Where to Stay in Tequila To Experience The Best of the Valley

Are you planning a trip to Tequila and want to make sure you hit all the best spots in the Valles Region? I’ve got you covered. This is the best guide on the internet to find a great place to stay in Tequila and take in all the best experiences in the Valles Region of Jalisco, Mexico.

There is more to the Valles Region than you may have realized. Some of the most popular things to do in Tequila are actually in the neighboring municipalities of Amatitán, Arenal, and Teuchitlán, among many others. There are activities for the whole family, and other activities that are just for the 18-and-up crowd. There are backpacker options, luxury options, and everything in between.

I may be partial, but I think that you should spend a couple more days in Tequila and the Valles Region so you aren’t rushed. Obviously, you want to make reservations at the cult-favorite tequila distilleries well in advance, but there are also pyramids, a world-class museum, 17th-century haciendas, waterfalls, and marvelous rural experiences. The day trip just doesn’t do the Tequila Valley justice.

Quick Guide: Where To Stay In Tequila

• Hotel Solar de las Animas on the plaza in Downtown Tequila: A historic and architecturally significant hotel on the plaza and within walking distance from everything
• Casa Salles in Oldtown Tequila: A boutique hotel attached to the El Tequileño Distillery and a 15-minute walk to the Downtown Tequila plaza and markets
• Matices Hotel de Barricas on the outskirts of Tequila: A unique lodging option of cabins shaped like tequila barrels in the middle of an agave field. El Cofradía Tequila Distillery is on site. A 45-minute walk to town.
• Hacienda el Carmen is next to the pyramids and is featured in the Netflix drama Monarca about a wealthy and corrupt family with a tequila empire.

Where To Stay in Tequila Overview

Most people only spend one day in the Valley. I think you need to plan for at least four days (ideally 6 days) to see two distilleries, the agave fields, the pyramids, the Beckmann Museum, some waterfalls, an ex-hacienda, and .

The region around the volcano is called the Valles Region, and Tequila is just one of the 11 municipalities. The Ruta del Tequila, or Tequila Route, is a collection of small towns that circle the Tequila Volcano, each with unique tourist attractions and things to do.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tequila includes over 85,000 acres from the Tequila Volcano up to the Santiago River. The town of Tequila is the crown jewel, but there is a lot more to see and do in the region.

One thing you will quickly realize is there are both tourist traps and culturally significant things to do in Tequila, Jalisco. The locals call Tequila “Disneyland for drunks” because there is a fair amount of overconsumption on display. I want to help you sift through the noise and find the hidden gems.

The first couple of times that I visited Tequila, I was unimpressed. It wasn’t until I got off the tourist track that I really fell in love with the region.

It is up to each visitor to decide what type of experience they are interested in. You can find the best tequila in the world mixed with historic and cultural experiences. You can also get stuck on a cheap tour with a group of belligerently drunk people getting sick on the bus ride home. A little planning will go a long way in Tequila, Jalisco.

This is the complete guide to the town of Tequila and the greater Valles Region.

Downtown Tequila – Walking Distance to Everything

Downtown Tequila is the first and only destination that most people experience when traveling to the region. This is a Disneyland-esque travel destination with carefully staged viewpoints and buildings designed to look as if they were constructed centuries ago.

What I like about Downtown Tequila is that there are plenty of things to do all within walking distance. What I don’t like about Downtown Tequila is that it feels somewhat staged. It doesn’t have the authenticity of the neighboring towns of Amatitán, Etzatlán, and El Arenal. Plus, there is a culture of over-consumption with street vendors selling low-quality cocktails in the street

Where to Stay in Downtown Tequila

• Hotel María Bonita is a budget option in Downtown Tequila with colonial charm
• Hotel Solar de las Animas on the plaza in Downtown Tequila: A historic and architecturally significant hotel on the plaza and within walking distance from everything
• Casa Salles in Oldtown Tequila: A boutique hotel attached to the El Tequileño Distillery and a 15-minute walk to the Downtown Tequila plaza and markets

Things To Do In Downtown Tequila

• Schedule a distillery tour at a cult-favorite tequila distillery like Fortaleza, Arette, or El Tequileño
• Tour the Juan Beckmann Gallardo Cultural Center, one of the best museums in Mexico
• Visit the Parroquia Santiago Apostol Church
• Hike the Azules Waterfall trail through agave fields
• Drink a tequila cocktail at a classic cantina such as La Capilla, El Beso, or Ixtete

Hotel Outside Tequila – May Require A Ride

• Matices Hotel de Barricas is located on a ranch less than 2 miles from Downtown Tequila, with a distillery, restaurant, and agave fields on site.

