mezcal tour oaxaca

+(52) 1 9515839095

EXPLORE WITH US

We have a tailor-made mezcal tour, come whit the  expert

 Mezcal Experiences

Price per person, we accept credit cards

Deluxe Tour:             $2,500 pesos

Mezcal workshop: $2,100 pesos

Mezcal Tour Oaxaca: $1,600 pesos

Sunday tour:                       $1,850 pesos

Oaxaca Coastal Express: $800 -$3,000 pesos

Backpacker:                      $1,200 pesos

Distillery Boutique:       $499 pesos

Reservations only by deposit, we write by WhatsApp

Remember that by booking you accept the terms and conditions of our cancellation policy described at the end of our website

Mezcal workshop: the liquid culture

$2,100  pesos

Learn About the Spirit of Oaxaca

Visit two mezcal distilleries and an agave plantation near Oaxaca City

Receive a master class on mezcal production from a certified mezcal maestro

Taste up to 25 different mezcals, including artisanal, ancestral, and pechuga mezcals

Learn about the agave plant and its reproduction process

Discover the stories, theories, and legends of mezcal.   Included:

Transportation to Santiago Matatlán and Tlacolula de Matamoros

Master class and tasting class.   Duration: 6 hours

Book Now by Whatsapp

  Mezcal  Distillery Boutique

Taste the Rarest and Most Exclusive Mezcals in the World

Visit the smallest mezcal distillery in the world

Try the collection of mezcal available in our distillery, the most innovative and rare

Only by reservation, make your appointment by WhatsApp

Taste all the mezcal you want to try for an hour

Purchase options at preferential price

1 hour 

(5,6 or 7 pm)

Deluxe Mezcal Tour

$2,500 pesos

Learn about the mezcal production process from a certified mezcal maestro

Choose from 34 options everything you want to taste, 

Round-trip transportation from Oaxaca City

Tasting of up to 34 mezcals

Guided tour of two mezcal distilleries

Open bar of mezcal from our collection in the privacy of the Casa Tierra garden

​Mezcal Tour Oaxaca

$1,600 pesos

:Learn About the Spirit of Oaxaca

Visit two distillery and agave plantation near Oaxaca City

Learn about the mezcal production process.

Try different varieties of agave

Taste up to 8 different mezcals

Enjoy round-trip transportation from the meeting point

Explanation in English or Spanish

Subject to a minimum of reservations

Duration: 4 hours

Oaxaca Coastal Express

1 person $3,000

2 persons $5,000

3 persons $6,000

4 persons $6,500

Wildcard $800

Daybreak to Dusk: Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Journey

Round trip transportation to the coast of Oaxaca.

We start at 6 am - 8:30

We return at 8 pm - 10:30

Reservations by WhatsApp

Sunday Tour

$1,850 pesos

Visit 1 distilleries.

Visit Mitla

Tlacolula market   or textiles.

Transportation.

Qualified guide.

12 tasting mezcals available.

Duration 6 hours.

Available in English and Spanish.

$1,200 pesos

(Exclusively for those under 26 years of age)

Visit 2 distillery.

Visit 1 agave plantation.

Transportation with a Spanish speaking only driver

English or Spanish qualified guide only at the distillery.

Duration 4 hours.

ABOUT THE HOST OF MEZCAL TOUR OAXACA

Antonio Escobedo

Producer of mezcal in Oaxaca, creator of nano distillations, inventor of the hybrid "capacho-filipino" alembic and activated cannabis mezcal, his family is a mezcal production five generations ago, he taught for the Master Mezcallier certification.

León Langley

One of the 7 authorities of the mezcal culture in Oaxaca, he writes for various newspapers and magazines in addition to having a privileged palate that has made him judge in different distillate contests.

Mario Castellanos

Mezcalier and brand ambassador for mezcal, se began him adventure in Mezcal culture 12 years ago. He speaks fluent English, has international experience promoting mezcal, and knows the production processes in depth.

OAXACA MEZCAL DAY TOUR

Our Oaxaca City-based mezcal day tour is a fun, educational, single day experience designed for travelers looking for exclusive access to small, traditional mezcal producers.

Our expert local guides know mezcal inside and out, are bilingual, and were born and raised in Oaxaca. Their knowledge, passion, and friendliness are second to none.

Our focus is on small, family-owned producers of artisanal and ancestral mezcal. However, your custom requests are welcome. You’ll visit at least two palenques (artisanal mezcal distilleries) that are chosen just before your tour to maximize your exposure to active mezcal production and a variety of maguey varietals. Interested in pulque? We can make that happen too.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Two palenque visits and tastings

The itinerary is set within a day or two before your experience, to maximize your exposure to active mezcal production and a variety of maguey varietals. We focus on the real people and families that have been making mezcal for generations, rather than brands, though we are generally able to accommodate your requests as well.

Traditional Oaxacan lunch at a village eatery

We love food just as much as we love mezcal, and Oaxacan cuisine is widely regarded as the best in Mexico. Get ready to try local favorites like memelas, empanadas, and tlayudas direct from a traditional, wood-fired comal. If you’re interested in pulque, there is an excellent producer we visit regularly for tastings and pulque to go.

Valley of Tequila Day Tour

Guided by our Guadalajara-based colleagues, these daylong experiences are the perfect introduction to tequila. Offered year round.

Payment in full is due at time of booking. If you are reserving less than two business days before your requested date, please contact us for confirmation of availability.

Valley of Tequila 4 Day Experience

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights

Dates: TBD, 2021

Group Size: 10 guests max

Cost (US Dollars): $200/guest

This comprehensive tequila tour is designed for tequila aficionados and their family and friends who may not know they love tequila yet.

Tour Details

Duration: Up to 8 hours, customizable

Dates: Year-round

Group Size: 2 to 4

Cost (US Dollars): $200/person

Payment in full is due at time of booking. If you wish to reserve less than two business days before the requested dates or prefer a private tour, please contact us for confirmation of availability. 

• Professional local bilingual guide
• Private transportation, including pickup and drop-off anywhere in Oaxaca City
• Traditional Oaxacan lunch
• Optional pulque tasting

Not Included

• Mezcal to take home

Private day tour guests will be picked up at 10:00am. We begin picking up public day tour guests at 10:00am, and continue to pick up guests as we head towards the highway to Tequila. Please be ready by 10:00am, but understand that it may be closer to 11:00am if you are one of the last guests to be picked up. Please bear in mind that Guadalajara is a rapidly growing city of over five million people, with serious traffic problems. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Our day tours typically visit two of the following four distilleries: Casacahuín (NOM 1123), Tequilas Selectos de Amatitán (NOM 1459), Tres Mujeres (NOM 1466), La Alborada (NOM 1445). We choose each day’s distilleries based on their production schedules. With a private day tour, we can accommodate requests for which two distilleries you would like to visit. For other distilleries, please see our Custom Experiences page .

No. For reasons of safety and liability, all tour transportation is provided by our professional insured drivers in comfortable, late-model vehicles.

Yes! We host many solo guests on our public day tours, and they quickly settle in with the group of fellow tequila travelers. All day tours require a minimum of two guests, and in the event that no one else has booked on that day, we will contact you to try and make other arrangements. In the event that we cancel a tour, you will receive a full refund. Private day tours have a firm minimum of two guests or $400 US dollars.

Yes! You should carry Mexican pesos. Distilleries and other stops on the tour are generally not able to accept credit cards or foreign currencies.

Still have questions? Explore our FAQ page »

Other Tours

Oaxaca Mezcal Four Day Experience

• 4 days, 3 nights
• 10 guests max.
• Public or private

This comprehensive mezcal tour is designed for mezcal aficionados who want to maximize learning and fun over four days.

Mezcal Pechuga Camp

• Five days, four nights
• Annually, over US Thanksgiving weekend

An intensive annual camp for lovers of mezcal and the outdoors. For mezcal die-hards looking for an immersive experience.

Raicilla Day Tour

• In Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
• Offered seasonally

You’ve been redirected to Experience Agave

The new home of experience tequila/mezcal ..

After ten years, we’ve rebranded and moved all of our tours to one website for clarity and ease of booking. Welcome!

Oaxaca Mezcal Tour: What You Need to Know [2023]

Are you looking for the best Oaxaca mezcal tour ?

Then this post is for you! When we visited Mexico, one of the most rewarding experiences was getting the opportunity to take a mezcal tour in Oaxaca.

In this article, we will share with you everything you need to know to have the best mezcal experience on your trip.

Frankly, the visit to this family-owned mezcal distillery was a portal into the heritage and way of life of the people of Oaxaca.

Mezcal is so much more than just a beverage in the region, and this Oaxaca mezcal experience takes you right to the heart of this important part of the valley’s history.

📍 Ready to book your Oaxaca Mezcal Tour now?

We went with Where Sidewalks End , and it was the best decision we’ve made. The tour included everything – unlimited mezcal, a knowledgeable tour guide, lunch & snacks, in a private vehicle. ▶ BOOK NOW

What is Mezcal?

Mezcal is simply a distilled spirit made from agave plants that are grown in 9 different states in Mexico.

On the other hand, what makes mezcal complex is how the agave is grown, the way it is produced, the culture that surrounds this spirit, and the rich nuance of its flavors and aromas.

Is mezcal a tequila? The simple answer is tequila is a type of mezcal, but mezcal is only sometimes a type of tequila.

This may sound confusing but what makes mezcal special is how and where it’s produced and the agave it is distilled from. 

Choosing the Perfect Oaxaca Mezcal Tour

There are literally dozens of mezcal tours in Oaxaca that vary greatly in what they offer. Some are large group tours of the commercial distilleries with their shiny fermentation tanks.

And there are others that are more of a booze cruise on a tour bus shaped like a mezcal bottle. 

BEST OAXACA MEZCAL TOUR

For us, we wanted more of an experience than a tour . We chose to book the Oaxaca Sacred Mezcal Experience with a company called Where Sidewalks End, which is focused on small group tours that visit a family-owned and operated palenque.  ▶ BOOK NOW

This appealed to us as we not only got the chance to learn about how mezcal is made, but we got to meet the family along with the opportunity to spend the day with the mezcalero himself. 

When making the decision on what mezcal distillery tour to take, make sure to choose one that fits what you want to get out of your time in Oaxaca and creates the memories that you want to hold onto long after your trip is over.

Visiting an Artisanal Mezcal Distillery in Oaxaca

The most impactful part of visiting this boutique mezcal producer is the sense of wonderment that hit us when we first arrived at Palenque el Conejo .

The drive out to Santa Catarina Minas in the valley outside of Oaxaca city gave us just enough time to build up some additional anticipation and a little extra knowledge provided by our guide. 

We stepped out of the car and we instantly knew that we were in for something special.

This was more of a small family home in the country that showed very little evidence of any type of commercialized distilling.

There were farm animals and little children playing instead of a fancy parking area and little signs pointing to the tasting room that you would find at one of the large producers. 

We were immediately greeted by a glowing gentleman holding a bottle of mezcal who emitted a warm sense of hospitality and sincere excitement to meet the small group.

This joyful person was Maestro Mezcalero El Conejo which translates to master mezcal distiller “the rabbit” who is the head of the family and the third generation of mezcal producers at this farm.

This Oaxaca mezcal tour was as much about getting to see and experience the way of life of this family and its farm as it was about learning about mezcal.

The family, the farm, and the mezcal were all intertwined in a symbiotic relationship with each part playing its own significant role.

Wandering Among the Wild Agaves

To get to know mezcal, you must first start with the plant that it is made from. These giant succulent-like plants are called agave or as the locals call it “ maguey ”.

Worldwide, there are over 200 varieties of this plant and in Oaxaca , they use 18 different types in the making of Mezcal.

At  Palenque El Conejo, they raise and use 15 types of maguey that either grows wild in the hills or are transplanted and cultivated.

Some of our favorites were Tepeztate, Barril, Tobasiche, and Cuish, but each variety has its own special qualities that uniquely affect the flavor and aromas of the mezcal.

The best part was getting to hike up and around the hills hunting for wild maguey plants as El Conejo would identify them and describe the unique nuances of each variety.

Each type has different shapes and sizes that make them fun to identify.

Learning about all of these unique and different types of maguey plants may seem like a lot to take in, but it comes in handy when it comes time to pick out a type of mezcal.

A Sustainable Ecosystem at this Oaxaca Mezcal Distillery

Another important part of the mezcal educational experience was seeing how the wild agaves are moved to the milpas (cornfields) for them to mature.

The agave plants are highly affected by their environment and will only produce quality mezcal if they are equally nourished and nurtured. 

In order to make sure that the agave is well hydrated, they are transplanted in rows on the edge of each terrace of the field as they scale downhill.

Water from rain and the nearby man-made lakes then trickles down from the top tiers to the bottom, nourishing the crops and the agave plants as it goes.

This tiered system allows for a little water to go a long way with little waste.

One of the parts that intrigued us the most was how they grew corn and beans in the field to provide nutrients back into the soil for the agave to thrive .

The corn and beans were then eaten by the family to provide them with the necessary nourishment and energy to meet the high demands of taking care of a farm.

The leftover corn is then used to feed the farm animals in this small sustainable ecosystem. 

The leftover fibers from distillation along with all the extra plant matter, as well as used up coals were composted and mixed into the soil.

This entire process is not just about making amazing mezcal, but rather forward-thinking about future generations and caring for their legacy.

What makes this Oaxaca Mezcal Tour special? You get to plant your own agave!

Not only do you get to experience a working farm, learn how mezcal is made by a master mezcal distiller, taste a bunch of mezcal, but the most amazing part was getting to plant your own baby agave . 

You get to pick out your favorite variety and transplant it into the cornfield. The next step is to give it a name and write it on a sign so you can come back and visit your grown-up maguey.

If you are lucky and you time it just right, you might get a chance to buy a bottle from the same batch that used your maguey during the distilling process. 

How is Mezcal Made?

3 Types of Mezcal Distilleries (Palenques)

The methods, equipment, and traditions vary tremendously depending on the type of producer.

This is a big part of the reason that we chose to go with Where Sidewalks End as they only work with Palenque El Conejo, which is a small artisanal producer. 

Industrial / Commercial

Mass-produced mezcal using large mechanical grinders, juice diffusers, and autoclaves instead of earthen ovens and use stainless steel tubs for distilling.

The use of modern technology allows the spirit to be only single distilled.

Artisanal 

This group makes up most of the certified mezcal that is produced. This is small-batch mezcal produced using traditional techniques and equipment.

They cook the piñas in underground ovens, distill in clay or copper pots, and grind the piñas using anything from a mallet to a horse-drawn grinder.  

Ancestral 

The process is almost the same as artisanal with the exception of the grinding process of the piña and the pots used to distill.

The tools and methods used to grind must be powered exclusively by humans.

No electricity, gas, or horse-driven power is allowed. The pots used for distilling must be clay or wood with direct flame.

The best mezcal is only made using artisanal and ancestral production techniques and is the only real option if you want to experience the best that the region has to offer.  

Process of Making Mezcal

There may be easier ways to make a spirit, but these techniques are a big part of the reason why mezcal is so special.

The mezcaleros that spend the time and make this spirit the traditional way are beloved and those that cut corners are frowned upon.

NOTE : You will experience a specific part of the mezcal production process depending on which day you go on your mezcal tour.

