Los Cabos has no shortage of places to drink. The harder part is finding a tequila and mezcal tasting that actually teaches you something, not just a quick lineup of pours and a souvenir photo.
I built this guide for the traveler who wants the real thing: what to look for, what the spirits actually are, how a proper session flows, and how to choose the right experience for your trip.
If you’re brand new to agave spirits, this will make you confident before you book.
If you already have opinions about mezcal, this will help you spot the difference between a serious tasting and a touristy stop.
Featured snippet: Where can I do a tequila tasting in Los Cabos?
You can book a structured tequila and mezcal tasting at Agavia Bar in San José del Cabo. We host five guided sessions daily at 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 8:30 pm. Most sessions run 60 to 90 minutes and include seven curated pours across tequila, mezcal, and other Mexican spirits like sotol and raicilla.
Where can I do a tequila and mezcal tasting in Los Cabos?
If you want a structured tequila and mezcal tasting Los Cabos experience with set session times, we run guided tastings at Agavia Bar in San José del Cabo.
We host five sessions daily:
- 12:00 pm
- 2:00 pm
- 4:00 pm
- 6:00 pm
- 8:30 pm
I keep our groups small on purpose. You should feel like you’re in a conversation, not stuck in a line behind 40 people.
If you’re traveling with a group and want privacy, we also do private villa tastings (minimum 5 guests).
Helpful links if you want to plan quickly:
- Our tasting schedule: /tasting
- Full experience options: /experiences
What makes a tequila and mezcal tasting worth your time?
I’ll say this plainly. A great tasting is not about getting buzzed. It’s about understanding what’s in the glass, then enjoying it more because you actually know what you’re tasting.
Here’s what I look for when I book tastings anywhere, and it’s how we built ours.
A real sequence, not random pours
A strong flight has intention. You start lighter, build your palate, then move into deeper, more complex pours.
A host who can explain without performing
You don’t need a lecture. You do need someone who can answer questions, tell you what matters, and keep it relaxed.
The right pace
If you feel rushed, you won’t learn anything. If you’re sitting forever, it drags. The sweet spot is steady, calm, and focused.
Contrast
You learn fastest when you taste opposites back to back. Blanco next to joven. Highlands next to lowlands. Aged tequila next to something wild and aromatic.
What’s the difference between tequila and mezcal?
This comes up in every session, and it should.
Both are agave spirits, but they’re not interchangeable.
Tequila in plain terms
Tequila is made from blue Weber agave and produced in specific regions under strict rules.
Flavor-wise, tequila often leans clean, bright, herbal, and mineral, especially in a good blanco.
Mezcal in plain terms
Mezcal can be made from many different agave varieties across multiple Mexican states. Production methods vary more, and many mezcals roast the agave in earthen pits, which is where the smoke association comes from.
Not every mezcal is smoky. Some are floral, fruity, or surprisingly delicate. The range is the point.
Tequila vs. mezcal at a glance
| Tequila | Mezcal | |
|---|---|---|
| Agave used | Blue Weber only | Many varieties |
| Common regions | Jalisco (and approved regions) | Oaxaca and other approved states |
| Typical cooking | Steam-cooked agave hearts | Often roasted (varies by producer) |
| Smoke | Typically none | Can be low to high |
| Common styles | Blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo | Joven, reposado, añejo |
| Typical ABV | Varies by bottle | Varies by bottle |
If you taste them side by side, the difference clicks fast. That’s why guided tastings work so well.
What spirits will I actually try in a tasting session?
Most structured tastings move through a flight that starts bright and ends deep.
In our standard sessions at Agavia, you’ll usually taste seven pours, typically including:
- Tequila blanco: unaged, the cleanest look at agave
- Tequila reposado: rested in oak, softer edges, gentle vanilla and spice
- Tequila añejo: deeper and warmer, often dessert-adjacent
- Mezcal joven: unaged mezcal showing agave character and place
- A more regional or artisanal mezcal: where the personality shows up
- Sotol or raicilla: spirits most visitors have never tried, and usually end up loving
- A small-batch or limited pour: something you won’t see on a standard back bar
The order matters. Your palate changes as you go, and a good tasting uses that to teach you contrast.
