Here’s your chance!

On this small-group tour (capped at 15), you get to ride along a Pacific Coast beach and into the desert to see stunning mountain views.

The horses are gentle, tame and well-looked after, and the ride is suitable for beginners and seasoned riders.

After your ride, visit a tequila museum. You’ll sample different tequila varieties and learn all about the production of Mexico’s iconic drink, from the fermentation of blue agave to its distillation.

Let’s take a minute to think about this…

Shopping? Love it. Snorkeling? Can’t wait! Tequila. Oh, hell yes!

We’d be thrilled to do any of these. But all three? Count us in! This fun day tour has got to be one of the best tequila tours. It’s like they are speaking our love language!

Anyway, start the land portion of the tour in an air-conditioned van, making shopping stops along the way. Next, you’ll pop into a glass-blowing factory and a tequila distillery for a tasting.

Then board your catamaran for a cruise to Santa Maria or Chileno Bay for some underwater adventures. After working up your appetite, enjoy a buffet lunch and open bar.

Once your taste buds are satisfied and you’re back on dry land, continue your shopping spree.

This 6-hour tour starts you right off with a tequila tasting. Then after you’re feeling a little skippy, you have time to shop for souvenirs, silver jewelry and art.

Before sunset, you’ll board your catamaran for a lovely dinner cruise with an open bar and delicious food (a BBQ buffet, to be exact).

As the sun drops in the sky, you’ll see all the famous landmarks of Cabo – the Arch, Medano Beach, Pelican Rock and more.

This is probably the best tequila tasting in Cabo if you want a quick overview in a relaxed setting.

Pancho’s restaurant has been collecting unique tequilas and agave spirits for 25 years. Some are for sale; others are found in their tequila museum.

During the 45-minute tasting, you’ll try a blanco, reposado, anejo, extra anejo and a mezcal, while a tequila expert reviews the details, history, and production of the spirit.

We’d normally say driving ATVs and drinking tequila don’t go together, but in this instance, we’d be wrong.

This small-group desert tour (maximum 12 people) takes you on an ATV through areas inaccessible to most cars and tour vehicles. Then after you get down and dusty in the desert, it’s time for a tequila tasting and a buffet lunch.

The Las Ventanas Al Paraiso hotel came up with a unique tequila tasting tour, like none other.

The tequila masters at this luxury hotel created an exclusive program to determine your tequila preferences.

On this private tour experience, you do a one-on-one blind taste test to learn your tequila style. And to find the one that best suits your palate and personality. Do you lean toward “Adventurous,” “Robust,” “Greedy” or “Herbal”?

It takes the guesswork out of ordering a random tequila you may not like. You’ll also learn what to pair with it and what cocktails to order with it.

After you learn your fave tequila, pair it with their freshest of ceviches.

Ogle the colorful art in the gallery at Alma de Mexico in San Jose del Cabo on this culinary adventure, as you tuck into a fabulous lunch of traditional tacos and tostadas.

Sip on fresh fruit margaritas and try their infused tequilas, mezcals and agave creations. They use ancestral ingredients like honey, cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, and orange to infuse their spirits with unique sabores (flavors).

What’s the best place to buy tequila in Cabo San Lucas?

It seems like there’s a tequila store on every corner. And it’s a mighty good souvenir from Cabo to take back for yourself or a lucky friend.

But what is the best tequila to buy in Cabo San Lucas?

That’s a great question. Better to ask a tequila expert than us.

We are just tequila enthusiasts, but our favorite brand is Herraduro (the Reposado). And of course, there’s the bigger-budget Don Julio brand and many, many more to choose from.

Head to the following stores to find your fave…

Tequila Town

If you’re buying tequila in Cabo, this is an excellent place to do it. They have a vast selection of great tequilas.

According to them, it’s the largest in town, but we are usually too tequila-tipsy to confirm! Or care.

The Cellar Fine Wine & Spirits

As you’d expect from the name, this place has more than authentic tequila.

The Cellar Fine Wine & Spirits has a great selection of mezcals, agave spirits and Mexican wines. Not to mention some very high-quality tequilas…

Tequilera Santos Destilados 

This is where the private Cabo tequila tour (#1 above) occurs.

But if you’d rather ride a camel and just want to stop in to buy a bottle of fine tequila, Tequilera Santos Destilados offers free tastings.

Costco

Like all Costco stores, this one has some of the cheapest prices, but their selection isn’t extensive.

And unlike the other stores above, there isn’t a tequila expert on hand to answer questions.

Tequila in Cabo FAQs

Is tequila made in Cabo San Lucas?

Nope, there is no tequila from Los Cabos. It can only be made in five states: Guanajuato, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Michoacan, and Jalisco.

How much does a tequila tasting cost in Cabo?

If you just stop into a store, they usually offer complimentary tastings. But it will cost more if you want to take a tour and delve into the history, making and tasting of the liquid gold.

You can do a private tequila tasting in Cabo San Lucas, starting at $35 USD p.p. (see #1 above).

How do you drink tequila?

Some people like to take shots.

But we grew out of that a while back. We are sippers and prefer an aged reposado or anejo. We also like tequila cocktails in Mexico – as in margaritas!

Is Cabo tequila good?

“Cabo tequila” is often associated with Cabo Wabo tequila, a brand of tequila founded by rock musician Sammy Hagar of Van Halen fame.

They offer a range of tequilas, including blanco, reposado and anejo varieties.

Cabo Wabo tequilas have gained a following and reviews generally consider it to be a good solid tequila.

Last words on the best Los Cabos tequila tours and tastings

Whether you’re a seasoned tequila aficionado or a curious explorer, take a tour. Learn more. And get ready to taste the essence of Mexico.