Harvesting 

This is the back-breaking part of the job. First, the leaves have to be trimmed off, followed by digging up and transporting the massive piñas (core or body of the plant).

The big varietals can weigh up to 200 to 300 pounds 

Roasting the Agave 

Inside of a large earthen pit, a fire is built. It is then layered with river rock that creates a layer between the piñas and the fire.

The pit is covered with burlap and dirt, trapping in the heat that roasts the piñas for up to 5 days.

Mezcal Fermentation 

The piñas are dug out of the fiery pit and placed on racks for 15 days where they cool and start to collect the natural yeasts that are in the air.

After this time, the piñas are pulverized and the bagazo (pulp and fibers) along with the juice are added to large open top vats with some water where it will ferment for another 15 days. 

Mezcal Distillation Process 

The fermented liquid is added along with some of the fibers to a clay still that is heated with a wood fire.

The liquid heats up and turns to steam that is directed into a tube at the top where it condenses back into a liquid. This process is repeated a second time to concentrate the mezcal to around 50% alcohol.

Mezcal Tasting

From the time you arrive, till the time you head back to the city, there will be mezcal to taste.

Mezcal is meant to be cherished, so sipping is the name of the game, and taking shots is never appropriate. This allows for mezcal to get consumed all day without getting hammered. 

They will greet you at the farm with a taste, and they even open a couple of bottles at lunch to help with digestion, but the real tasting takes place at the end.

El Conejo invites you inside to where he stores his large bottles of mezcal where he allows you to try any varieties that you would like.

There are usually around 15 or so varieties that they have available at the moment. 

We would highly recommend buying a bottle or two to take back to your accommodation or to share with some friends. 

Oaxaca Mezcal Tour

It’s a given that when visiting Oaxaca that you are going to want to try some mole , or make a trip out to visit Monte Alban.

But to be honest, our favorite of the food and adventures we had was getting to partake in a mezcal tour in Oaxaca . 

As travelers, we are all seeking experiences that touch a place and its culture.

We feel the best way to do that is by visiting a palenque and getting to see firsthand how the best mezcal distillery in Oaxaca makes this amazing spirit. 

Now it’s your turn to book this once-in-a-lifetime trip to meet a maestro mezcalero and his family at his farm in the beautiful Santa Catarina Minas valley.

Mezcal Tour Oaxaca Overview

What to expect:  

• Cost: $135/person for 2 people, the price goes down with the group size 
• Start time : 8 am
• Duration : up to 10 hours (all-day tour)
• Transportation : Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Group Size: max of 6 people 

What’s Included: English-speaking guide, snacks on the field, a shared meal at the end of the tour, unlimited mezcal tasting, private vehicle

This Oaxaca Mezcal Tour is FOR YOU if: You are interested in learning about mezcal in a more immersive experience

This Oaxaca Mezcal Tour is NOT FOR YOU if: You are more interested in catching a solid buzz than learning about the nuances of mezcal and its history, you will want to choose another tour. If you cannot hike in the hills or be on your feet for several hours, you might want to make other plans.

Quick Mezcal 101: Frequently Asked Questions

Is mezcal only from oaxaca.

Mezcal is produced in 9 states in Mexico, but Oaxaca accounts for 70% of its production.

Where can I try Mezcal in Oaxaca?

Mezcal can be purchased by the glass in restaurants, mezcal tasting rooms, and on tours of mezcal distilleries.

Where is Mezcal made in Oaxaca?

Mezcal is produced at places called palenques that only distill mezcal. Some are family-owned farms, and others can be massive commercial distilleries.

How do you drink Mezcal?

Mezcal is served in a small glass called a veladora from which it is meant to be sipped. These small tastes are called a “beso” which means to kiss. It is considered disrespectful to shoot mezcal as it is meant to be savored.

What does Mezcal taste like?

Each type of mezcal produced by each distillery has its own unique flavors and aromas. Some of the common flavors that are referenced are smoky, herbaceous, mineral, salty, vegetal, and tropical fruits like pineapple.

Gabriel is the head writer for Chef Travel Guide and has been featured in the Huffington Post, Martha Stewart, Eat This, Not That, Real Simple, Muscle and Health, and many more. He was born and raised in California and has worked as a professional restaurant chef for over 20 years. After escaping the “kitchen life”, he is now focused on his passion for the outdoors and world travel. Gabriel’s passions include trail running and hiking on California's incredible trails, camping in the redwoods, and exploring the golden state from the Eastern Sierras to the rugged North Coast.

Similar Posts

Oaxaca Drinks: A Complete Guide

The ultimate list of what to drink in Oaxaca including mezcal, tejate, hot chocolate, and atole. Must try traditional Oaxacan drinks when you visit.

Dining Etiquette in Mexico

Learn everything from tipping in Mexico, how not to get sick from eating street food, dining customs you should know, and how to be a better food traveler.

15 Must-Try Traditional Foods in Oaxaca (In-Depth Guide)

A guide to the best food in Oaxaca including best restaurants to try Oaxacan dishes and street food such as mole, tlayudas, tamales, and Oaxacan chocolate.

16 Best Oaxaca Restaurants [2024] – A Chef’s Guide

From street food to fine dining, this guide to the best Oaxaca restaurants has you covered. Follow Chefs tips to find the places to eat in Oaxaca.

What is Molé? A Guide to the Different Types of Molé [with Ingredients]

Learn about molé from Mexico, how its made from scratch, mole dishes you should try, the history of mole and why its integral in Mexican cuisine.

Best Foods in Mexico – Top Mexican Dishes to Try [2023]

Ultimate guide to the best foods in Mexico including traditional and popular Mexican foods you should eat when visiting Mexico.

11 Best Oaxaca Mezcal Tours You’ll Want to Take in 2024

Want to take one of the best Mezcal Tours in Oaxaca?

You’ve come to the right place because the 11 best Oaxaca mezcal tours are all featured here.

Fun Fact: Mezcal is the national spirit of Mexico. Although you can drink it throughout Mexico, Oaxaca is the home of mezcal — and where more than 90% of all Mexico mezcal is produced.

It’s no surprise Oaxaca mezcal tours are some of the best in the country. In fact, this Educational Mezcal Tour with Alvaro is the highest-rated of all Oaxaca mezcal tours, with a near-perfect 5 Star rating.

🥃  EDITOR’S CHOICE: BEST OAXACA MEZCAL TOUR | Educational Mezcal Tour with Alvaro

In this article, we’ll explore a variety of Oaxaca mezcal tours so you can pick the one that works best for you.

Whichever you choose, know you definitely want to try some locally-produced mezcal while traveling to Oaxaca.

Ready to discover all the best Oaxaca mezcal tours? Let’s get to it!

Top 3 Picks: Best Oaxaca Mezcal Tours

#1 TOP PICK

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mezcal and Mole with a Certified Sommelier ✔️ Tasting of 7 moles ✔️ Mezcal cocktail

Educational Mezcal Tour with Alvaro ✔️ Traditional Oaxacan snack ✔️ Tasting of 10+ mezcals

The Last Ancestral Mezcal in Oaxaca ✔️ Mezcal tasting ✔️ Private transportation

What is mezcal?

Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage. It is made from agave (specifically Agave americana ), one of the most common types of maguey plant .

It has been around for more than 400 years, and is the first known distilled spirit in Latin America and on the Americas Continent.

Para todo mal mezcal y para todo bien, también. (For everything bad, mezcal, and for everything good, mezcal.) see more Mexican quotes and IG Captions

The word mezcal comes from the Aztec word mexcalli , meaning oven-cooked agave.

Tequila is actually a form of mezcal, though they are distilled differently — mezcal is cooked in an underground oven, and tequila is boiled.

Check out the Oaxaca Mezcal FAQ at the end of this article to learn even more about traditional Oaxacan mezcal.

For now, let’s get to this list of the 11 best Oaxaca mezcal tours.

Best Oaxaca Mezcal Tours

1. mezcal and mole with a certified sommelier.

Editor’s Choice: Best Mezcal Tasting in Oaxaca City

⏰ Tour Length: 1.5 hours | ⭐️ Ratings: 4.96 out of 5 Stars | 🥃 Book now

This Mezcal and Mole Tour is led by Daniel, a professional mezcal sommelier (yes, these exist).

It is a once-in-a-lifetime, immersive adventure into the worlds of Oaxaca mezcal and Oaxaca mole — one you’ll never forget.

Located in a mountain-view tasting room, participants will taste all seven moles of Oaxaca ( Note: They’re all vegetarian).

Each Oaxacan mole has been perfectly paired with seven artisanal and ancestral mezcals.

Absolutely incredible. I learned so much, loved all the moles and all the mezcals, and the host was exceptional in every way. Highly highly recommend! —Carmen ( read more reviews )

Each mezcal has been carefully chosen to showcase the characteristics of different agaves.

By the end of the meal, you’ll have a full belly, a nice buzz, and a vast knowledge of Oaxaca mezcal!

Along with tasting delicious moles and mezcal, this experience is the perfect place to learn about and discuss traditional Mexican foods and Mexico’s rich gastronomic heritage.

If at the end you discover a mezcal you particularly love, you can also buy one to take home with you as a souvenir.

After all, mezcal is one of the most popular Oaxaca souvenirs visitors will take home.

Note: This experience is great for vegetarians and vegans; but make sure to let the host know about dietary restrictions when you book. Spanish tour options are also available.

2. Educational Mezcal Tour with Alvaro

Editor’s Choice: Best Oaxaca Mezcal Tour to the Agave Fields

⏰ Tour Length: 6 hours | ⭐️ Ratings: 4.97 out of 5 Stars | 🥃 Book now

The history of mezcal dates back hundreds of years, and this Educational Mezcal Tour with Alvaro explores the history, culture and tradition surrounding the national spirit of Mexico.

I love that we went to less visited Mezcal sites for Oaxaca. The history and information about Mezcal and how to make it was one of a kind. The mezcal was delicious. I learned so much. —Carmen ( read more reviews )

The experience starts with a visit to the Oaxaca villages of San Pablo Villa de Mitla (or just Mitla for short) and Santiago Matatlán .

Santiago Matatlan Oaxaca is known as the World Capital of Mezcal. This is where the majority of Oaxaca mezcal comes from, and most mezcaleros (mezcal makers) use artisan methods passed through generations.

Mitla is a Oaxaca pueblo magico (magic town) known for its culture, history, ancient ruins, architecture and mezcal — locally called la bebida de los dioses , or “the drink of the gods.”

Here, you’ll start your walking tour through rows and rows of agave plants. After some activities and photos, you’ll take a mezcal factory tour. On this tour, you get a front row seat to see how mezcal is made.

Of course, no Oaxaca mezcal tour is complete without a mezcal tasting.

You’ll also enjoy a tasting or two. The experience ends with a traditional Oaxacan food lunch — which will obviously include more mezcal!

3. The Last Ancestral Mezcal in Oaxaca

Editor’s Choice: Best Educational Oaxaca Mezcal Tour

⏰ Tour Length: 4 hours | ⭐️ Ratings: 4.97 out of 5 Stars | 🥃 Book now

Although historians initially believed mezcal was created more than 400 years ago when the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in Mexico, this had been debunked.

They previously said the Spanish brought over the distillation process to the New World.

However, archaeological investigations have shown alcohol distillation was known and used before the arrival of Europeans.

On the Last Ancestral Mezcal in Oaxaca Tour , you’ll learn more about prehispanic mezcal while visiting an ancestral palenque .

Palenque (pronounced paw-lan-kay) is the name for a mezcal distillery in Oaxaca.

If you want to learn more about the plants and tradition surrounding the making of mezcal this is the tour for you. Very hospitable hosts. Authentic experience. —wendy ( read more reviews )

Join guide Armando for a mezcal tour in the pueblo (small town) of San Antonio Arrazola Oaxaca , located near Monte Alban Ruins .

San Antonio Arrazola is famous as the Oaxaca alebrije town, but also for its mezcal. The popular Mezcal el Sonador is made here, using ancient artisanal mezcal techniques.

On the tour, you’ll get a chance to see how local mezcaleros (mezcal makers) use these original techniques used to craft mezcal, and also try some for yourself.

Besides seeing how it’s made, your guide will also talk about the different agave plants used to make Oaxacan mezcal.

You’ll discover how each plant impacts the mezcal flavor and overall drinking experience.

If you’re looking for an educational mezcal tour in Oaxaca, do not miss the Last Ancestral Mezcal in Oaxaca Tour with Armando .

This is the hand-down best tour for those who want to learn more about mezcal’s historical and cultural significance in the state of Oaxaca.

Once the tour concludes, you can buy a bottle (or two!) of your favorite mezcal.

4. A Day in the Life Mezcal Tour with Alvin

Editor’s Choice: Best Tour for Mezcal Aficionados

⏰ Tour Length: 10 hours | ⭐️ Ratings: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🥃 Book now

The best way to understand how mezcal is made is by participating in its production.

In this Day in the Life Tour with Alvin , you’ll immerse yourself fully in the creation process — from agave harvest to distilled mezcal.

You’ll visit several palenques (mezcal distilleries in Oaxaca), and taste about 25-30 different artesian mezcals.

When you fall in love with a particular mezcal, Alvin can arrange to have it bottled up for you!

Unforgettable, once in a lifetime kind of experience. Alvin has cultivated close relationships with numerous amazing mezcaleros and their facilities over the years. When you visit a palenque, you are welcomed like family… —Sam ( read more reviews )

On this thoughtfully-curated tour, you’ll experience the various mezcal states of production alongside the palenqueros (pronounced paw-lan-care-ohs, and meaning mezcal distillers), as well as their family members.

You can try cutting agave in the field, preparing the oven, getting the baked agave ready for macerating, crushing the agave piña by hand, and working with the fermentation vats.

There’s no shortage of work on the palenque!

Throughout the day, you’ll have breaks to simply enjoy your surroundings. There’s an optional lunch at a local eatery which serves traditional Oaxacan cuisine .

( Note : Lunch is not included, but costs about $15 USD).

During the tour, you’ll sample a wide variety of mezcals — upwards of 30 types. You can purchase a couple of bottles for yourself, and since you’re buying direct from the farmers, the prices are all well below retail.

If you want to get your hands dirty while working alongside indigenous Zapotec producers on a palenque , don’t miss out on this incredibly unique experience.

5. Mezcal Tour With Casa Convite Oaxaca

⏰ Tour Length: 7 hours | ⭐️ Ratings: 4.88 out of 5 Stars | 🥃 Book now

The Casa Convite Mezcal Tour starts at Casa Convite, located in the heart of Downtown Oaxaca City. Next, you’ll be whisked away to explore the small town of Tlacolula Oaxaca.

Located 18 miles (30 km) from Oaxaca City , Tlacolula is home to one of the oldest markets on the continent.

Here, you’ll shop for local ingredients that will be used to make a home-cooked Oaxacan meal to eat at the end of the tour.

This was an excellent educational look into the old ways of making mezcal. It was not overly detailed, but simple in its approach to help understand the process behind the making of mezcal. —Kent ( read more reviews )

After the Tlacolula Market , it’s off to visit the Casa Convite palenque (Oaxaca mezcal distillery).

At this fully operational distillery, you’ll see how mezcal is made, and of course, enjoy a few tasting sessions along the way.

