Guachimontones & Tequila Tour: Small Group Artisanal Distillery

Circular pyramids, an interpretive center, artisanal tequila straight from the still

This eight to nine hour tour visits Guachimontones, a UNESCO-protected archaeological zone in Teuchitlán with unique circular pyramids, then moves to Hacienda el Imperio distillery to watch the artisanal tequila process and taste the full range. Groups stay under seven people, an accredited guide leads in English or Spanish, and pickup is included. The route covers two of Jalisco's major cultural sites in a single day without arranging transport or navigation yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Guachimontones3h · entry included
2. Tequila2h

Visit Guachimontones and Tequila Distilleries

• Drive 1h20m to Teuchitlan
• Explore Guachimontones archaeological zone
• Visit interpretive center
• Break 15 minutes at Teuchitlan main square
• Tour Hacienda el Imperio distillery
• Tequila tasting at Hacienda el Imperio
• Free time to eat
• Visit José Cuervo distillery gallery
• Free time for photos and shopping

The experience

The drive to Teuchitlán takes about 80 minutes, and when you arrive at Guachimontones you enter a site unlike any other pre-Hispanic settlement in Mexico. The circular pyramids and two ball courts sit inside an interpretive center where you can see how the civilization actually lived: the layout and the artifacts make the architecture make sense. This is the part of the day that takes time to walk and absorb, so wear shoes that work on uneven ground.

After a 15-minute break in Teuchitlán's main square to grab snacks and take photos, you head to Hacienda el Imperio. This is a small-scale operation, not one of the industrial brands, and the whole process is additive-free. You watch how agaves are harvested and crushed, see fermentation and distillation happen, and taste directly from the still. The tasting covers the full range they produce, so you get to understand how the process changes the flavor. If the timing works, ask the guide whether you can watch the agave harvest in the fields.

The final stop is the José Cuervo gallery, where you have free time to eat lunch (on your own), learn more about the industry's history, and shop. The return trip takes 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic. An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group, and bottled water and pre-Hispanic drinks are provided throughout the day.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup.
• entrance to Guachimontones and the interpretive center.
• accredited local guide in English or Spanish.
• guided tasting of the full tequila range at Hacienda el Imperio.
• bottled water and pre-Hispanic drinks.
• snacks during the day.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 08:00 and 10:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Daniel Travels MX

Is this one for you?Groups of up to seven work best here: small enough that the guide can move at a pace that lets you absorb both sites without rushing, and large enough that you are not paying for a private tour. This suits travelers who want to see two major cultural sites in one day without arranging their own transport or navigation between them.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is at Guachimontones that makes it different from other archaeological sites?

Guachimontones holds circular pyramids built in a style found nowhere else in the pre-Hispanic world, along with two ball courts. The site was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site alongside the surrounding agave landscape, and the interpretive center inside the zone shows how the civilization arranged daily life around this unique architecture.

Do I get to see how tequila is actually made, or just taste it at the end?

You walk through the entire artisanal process at Hacienda el Imperio (from agave harvesting and crushing through fermentation and distillation), and taste directly from the still. The distillery is small-scale and additive-free, so you see how a boutique operation differs from the mass-produced brands.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, but you have free time at the José Cuervo gallery at the end of the day to eat and shop. Snacks and drinks are provided during the earlier parts of the tour.

How long is the drive each way, and will I be stuck in a van the whole time?

The drive to Teuchitlán is about 80 minutes, and the return trip takes 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic. You spend most of the day walking through Guachimontones and the distillery, with a 15-minute photo break in town. The vehicle is air-conditioned and recent model, and the group stays small, maximum seven people, so the ride is not cramped.