Teuchitlán & Guachimontones Archeological Site

Teuchitlán is a little pueblo on the other side of the volcano from Tequila, Jalisco. Right above the town of Teuchitlán is the archeological site of Guachimontones.

Guachimontones was a significant pre-Hispanic community that is estimated to have had around 40,000 occupants. The conical-shaped pyramids are unique among all the other archeological sites that I have visited in Mexico and Central America.

Teuchitlán is a little pueblo on the other side of the volcano from Tequila, Jalisco. Right above the town of Teuchitlán is the archeological site of Guachimontones. It is located right next to a lake that was an important part of the chinampa agricultural system that supported a large population.

Many people are familiar with the chinampa agricultural system of Mexico City’s Xochimilco. It is less well known that the same chinampa agriculture system sustained the population here.

The Tequila Volcano is long extinct, but it left a large reserve of obsidian. That glass-like rock was made into all sorts of cutting tools and spear tips that were traded far and wide. Between agriculture and industry, this pre-Hispanic community must have been a sight to see back in the day. 

Things To Do In Guachimontones

• Tour the Phil Weigand Interpretive Center
• Hike up the hill to the Archeological Site
• Explore the ball courts and conical pyramids
• Go for a swim at the water park

Where to eat near Guachimontones

There is a small restaurant serving indigenous food right in front of the parking lot, but I always make reservations at one of the nearby historic haciendas for lunch. Hacienda Labor de Ribera is ten minutes away, and Hacienda El Carmen is fifteen minutes away. Take advantage of being in the area to experience these majestic properties.

You must make reservations to have lunch at the haciendas.

I have taken many groups of family members to eat at both hacienda restaurants and it is always one of the most memorable parts of the trip. Years later, an uncle will say something like, “You remember that time we went to the pyramids and that hacienda, that was awesome.” It is an experience you will remember.

Where To Stay In Teuchitlán & Guachimontones

There are a couple of budget places to stay in Teuchitlán, but the best place to stay on this side of the Tequila Valley is the haciendas. These are my favorite hotels in Mexico. My family and I have been exploring these historic properties for decades now. There is a ton of history around here, and reading a book about the hacienda system and staying at one of these boutique hotels will throw your imagination into overdrive.

We particularly enjoy these hotels with the kids. There are animals and huge gardens to explore. Riding horses is a very popular activity on these properties and in this part of Jalisco. Hacienda El Carmen has a distillery and a massive greenhouse where they grow much of the produce served at the restaurant.

• Hacienda Labor de Rivera
• Hacienda El Carmen
• Hotel El Centenario Etzatlán

Amatitán, Jalisco – More Than Just The Cantaritos

What I love about Amatitan is its authenticity. These are real cowboys and real farmers in the heart of Mexico. While the city of Tequila can feel like a tourist trap, Amatitan is down-home Mexico.

The Herradura Hacienda and Cantaritos El Guero are both located in Amatitan, which brings in a lot of visitors. There is a lovely downtown area with great food, but it is also easy to visit the agave fields just outside of town. Some of my favorite pictures of the agave fields were shot on the road out to La Presa.

Make sure to plan some time in Amatitán because this area includes some of the best things to do in the Tequila Valley.

Things to do in Amatitán

• Take a tequila distillery tour at Herradura, Amatiteña, Caballo Cerrero, or Hacienda de Oro
• Check out the caves in the Plaza Principal Amatitán
• Explore Downtown Amatitán’s historic core
• Visit the José Cuervo agave fields
• Go horseback riding through the many surrounding agave fields

Where to eat in Amatitán

• Ruinas Chimulco Restaurant
• Las Grutas Amatitán
• Cantaritos El Guero
• Tacos Godoy
• Arturo’s Carne y Tacos
• El Sazón del Rancho, Don Emilio & Doña Mary

Where to stay in Amatitán

• Casa Amatl Hotel Galeria
• Hotel boutique Casa Lerdo

El Arenal, Jalisco

The first stop on the Ruta Del Tequila, as you are heading out of Guadalajara, is Arenal. As you approach the town, you will start to see small agave farms on both sides of the highway. I recommend skipping breakfast in Guadalajara and getting some tacos in Arenal before your first distillery tour.

