Tequila and mezcal in Cabo, in one hour.

This private workshop at Tequilera Santos Destilados Centro is a walk-in, walk-out tasting session focused on nine handmade drinks with a real guide leading the way. I especially like how it’s set up for an unhurried pace in central Cabo, so you can fit it between shopping plans without a car detour.

I also like the food pairings: dark chocolate, agave heart, shrimp/cheese/meat bites, and even grasshoppers or crickets for anyone who wants the full Mexican experience. A potential drawback is that this tasting goes beyond basic sips—if you’d rather avoid smoky mezcal and adventurous snacks, you may want to skip the insect option and keep your focus on tequila.

Key Highlights at a Glance

• Nine total pours: six tequila varieties plus three kinds of mezcal
• Food pairings that change the flavor (agave heart, dark chocolate, shrimp, cheese, meat)
• Private guide attention instead of a fast shared group rhythm
• Tequila education that stays short and useful (how to taste and why it’s made)
• Central Cabo meeting point you can reach on foot from many hotels and shopping areas
• Optional adventurous bites like grasshoppers or crickets

Private Tasting at Tequilera Santos Destilados Centro: How the Session Works

This is the kind of Cabo activity that feels simple on paper and rewarding in practice. You meet at Tequilera Santos Destilados Centro (Calle Mariano Matamoros, in the Centro area). From there, the whole session is handled for you: the drinks, the pairing bites, and the guide’s talk.

Timing is also friendly. Plan on about 1 hour 30 minutes for the full tasting, starting and ending back at the same meeting point. That matters if you’re building a day around tours and dinner and you don’t want a long commute.

One practical note: it’s listed as mobile ticket and English offered. It’s also private, meaning only your group participates, not a mixed crowd. That usually leads to more back-and-forth questions and less time waiting around for the next stop.

The Nine Handmade Drinks: What You Actually Taste

The core of this workshop is straightforward: you’ll try six handmade tequila varieties and three types of mezcal. This is not the watered-down style of tasting where every pour tastes the same. The point is to help you notice differences tied to agave and production choices.

From what you’re told and shown during the tasting, you’ll likely hear about how agave type, growing region, and processing affect the spirit’s character. Past sessions have also included tastings across different tequila ages and styles, so you don’t just get one “default” tequila experience.

How tequila and mezcal are treated differently

Tequila gets framed as a familiar Mexico spirit with specific rules and expectations. Mezcal gets treated like its own world—often more earthy, sometimes smokier, and usually the part people either fall in love with or decide they prefer in small amounts.

You’ll also be guided on how to drink, not just what to drink. Many people start with tequila as a quick shot, then realize the guide’s method makes the flavor show up more clearly. If you’re nervous about alcohol, that coaching helps a lot.

Optional bonus pours and dessert-style moments

Some sessions add a little extra at the end—think a bonus tequila or dessert-style shots. You shouldn’t count on it blindly, but it’s enough of a pattern that you can reasonably expect the finale to be more fun than a simple wrap-up.

Food Pairings That Teach You to Taste, Not Just Sip

Here’s why this tasting is worth the money: the pairing bites don’t feel like an afterthought. You get snacks designed to support what you’re tasting—so each pour has a chance to make sense on your palate.

You’ll be offered a mix that includes:

• Agave heart (a classic, distinctly “agave-forward” bite)
• Dark chocolate (often paired to pull out sweetness and structure)
• Shrimp and other savory bites (to balance tequila’s finish)
• Cheese and meat (to help round out sharper notes)
• Grasshoppers (and sometimes crickets, depending on your session)

This is also where the guide’s job becomes practical. Instead of telling you to drink faster, they help you connect the pairing to the spirit. You might taste a tequila and suddenly realize why a particular snack makes it taste smoother, brighter, or more complex.

The insect snacks: brave option, not required

Grasshoppers are the star of the optional category here. If you want the full experience, try them. If insects aren’t your thing, you can still enjoy the rest—just let the guide know you’d prefer to skip that portion. The tasting itself still includes enough variety that your experience won’t feel incomplete.

The Guide Makes It: From Juan Andres to Luis (and the Johnny Cash Theme)

This workshop is built around the host guiding you through the “why.” And you can feel the personality in the delivery.