🛍 Looking for the best shopping in Oaxaca? The Sunday Tlacolula Market is one of the biggest and best markets in Oaxaca Mexico .

After visiting the palenque, you’ll visit some nearby mountains to see wild agave plants growing.

This is an ideal place to get some Instagram worthy Oaxaca photos, with the gorgeous Oaxaca agave fields as a backdrop.

To wrap up, you’ll return to the palenque and enjoy a typical mezcalero lunch — the same home cooked meal the mezcal makers eat.

During lunch, the tour hosts will dazzle you with stories and secrets of Oaxaca mezcal culture.

You can learn more about Casa Convite here .

🥃 More about Casa Convite Oaxaca

Casa Convite is one of the first places in Oaxaca that focused (and still focuses) on promoting mezcal as a culture, not just a drink.

They’re an independent mezcal house that creates some of the best artisanal mezcal from Oaxaca.

Casa Convite only produces and sells mezcal that’s 100% fair trade . They promote Oaxacan heritage in everything they do, while preserving the traditions behind this culturally-significant spirit.

Casa Convite is located in the heart of Oaxaca City , and you can visit on your own. The location is home to four spaces:

• A tasting room where visitors can appreciate a variety of mezcals.
• An exhibition where you can learn about making mezcal.
• One of the best Oaxaca City restaurants that serves traditional Oaxacan cuisine and locally-made mezcal.
• A boutique where you can purchase some of their artisanal mezcal.

6. Oaxaca Mezcal Tour with Craft Beer and Cuisine Pairing

Editor’s Choice: Best Private Oaxaca Mezcal Tour

Ready to step off the tourist trail and explore Oaxaca mezcal’s cultural and historical traditions? Then the Oaxaca Mezcal Tour with Craft Beer and Cuisine Pairing is for you.

This tour has it all: mezcal, gourmet food, craft beer and distillery tours. As one of the best private mezcal tours in Oaxaca , it also includes pick-up from your accommodation.

This was a unique experience that allowed us to interact up close and personal with several palenqueros… Would recommend to anyone looking for an authentic experience. —joseph m. ( read more reviews )

The tour starts with you getting picked-up at your Oaxaca City hotel or Airbnb.

You’re then whisked away to various local palenques to see how mezcal is made, and where you’ll enjoy several mezcal tastings.

You’ll have the chance to meet local mezcaleros and learn more about mezcal’s history and distillation process.

At the end of the tour, guests are served a beautiful five-course Oaxacan lunch with local craft beer pairing.

🍻 Oaxaca Fun Fact: Along with being known for its mezcal, Oaxaca City is one of the top Mexican beer towns as well.

If you are looking to sample some of the best of what Oaxaca has to offer, gastronomically speaking, then this tour is perfect for you. 

7. Get a Taste of Real Oaxacan Food and Mezcal

Editor’s Choice: Best Semi-Private Oaxaca Mezcal Tour

Oaxaca is one of the most culturally diverse states in Mexico, with eight distinct regions and 16 indigenous groups.

While most visitors stick to just Oaxaca City and its surrounding areas, there’s just so much more to see.

If you’re looking to explore the less-touristy side of Oaxaca, this Get a Taste of Real Oaxacan Food and Mezcal with Leyver is perfect for you.

Our experience with Leyver was wonderful and thoughtfully curated. The tour only allows for a few people which makes it an intimate experience. The places he brings you are off the beaten path and truly Oaxacan. —Wes ( read more reviews )

The tour is led by Leyver, a Oaxaca local with his own mezcal brand. Leyver will pick you up at your Oaxaca hotel or Airbnb and take you to grab some Oaxacan breakfast in a nearby small town.

Once breakfast is finished, you’ll be able to buy some artisan handicrafts from a nearby mercado (market), before heading to a local distillery.

Here, you’ll see the ancient traditions and methods used to create real Oaxaca mezcal.

Lunch will be served in a local eatery before heading to another distillery to end the day.

🥃 Semi-Private Oaxaca Mezcal Tours

One of the great things about this tour is that it’s for smaller groups only.

This allows for a certain degree of personalization. Although there’s a set itinerary, suggestions are welcome and some customizations are possible.

It’s not quite a private mezcal tour in Oaxaca, but it’s close.

Get a Taste of Real Oaxacan Food and Mezcal is the perfect tour if you prefer small groups — or want a private tour experience minus the private tour price tag.

🥃 Private Oaxaca Mezcal Tours

If you do want a fully private tour, check out the Gastronomy Experience: Culture, Mezcal Tasting & Textiles where you can explore Oaxaca’s various tastes, people, and traditions.

8. Artisanal Mezcal Distillery in Authentic Zapotec Village

⏰ Tour Length: 9 hours | ⭐️ Ratings: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🥃 Book now

The Zapotec ethnic group is one of the largest indigenous groups in Oaxaca. In pre-Columbian times this particular civilization was one of the highest developed cultures in Mesoamerica.

In this specific Artisanal Mezcal Distillery Tour , you’ll not only be able to taste some traditional artisanal mezcal, but you’ll also be able to experience the Zapotec way of life.

Cesar provided an amazing experience. If you are looking for an authentic day with someone who is willing to share his culture, his home, his community, and do so with an open heart, you couldn’t ask for more. —Ravinder ( read more reviews )

Your tour begins in Oaxaca City, where you will travel by taxi with your host, Cesar. The first stop will be the small Oaxacan pueblo he lives in.

There, you will enjoy a traditional Zapotec breakfast, which consists of sweet bread and hot chocolate.

Next, you’ll venture to a local mezcaleria (mezcal bar) to learn more about the history of mezcal in Oaxaca Mexico.

🌵 Oaxaca Fun Fact : The Zapotecs believed mezcal was a sacred liquid that helped them communicate with the gods.

After the tour and a tasting, you’ll head back to Cesar’s pueblo to enjoy a typical Zapotec lunch.

Everything is made with local, fresh ingredients, and you’ll also enjoy handmade tortillas.

If you want an authentic Oaxaca cultural experience away from all the other tourists, this is it .

9. Mezcal, The Spirit of Oaxaca

⏰ Tour Length: 8 hours | ⭐️ Ratings: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🥃 Book now

If you want insider access to the whole mezcal process, then the Mezcal, the Spirit of Oaxaca Tour , is an experience you don’t want to miss.

The tour focuses on immersing you in the full process of mezcal production — from visiting agave fields, to taking a tour in a local mezcal palenque , all the way to bottling and tasting the final product.

Do yourself a favor and book this tour! Fernando was the perfect host… [and it’s] a perfect way to spend a day just outside of Oaxaca, and see something beyond the City Center. —anthony ( read more reviews )

The experience starts in the agave fields, where you’ll see both cultivated and wild agaves.

The scenery here is beautiful, from the agave fields to the mountains surrounding the small town of Santiago Matatlán Oaxaca.

Next, you’ll head to the first distillery to learn about the four steps of mezcal production.

The host will explain how the Four Elements of earth, wind, water and fire blend together to create this culturally and historically rich spirit.

After learning about the mezcal making process, you will taste five hand-selected mezcals in the tasting room.

Afterward, you’ll visit a second distillery to enjoy a second tasting and a traditional Oaxacan meal .

This tour provides you with the whole picture from start to finish, and the host works closely with family-owned distilleries that have been creating mezcal for more than 200 years.

10. Las Bugambilias Mezcal Distillery Tour

⏰ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🥃 Book now

Las Bugambilias Mezcal Distillery Tour will take you to three distilleries in Santiago Matatlán, the World Capital of Mezcal.

Here, you’ll learn about the traditional methods of making this spirit.

Unlike many other tours, this one skips the commercial distilleries and instead will take you to family-owned palenques .

At these distilleries, you’ll be able to see the whole process of making artisanal mezcal, from start to finish.

You’ll also be able to experience a tasting of some premium mezcals and will have the chance to buy a bottle (or two!) to take home with you — one of the best souvenirs from Oaxaca Mexico.

Along with visiting distilleries, you’ll head to an agave plantation to talk to the farmers who cultivate this unique plant.

Then, you’ll visit a family home to learn about pulque (pronounced pull-kay) and try some.

🤔 Wondering, What is pulque? Pulque is an alcoholic beverage made with the fermented sap of the agave plant. It is common in Central Mexico, and has been made since the pre-Columbian era.

At the end of the tour, you’ll enjoy a local Oaxacan food meal in a traditional restaurant in Santiago Matatlán — the perfect end to a great day!

11. Real Mezcal Adventure Tour

⏰ Tour Length: 8 hours | ⭐️ Ratings: 4 out of 5 Stars | 👩‍🍳 Book now

This Real Mezcal Adventure Tour allows you to delve deep into the history and manufacturing process of mezcal.

Throughout the tour, you’ll visit various small towns known for creating some of the best mezcal in Oaxaca Mexico.

You’ll stop in the small town Santiago Matatlan, which produces more mezcal than any town in Oaxaca.

The town is home to various producers, ranging from small family palenques (Oaxacan mezcal distilleries) to large-scale operations. Regardless of the size, they all tend to use traditional mezcal methods.

During your time in Santiago Matatlan, you’ll see how mezcal is made, from harvesting to distillation.

Then it’s off to Tlacolula to experience more Oaxacan culture and visit the town’s traditional markets.

If you want to visit a range of mezcal producers and sample a wide variety of this distilled spirit in one day, this is the best Oaxacan mezcal tour for you.

Oaxaca Mezcal Distilleries You Can Visit by Yourself

Santiago Matatlan

Santiago Matatlan Oaxaca has about 140 mezcal distilleries, and produces the most mezcal in the state of Oaxaca.

While there’s an overwhelming amount of distilleries to choose from, many head to El Sabino .

This is the distillery behind Mezcal Macurichos , one of the most popular Oaxaca mezcal brands.

There’s also Fabrica de Mezcal Don Tacho , Casa Cortes and Gracias a Dios , which some say is the best mezcal distillery in Oaxaca.

They each offer tours and a mezcal tasting, but some are by appointment only. You’ll want to contact each individual palenque to see how they handle tours.

Santa Catarina Minas

Santa Catarina Minas Oaxaca is located about one hour from Santiago Matatlan.

It is home to Solo Uno, a union of 15 master mezcaleros (mezcal makers) who are keeping the traditional mezcal-making process alive at places like Lalocura , Los Amantes , Real Minero and Palenque el Conejo .

El Rey de Matatlan

Most Mexican mezcal comes from Oaxaca, so there’s a plethora of agave fields, mezcal distilleries and tasting rooms to choose from.

El Rey de Matatlan is one of the most-visited, and has free tours that show the whole farm to table mezcal process. It is located in Tlacolula de Matamoros, Oaxaca.

Oaxaca Mezcal: Frequently Asked Questions

Mezcal vs Tequila: What’s the difference?

Mezcal and tequila are both made from the agave plant. Tequila is a type of mezcal, but it’s only made from the Blue Weber agave plant.

Mezcal can be made from any type of agave, but it’s always 100% agave, while tequila is 50% agave.

Tequila can only be legally called tequila if it’s produced in Tequila, Mexico (and some surrounding areas).

This is similar to how champagne can only come from the Champagne Valley in France, otherwise it must be labeled “sparkling wine.”

To further clarify, there’s a common saying: All tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequila.

This is the same principle that applies to whiskeys, as all bourbons are whiskeys, but not all whiskeys are bourbons.

Mezcal doesn’t come from a specific region, but it can only be legally produced in nine  Mexican states .

These are the states of: Oaxaca , Michoacan, Puebla , Guerrero , Zacatecas, Guanajuato , Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi , Durango and Sinaloa. However, the state of Oaxaca produces about 80% of the world’s mezcal.

The Consejo Regulador del Mezcal must certify it, otherwise it has to be labeled “distilled agave spirits” or “agave distillate,” but not mezcal.

Mezcal vs Tequila: How are they made?

When it comes to how they’re made, mezcal and tequila differ again. Both involve growing agave for several years, but the traditional mezcal production process is where they differ.

The blue agave piña (agave hearts) for tequila goes through a steaming process in an industrial oven, whereas the piña for mezcal is roasted in a fire pit in the ground.

This time in the underground pit is why mezcal often has a smoky taste.

They then go through a different extraction process, with tequila being largely mass-produced, whereas mezcal is handcrafted.

Each batch of mezcal will be different, even when it’s made by the same producer, whereas tequila has a more uniform taste.

How does mezcal taste?

While mezcal is known for its smoky flavor, that’s only the case for certain types of mezcal from Mexico.

Wondering, Is all mezcal smoky? It’s actually not! One of the most popular and best mezcals in Mexico, 400 Conejos , is only slightly smoky.

Mezcal can also be fruity, floral, citrusy, and even a little spicy. Some mezcals are quite neutral and mild in flavor; it just depends on what type of mezcal you’re drinking and how it’s processed.

Is mezcal stronger than tequila?

Yes  — Mezcal is usually quite a bit stronger than tequila, though this isn’t always the case so always check the label.

In general, most mezcal alcohol by volume (ABV) is between 48%-55%. By contrast, the average for tequila is usually 40% ABV.

🥃 Looking for a mezcal with low ABV?

Opt for Mezcal Monte Alban Mezcal con Gusano , which is 40% ABV alcohol content. This is one of the most popular mezcals in the United States, and it’s readily available.

Is there a mezcal worm?

No — While you’ll find the infamous tequila worm in most bottles, mezcal does not contain a worm in the bottle.

That same worm is what’s used to make sal de gusano (worm salt), which is traditionally served with mezcal in Mexico.

Where does mezcal come from?

Most of the world’s mezcal comes from Oaxaca, Mexico. In the state, the most commonly-used plant to make Oaxacan mezcal is the espadin agave.

Mezcal can be made from more than 30 different types of agave plants — though the majority of it comes from the tobalá , tobaziche , arroqueño , tepeztate and espadín varieties.

Of those, most mezcal is made from espadin agave. In fact, up to 90% of all Oaxaca mezcal is made from espadín, which grows wild throughout the state of Oaxaca.

Mezcal is produced in nine different Mexican regions; not just Oaxaca.

However, Oaxaca produces more than 90% of all mezcal in Mexico, and it is the state most closely associated with Mexican mezcal.

How long does it take to make mezcal?

The production of mezcal starts with the plant, the agave plant. Baby agave plants are planted and can take around 7-25 years to mature.

Once mature, they are roasted for days (giving way to the spirit’s smokey flavor) before being crushed and fermented. Fermentation can take anywhere between 1-4 weeks.

Once fermentation is done, the mezcal is distilled, which takes 1-4 days depending on if the spirit is distilled once or multiple times. After that, it’s ready to serve!

What’s the best way to enjoy mezcal?

Mezcal is meant to be drunk at room temperature, sipped from a mezcal copita (meaning “little cup”) — not taken as a shot .

You’ll hear people describe sipping mezcal as kissing the glass, which is the best way to enjoy the unique flavors.

In Mexico, mezcal is typically served with oranges and sal de gusano on the site.

This is a salt mixture with chiles and dried larvae from the chinicuil worm. Alternatively, you can also enjoy mezcal in cocktails.

Does mezcal give you a hangover?

Yes — Mezcal can give you a hangover, but only after seriously overindulging.

One of the reasons mezcal is so popular is because this spirit miraculously leaves few with a hangover after imbibing, especially when you’re sipping it straight!

Since mezcal is a pure spirit, it doesn’t have additives as most liquors do.