If you didn’t remember to bring a hat, you should stop and pick one up on your way into town. Don’t worry, you will see the roadside stand as you hit the first speed bumps. If you plan on spending any time at all in the agave fields, I can’t recommend a good hat enough. You will thank me later.

Things to do in El Arenal

• Tour the Cascahuin Tequila Distillery

Tequila Cascahuin is the under-the-radar, cult favorite distillery of serious agave enthusiasts in the Jalisco area. I’m talking about bartenders at agave-centric establishments and the guys who write books about Mexico’s agave culture.

While they make a number of different brands of Tequila here, everything is certified additive-free. They use brick steam ovens and produce a special type of tequila for one client that uses a mezcal-style pit oven.

There are both roller mills and a stone tahona to crush the agaves. Only the more expensive labels use the tahona. More tequila makers are installing tahona in the distilleries, but it is still a novelty.

One of the coolest things about Cascahuin is that they continue to experiment with different techniques in the process of fermentation, distillation, and cooking the agaves. If you see a special edition bottle of Cascahuin, you know the collectors will go crazy for it.

The Cascahuin Distillery is open to tours Monday through Saturday. Reservations are recommended. A general tour costs MX$100. A tour and tasting starts at MX$300 per person for the blanco, reposado, and añejo. The tour plus premium tasting costs MX$420 and is the cheapest tasting of ultra-premium tequilas you can find the Valles Region. They recommend booking a tour 10 days in advance. Send them an email at info (@) tequilacascahuin.com

Where to eat in El Arenal

The restaurants in El Arenal are simple and delicious. This is a great place to get to know country-style food.

• Carnitas La Fuente
• Tortas Ahogadas Los Primos
• Las Gorditas El Tío
• Taquería El Chemo
• Carnes Asadas La Higuera
• Jarritos La Puerta Del Agave

Where to stay in El Arenal

El Arenal doesn’t have a lot of hotel options in town, but there is a lovely property 10 minutes away that can easily arrange a taxi to and from the Cascahuin Distillery. Finca Hotel by ALOFA is a historic hacienda

• Finca Hotel by ALOFA

Ahualulco de Mercado

Maru Toledo is one of the preeminent voices of Jalisco, documenting oral tradition and writing cookbooks. She hosts some amazing culinary experiences highlighting ranch-style food. Her recipes and cooking techniques are centuries old. They cook on a wood-fired comal and make cheese and vinegar in the old-school way. 

Maru hosts events every few weeks. Make sure to follow her Facebook page to get up-to-date notifications about her upcoming events. There is talk of opening up the ranch to do breakfasts on the weekends, but they haven’t started that just yet.

Etzatlán

Etzatlán is one of the best places to get to know authentic ranching culture in the Tequila Valley. Downtown Etzatlán is picturesque with a beautiful tree-lined plaza and gazebo. Cowboys ride their horses through the streets, and little kids practice swinging a lasso. It feels like something out of a storybook.

The town is famous for the largest crocheted canopy, which won a Guinness World Record in 2019.

The Hotel Centenario is a historic mansion that was converted into a boutique hotel. It is a time capsule with a historic cantina and restaurant in front.

I suspect that Etzatlán is in the running to be named one of the new Pueblos Mágicos in Jalisco. The town is really enjoyable and a great day trip from Guadalajara.

El Manto Balneario en El Rosario, Nayarit

El Manton Balneario is by far one of the coolest (figuratively and literally) places to visit on the Ruta del Tequila. A small river flows through a canyon, creating a series of pools and waterfalls. The water is crystal clear and cool. We visited in May when the temperature driving in was over 100 degrees. Walking down the stairs under heavy foliage, the temperature dropped 20 degrees, and the water felt wonderful on a hot day.

The town of El Rosario is not in the state of Jalisco but in the neighboring state of Nayarit. The municipality of Amatlán de Cañas is one of the eight municipalities in Nayarit that are approved to make Tequila. This is still the Ruta del Tequila, as apparent by the agave fields as far as the eye can see.

This place is incredible and needs to be on your list of things to do along the Ruta del Tequila.

There are nice cabins and a campground on site. In the towns of El Rosario and Amatlán de Cañas, there are more accommodations and excellent country-style food. The road isn’t great when you cross from Jalisco into Nayarit.

