moderate
8 hours
Moderate fitness level required for sitting in transport and short walk exploration at each stop.
Explore Puerto Vallarta’s rugged hinterlands on the Raicilla Road Trip, an 8-hour journey through traditional distilleries crafting Mexico’s wild agave spirit. Unearth the authentic flavors, landscapes, and culture that make this a one-of-a-kind adventure.
8 Hours • Ages 18+
8 Hours
Vallarta Tequila Tastings invites you to join us on our brand new tour – The Raicilla Road Trip!
Maybe you’ve already tangoed with Tequila and done the messaround with Mezcal but this tour is your chance for a true romance with Raicilla, the newest spirit to delight agave aficionados!
But is Raicilla really new? Is it an indigenous spirit used in ceremonies? Was it invented for the silver miners in the 1700s?
In recent years this spirit has been rediscovered. Raicilla’s stunning rise in popularity is beginning to rival its agave distant cousins. Distilled only here in our state of Jalisco, its agave terroir is the mountain and coastal regions. Join us on our Raicilla Road Trip to discover the best of this spirit, right at the source.
Try this tour for a new and fun experience, and bring your friends! Along the way, you will learn the fine points of appreciating Raicilla, its historical importance to the regional culture, and all the elements of raicilla production, as you experience the scenic environment of the Sierra Madre mountains. Riding in an air-conditioned Mercedes van with your expert driver and knowledgeable VTT Guide, you will visit an intimate rural distillery in a 200-year-old structure nestled in the hills near the historical silver mining town of San Sebastian del Oeste, founded in 1605.
Our Raicilla destinations include a family-run Taberna (as these distilleries are called), a female owned brand, a real-time representation of the historical role of women entrepreneurs in the agave industries.
You will be able to observe the entire processing of the agaves, from the fields to crushing to bottling. Our guests will have the opportunity to sample four Raicilla expressions at both stops, a total of eight tastings for the day. At each site, you may purchase bottles of your favorites.
Throughout this unique tour we offer you authentic Mexican cuisine and snacks. On the way to San Sebastian, about an hour and a half drive from Puerto Vallarta, we will stop for freshly baked pastries and breads, with coffee or hot chocolate in a lovely tropical garden setting, before our first distillery visit.
When we reach San Sebastian, there will be time for a quick stroll around this magical town with its quaint shops and regional handicrafts, then enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional Mexican specialties. On our second Raicilla stop there will be another snack to keep you fortified on the ride back.
The Raicilla Road Trip is a full day, all-inclusive adventure – 8:45 am to 5 pm including lunch. We leave from the Vallarta Tequila Tastings Garden at 8:45 am. The VTT Garden is our own tastings site, located in the colonia Versalles, recently voted one of the 50 coolest neighborhoods in the world by Time Out magazine.
Wear sturdy walking shoes for uneven terrain at distilleries and scenic stops.
Carry water to stay hydrated during the 8-hour trip under the sun.
Ask before photographing inside distilleries and respect the cultural traditions.
Enjoy small tasting portions and pace yourself, especially when driving.
Raicilla production dates back to the 17th century and reflects indigenous and colonial distilling traditions unique to Jalisco’s Pacific region.
Local distilleries are increasingly adopting sustainable agave harvesting and waste reduction to protect the volcanic soil and native plants.
Protects from the strong Jalisco sun during outdoor stops.
summer specific
Prevents sunburn during the daytime journey.
summer specific
Useful for cooler mountain mornings or evenings.
spring specific
Capture stunning landscapes and cultural moments along the route.