While it’s rare for drinkers to feel side effects the day after, you probably don’t want to test your limits with mezcal because it’s pretty strong.

Where is mezcal made in Oaxaca?

There are a variety of palenques located across Oaxaca. However, some towns are known for their mezcal, including Santiago Matatlán, Santa Catarina Minas, Sola de Vega and San Pablo Villa de Mitla.

What is a Palenque Mezcal?

Palenque is the word used to describe a Oaxaca mezcal distillery. This is a local term that’s primarily used in the state of Oaxaca.

Many other Mexican states have their own local terms, so this changes depending on where you are.

For example, in Northern Mexico, the work fabrica is usually used more than palenque .

Palenquero (pronounced paw-lan-care-ohs) is another word of mezcalero . They both refer to mezcal distiller or mezcal-maker. You will hear both terms used in Oaxaca.

Final Thoughts: Best Oaxaca Mezcal Tours

We’ve reached the end of a long list of the best mezcal tours in Oaxaca Mexico! Were you able to pick the best mezcal tour Oaxaca has that will fit perfectly into your Oaxaca itinerary?

If not, here are the cliff’s notes to help you finalize your plans:

• 🏆 Best Oaxaca Mezcal Tour (Editor’s Pick): Educational Mezcal Tour with Alvaro
• 💎 Best Private Oaxaca Mezcal Tour : Gastronomy Experience: Culture, Mezcal Tasting & Textiles
• 🌵 Best Tour for Mezcal Aficionados : A Day in the Life Mezcal Tour with Alvin
• 🍽 Best Oaxaca Mezcal Tour for Foodies : Mezcal and Mole with a Certified Sommelier
• 👩‍🏫 Best Educational Oaxaca Mezcal Tour : The Last Ancestral Mezcal in Oaxaca with Armando

• Mexican Food + Mezcal
• Mexico Beaches
• Guadalajara
• Mexico City
• Oaxaca City
• Oaxaca Coast
• Oaxacan Food + Mezcal
• Puerto Vallarta
• San Miguel de Allende
• El Salvador
• Dominican Republic
• Aguas de Sabor/Flavored Waters
• Main Dishes
• Recipes + Cooking
• Hotel Reviews
• Tour Reviews
• Beach Escapes
• Cultural Destinations
• Eat Well in Latin America
• Housesitting
• Off-the-Beaten Path
• Clothing + Accessories
• Hiking + Adventures
• Travel Planning Resources
• Budget Travel Tips

Oaxaca Mezcal Tour: Guide to Visiting the Best Mezcal Distilleries with Las Bugambilias Tours

It shocked me to find so little info online about what mezcal distilleries to visit on a Oaxaca mezcal tour. Sure there are lots of articles about the trendy spirit - but almost all focus on what mezcal is with a brief mention that Oaxaca is the place to find it. Then there are many sites to book tours - but with little information as to what distilleries you might visit.

So I’ve made it my mission to gather up a list of the best Oaxaca mezcal distilleries to visit. For me, they need to have two different features:

• The distilleries need to be making mezcal with the authentic and traditional methods. And their finished product should be really special and unique.
• They should be open to tourists, allowing for a comfortable and educational visit.

If you can't get to Oaxaca right now, check out my favorite mezcals online that are available in the US and beyond. Click below.

Love mezcal and Oaxacan food? Join our Oaxaca retreat + food experience - Milpa + Mesa below. Rescheduled dates coming soon.

So I got in touch with my favorite tour guide in Oaxaca - René from Las Bugambilias Tours . He previously took me on a tour to visit the most talented and impressive traditional weavers in the area - so I knew he would be the right person to ask to find the most special and interesting mezcal distilleries as well, on a Oaxaca mezcal tour.

Note: It's been a couple years since I took this tour, but René continues to offer high quality tours in Oaxaca. The mezcal palenques he currently visits may vary from those below . I'd advise asking before booking, if that is important to you.

By the way, if you're looking for a great Oaxaca boutique hotel - I can't recommend Casa de las Bugambilias enough (run by the same family as Las Bugambilias Tours). It's in an amazing location, beautifully and colorfully designed, and serves an incredible gourmet breakfast every morning. Or find more options for where to stay in Oaxaca .

For tons more Oaxaca posts including: where to eat, what to do,

Plus lots of info about the oaxaca coast: check out my oaxaca tag ., search for oaxaca hotels:, or oaxaca airbnbs:.

What Is Mezcal?

In case you stumbled on this post and aren’t familiar with the traditional Mexican spirit of mezcal, let me give you a quick primer.

There are a few things I’m passionate about in life - travel, preaching Latin America travel, and mezcal are probably my top three. Why is mezcal so interesting? Well it’s complex - there are seemingly infinite combinations of the many agave plants to use, various methods of distillation, and even the specific earth from the producing farm changes the flavor.

It’s a cousin of tequila - made from the same type of plant, the agave. But there are a couple of important differences between the two spirits.

• Mezcal is made from almost any kind of agave plant (And that’s one of the most fun things about it, every varietal gives a different flavor). This video gives more info (in Spanish) about the 159 varieties of agaves in Mexico. Tequila is only made from the blue agave plant variety.  
• Mezcal is made by first roasting the agave plant hearts in a wood burning pit covered in hot stones and a layer of leftover agave fiber to prevent burning. This makes for a very smoky flavor, which is what mezcal is known for. Tequila is made by baking the agave hearts in an oven which doesn’t give the same smoky flavor.  
• Mezcal is the precursor of tequila. It’s been recently discovered that mezcal production dates back to pre-hispanic times. Mari Carmen Serra  Puche  and  Jesús  Carlos  Lazcano   Arce  have found evidence that  mezcal  was made in  Xochitécatl - Cacaxtla  in the state of Tlaxcala 2500 years ago! Tequila was first produced in the 16th century in the state of Jalisco.  
• Mezcal is almost always made in small batch production on small palenques (farms) using traditional methods. This keeps the traditional culture alive and makes for more varied flavors in limited production bottles. There are still some small tequila farms, but large companies have dominated the tequila market in Jalisco, causing tequila flavors and production to be more standardized.

If you’ve had tequila, don’t think that mezcal will taste the same! The flavors couldn’t be more different. Tequila always has a similar flavor, though quality can vary. Mezcal flavors run the gamut depending on the type of agave used, if different varieties are blended, and if traditional clay pots or copper, or steel pots are used for distillation.

So now let’s get to the fun part - a Oaxaca mezcal tour to visit the palenques and distilleries where this fascinating and traditional spirit is made!

Oaxaca Mezcal Tour - Visiting the Best Mezcal Distilleries

Lalocura - a Traditional Oaxaca Mezcal Distillery in Santa Catarina Minas

We started our Oaxaca mezcal tour by heading south out of the city to Santa Catarina Minas - a little village of 1500 people but with 14 mezcal distilleries. This town is known for their great mezcal.

We headed to Lalocura palenque and distillery - a Oaxaca mezcal palenque that has been in production for 4 generations. They grow and produce 20 different varieties (!!) of agave, use the traditional method of distilling in clay pots, rather than modern metal pots. They also smash all the roasted agave hearts by hand, rather than using a horse pulling a stone like most mezcal palenques. Lalo Angeles, the mezcal master, is known for his traditional high-quality mezcal and his unique blends.

We toured their small farm, and I was amazed by the quantity and variety of mezcal they produce here.

You can buy Lalocura mezcal online in the USA here .

Agave Planting

First, we toured the fields where they grow their agave plants.

The few large-scale mezcal factories that exist stick to monoculture farming - only growing one type of agave plant (espadin) in large quantity.

Palenques like Lalocura stick to traditional methods of growing many types of agaves. This makes for so many different varieties of mezcal, but also protects their plants in case of disease - not all plants would be harmed at once.

We also saw the workers harvesting the agave plants by hand and separating the leaves from the hearts with machetes.

Roasting Agave Hearts

We then saw the pit where the agave hearts are roasted. They are roasted with wood (mesquite, oak, and pine), covered with large stones that get very hot, and then a layer of fermented agave fibers to protect the hearts from burning.

Smashing the Agave

Maybe one of the most unique things about Lalocura is that they smash the roasted agave hearts by hand. Most traditional farms use egyptian stone mills - a horse that pulls a huge stone over a platform.

We watched the men at the farm use machetes to break the agave hearts apart, and then use an instrument similar to a mortar and pestle to smash the agave fibers apart.

Fermentation

Next the agave fiber is loaded into huge barrels. They add water - first hot water, and then cold water, and allow the fiber to ferment for a certain period of time.

Distillation

Finally, the agave is distilled. Lalocura adds the fermented agave to clay pots, adds spring water, and then the wood fires underneath do the work to distill the spirit.

Lalocura has two brands of mezcal - Lalocura and Sacapalabras. You can buy Lalocura mezcal online in the USA here .

Side Note: Government mezcal certification is a pricey and a difficult process, so many producers don’t obtain this. If a mezcal isn’t certified it can still be good, or maybe not, so you need to educate yourself on what good mezcal is, or get good recommendations from experts like René at Las Bugambilias on a Oaxaca mezcal tour.

Mezcal Tasting

We then had the pleasure of getting to sample some of these small batch, traditional mezcals. Their tasting room is small and charming, filled with tons of clear glass garafones with many agave varieties and blends.

It was only 11am so we tried to pace ourselves. But every variety we tasted was delicious, complex, and different from the last. They even had a variety that was infused with cacao (chocolate).

Oaxaca Mezcal Distillery: Lalocura

Location: Nicolás del Puerto, Santa Catarina Minas, Oax.

Contact : https://www.facebook.com/LaLocuraMezcal/

Note : If you choose to visit on your own, tours are only run in Spanish and you should message ahead to schedule a visit.

Gracias a Dios: A Stylish Oaxaca Mezcal Distillery in Santiago Matatlan

Santiago Matatlan is a bit of a larger town with around 8700 people, but an astounding 140 mezcal distilleries. This is the most famous mezcal producing town in the state of Oaxaca. It’s definitely an amazing place to take a Oaxaca mezcal tour, but how do you choose which distilleries to visit?

We had a really pleasant afternoon at the lovely Gracias a Dios . If you’re looking for a hip and stylish mezcal distillery that still makes traditional and high quality mezcal - this is it!

You can buy Gracias a Dios mezcal online in the USA here .

The distillery is run by master mezcal maestro, Óscar Hernández Santiago whose family has been making mezcal for 4 generations. Together with Xaime Niembro, in charge of sales (who coincidentally we realized we met at his cool bar in Querétaro several years ago, how random is that??), they’ve created some amazing mezcal with beautiful labels, and a well-designed distillery and tasting room space.

Mezcal Varieties

Gracias a Dios makes mezcal from several different agave varieties.

Probably the most interesting and exciting thing about Gracias a Dios Oaxaca mezcal, is a couple of their additional unique spirits they make.

Their most popular mezcal is their Mango infused mezcal. They get the mangos from a small producer on the Oaxacan coast so the mango quality is great and local. They've also started a pineapple infused version.

I’m typically hesitant of fruity liquors, but this is not what you would expect. The mango flavor is really subtle and the overall flavor is very fresh. I really liked it!

Another super interesting spirit they make is a gin made from agave (rather than the usual grain). They then add in 32 other herbs and flavors. It was so unique and delicious. I could actually drink it straight (which is usually not the case with gin), but I imagine it would be amazing in some summery cocktails.

Speaking of cocktails, their well-designed intro booklet gives a couple of recipes for yummy sounding cocktails using their mezcals and gin. I’m excited to try them out!

Mezcal Production Process

The mezcal at Gracias a Dios is made with traditional methods, in a similar way as Lalocura. The main differences are that the agave is smashed on a grinding platform with a stone that is pulled by a horse. This is the most common way of grinding the agave hearts.

The other difference is that the mezcal is distilled in metal pots.

Sustainability and Ethics

They’re also committed to sustainability - for every agave plant they harvest, they plant 3 more agaves. This is so important because the increasing popularity of mezcal, and the traditional small batch/small farm aspect of mezcal, is causing some agave varieties to be in danger of extinction.

Another amazing initiative by Gracias a Dios, is that they’ve set up a collective for local women to bottle and pack up bottles of the mezcal. The local women are currently doing this process on the grounds of the distillery, but Gracias a Dios is looking to purchase a warehouse for the women to set up, bottle different local brands of mezcal, and then keep all the proceeds.

Oaxaca Mezcal Distillery: Gracias a Dios

Location : S/N 70440,, Independencia, Santiago Matatlán, Oax.

Contact : https://www.thankgad.com/en/contact

El Sabino/Mezcal Macurichos:

An innovative oaxaca mezcal distillery in santiago matatlan.

Down the road in Matatlan, we found the final mezcal distillery we’d visit on our Oaxaca mezcal tour - El Sabino distillery that makes the fabulous Mezcal Macurichos.

We sat to have lunch prepared by the family of mezcal maestro, Gonzalo Martinez Sernas. We had a delicious chicken soup with fresh veggies and tortillas, followed by a tasty and well-prepared traditional tlayuda. As we ate, Gonzalo poured various tasting cups of his limited production mezcal varieties.

As we tasted one mezcal after the other, we could tell that these were special mezcals that were the result of expertise and years of testing, experimenting, and fine tuning.

This family business has had 50 years of experience making mezcal, and only uses organic wild and locally grown agaves. They’ve won multiple awards for their Oaxaca mezcal.

Mezcal Conejo

One of the most interesting and unique mezcals that Gonzalo makes is the Conejo.

To explain Conejo, I have to back up for a minute and describe the popular mezcal variety - Pechuga. Pechuga is made by inserting a raw chicken breast inside the distilling pot, often with fruits and herbs. As the mezcal distills, the vapors pass through the chicken breast. The result is a more smooth mezcal which takes on the subtle flavors of the fruits and herbs (but not the chicken). This may sound strange, but the mezcal doesn’t actually touch the chicken, and the resulting mezcal is really delicious!

So Conejo is the same concept, but instead of a chicken breast, they use a rabbit instead. This was a really unique and rare variety, and we enjoyed tasting it.

Mezcal Blends

Gonzalo also specializes in blends. He is passionate about experimenting and testing until he finds the perfect combinations of different agaves.

Blends aren’t very common in Oaxaca. It’s more typical to find a mezcal that is only made from one agave plant. It was interesting to try some of his blends that combined different agaves. I haven’t loved many blends I’ve tried in the past, but Gonzalo’s were interesting, complex, and offered completely new flavors. It was obvious he put a lot of time and work into finding the perfect combinations.

In the same way, he experiments to find the perfect methods for each variety. He argues that using a traditional clay pot is not always the right method for each variety - some agaves taste better using metal pots for distillation. It was really fascinating to hear his take on his years of testing and what he’s found to work best.

Visiting the Agave Fields

Visiting Mezcal Macuricho’s agave fields, it was obvious that they take great pride in their Oaxaca mezcal. They grow several varieties in different stages of age next to each other so they can keep the production sustainable and varied.

Gonzalo and René explained what the different agave varieties were, and how they were harvested and used in production.

The fields were picturesque with blue mountains in the background and pretty afternoon light.

Oaxaca Mezcal Distillery: El Sabino/Mezcal Macurichos

Location: Carretera Int. Nº 5 Santiago Matatlan. Oaxaca. 70440

Contact : https://www.fabricademezcaleselsabino.com/contact

Note : If you choose to visit on your own, tours are only given in Spanish, and you should message them to schedule a time.