It becomes narrower with sections of big potholes and some overgrowth creeping into the road.

The towns themselves are very well maintained with beautiful historic downtowns with churches, markets, and hotels. The tequila industry brings in a lot of money to the rural economy.

Magdalena

Magdalena is a small town just 20 km down the road from Tequila that is famous for fire opals. There are a number of opal mines and jewelry stores that make an afternoon visit enjoyable.

Across the street from the main plaza, there is a small museum dedicated to the agave landscape and the mining industry.

FAQs: Where to stay in The Tequila Valley

These are the most common questions that I see in the Facebook groups and that I get on social media.

Should I rent a car in Tequila?

Yes! My favorite way to explore the Tequila Valley is with a vehicle.

Rent a car from Discover Cars and drive around the Valley. The Fortaleza Distillery is walking distance from a dozen hotels in Downtown Tequila, but many of the best distilleries and destinations are off the beaten path.

One of my favorite experiences was driving through the agave fields and pulling over at the lookout points and taking pictures.

And who doesn’t love pulling over on a whim to eat tacos at a busy restaurant?

You will see more of the region if you have a vehicle.

Are there Places Outside of Tequila Worth Visiting?

Yes, it is worth visiting. While the uneducated visitor may see Tequila as a huge tourist trap, there are plenty of cultural and historic activities hidden behind the excesses. Read my article. I think that I have done a pretty good job of calling out the toursit traps and directing visitors to the best things to do in Tequila, Jalisco.

Is Tequila, Jalisco Safe?

When tourists ask me if a place in Mexico is safe they are not referring to the drinking water or the air quality. They want to know about violent crime, kidnapping, and drug trafficking.

This part of Jalisco is very safe. The biggest problem that tourists have is drinking too much alcohol.

Is Tequila, Jalisco Expensive?

Visiting Tequila, Jalisco, is not particularly cheap or expensive. There are activities for all budgets, hotels for all budgets, and both boutique tours and public buses. While there are plenty of overpriced tourist traps, with a little research, it is easy to find the soul of Tequila.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Valles Region of Jalisco?

Much like the rest of Jalisco, my favorite time of year is the fall. September is the end of the rainy season, and the agave landscapes will be vivid green.

Spring is the hottest and driest time of year. It is uncomfortable to be outside in the middle of the day, but the evenings are lovely.

Summertime is the rainy season. It rains most days but not all day long. It usually rains in the afternoon, evening, or early morning. The storm clouds and lightning make dramatic photos.

Wintertime is dry and chilly. It doesn’t get too cold around here, but a jacket or heavy sweatshirt will be needed at night. The daytime temperatures will probably be in the high 70s f during the day.

Is English spoken in Tequila, Jalisco

Yes, English is widely spoken in Tequila, Jalisco. All of the major tour operators, all of the top distilleries, and all of the hotels will have a solid level of English. Not every tour will be able to accommodate English speakers, but there are usually several tours per day that have an English-speaking tour guide.

Food servers and bartenders may not speak perfect English, but the most important services will speak decent English.

Is the area appropriate for kids?

I have never taken my kids to Tequila. There aren’t as many kid-friendly activities in Tequila as there are in other parts of the Valley.

Kids are going to enjoy the Guachimontones Pyramids and the old haciendas more than they are going to enjoy an open-air bar.

Kids are not allowed in cantinas and on some of the tours, so make sure to plan around that.

Where is the Big Swing?

The swing you saw in an Instagram reel is on the Paraiso Azul complex just outside of town. Click here for directions.

Conclusion: Where To Stay In Tequila

I hope you have an amazing time in Jalisco and get a chance to see some more of the valley. There is a lot of authentic Mexican culture mixed in with a lot of tourist traps. Coming up with a plan ahead of time will help you steer clear of the bad margaritas so that you can focus on the good stuff.

While the big-name distilleries have created world-class tourist products, some of the smaller distilleries are making excellent tequila the old-fashioned way. This is where tequila comes from and you can’t find many of these tequilas in the international marketplace. Make it a point to try some of the smaller brands that you can’t find back home. Those are the bottles that make the best gifts for your friends.

As I mentioned earlier when you visit you should see a couple of the smaller pueblos. I like to see a big distillery and a small distillery to see the differences. I really love this part of Mexico and think that you will too.