Puerto Vallarta: Finca 18 Tequila & Chocolate Pairing Tour

Summary

Puerto Vallarta’s agave fields, family stories, and chocolate pairings

You’ll step into a living piece of Puerto Vallarta history on this Finca 18 tequila tour — walking agave fields with a local guide, tasting premium spirits paired with award-winning chocolate and fresh guacamole, and hearing stories from a family rooted here for over 150 years. Expect laughter, new flavors, and a real sense of place.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what to expect from a tequila tour in Puerto Vallarta — maybe a few sips and some trivia about agave. But the moment we pulled up to Finca 18 (pickup was easy, by the way), there was this quiet feeling of stepping into someone’s old family album. The air smelled faintly sweet, like cut grass and something earthy I couldn’t place. Our guide, Sofia, handed us icy welcome cocktails and grinned when I tried my rusty Spanish. She said her family’s been here for generations — you could tell she meant it.

The estate is bigger than it looks in photos. We wandered past rows of blue-green agave under the sun (not too hot that day, thank god), stopping at the nursery where Sofia explained how each plant gets started. I kept touching the leaves — they’re tougher than you’d think, almost waxy. At the distillery, she showed us the ovens where they cook agave hearts; it actually smells kind of like roasted squash. I didn’t expect that part.

Then came the tasting — five pours lined up with little plates of guacamole and these dried snacks they make right on the ranch. The Master Distiller talked us through each sip; he had this way of making even the science bits feel like stories. The chocolate pairing was wild — one bite made the tequila taste totally different (I still think about that combo). Li laughed when I tried to pronounce “reposado” properly; probably butchered it.

We ended up poking around their old ranch house-turned-gift shop for a while. There were bottles for sale but no pressure at all. Honestly, it just felt good to linger a bit longer before heading back toward town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Finca 18 Tequila Tour and Tasting

• Arrive at historic Finca 18 ranch
• Enjoy welcome cocktail, fruit, and water
• Take guided tour of 12-acre estate
• See agave nursery and fields
• Explore tequila-making process at distillery
• Participate in 5+ course agave spirits tasting
• Enjoy chocolate pairing, guacamole, and snacks
• Shop in gift shop for bottles and gifts
• Take photos and enjoy cocktails and appetizers
• Sign liability waiver upon arrival

Top questions

Is pickup included for the Finca 18 tequila tour?

Yes, transportation from designated pickup points is included.

How long does the tequila & chocolate pairing experience last?

The main activities take place during your visit to Finca 18; allow several hours for touring, tasting, and relaxing on site.

Are snacks or lunch provided during the tour?

You’ll get guacamole, dehydrated snacks made at the ranch, fresh fruit, cold water, and chocolate pairings with your tastings.

Is this Puerto Vallarta tequila tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers who have trouble walking or certain health conditions.

Can I buy bottles or gifts at Finca 18?

Yes, bottles of agave spirits and other gifts are available for purchase in their shop.

Are children allowed on this tour?

The reference content doesn’t specify age restrictions; please check directly if traveling with children.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

The guides speak English and share stories throughout your visit.

What’s included

Your day includes transportation from select pickup points in Puerto Vallarta to Finca 18 ranch, a welcome cocktail on arrival with fresh fruit and cold filtered water, a guided walk through the estate’s agave fields and distillery led by local experts, plus a sommelier-style tasting class featuring five premium agave spirits paired with award-winning chocolate, guacamole, dehydrated snacks made at the ranch (and cooked agave straight from their ovens), time to browse their gift shop for bottles or souvenirs before heading back home.