Buy Mezcal Online in the USA & Beyond Below:

Visiting traditional pulquerías.

At the end of our Oaxaca mezcal tour, we visited two local pulquerías in Santiago Matatlan to sample the traditional beverage.

What is Pulque?

Pulque is a pre-hispanic traditional beverage made from fermented juice from the agave pulquero together with root from the "timbre" tree. It is fermented (rather than distilled, like mezcal), so it is much lower in alcohol content and has a completely different flavor.

Pulque was the main alcoholic beverage in Mexico until the 20th century when beer began to gain popularity. Pulque is now seeing a resurgence as Mexicans and tourists are becoming more interested in learning about and drinking this traditional drink.

I’ve tried pulque in Mexico City and haven’t loved it there. I found the consistency to be more syrupy (or dare I say, slimy?), and the flavor more earthy. When I’ve tried pulque in Oaxaca, it’s been much more fresh and effervescent tasting. It reminds me a tad bit of kombucha.

Pulquerías in Santiago Matatlan

On our Oaxaca mezcal tour, we stopped at two traditional pulquerías in Santiago Matatlan. Both were unmarked buildings, luckily Gonzalo and René knew where to take us. Inside we’d find a family who was brewing the traditional beverage and they’d pour us a cup to try. They were both delicious. I even bought a liter to take home!

Final Thoughts - Oaxaca Mezcal Tour

I truly had one of my favorite days while traveling on this Oaxaca mezcal tour with Las Bugambilias. Before the tour, I thought I already knew quite a bit about my beloved mezcal, but I learned soooo much more after visiting these distilleries.

Seeing the whole farm to production process demonstrated by authentic and traditional mezcal producers was fascinating and connected a lot of the mezcal facts into a complete story. I now understand the process from start to finish.

And learning different traditional methods and their variations was fascinating. Each Oaxaca mezcal distillery we visited had a different take on how they make mezcal - and they were each interesting and produced a totally different result.

I would highly recommend this Oaxaca mezcal tour to anyone interested in mezcal - whether you’re just hearing about the spirit, or you’re a big fan like me.

You can visit these distilleries on your own (but I would definitely email or call ahead), or you can get the full experience by hiring an expert guide like René to guide you on this Oaxaca mezcal tour. René knows the process inside and out. Even the order of the distilleries we visited was so helpful to understand the story of mezcal in a logical way.

René is bilingual, and his tours are completely customizable. As I mentioned, this was my second time taking a tour with him, and it’s clear to me that he’s an expert about Oaxaca. If I’m going to take a tour, I want to see the absolute best masters and experts in whatever I’m interested in. René of Las Bugambilias tours definitely knows the Oaxaca masters of mezcal, weaving, and more.

Tour Company: Las Bugambilias Tours

Tripadvisor : Reviews

Location : Reforma 402, Centro, 68000, Oaxaca, Oax. Mexico,

Mezcal Tour Prices: 1-2 persons: $100 USD per person,  3-5 persons: $75 USD per person,  6-9 persons: $50 USD per person

Contact : [email protected] 

Disclosure: This post was written in partnership with Las Bugambilias Tours. All opinions are my own, I wouldn’t recommend anything I didn’t love! I love taking tours with Las Bugambilias so much that this is my second one. 🙂

Check out my list of tasty mezcals you can buy online in the USA or beyond below.

Where to stay in oaxaca.

If you're looking for a great hotel to stay in during your Oaxaca mezcal tour - I can't recommend Casa de las Bugambilias enough (run by the same family as Las Bugambilias Tours).

Or check out my full post about where to stay in Oaxaca .

Or check out the maps below for more hotel or Airbnb options:

Pin it for later.

22 Responses

Wow! I learned a lot about Mezcal from you — great article! I’m from Texas, and drink tequila often, but Mezcal, not so much. I feel so smart, now that I can intelligently explain the difference between the two — and now I’d really like to try Mezcal. The tour of the different makers looks like it was a great experience :-).

I like mezcal, but learned I like tequila more. Of course, I was on a tequila tour, so of course I did. Maybe to be fair, I need to hire Rene to take me on this one. An informed opinion is only fair… 🙂

Jenn and Ed Coleman

I have to say, I am not a big pulque fan. The pulpy bits stuck in your teeth are kind of hard to get used to. It was great hearing about the differences between Mescal and Tequila. I think I have the ven diagram straight in my head where Tequilla is Mescal made with blue agave. It was amazing living in Arizona and seeing the elaborate agave farms that were made in the desert over a thousand years ago. I can see how Mescal is a very ancient liquor.

Allison Wong

Love distilleries tour like this one! I haven’t try mezcal yet and would love to try it soon.

I’m a big tequila person and I had no idea about mezcal. As long as it can be added to a margarita, I’m on board 😉 Your pictures are amazing, this seems like such a remote and authentic experience! Adding it to my list for sure!

Wow, this post should be THE source for learning about mezcal, just copy paste right into Wikipedia! (Just kidding). I learned so much from your experience. I’ve had mezcal, but didn’t have any clue how it was produced, it very cool!

It is so interesting to see how Mezcal is made! I didn’t know you can actually eat roasted agave hearts. I would love to try different blends!

Ashley Hubbard

You managed to keep me entertained on a post about alcohol – that’s no easy job! I think I told you I had no idea what mezcal was so I definitely feel more educated now. I do NOT like tequila (unless it’s hidden behind some seriously fruity mixers haha) so I’m curious to know if I would like mezcal. I’ll keep an eye out at the liquor store.

OMG how amazing. I would kill to go on a tour like this. I seriously love Mescal and would love to experience how they make it. I love that they make it on locally grown smaller prodcution farms too. What an experience you had!!

That’s so cool you got to see how mezcal is made! I’m not a big fan of tequila (rough university days!) but I’d love to try mezcal one day to see how different it is, along with pulque!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post for so many reasons. I love that you included the difference between tequila and mezcal — a lot of people (myself included) forget about this sometimes. I too was surprised that there wasn’t a ton of info I could find about mezcal tours in Oaxaca. Your photos are so stunning and REALLY make me want to do this tour!! Maybe spring 2018?? 🙂

Oaxaca Mezcaleria Guide: 8 Places to Drink Mezcal in Oaxaca - Brooklyn Tropicali

[…] is one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted. (I love mezcal so much, I did an intensive Oaxaca mezcal tour to visit some of the best and most traditional palenques & distilleries in the region.) And […]

7 Things to Eat in Oaxaca Markets: Mercado Benito Juarez & 20 de Noviembre - Brooklyn Tropicali

[…] fan of mezcal, so I’ve tried it all over the city and valley – in mezcalerias (mezcal bars), from mezcal distilleries and farms, and from market vendors. Good mezcal is complex and amazing. Bad mezcal is […]

Great information — we’re heading down to Oaxaca in May and are planning a similar tour. One question, were you able to bring any bottles back to the states? So much good Mezcal, shame to leave it all in Mexico.

Susan Ripley

Great question! In my experience, I have never had a problem flying out of the country with mezcal. The official rule is that the bottle must be labeled and sealed. So the only problem you would have, is if you visit a very small mezcal palenque that pours their mezcal into reused plastic bottles (like a reused coca cola 2 liter). This is common on the small farms, but most substantial palenques/distillers will have “official” sealed bottles. All of the distillers in this post sell their bottles labeled and sealed. I believe there is also a limit on the quantity you can fly with. I’ve heard usually 4-5 liters, depending on the airline.

Hope that’s helpful and have a wonderful trip and mezcal tour!

How to See the Best Oaxacan Textiles: Review of Las Bugambilias Tours - Brooklyn Tropicali

[…] are interested in the delicious traditional spirit of mezcal, check out my post about the amazing Oaxaca mezcal tour I took with Las Bugambilias […]

11 Must Eats in Oaxaca: 11 Important Oaxacan Dishes + Where to Find Them - Brooklyn Tropicali

[…] The Best Oaxaca Mezcal Tour. […]

Best Restaurants in Oaxaca: Ultimate Oaxaca Food Guide - Street Food, Fine Dining, Bakeries, Cocktail Bars + Everything in Between - Brooklyn Tropicali

[…] to the full details! And if you're interested in learning lots more about mezcal, consider taking a Oaxaca mezcal tour to some of the best and most traditional distilleries. Or peek below for where to drink cocktails, […]

Great article! Just bought a bottle of Macurichos and love this background on the Mezcal process

So glad to hear it! Enjoy the delicious mezcal!

Best Restaurants in Oaxaca: Ultimate Oaxaca Food Guide - Street Food, Fine Dining, Bakeries, Cocktail Bars + Everything in Between

[…] to take a Oaxaca mezcal tour and the best palenques to […]

1 Week Oaxaca Trip - Mezcal, Food + Culture Itinerary in Oaxaca: Travel Daydreaming

[…] For more details of a mezcal tour, read my full Oaxaca mezcal tour post. […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Policy

Tour 4: Mezcal Distillery

Spend the day understanding more about mezcal culture, production, and traditions of Oaxaca.

YOUR GUIDE AT LAS BUGAMBILIAS TOURS

SANTIAGO MATATLÁN is a small village that is a one-hour drive from Oaxaca City on Highway 190, just past Mitla. Matatlán has a large sign at the main entrance to the village declaring it the “World Capital of Mezcal”. Here you’ll be able to see the entire process of how mezcal is made from harvesting the agave plant to distillation. There’s a wide variety of producers; some are small family distilleries, others have larger-scale production but they all use traditional techniques (clay pots and copper still). But the true highlight of a visit to Matatlán is the opportunity to sample the wide variety of mezcals including Espadín, Cuishe, Madrecuishe, Tobalá, Tepextate, Coyote, Arroqueño, Jabalí, Mexicano, Pulquero and Pechuga, among others.

Mezcal is an agave spirit which has been growing in popularity in recent years. The production of mezcal has increased by 400% in the last 10 years. Like Tequila, it is made from the agave plant, but while tequila is made with only one type of agave, the Blue agave or Agave Tequilana, mezcal can be made with 46 different varieties of agave, though the Agave Espadín is the most often used. Since 1994, mezcal has been under the regulation of COMERCAM that determines that agave spirit may only be labeled mezcal if it is 100% agave and made within certain regions of Mexico that comprise 9 different states, but the main mezcal producer is the state of Oaxaca produces 92% of the mezcal in Mexico.

 We will meet at Casa de las Bugambilias B&B (See Map) , from where we will drive 30 miles southeast on the Pan-American Highway 190 to the municipality of Santiago Matatlán (World Capital of Mezcal) to visit three distilleries to learn about the traditional method to make mezcal. We will not visit commercial distilleries on the way to Mitla where tour companies take their clients. We will visit only family-owned Palenques to see the entire process to make artisanal mezcal and you will have a free tasting of premium mezcals. At the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity to buy bottles of the best mezcals directly from the producer and the mezcal will be certified by COMERCAM. There is no pressure to buy mezcal and all the tastings are free.

During the tour, we will visit some agave plantations to learn about the farmers who cultivate the agaves and then we will visit the home of a family that has been making pulque. Pulque is a milky, slightly foamy and somewhat viscous beverage made by fermenting the fresh sap of the giant agave Salmiana and you will have the opportunity to taste fresh pulque & agua miel.

At the end of the tour, we will have lunch in a traditional restaurant in Santiago Matatlán to taste the traditional food of that region and we will return to Oaxaca City.

TOUR PRICES:

(in mexican pesos), 1-2 persons: mx $2,300.00 per person., 3-5 persons: mx $1,725.00 per person., 6-9 persons: mx $1,150.00 per person., meeting point:.

We will meet at Casa de las Bugambilias B&B (See Map) . We will establish a meeting point by telephone or e-mail for people that stay outside the city. All tours normally end at the starting point, but this can be changed to another place in downtown Oaxaca if the customer prefers.

8 hours. Weather and traffic conditions might affect the length of the tour.

TRANSPORTATION:

VW Transporter Mod. 2023 with A/C, liability insurance, purified water and driver.

The service includes transportation, an English-speaking tour guide, soft drinks and a free tasting of the finest mezcals.

ADDITIONAL COSTS:

Lunch, bottles of mezcal and additional beverages.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

We recommend you bring walking shoes, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, and a camera.

Check these recent photos of this tour:

Other Tours:

Tour 2: Mitla

One way to understand Mexican’s fascination with Death is visiting Mitla, the place for the dead

View Details

Tour 8: Sierra Norte

Magnificent natural landscapes that make it an ideal tour to take a hike and admire nature, practice mountain biking or horseback riding while enjoying the company of the fauna and flora.

Tour 1: Monte Alban

15 comments.

Our friend Rose, from America who lives in Oaxaca recommended we speak to you about a Mezcal tour. We will be in Oaxaca 16, 17 and 18 of February. Can we get a tour for 2 or be a part of a larger tour on any of those days?

Also, will the tour last 8 hours?

We will be staying at La Tia Tere Jahn

You can book the Mezcal Distillery Tour directly from my website: http://lasbugambiliastours.com/tours/mezcal-distillery/ If you can´t book it please let me know. I will be happy to assist you in your booking.

Best regards, René.

Which day did you book? Me & my girlfriend will in Oaxaca around the same time. Maybe can book the same day & save some money

Hola! ¿los precios para mexicanos también son en dólares? ¿podrías decirme que casa mezcalera visitan en tu tour? gracias

Hola Aida: Los precios para los mexicanos son en pesos al tipo de cambio del día del tour. Los palenques que visitamos son Gracias a Dios, Dainzu y el Sabino. Este tour dura 8 horas y visitamos 3 destilerias, una plantación de magueyes y una pulquería. El precio no incluye comida ni propinas. Si tienes más preguntas por favor escribeme a [email protected]

Hola René. Hope you’re well. You come highly recommended for a mezcal tour. Do you have any space for 3 persons for a tour Saturday, July 7? Sorry for the last minute— we’d love to join you!

Planeo ir a Oaxaca por dos o tres dias. Vi en su calendario que no tenia fechas disponibles para los dias que voy a ir yo. Tiene algunas sugerencias? Gracias por adelanto! 🙂

I am only one person, are there any mezcal tours I can join between now and April 1st?

Mi amiga y yo hicimos este tour el año pasado y nos gustaría hacerlo otra vez porque vamos con personas diferentes. Lo que quería saber es si es posible ir a diferentes mezcalerias si lo tomamos otra vez. El año pasado fuimos a mal de amores, Gracias a Dios y a macurichos.

Porfavor hagan saber si podemos ir a diferentes lugares para reservar. Somos 5 personas que haríamos el tour el 29 de agosto.

Por su atención e informes les doy las gracias.

Fabiola Guido

Hello, would like to arrange a mezcal tour for two adults tomorrow morning Friday June 7th. Or would like to arrange an afternoon tour for 2 adults and 2 children. Please let me know if this can be done.

Your mezcal tours come highly reccomemded… are there any tours 2 of us could join on August 13th? Do prices decrease of there is already people booked on a tour or is the discount only for group bookings?

Thanks, Henry

Dear Henry,

At this time I don´t have a mezcal distillery tour on August 13th. I have a private tour and I am not available. The discount is only for group bookings.

