“So Tequila isn’t just a drink?” was the most common question I heard in response to telling my friends and co-workers about my travels to some of the magic towns of Mexico.
No, but as the supposed birthplace of the drink, it’s definitely a great spot to explore and indulge in one of Mexico’s specialties.
WHAT TO DO?
1) Go on a tour. There’s a lot to choose from. Some include stops around town while some are simply at a distillery. The two that locals suggested to us where the tours at Casa Sauza and Mundo Cuervo.
We opted to take the tour at Casa Sauza (for 200 pesos a person), which included a ride to a field to learn about agave plants, watch a jimador in action, followed by a tour of the distillery and tasting. At the end, we headed back to the hacienda where we got a frozen magarita and the chance to watch a mariachi band with dancers, showcasing traditional dances from jalisco, vera cruz and beyond.
2) Check out some of local spots. You can’t go to one of the magic towns without heading to the centre of the town, which often features a beautiful church and plaza. Whether religious or not, I find you can appreciate the architecture and meaning the establishment has in each of these towns.
3) Eat locally. There are a ton of great stands around the town to get some delicious snacks/refreshments. We enjoyed fresh coconut snacks and, with the heat, some cold beverages, including tejuino and agua fresca.
4) Find your favourite tequila. With over 1400 brands of tequila, this is the perfect chance to try a few of them from the source. My favourite is Herradura but is definitely not the only one I enjoy.
You can also buy some souvenirs here but you likely won’t be getting a discount just because you are buying it locally. There is something to say though about the story you can tell of buying tequila in Tequila.
Where to stay?
For full disclosure, we only stopped by tequila for the day (don’t worry the driver did not taste test that day) but there were a couple of hotels that really caught my eye. If heading there, especially on a weekend, I would highly recommend reserving a room in advance as it seems to be a popular spot for weddings for people from Guadalajara. If on a budget, there’s a number of hotels that you can get for the night for a few hundred pesos. There’s also a few spots on the opposite of the scale.
The one I think I would choose is the Hotel Solar de las Animas and would definitely stay there on my next trip!