How long does a tequila and mezcal tasting take in Los Cabos?
Most tastings in Los Cabos run 60 to 90 minutes.
We offer a few formats depending on how deep you want to go:
- Discovery Experience (60 minutes): a clear, friendly foundation
- Masterclass formats (90 minutes): more context, more comparison, and higher-tier pours depending on what you choose
Quick tips that make the whole experience better
- Eat something beforehand. Not a huge meal, just enough to feel steady.
- Arrive a few minutes early. The first five minutes matter more than people think.
- Don’t force yourself to finish every pour. It’s a tasting, not a challenge.
- Use your phone notes if you want to remember bottles you liked.
- Ask questions. The best moments are usually the side conversations.
We also include small bites to help with pacing. It keeps the experience comfortable and lets you stay focused on flavor.
What should I know about agave spirits before I go?
You don’t need to know anything to enjoy a tasting. A good host meets you where you are.
If you want a little vocabulary so you can ask better questions, here are a few useful terms:
- Piña: the heart of the agave plant
- Jima / jimador: the harvest process and the skilled people who do it
- Tahona: a stone wheel used to crush cooked agave in some traditional production
- Terroir: how place shapes flavor
- NOM: the distillery identifier on tequila bottles
- Denominación de Origen: the legal framework that protects where spirits can be produced
You don’t need to memorize these. They just help you feel oriented once you’re holding a glass.
Is the tequila and mezcal tasting scene in Los Cabos actually good?
Yes, if you choose carefully.
Many bars and restaurants in Cabo have great bottles behind the bar. That’s different from a guided tasting experience.
A real tasting is its own category. You’re paying for structure, teaching, pacing, and the ability to taste spirits side by side with someone who can explain what you’re noticing.
San José del Cabo vs Cabo San Lucas: where should you book your tasting?
Los Cabos includes both towns, connected by the tourist corridor.
They feel very different.
San José del Cabo
Calmer, more local, more curated. You’ll find art, smaller restaurants, and a slower pace.
If you like the idea of a tasting that feels intentional, San José usually fits better.
Cabo San Lucas
Higher-energy, more nightlife density, more party options near the marina.
If you want a big night out, Cabo San Lucas does that well. If you want a focused spirits experience, you’ll usually have to hunt harder.
You’ll find us in San José del Cabo, where the setting fits the experience.
Common mistakes people make when booking an agave tasting
I’ve watched people accidentally sabotage their own night. Here’s what to avoid:
- Booking based on price alone: the cheapest options are often rushed and light on teaching
- Showing up on an empty stomach: seven pours hits differently with no food
- Arriving late: the opening context makes every pour make more sense
- Only tasting what you already know: contrast is the teacher
- Assuming smoky means bad: smoke is a style outcome, not a flaw
- Not asking questions: the best moments are usually the side conversations
Are there private or group tasting options?
Yes, and the experience changes a lot when it’s private.
Private villa tasting (minimum 5 guests)
We bring the tasting to your villa with a dedicated host, curated spirits, and proper glassware.
This is great if your group wants privacy, doesn’t want to coordinate transportation, or wants a more relaxed environment.
Large group format (11+ guests)
If you’re traveling for a celebration, corporate trip, or a big group weekend, we can scale the experience and keep it structured.
If your group has a specific focus, tell us when you reach out. We’ll guide you to the right format.
A quick note from me, before you book anything
If you’re searching for a tequila and mezcal tasting Los Cabos experience, you’re already ahead of most travelers. The best move now is choosing an experience that fits how you like to travel.
If you want calm, small-group, and genuinely educational, that’s what we built at Agavia.
When you’re ready, you can see our session times and details here:
- Tasting schedule: /tasting
- Full experience options: /experiences