Thank you René for introducing me to these family-owned distilleries; it was a rare privilege to meet these craft-masters and witness the time-honored tradition of mezcal making.

It was definitely the highlight of my trip to Oaxaca and will definitely put this tour first on my next trip [back].

Hola – I’d love to book a tour for two people. We’re visiting September 6-9 but I don’t see any tours that week. Is that correct? We’d join another group if possible.

Dear Whitney: I am unavailable for those dates. I will be out of Oaxaca for a Congress in Playa del Carmen. If you want I can recommend another guide for your tour. Best regards, René.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

• Oaxaca, Mexico – Cook Up Adventure - […] favorite event of the trip, was spending the day on a relaxed mezcal distillery tour through Las Bugambilas tours. Our…
• Top 10 Things To Do In Oaxaca - A Traveling Teacher - […] 30 species of Agave. Come see where this smoky drink originated, and how it is traditionally made. Las Bugabilias…
• Best Mezcal Tours in Oaxaca, Mexico (+ Mezcal Tasting) - […] offers a variety of tours to connect you with Oaxacan culture, food, and landscapes. Their mezcal distillery tour is…

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Click one of our representatives below to chat on WhatsApp:

Or send us an email to [email protected]

Plan Your Trip

Eco Products

Travel Gear

Oaxaca Mezcal Tour: An educational tour and mezcal tasting with a local family

A re you familiar with the word Mezcal? If you’re reading this you probably are, but know that this drink is still being discovered by many, and although it might sound incredible to believe, some people haven’t even heard of the word “mezcal” just yet (that was my case before coming to Mexico!). Therefore, if you already have some mezcal curiosity, you can consider yourself a fortunate being, you already have the key to open the door to a very magical world!

This article is based on an educational Oaxaca Mezcal Tour that took me outside the main palenques area, to meet a stunning hard-working Mexican family in Santa Catarina Minas. I have included a quick manual to learn all you need about Mexico’s best spirit and where to drink the best mezcal . Joining a mezcal tour is one of the best things to do in Oaxaca, but you can check this list of the 30 best things to do while visiting Oaxaca .

Bear in mind that the tour described below will allow you to discover one of Oaxaca’s best-hidden gems! Whilst the majority of tourists visit the famous area of Santiago Matatlán, I was interested to visit a town called   Santa Catarina Minas – totally off the beaten path and considered to be the birthplace of Oaxaca’s ancestral mezcal!

What is Mezcal? The ultimate Mezcal 101 guide

Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic spirit made from a plant called agave or maguey. The word comes from the indigenous language Nahuatl and means “cooked agave”. This plant is endemic from Mexico and can be found all around the world.

Since 1994 Mezcal has been recognized internationally as an Appellation of Origin (Denominación de Origen) and has been regulated in Mexico by the COMERCAM (Mexican Regulatory Council for Mezcal Quality) since 2005. This council stated that out of 32 Mexican states, only 9 states meet the standards required to produce high-quality Mezcal ; these are Durango, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Puebla, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. 

There are over 200 agave species in the world but only up to 53 of these and their 12 subspecies can be used to produce mezcal. A total of 42 species and 8 subspecies can be found in the State of Oaxaca thanks to its perfect soil nutrients and weather conditions. This state produces more than 80% of the Mexican mezcal which makes it the ultimate mezcal capital of the world!

Sierrudo Blanco agave

How to book the best mezcal tour in oaxaca.

Joining a mezcal tour is one of the best things to do in Oaxaca. When searching for a mezcal tour, you’ll probably have to ask yourself: is your major interest to deeply understand all about the mezcal production? or are you more keen on tasting as many mezcal samples your body can handle? Is your intention to just get out of the city to connect with nature while learning about mezcal? or are you the type of traveller that absolutely loves blending in and traveling off the beaten paths to understand local communities and their reality? One way or the other, there will be a mezcal tour waiting for you!

The best mezcal tour is the one that matches your actual needs

I have done several tours myself and I have always experienced a different approach as it really depends on the company you book the tour with, where the distilleries (also known as palenques) are located, your local guide/s expertise and how knowledgeable is the maestro mezcalero (owner of the palenque).

Oaxaca Sacred Mezcal Experience crew

Oaxaca mezcal tour – my experience visiting a mezcal distillery with a local family.

Mezcal is one of the fastest-growing spirits in the world . Its popularity is rapidly increasing due to its unique distillation process and a broad variety of flavors. However, its sustainability is a growing concern amongst experts in the mezcal community.

Supporting local family businesses and their small-batch productions is key to helping communities maintain their traditional mezcal processes. For this reason, I chose to join the Oaxaca Sacred Mezcal Experience with WSE Travel . 

This is a mezcal educational tour that will take you outside the main palenques area of Santiago Matatlán, to meet a stunning hard-working Mexican family in Santa Maria Minas.

Maestro mezcalero

Maestro mezcalero's son wearing a machete

Palenque el conejo – santa catarina minas mezcal distillery oaxaca.

Santa Catarina Minas is known to have high-quality mezcal . Located almost 1h away from Oaxaca centro, is still a less transited area and helds 28 different palenques, mostly run by local families that have been producing mezcal for several generations. 

This is the case of Palenque El Conejo. The maestro mezcalero Conejo (as he likes people to nickname him) is a fun, hard working mexican man, father of four, who is compromised with his family mezcal business. He owns a large piece of land where he is proudly growing more than 12 species of agave. He knows every square of land he owns and has a story to tell about each maguey he has ever planted! I was really impressed by Conejo’s passion and dedication – there was this spark in his eyes that surely didn’t pass unnoticed!

Palenque El Conejo

During my time in the palenque, I also got to know Conejo’s family. As mentioned before, the production of mezcal is a family affair and is a dedicated hands on process in which each member of the family is responsible for a different task. While Conejo takes you out to the agave fields and does the harvest with other family members; he also is involved in the production process of the mezcal (see below for more details) and guides the mezcal tastings too. Meanwhile, his wife cooks the food for the tour, helps label the bottles and takes care of the youngest members of the family. Their sons are growing up witnessing the whole process and will eventually start to slowly take part of it once they grow a bit older. 

Two generations - Maestro mezcalero and one of his sons at the palenque

Exploring the agave landscape.

The visit at Palenque el Conejo started with a brief explanation to pin down where to find mezcal in Mexico, identify what are the different species that can be found in Oaxaca and then we got properly introduced to the maestro mezcalero and his family.

Our guide Victor, is a young entrepreneur and very knowledgeable local who really understands the mezcal business and has been running mezcal tours for a while now. He was really patient and helped translate in English everything the maestro mezcalero carefully explained to us during our visit.

Conejo drove us through the agave fields on his own pick up (cool stuff) to see the different types of maguey and learn on site about them all, while we played games to “guess the agaves” and drink some delicious mezcal!

On our way to the agave fields

During our walk across the agave fields, we learned how to distinguish the different plants. We were educated about a wide range of agave types: barril, largo, cuishe, coyote, espina negra, sierrudo blanco (almost extinct), marteño, barril café, arroqueño, tobalá orejón, tobala chino and the super famous espadín!

Maestro mezcalero Conejo showing the crew different agave species

Some agave species can take from 7 to 30 years to grow and be fully ready for the maestro mezcalero and his family to harvest the plants for the production of mezcal. This means that Conejo might harvest some plants his own father planted several decades ago! Isn’t this amazing?

My friend Max and I admiring one of the many agaves

Max and Tania signing one of the agaves

Once we learned about each agave plant, we had a tasty snack . They set up a picnic right in the agave fields and we ate delicious food especially made for us by Conejo’s wife! That felt pretty special and was part of the local fascinating Oaxaca mezcal experience I was searching for! Our guide also provided us with bottles of water throughout the day, which I really appreciated!

Our local guide Victor at the agave fields

Picnic with Conejo and his family at the agave fields

Planting your own baby agave.

Ian and Tania planting their agaves

The highlight of this fascinating Oaxaca mezcal experience was that each of us had the chance to plant our own baby agave! Conejo asked us what our favorite agave was and he found one for each to plant! 

Okay, let’s take a moment to acknowledge, How cool is that!? 

I named mine Bobby and promised I would visit him in a few years! He is the cutest Chino I’ve ever seen! I am a proud momma!

Our baby agaves are now ready to live a new amazing life

The crew walking across the agave fields

How is mezcal made.

There are 3 different distillation processes: artisanal (the mezcal is distilled in copper alembics and a rounded stone wheel – called tahona – is regularly pulled by a horse or a donkey to crush the maguey after its cooked); ancestral (similar process but without the use of a horse, sometimes they can use a very heave stick – called mazo – to crush the maguey before the fermentation) and industrial (using a more modern process, usually distilled in stainless-steel columns making possible larger production volumes). This last process is less respected and sometimes not even accepted by mezcal purists.

Conejo’s palenque produces both artisanal and ancestral. It will depend on the quality he wants to obtain and his clients requests too.

The art behind mezcal distillation process – The heart of the fascinating Oaxaca Experience

This process might be similar in different palenques, but each family will probably add their own personal touch to it! Conejo makes sure he puts a christian cross on top of the mixture during the fermentation process – something I have never seen before!

• First the piñas (agave heart) are cooked in a pit in the ground
• Then the roasted agave is crushed using a rounded stone wheel or heavy stick
• Large wooden barrels are used for the fermentation process . Depending on the weather this part of the process can take from 3 to 7 days approximately. 

Ultimately, the distillation process can involve several stages. The first distillation will take out the initial thick mixture from the fermentation and the second will be used to raise the alcohol percentage of the mezcal. There could be a third distillation to obtain even purer alcohol.

Maestro mezcalero Conejo explaining the distillation process

Mezcal tasting oaxaca – fun times at the palenque.

After coming back from the fields and learning about the distillation process, we all gathered at a table with mezcal glasses to taste different samples of the mezcal Conejo produces! This is where the fun reaches peak levels! I have already been to several mezcal tastings and I can confirm here is where things escalate!

Oops, things escalated at the palenque

Lunch and downtime in a local swimming pool.

It was hot that day and we were already feeling the magic of the mezcal, so I really couldn’t think of a better ending for our fascinating Oaxaca mezcal experience than eating food and dipping our feet in a local swimming pool at Quinta Ortiz! (very nice touch, since it is sooo difficult to find a swimming pool in Oaxaca centro!)

Having lunch at Quinta Ortiz, Oaxaca

Cheerful Tania bringing some mezcal home

This was overall a very fun and educational off the beaten path tour with one of the best local guides! Planting our own agave was a surprising extra! I totally recommend it!

Private Mezcal Tour Oaxaca

Coming as a group or with your family and you prefer some privacy? What about if you just simply want to enjoy this experience on your own? That’s actually no problem – you can book this tour as private!

Best Mezcal Tasting Oaxaca

The tours I recommend below are specially for those who won’t be able to spend that much time in Oaxaca and can’t make it work for a full Oaxaca Mezcal Tour Day. These three Mezcal Tasting suggestions take place in Oaxaca City and they are shorter activities that can easily be squeezed into your Oaxaca agenda.

Things to do in Oaxaxa – Other Tours in Oaxaca

Textile Tours  are also very popular in Oaxaca, but there are many things to do in the city and its surroundings. Check out this  list of some of the best-rated tours by other travelers:

Where to stay in Oaxaca

Do you still need to book your accommodation? Here are s ome hotel suggestions from low to high budget:

• Selina Oaxaca  great hostel alternative that offers co-working solutions
• Casa Angel Hostel one of the best hostels in town, located in Centro
• Las Mariposas Eco-Hotel & Studios is a sustainable hotel right in Centro
• Casa Carlota unique style and a wonderful rooftop
• Casa de las Bugambilias B&B   Oaxacan-style hotel in Centro
• Boulenc Bead & Bread  well located modern and minimalistic hotel.
• Casa de Sierra Azul   is a Hacienda-inspired hotel
• Quinta Real Oaxaca is a very unique and historic hotel that was part of a former convent. 

How to get around in Oaxaca

The mezcal experience I mention in this article has private transfers included. However, if you’re planning to travel out of the city center to any of the surrounding towns or areas, you can check how to get there using public transport . Alternatively, you can use a Colectivo taxi (shared taxi), or if you prefer a more comfortable but slightly pricier option, you can order a Didi if your destination is not too far.

Frequently asked questions about mezcal

I was a mezcal newbie a few months ago and I had so many questions about mezcal! This is why I have put together a few FAQs that will surely bring you more clarity!

Is mezcal for me?

When I first arrived in Oaxaca, I didn’t know much about Mezcal. I normally don’t drink liquor and I initially thought mezcal wasn’t for me. I gave it a couple tries in local mezcalerias without really knowing what I was ordering; the taste felt really strong and sometimes smoky, so I said to myself that mezcal wasn’t for me.

However, after 2 months living in the city, I had the chance to join a proper mezcal tasting and I suddenly discovered that it is not that I don’t like mezcal, but that I hadn’t tried a really good high-quality mezcal! (que fresa! – so posh!). A whole new world opened up in front of me. 

I started to be “mezcal curious” and once I learned more about mezcal, I started to appreciate the spirit and the beautiful production process behind it! My favorite mezcal so far, comes from an agave called “Marteño” also referred as “Madre Cuishe” – still in search of my favorite brand!

How do I choose a good mezcal?

In my opinion, there is not just one good mezcal. Every palate is different, meaning that every person will appreciate different types of mezcal in a very unique way and eventually find their favorite agave distilled brand – this is an experimenting game! For this reason, bringing mezcal as a souvenir to your loved ones could be a tricky task!

Mezcal vs. Tequila – What’s the difference?

Tequila is a type of mezcal! When I learned this it totally blew my mind! We can certainly say that all tequilas are mezcal but not all mezcals are tequila!

How to drink mezcal? Can I mix it with other drinks?

Mezcal snobs have a whole drinking process , from how you pour the mezcal to how you swallow it! The main takeaways for me are:

• It is nice to smell it first , see if you can guess the type due to its fragrance
• Then drink it very carefully , tasting it by giving little sips (or kisses) 
• Hold it for a couple seconds in your month , guess the flavours or even the plant

Go simple , enjoy your mezcal while having a nice meal and / or a chat with your loved ones!

Typical mezcal glass

It is very common to find mezcal cocktails and mixed drinks with mezcal. Don’t worry, this is no sacrilege! This spirit is so integrated into the mexican society that they’ve developed a whole culture around it! If you are not a liquor type of person, I encourage you to still give it a go to any of these mezcal cocktails (another totally different fascinating Oaxaca mezcal experience)!

Is mezcal expensive?

Finding inexpensive mezcal is possible; however, even though I am still a mezcal newbie, I already know that there is good and better mezcal. Prices can differ depending on the area where the agaves grow, the size of the batch produced, where you buy it from (in Mexico it is regularly less expensive than the United States, for example) and obviously, if you buy it from palenques directly or not, etc.

Where can I drink mezcal in Oaxaca?

You can easily find mezcal in almost every establishment in Oaxaca centro! However, the guys from www.mezcalrevies.com have put together a fine list of the top 8 bars to taste the best mezcal in Oaxaca City, which I personally agree with!

LIKE THIS POST? PIN AND SAFE FOR LATER

previous post

Trisha Velarmino

Since we did not go on this tour together, I had to read your experience. As usual, very well-written and well-thought of. I am assuming Ryan was on this trip because of the drone shot?! I really wanted to fly my drone too but it rained. LOL See you soon, my Lu!

