Discover Tequila: Agave and Culture

Tequila offers several distinct themes to explore when planning your trip: the history and uses of agave, regional collections, a walking tour of the center, and guided distillery tours. If you’re looking for a hotel in Tequila, distinguishing between these options can help you decide which experiences you’d like to make the focus of your stay.

Agave History and Collections

The Museo Nacional del Tequila has five permanent exhibition rooms. Exhibits include replicas of archaeological objects, a dwelling built from agave leaves, information about Mayáguel, and tools used to grow and harvest agave. There are also photographs of agave fields and the Sauza family, as well as postage stamps, bottles, coins, paintings, and documents related to tequila production.

The museum presents the history and uses of agave in Mexico from pre-Hispanic times to the present day. The plant, its cultivation, and processing are presented alongside the history of the drink; the exhibits bring together a variety of material examples within a broad historical overview.

The Museo Juan Beckmann Gallardo offers a different focus: it displays carriages from the 19th and 20th centuries associated with Jalisco and Tequila. The contrast is clear: the Museo Nacional del Tequila focuses on agave and tequila production, while the Museo Juan Beckmann Gallardo showcases historic vehicles and their regional connections. Visitors choosing cultural sites by theme will find two clearly distinct perspectives here.

Explore the Center on Foot

The Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol is a worthwhile place to visit in Tequila. A central walking route can take you along the Plaza Principal, past the church, and by the portales, which house bars, restaurants, and tequila shops. The focus here is the route through the center and its various stops—an approach distinct from exploring collections or the history of agave.

Cultural History in the Wider Region

In the Tequila area, remains from the Teuchitlán cultures, dating from 200 to 900 CE, include evidence of agricultural terraces, houses, temples, ceremonial mounds, and ball courts. These sites extend the historical perspective beyond the history of agave. Keep the regional context in mind: the places and structures mentioned are located in the wider area around Tequila.

Distillery Tours and Landscapes

Guided tours of local distilleries are available in Tequila. They explain the production process and include a tasting. Unlike a museum collection, a distillery tour focuses on explaining how tequila is made, followed by a tasting.

Hiking from Tequila toward Volcán de Tequila is another recommended activity; from higher elevations, you can enjoy views across the valley. This perspective differs from a ride on the Tequila Express: the tourist train travels from Guadalajara to Tequila and passes through the agave landscape. If you plan to take the train, check the departure times for your travel date.

Regional Food and Drinks

Birria is one of the regional dishes to try in Tequila. Batangas is considered a typical drink. It was invented in 1980 at La Capilla and is made with tequila, cola, lime, and salt.

Discover more destinations: Municipio Zapotlanejo, Tepatitlán De Morelos, La Garita, Ixtapa, Tomatlán, Atotonilco, San Nicolás de Ibarra, Unión de Guadalupe

For the broader travel guide: Jalisco.