In many sessions, the host has been Juan Andres, often described as the Johnny Cash of Mexico—with humor mixed into the education. Other hosts mentioned include Luis (often praised for clear explanations and patience), and multiple guides have been credited with turning tequila and mezcal into something you can actually understand in one sitting.

What the talk focuses on

The best part isn’t a long lecture. The history and explanation are typically short and useful: where tequila fits in Mexico, how agave becomes alcohol, and how to appreciate flavors without overdoing the burn.

People often leave with a better feel for the differences between types of tequila and how to taste without treating it like a dare. If you’ve had bad tequila experiences before, the guide’s method can help reset your expectations fast.

A tip if you want the most from the guide

Go in with at least one question in your head. For example:

• Which pours match my usual drinks style?
• Do I like tequila smoother or more complex?
• If I’m not a mezcal person, what should I pay attention to in the tequila?

Because it’s private, the guide can steer your attention instead of giving the same answers to a whole group at once.

Location and Timing: No Car Required, Easy to Build Into a Cabo Day

The meeting point is in central Cabo (Centro), and it’s walkable from major shopping and hotel zones. That’s a big deal here: you don’t have to schedule transport around the tasting itself.

Most people find this especially convenient if they plan:

• Shopping in Centro earlier
• A tasting mid-day or early evening
• Dinner nearby afterward

The session ends back at the same meeting point, which makes it easier to keep your evening plans intact. You’re not stuck with a last-minute taxi scramble.

Transportation and what to plan for

Private transportation is not included, so you’ll want to handle getting there and back on your own. If you’re already staying close or plan to walk/Uber/taxi locally, this setup works smoothly.

Price and Value: Is $40 a Good Deal in Cabo?

At $40 per person, you’re paying for a private format plus a lot of structure: nine handmade pours and food pairing along the way. In Cabo, “tequila tasting” can range from a quick flight in a busy room to a guided lesson with real service. This one leans toward the second option.

What you get for the price:

• Private workshop feel (not a rushed shared group)
• Six tequila varieties + three mezcals
• Pairing snacks that match the tasting
• A guide’s cultural and production explanations
• About 90 minutes of booked time

Where you might question value is if you’re expecting a huge, multi-stop tour. This is a tasting workshop, not a full-day itinerary. But if you want one focused hour-and-a-half in a central spot, the pricing makes sense.

Who This Cabo Tequila and Mezcal Tasting Is Best For

This is a strong fit for:

• Couples and small groups who want a more personal experience
• People who like a short education moment with their fun
• Anyone curious about tequila beyond shots
• Fans of mezcal who want a guide-led approach
• Food lovers who enjoy pairing flavors while sipping

It’s also repeat-friendly. Multiple people have mentioned coming back again and still learning something new—often the guide tweaks how they explain tasting and production, and your preferences can change after you understand what to look for.

When you might choose differently

If you only want very mild, very “clean” tequila styles and you don’t want to risk mezcal flavors or insect snacks, you can still enjoy the tequila portion. Just don’t treat the insects or mezcal as optional freebies—they’re part of the theme.

Quick Checklist Before You Go

• Wear something comfortable for a 90-minute indoor tasting
• Eat beforehand only lightly; the pairing matters
• If insects aren’t your thing, decide early and let the guide know
• Bring questions about what you like in tequila so the guide can steer you
• If you’re driving or planning more alcohol later, pace yourself—these are multiple pours

Should You Book This Cabo Tequila and Mezcal Workshop?

I’d book it if you want a compact, private tequila and mezcal experience that teaches you how to taste, not just what to drink. The best reason is the combination of nine handmade samples plus food pairings plus a guide who connects the spirits to Mexico in a way that doesn’t drag.

I’d think twice only if you hate any chance of trying mezcal or you strongly prefer not to see insect snacks on the menu. Otherwise, this is a smart use of time in Cabo: central meeting point, clear structure, and enough variety that you’ll walk away with real opinions about what you actually like.

FAQ

How much does the Cabo tequila and mezcal tasting cost?

It costs $40.00 per person.

How long is the tasting experience?

The duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What do I try during the workshop?

You’ll taste six varieties of handmade tequila and three types of mezcal, with food pairings.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What language is it offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

Where is the meeting point, and where does it end?

You start at Tequilera Santos Destilados Centro, Calle Mariano Matamoros, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

FAQ

What’s the cancellation policy if plans change?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid isn’t refunded.