Luna Rodriguez

Hi Trisha! Thanks so much for your feedback! It is a shame it rained for you guys, hopefully, it wasn’t too bad! Have a nice week! x

post a comment cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Overview

Join our newsletter.

Join this mailing list to receive the latest travel news and stay tuned to your email to get inspired with some cool travel ideas! 

You have successfully Subscribed to the Monthly Newsletter! Get ready for some cool travel content!

Pin it on pinterest.

Globe Gazers

Sacred Mezcal Tour Oaxaca: A Firsthand Review 

Looking for the best Mezcal tour Oaxaca city has to offer?

A mezcal tour is the perfect way to get to know an important part of Oaxaca City. Mezcal has become increasingly popular around the world, and 70% of it is made in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

On my visit to Oaxaca City, I joined this Sacred Mezcal Experience led by WSE Travel and I strongly recommend you do the same! In this post, I’ll provide a firsthand review of my own experience on the Sacred Mezcal Tour in Oaxaca to give you a sense of what to expect.

Best Mezcal Tour Oaxaca: The ONE You Need to Take

Let me be honest — I’m not a big mezcal drinker. But I knew that mezcal is a big part of life and culture in Oaxaca. What kind of explorer would I be if I left without learning more about this key aspect of Oaxaca?

Whether or not you drink mezcal, and whether or not you drink alcohol at all, you can get a lot out of a mezcal tour in Oaxaca. IF you choose the right one.

Many of the Oaxaca mezcal tours I’d come across in my research were surface level tastings tacked onto larger day trips. They still had great reviews, and sounded like the perfect way to get a quick understanding and tasting of a variety of mezcals.

But I wanted more.

And when I learned about the full day Sacred Mezcal Experience led by WSE Travel, I knew I’d found the perfect tour for me.

If you’re interested in diving deeper into the process of mezcal-making, spending the day with a local Mezcalero and having the option to taste high quality ancestral mezcal then this is the perfect tour for you, too.

What is mezcal?

Mezcal is a type of distilled, alcoholic beverage made from the agave plant. I used to think mezcal was always inherently smoky, but on this tour I learned that the level of smokiness is actually based on choices made in the distillation process.

What makes the Sacred Mezcal Experience the best Oaxaca mezcal tour?

A mezcal tasting is one of the best things to do in Oaxaca , and there are several reasons the Sacred Mezcal Experience is the top Mezcal tour Oaxaca has to offer. First, you will spend the day with a local family learning about their ancestral practices of mezcal-making that have been passed down across generations.

It was a pleasure meeting Conejo and learning from him. It was even cooler to be joined by his 12-year old son, who will likely one day continue to keep the ancestral mezcal making process alive as the practice continues to be passed down within his family.

Perhaps the most special part of this experience is that each person has the opportunity to choose and plant their own baby agave in the field. I chose a baby Espina Negra, who I named Mariposa (look out for her when you visit!).

First, I got to dig the plant out of her previous place in the earth. I used a machete (don’t worry, I was under supervision) to hack off the excess growth to prepare her to be replanted.

And finally, planted her in her new spot alongside many other young agave plants. This variety of agave takes 9 years to mature, so I’d better plan to revisit then!

Planting a baby agave into the land was a unique and incredible way to become part of the land, and it’s definitely not something every tour offers.

Another reason this tour by WSE Travel is the best one is because of WSE Travel’s commitment to responsible, sustainable travel. You can learn more here and feel good knowing that by booking with WSE Travel, you’re having a positive impact on local communities.

What should I expect on this tour?

This is a full day, 10-hour long tour with a reasonable start time of 9 AM. Your guide will pick you up and drive you an hour south of Oaxaca to the town of Santa Catarina Minas.

The tour wastes no time, and your guide maximizes the car ride to begin teaching you more about mezcal based on your level of existing knowledge.

Soon, you arrive at your destination — the agave plantation (called, Palenque) belonging to the mezcalero known as Conejo. You’ll hop out of the car and jump into Conejo’s pickup truck for a short ride out to the agave fields.

Here, Conejo will walk you all around the field teaching you about the large variety of agave plants. You’ll learn to identify the different plants based on how each one looks, and also learn key facts about each plant along the way.

Along the way, you’ll stop for some snacks and some sips of mezcal (if you’d like) to keep up energy! Your time in the field concludes with the chance to plant and name your own baby agave.

Afterwards, you’ll head back to the main house for a fascinating walkthrough of the entire ancestral mezcal making process. It’s eye-opening, and very likely to give you a brand new appreciation for the spirit.

Once you’ve learned all about the labor-intensive process, sit back and enjoy tasting a wide range of mezcals in the tasting room. You’ll have the chance to purchase your favorites to take home with you if you like, but there’s absolutely no pressure to do so.

The day isn’t over quite yet. On the way home, you’ll stop at a local restaurant for a bite to eat and perhaps a dip in the pool.

What do you wear to a mezcal tour?

On most tours, and especially on this one, you’ll spend a good amount of time out in the agave fields.

For this reason, it’s best to wear jeans or longer pants to protect yourself from the bugs and cacti you’ll come across. I didn’t pack any jeans with me for this trip, but these lightweight pants worked perfectly.

You’re also advised to wear close-toed shoes, which I’d recommend as your best option. However, again I hadn’t packed any and these hiking sandals worked out okay for me.

Remember to apply bug spray and sunscreen, and bring a hat along for additional sun protection. On this tour with WSE Travel you might also have an opportunity to go swimming, so pack a swimsuit just in case.

How can I book the Oaxaca Sacred Mezcal Experience ?

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you book this tour:

• It is organized as a private tour, so if you book with friends (up to 6 people total) you’ll have a bit of a discount as you’ll split cost amongst the group.
• There is an additional local fee that is due, in cash, on the morning of your departure payable directly to your tour guide. The amount is 1,000 pesos or 50 USD.
• WSE Travel donates 2% of every trip you go on to a local environmental or community-based project.

👉 Click here to book your Sacred Mezcal Experience

The Oaxaca Sacred Mezcal Experience with WSE Travel is an unforgettable journey into the world of mezcal. From learning about different agave plants to learning about all the stages of production, this tour offers a unique opportunity for travelers who want to experience something truly special.

With its commitment to responsible travel and local donation initiatives, booking with WSE Travel not only gives you access to incredible experiences but also helps support sustainable tourism in Mexico. Book this amazing adventure today .

Thank you to WSE Travel for inviting me to participate in this experience as their guest. As always, all opinions and awe-inspired ramblings are my own.

Is Mexico City Safe For Solo Travel In 2023? Tips And FAQs “> Read next: Is Mexico City Safe for Solo Travel?

Nausheen is a solo female traveler who is passionate about travel as a way to increase self love and confidence. She focuses on slow travel and bouts of digital nomadism, and has experience living abroad across several continents. As a post-divorce, South Asian woman in her 30s Nausheen aims to empower fellow women of color in particular to live life on their own terms. She shares travel itineraries, tips and inspiration on her blog and social media channels.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

Mezcalistas

The World of Mezcal

• Touring Mezcal Country

The explosion of mezcal, and growing interest in where it comes from has created a mini tourist boom, primarily in Oaxaca, but also in other regions where it is produced. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on who you ask, the tourist infrastructure isn’t fully built out so tours and routes aren’t that obvious. There just isn’t a Silverado Trail even if there are tons of distillers and plenty of roadside stands of somewhat dubious quality, leaving many people wondering, how do I tour mezcal country?

To first understand Mezcal, you have to understand how firmly rooted it is in myth and culture. It begins with an origin story complete with star crossed lovers, demons, battles and finally death and grief so profound it produced a plant given special properties that enabled it to produce a comforting elixir. That plant of course was the agave, and the elixir, pulque which eventually became mezcal.

We’ve created this resource page to help you tour mezcal country and to connect with local guides who can create incredible experiences that help visitors understand not only where mezcal comes from and how it is made, but how that intersects with the local culture in art and food and the communities that produce it. If you need a refresher, or if you are new to mezcal, please check out our Mezcal 101 page to get the basics of production down.

Upcoming Mezcal Tours

The explosion of mezcal, and growing interest in where it comes from has created a mini tourist boom, primarily in Oaxaca, and other regions where it is produced. Tourist infrastructure isn’t fully built out so tours and routes aren’t that obvious.

Durango Mezcal Tour

Michoacan Mezcal Tour

All mezcal tour destinations.

Begin planning your mezcal travel adventures, from basic travel information to resources to help connect you with vetted local guides.

Updated December 4, 2023

Tour Oaxaca

Of all the mezcal producing regions, Oaxaca is by far the most known and popular place to travel. Infrastructure is relatively well developed and it is very easy to get there as it is served by major airlines (United, Aeromexico, Volaris, Interjet). Currently, there are only two US cities that have direct flights to Oaxaca, Los Angeles and Houston, and with most other flights connecting through Mexico City.

Tour Puebla

One of the more “recent” regions to become part of the Denominacion de Origen for Mezcal, Puebla is without doubt one of the fastest growing mezcal producing states in Mexico. With the combination of deep, rich history, fertile farmlands, well developed infrastructure and ample resources, Puebla is quickly becoming a key producer of mezcal. The city of Puebla is beautiful and can easily serve as home base for your visit.

Tour Jalisco and Guadalajara

Guadalajara isn’t traditionally on the mezcal trail but as many of you are fond of pointing out, tequila is a type of mezcal. It is also the entry point for raicilla country which is one of the most under-appreciated and amazing mezcals out there. Almost more importantly, the complex history of mezcal runs right through this capital of Jalisco and there are many mezcal trips to make here. Puerto Vallarta is also a starting point for visiting raicilla country.

Tour San Luis Potosi

San Luis Potosi is located in the central-eastern part of Mexico. The capital city San Luis Potosi is located in the Centro region and is a gorgeous old colonial city with a population of just over a million people. Mezcal has been made in the region since the Spanish arrived, though pulque was produced prior to their arrival. While more mezcal from San Luis Potosi has made its way into the market.

Tour Durango

Durango, a northern state located about 600 miles due south of El Paso, Texas, is one of Mexico’s largest but least populated states. It’s terrain is diverse, ranging from towering paddle cactus and jagged cliffs, which provided the desert backdrop for 1960s Hollywood westerns, to the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, lush with pine and oak forests. It’s known for its cattle ranches.

Tour Michoacán

Have you always wanted to go on an insider’s trip to mezcal country, where you get to hang out with mezcaleros and their families while seeing the process from agave field to bottle? Join us on a one of a kind adventure to the heart of Michoacan’s mezcal country. The 6 day trip offers exclusive opportunities to visit 5 mezcal producers across the different regions surrounding Morelia in an intimate group.

Recent Tasting Notes

Learn more about flavors, aromas and background production for mezcals, raicillas, bacanoras and sotols in the market today.

Mal de Amor Barril Tasting Notes

Mal de Amor Madrecuishe Tasting Notes

Mal de Amor Sierrudo Tasting Notes

Mal de Amor Tobalá Tasting Notes

Join the newsletter.

Subscribe by email for my latest updates!

• Tequila vs Mezcal
• Raicilla 101
• Bacanora 101 
• Mezcal Database
• Mezcal Encyclopedia
• Mezcal Math
• Tasting Notes
• Conversations in Agave
• Mezcal available in the US
• Where to Buy Mezcal
• Where to drink mezcal
• Mexico in a Bottle
• Mezcal in Oaxaca
• Private Tastings
• in the news
• write for us
• Job Opportunities in Mezcal

PARTNER WITH US

FOLLOW ALONG

Subscribe Now

Best Mezcalerias Oaxaca: 15 Must-Try Mezcal Bars in 2024

Want to find the best mezcals available in Oaxaca?

Then you need to visit the best mezcal bars in Oaxaca City, and you’re in the right place to sort that out. This article features the 15 best mezcalerias Oaxaca has so you can drink the god stuff, and and have a blast while you’re at it.

Whether you have time for an out-and-out bar crawl, want to seek out the best mezcal distillery Oaxaca has to offer, or plan to delve into the intriguing world of Mexico’s premier spirit — this article will guide you.

🥃 Planning to take a mezcal tour in Oaxaca City? Check out these 11 Best Oaxaca Mezcal Tours and Tastings .

This list of the best mezcal bars in Oaxaca City ( mezcaleria means “mezcal bar”) tells you where to find exclusive tasting rooms, superb mezcaleria restaurants, and the best bars Oaxaca has — all favorites among locals.

Along the way, you’ll use all your senses to engage in one of Mexico’s most delicious pastimes. Oaxaca Mexico mezcal, here we come!

Best Mezcalerias Oaxaca: 15 Can’t-Miss Oaxaca Mezcal Bars

1. la mezcaloteca: mezcal tasting room & school.

La Mezcaloteca is no ordinary bar in Oaxaca City — it’s an exclusive tasting room offering mezcals that will blow your mind. For any true mezcal lover or mezcal affilionado, this is the place.

🚨 Please Note: You must make a reservation in advance, as no walk-ins are accepted for the mezcal tastings. Make your La Mezcaloteca reservations here .

Unlike many of the other best mezcal distilleries in Oaxaca, La Mezcaloteca only works with small farmers who batch-produce mezcal made using traditional artisanal methods.

During the experience, a master mezcalero will guide you through a tasting of either 3 or 5 mezcals (🥃 Pro Tip: Choose the 5 mezcal tasting for the best value). It’s like doing this Ruta del Mezcal Oaxaca Tour , but all in one place.

You’ll gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for mezcal, engaging in the moment with all of your senses.

The tasting room stocks diverse artisan mezcales from all over Mexico and Oaxaca — making this the best place to buy mezcal in Oaxaca City. If you’re looking for the perfect Oaxaca souvenirs, look no further.

Wondering, What’s the best mezcal to buy in Mexico?

It’s not necessarily the famous mezcal Oaxaca brands, like 400 Conejos mezcal Oaxaca, so step outside the box in a Oaxaca tasting room like La Mezcaloteca.

• 💻 La Mezcaloteca website
• 📍 La Mezcaloteca Oaxaca address: Avenida Reforma #506; view on on Google Maps
• 🥃 Can’t get at La Mezcaloteca reservations? Mezcaleria Mezontle is another great option with a tasting room.

Best Mezcalerias Oaxaca City

2. mezcaleria in situ: best selection of mezcal in oaxaca.

In Situ is a fabulous mezcaleria in Oaxaca that’s housed in cool space. Here, you can spend time reconfiguring your preconceptions about mezcal as you take in the fun, playful ambiance.

The owner, Ulises Torrentera (who’s authored a few mezcal books), claims he has the biggest and best selection of mezcal in Oaxaca City — and one of the largest collections of mezcal in Mexico.

While not verified, In Situ Mezcaleria Oaxaca has A LOT of mezcal! The walls are lined with bottles and bottles of spirits from all across Mexico, including mezcal made from both wild agave and cultivated agaves.

If you can’t find the best mezcal to buy in Oaxaca here, it may not exist!

In Situ has two locations in Oaxaca City. The original location is in Downtown Oaxaca , and In Situ Bodega is in the Casa de Barro complex in Colonia Reforma, away from the hustle and bustle of the Historic District.

