Visit Tequila, Mexico: The Ultimate Jalisco Travel Guide
Jalisco is home to the town, the spirit, and the landscapes that make tequila what it is —…
Jalisco is home to the town, the spirit, and the landscapes that make tequila what it is — rolling blue agave fields, centuries-old haciendas, and distilleries that still use the same methods their founders did generations ago. Whether you’re planning a day trip from Guadalajara or a full week exploring the region, this guide covers how to get there and which distilleries are worth your time.
Why Jalisco Is Tequila’s Heartland
Jalisco produces roughly 90% of the world’s tequila, so it’s no surprise the state is packed with haciendas tequileras. Most trips start in Guadalajara, which has direct flights from many major U.S. cities — I usually fly United out of Houston, but Aeroméxico, Voláris, and Viva also serve the route.
The Town of Tequila: Home of La Rojeña
About 40 miles outside Guadalajara, the town of Tequila is the must-see stop for anyone tracing the spirit’s history. It’s home to La Rojeña, one of Mexico’s oldest and most famous distilleries, where Jose Cuervo has made tequila for over two centuries.
- Jose Cuervo Express: A train ride from Guadalajara that includes entertainment, a distillery tour, a tequila tasting, and a gourmet lunch. Book through Panoramex Tours, which also runs a 7-day, 6-night Tequila Tour Package if you want to see the whole region.
- Casa Sauza by bus: Visit the Casa Sauza botanical gardens and tour the Perseverancia de Casa Sauza distillery, where you’ll learn how tequila categories, aging times, and production rules work — plus the innovations Casa Sauza introduced that broke from traditional production methods. Book through Tequila Tours.
Amatitán: Hacienda San José del Refugio
Amatitán is a smaller, equally captivating town and home to Hacienda San José del Refugio, where Tequila Herradura is produced. Touring the hacienda feels like stepping back in time — it highlights the labor-intensive, traditional methods that shaped tequila production long before modern distilleries existed.
Herradura also runs a train from Guadalajara, with one key difference from the Jose Cuervo Express: the Herradura train makes the round trip both ways, while the Jose Cuervo route requires choosing train or bus for one leg of the journey. See the current packages through Tequila Tours’ Herradura Express.
Plan Your Trip
Before you go, brush up on the basics: find out which of the 5 tequila regions of Mexico you’ll be visiting, and learn how aging changes flavor with our tequila aging guide so you know what to order once you’re there.
Visit Tequila, Mexico — FAQ
How far is the town of Tequila from Guadalajara? About 40 miles (roughly a 1-hour drive), with train and bus tours available from the city.
Can you take a train to the tequila distilleries? Yes — both the Jose Cuervo Express and the Herradura Express run from Guadalajara to their respective haciendas.
Which airport should I fly into for a tequila tour? Guadalajara International Airport (GDL), which has direct flights from most major U.S. cities.
Learn More About Tequila
- Tequila Alcohol Proof Content
- 10 Best Luxury Tequila Brands (2026): A Buyer’s Guide
- Silver vs Gold Tequila: Complete Comparison Guide
- Tequila Aging Process Explained
- Tequila vs Mezcal: Key Differences Explained
