Santiago de Tequila or simply, Tequila, is a typical Mexican town except for one major distinction; it is the home of tequila production including both larger factories as well as artisan producers and distilleries. It is the namesake city of this famous adult beverage. One realizes they are getting close to Tequila when passing by fields and fields of cultivated blue agave plants used to make the tequila.
Historically the sugars from the inside of the blue agave were used to make a fermented drink by the native peoples. After the arrival of the Spaniards, they distilled the fermented drink into what is now known as tequila. The region was declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006.
What would a trip to Guadalajara be without a side trip to the town of Tequila? What would a trip back to your hometown be without a bottle of the “real stuff” to impress friends and family? Especially while playing relevant songs like Tequila Sunrise by the Eagles or Jose Cuervo by Shelly West.
Tequila lies at the foot of an almost 10,000 foot volcano appropriately named, Volcan de Tequila. As expected Tequila is widely sold in numerous stores throughout Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque, and other cities in Mexico. Driving time takes a little over an hour from the center of Guadalajara depending on traffic.
Not to be missed events are various distillery tours through including of La Rojeña, the oldest distillery in Latin America and a journey on the Jose Cuervo Express Train. Still not tequila-ed out? Visit the National Tequila Museum.
Tequila Sauza Bottling Plant is located at Vallarta 3273 on the western edge of the town. Tours are complimentary and free samples are also provided to visitors. Tours are offered Monday through Friday. Tour buses leave daily from Guadalajara with a one way journey lasting a little over an hour.
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