Puerto Vallarta: Food & Mixology Tour with Tacos & Mezcal

Summary

Puerto Vallarta taco crawl with mezcal cocktails and agave spirits

You’ll wander Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town with a local guide, tasting five kinds of tacos and sipping six different Mexican cocktails — from smoky mezcalinis to jalapeño margaritas. Along the way you’ll learn about agave spirits like raicilla and tequila, try your hand at mixing drinks, and share laughs over spicy salsas. These flavors linger long after you head home.

What’s the experience like?

"Try the pineapple mezcalini — trust me," our guide Luis grinned as we squeezed into Joe Jack’s. I’d barely sat down before the glass was in my hand, cold and sticky-sweet, with just enough smoky bite to remind you this wasn’t your average cocktail. The fish taco came next — flaky, hot, with a squeeze of lime that cut through everything. Someone at the bar laughed about how tourists always go too heavy on the salsa. Maybe they’re right.

We wandered through Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town, dodging mopeds and the occasional stray dog. At the next stop, Luis handed us a fried pepper stuffed with seafood (I still think about that texture — crispy outside, soft and briny inside). He poured us a shot of raicilla, which he called “the wild cousin” of tequila. I tried to pronounce it properly but mangled it; Luis just winked and said I’d get it by the end of the night. Maybe.

There was a moment at Zapata when everyone went quiet for a second after tasting mezcal straight — earthy, almost grassy, like nothing I’d had before. Then we were muddling limes for palomas, my hands sticky from squeezing citrus. The jalapeño margarita at the next place nearly made me cough but in a good way? It’s weirdly addictive — spicy and bright all at once.

By the time we hit Mezcal y Sal for our last round (and another fish taco), I’d lost track of how many different agave spirits we’d tried. The group felt looser now; people swapping stories about their hometowns or favorite tacos back home. Walking back through those noisy streets, I realized how much these flavors stick with you — not just on your tongue but in your memory long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Food and cocktail tasting tour

• Start at Joe Jacks with fish taco and mezcalini
• Enjoy seafood stuffed pepper taco and racilla tasting
• Visit Zapata for mezcal tasting and tequila paloma lesson
• Try jalapeno margarita at mixologist bar
• End at Mezcal y Sal for mezcal cocktail and tasting

Top questions

How long is the Puerto Vallarta food & mixology tour?

The tour lasts around 4 hours in total.

What types of drinks are included on this tour?

You’ll sample six Mexican cocktails including mezcalinis, palomas, jalapeño margaritas, plus tastings of mezcal, tequila, raicilla, and pulque.

Are food tastings included?

Yes, there are five different taco tastings plus dessert included during the tour.

Is this tour suitable for vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions?

You should advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking so accommodations can be made if possible.

Is transportation provided?

No hotel pickup is included but public transportation options are available nearby each stop.

What is the minimum age for this tour?

The minimum age is 18 years old due to alcohol tastings.

Will there be a local guide throughout?

Yes, a local foodie spirits guide leads the entire experience.

How many people are in each group?

The group size is limited for a more personal experience and attention from your guide.

What’s included

Your evening includes five food tastings (mostly tacos), six Mexican cocktails mixed by expert bartenders along with guided spirit tastings of mezcal, tequila and raicilla—all led by a local guide as you walk through Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town. Public transport options are nearby if you need them before or after the tour.