If you want a more lively atmosphere, head downtown. For a chill vibe, spend a quiet moment at Bodega In Situ enjoying mezcal, a cocktail, Mexican beer or locally-made Oaxacan beer.

• 💻 In Situ Oaxaca City website
• 📍 In Situ Oaxaca address: Vicente Guerrero #413; view on Google Maps

3. La Mezcalerita: Best Oaxaca Rooftop Bar

Mingle with tourists and locals alike in this quintessential Oaxaca watering hole. It is located on Calle Macedonio Alcalá (AKA Andador Turistico), one of the most photogenic streets in Oaxaca de Juárez.

The rooftop Oaxaca bar is a wonderful place to enjoy the breeze, spend some time chatting, or getting lost in thought. It offers a perfect vantage for people watching in Oaxaca City.

🥃 Looking for more of the best rooftop bars in Oaxaca for mezcal? Don’t miss the Rooftop Bar at Hotel Los Amantes (AKA Mezcaleria Los Amantes Oaxaca), and Puro Burro Oaxaca.

La Mezcalerita Oaxaca is unassuming, despite having won both gold and silver medals in a best Mexican beer competition. Besides mezcal, they’re also one of the best Oaxaca beer bars, with a large selections of craft beers.

The here food is very tasty (🍟 their fries are excellent), and a perfect accompaniment to the yummy alcoholic beverages.

Enjoy spending time on this mezcaleria rooftop bar in Oaxaca, eating delicious food, drinking mezcal straight (like the locals do), and sampling their creative mezcal cocktails.

4. Sabina Sabe: Best Mezcal Cocktails

Dive into a maze of rooms at Sabina Sabe, a bar named after the mythical Mazatec medicine woman, Maria Sabina. She’s among the most famous people from Oaxaca , hailing from the pueblo magico of Huautla de Jimenez.

The different rooms here are intimate and unique, outfitted with artwork that creates a unique Oaxacan vibe. Sabina Sabe boasts one of the largest libraries of mezcal worldwide, fabulous cocktails, and a local food menu.

Enjoy some of the best mezcal Oaxaca Mexico has to offer in a signature setting.

The staff are pros at helping newcomers find their favorite beverages — and the kitchen’s signature taco special, which changes daily, is sure to be a hit.

Featuring incredible service, top-of-the-line drinks, and genius mixologists, Sabina Sabe mezcal bar provides an experience you won’t want to miss. Once you visit, you’ll see why this ranks as one of the best cocktail bars Oaxaca has!

• 💻 Sabina Sabe Oaxaca City website
• 📍 Sabina Sabe Oaxaca address: Avenida 5 de Mayo #209; view on Google Maps

5. Los Danzantes: Oaxaca Restaurant & Mezcal Bar

If a superb setting and fantastic food are on your wishlist, Los Danzantes is one of the best mezcalerias in Oaxaca for you. Whether you want a romantic dinner for two or a girl’s night out — this place delivers!

While it’s one of the best resturants in Oaxaca City , they are known just as much for the mezcal as for the food. In fact, they have their own brand of Los Danzantes mezcal, served straight up or in a creative cocktail.

🥃 Looking for other Oaxaca City restaurants that have a great mezcal selection? Head to El Destilado and La Popular, two of the best restaurants in Downtown Oaxaca City .

Enjoy a gorgeous outdoor space, delicious Mexican cuisine and a fabulous selection of Oaxacan mezcals . Dine under the stars, and pair your dinner with a perfectly-complementary mezcal or mezcal cocktail.

Los Danzantes is a premier Oaxaca restaurant, featuring incredible modern gourmet food that’s a perfect balance of tradition and innovation. If you want to try elevated Oaxaca food , head here.

The Oaxacan mole sampler, octopus, ancho chile, mushroom tlayuda, and guava cheesecake are crowd favorites. The cuisine is made using the same ingredients as traditional dishes, but combined in new and memorable ways.

• 💻 Los Danzantes Oaxaca City website
• 📍 Los Danzantes address: Calle Macedonio Alcalá #403; view on Google Maps

6. La Casa del Mezcal: Oaxaca Mezcaleria for Locals

La Casa del Mezcal (meaning, The House of Mezcal in Spanish) provides great service, an authentic space, and great prices. This classic cantina dates back to 1935, and touts itself as the real deal Oaxaca mezcaleria for locals.

Take a seat at the bar along with a slew of Oaxacans, or head into a side room featuring lovely stained glass and colorful murals. Enjoy the jukebox, good beer, and a great selection of mezcals — like the locals’ favorite coyote mezcal.

La Casa del Mezcal is located near the Oaxaca Zocalo (town square) and Mercado Benito Juarez market, one of the best markets in Oaxaca City . In short, it’s right in the middle of all the action.

It has the added bonus of being welcoming to visitors. Not that you necessarialy would anywhere else, but this and is one of the local mezcalerías where you won’t get stared at as a foreigner.

7. Expendio Cuish

Intimate, relaxed, and rich with history, Expendio Cuish is an excellent spot to enjoy mezcal from Oaxaca. When you visit Oaxaca, don’t miss this great little shop in Oaxaca Centro (downtown) right on Ruta Independencia.

Expendio Cuish, and its sister locale Cuishe Mezcaleria , excel at empowering master mezcal makers to produce one-of-a-kind spirits. The end result is a mezcal that embodies the tradition and practices of the local people.

The mezcals are packaged in eye-catching vintage bottles, adding to the experience. Not only that, Expendio Cuish has several uber-rare mezcals which you may not be able to find elsewhere.

This tiny mezalería offers one of the best mezcal tasting Oaxaca options available — at the cheapest price.

8. El Cortijo La Mezcaleria

If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop with amazing mezcals and expert insight into the world of this complex drink, El Cortijo Mezcaleria Oaxaca is the place to be.

It was founded on a trifecta of simple goals: producing small-batch mezcal from select agaves, creating unique flavors, and upholding the culture and tradition behind traditional Oaxacan mezcal .

This great mezcalería offers a wonderful selection of exquisite mezcals, and staff who know their stuff. If you’re intrigued by what you learn here, you and book a Oaxaca mezcal led by Gustavo, owner of El Cortijo La Mezcaleria.

Sample several mezcals at affordable prices while enjoying a full explanation of the mezcal-making process. As far as ambience goes, El Cortijo is small and charming with an excellent staff that sets the place apart.

• 💻 El Cortijo Oaxaca City website
• 📍 El Cortijo address: 5 de Mayo #305-A, right in the middle of Centro, in the 68000 Oaxaca zip code; view on Google Maps

9. Casa Convite

Head to the heart of Oaxaca City and you’ll find an incredible mezcalería called Casa Convite Oaxaca. This is one of the best mezcalerias Oaxaca Centro has to offer — and you can also Take a Mezcal Tour with Convite .

Despite being in close proximity to Downtown Oaxaca , Casa Convite exudes a quiet tranquility. It’s the perfect spot to kick back and relax, or delve deeper into the culture of mezcal.

Explore the four different areas in Casa Convite, including a tasting room, a store, an exhibit about the artisanal process of mezcal, and their fabulous Oaxaca City restaurant .

Come for the ambience, delicious cuisine, and even finer spirits — the product of five generations of expertise in mezcal distillation. There’s really no better place to drink artisanal mezcal Oaxaca-style than Casa Convite.

10. Mezcalogia Oaxaca

If you’re looking for the best mezcaleria Oaxaca Mexico has to offer, visit Mezcalogia. This awesome bar is a fabulous spot to enjoy mixology drinks, friendly staff, and live music.

Locals and tourists alike love Mezcalogia Oaxaca. The bartender is also a pro at explaining all about mezcal in both English and Spanish. Passion and creativity coexist in this great space with a lively ambiance.

Mezcalogia offers a wide selection of delicious mezcals as well as a limited cocktail menu. Their Oaxaca mezcal cocktails are hands down worth ordering, and it’s also a good spot for Oaxacan beer.

Many visitors would describe the Mezcalogia locale as “funky,” but it’s the kind of funky that’s also appealing and a memorable stop on your Oaxaca itinerary.

11. El Tendajon Agaveria

Explore the world of innovative flavors at El Tendajón Oaxaca. If you love the combination of food and spirits, this spot will top your list of the best mezcalerias in Oaxaca City.

El Tendajón is the brainchild of Andrea Sánchez López, owner and head chef of the restaurant. Tradition gets an elegant upgrade at El Tendajón, where the food is classic Oaxacan, with unexpected and delightful twists.

Best of all for our purposes, Sánchez has put together a rare library of mezcales. Enjoy unique findings paired with unique cuisine at El Tendajón.

⚠️ Note: The Service is good but can be a bit slow, so plan to enjoy the ambience while you wait.

12. Mezcalillera Oaxaca

Head to the small La Mezcalillera Oaxaca mezcalería only a couple blocks from the Zocalo (main plaza or central plaza) for some of the best mezcal tasting in Oaxaca.

This beverage-only joint is all about certified Oaxacan mezcales. While they only serve drinks, you’re not far from many of the best restaurants in Oaxaca City , like Las Quince Letras, located a few blocks away.

Explore various Oaxaca mezcal brands and learn about the production process and agave varieties. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events, like their Tasting Series featuring famous artisanal mezcal masters.

⚠️ Note: Most of the staff at La Mezcalillera only speak Spanish, although there are a few who know a little bit of English.

13. Archivo Maguey Oaxaca

Archivo Maguey is one downtown mezcalería in Oaxaca City you won’t want to miss. This restaurant has an amazing atmosphere, cheap drinks, live music, and dancing — it’s one of the best things to do in Oaxaca at night.

🥃 Pro Tip: Head to the back to find the place’s hidden gem: a secret, small bar reserved only for those in-the-know.

Enjoy wonderful mezcal from different regions including la Mexteca, Delos Valles, and Sierra Sur.

You won’t be served salt or lemon here, just the bare mezcal with its pure, wild taste — including the famed Del Maguey Santo Domingo.

The staff are very friendly, and the food on offer includes exquisite Oaxacan Mexican food, exotic hamburgers, tlayudas a las brasas, and tasty tacos . This is the place to go if you are serious about all things mezcal… and food!

14. Expendió Tradición Oaxaca

Expendió Tradicíon Oaxaca restaurant is a beautiful, stand-out space with gorgeous aesthetics, but even better mezcal, service, and food. They serve traditional Oaxacan cuisine with a unique, elevated twist, and delicious mezcal.

This gastropub restaurant is in Downtown Oaxaca , located inside a historic building from 1942. It was later remodeled by Ezequiel Farca, an avant-garde design studio, resulting in a friendly, casual space that’s a hot spot for locals.

Enjoy trendy decor and comfortable, relaxing vibes at Expendió Tradicíon Rerstaurant. The prices may be higher than other places, but you get what you pay for in terms of the chic vibe — plus, their servings are enormous.

15. La Casa Grande Oaxaca

Enjoy the best mezcal from Mexico at La Casa Grande. This superb locale offers a mezcaleria menu featuring selections from Jalisco, Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Durango, Michoacan, and of course, mezcal de Oaxaca (mezcal from Oaxaca).

Savor wonderful distillates including raicilla, tequila, bacanora and sotol, some of the best Mexican drinks .

Several of these come from Real Minero, widely considered the producers of the best mezcal brands in the world.

Enjoy a wonderful mezcal best brands tasting at La Casa Grande Oaxaca City, led by an experienced taste teacher. Your senses will thank you if you stop in here during your Oaxaca trip.

Best Oaxaca Mezcal Tours: Go Beyond the Mezcal Bar

Want to take one of the best mezcal tours in Oaxaca City? You’re in luck because the 11 best Oaxaca mezcal tours are all featured in the linked article.

Oaxaca mezcal tours are the best way to really get to know this nuanced adult beverage. This Educational Mezcal Tour with Alvaro is the highest-rated of all Oaxaca mezcal tours, with a near-perfect 5 Star rating.

Want a few more options? Here are our top picks for the best Oaxaca mezcal tours:

• 💎 Best Private Oaxaca Mezcal Tour : Gastronomy Experience: Culture, Mezcal Tasting & Textiles
• 🌵 Best Tour for Mezcal Aficionados : A Day in the Life Mezcal Tour with Alvin
• 🍽 Best Oaxaca Mezcal Tour for Foodies : Mezcal and Mole with a Certified Sommelier

Mezcal Guide & Frequently Asked Questions

What is mezcal?

Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage. It is made from agave (specifically, Agave americana ), one of the most common types of maguey plant .

Mezcal has been around for more than 400 years. It is the first known distilled spirit in Latin America, and on the entire Americas Continent.

Para todo mal mezcal y para todo bien, también. (Which means: For everything bad, mezcal, and for everything good, mezcal.) see more Mexican quotes and IG Captions

The word mezcal comes from the Aztec word mexcalli , meaning “oven-cooked agave.”

Tequila is actually a form of mezcal, though they are distilled differently — mezcal is cooked in an underground oven, and tequila is boiled.

Mezcal vs Tequila: What’s the difference?

Mezcal and tequila are both made from the agave plant. Tequila is a type of mezcal, but it’s only made from the Blue Weber agave plant. Mezcal can be made from any type of agave, but it’s always 100% agave, while tequila is 50% agave.

🥃 Fun Fact: Tequila comes from Tequila

Tequila can only be legally called tequila if it’s produced in Tequila, Mexico (and some surrounding areas like San Luis Potosí state and Guanajuato state).

This is similar to how champagne only comes from the Champagne Valley in France — otherwise it must be labeled “sparkling wine.” In essence, champagne is a type of sparkling wine, but is known as the finest or best type.

To further clarify, there’s a common saying: All tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequila.

This is the same principle that applies to whiskeys, as all bourbons are whiskeys, but not all whiskeys are bourbons.

Mezcal doesn’t come from a specific region, but can only be legally produced in nine out of the  32 Mexican states — Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosí, Puebla, Michoacan, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.

The Consejo Regulador del Mezcal must certify it, otherwise it has to be labeled “distilled agave spirits” or “agave distillate,” but it can not legally be labeled mezcal.

Mezcal vs Tequila: How are they made?

When it comes to how they’re made, mezcal and tequila differ again. Both involve growing agave for several years, but the traditional mezcal production process is where they differ.

The blue agave piña (agave hearts) for tequila goes through a steaming process in an industrial oven, whereas the piña for mezcal is roasted in a fire pit in the ground.

This time in the underground pit is why mezcal often has a smoky taste.

They then go through a different extraction process, with tequila being largely mass-produced, whereas mezcal is handcrafted.

Each batch of mezcal will be different, even when it’s made by the same producer, whereas tequila has a more uniform taste.

How does mezcal taste?

While mezcal is known for its smoky flavor, that’s only the case for certain types of mezcal from Mexico.

Wondering, Is all mezcal smoky? The answer is no , they’re actually not!

One of the most popular and best mezcals in Mexico, 400 Conejos , is only slightly smoky. If you want to try one of the best non-smoky mezcals, this is the it.

Mezcal can also be fruity, floral, citrusy, and even a little spicy. Some mezcals are quite neutral and mild in flavor; it just depends on what type of mezcal you’re drinking and how it’s processed.

Is mezcal stronger than tequila?

Yes  — Mezcal is often stronger than tequila, though this isn’t always the case, so check the label. In general, most mezcal alcohol by volume (ABV) is between 48%-55%. By contrast, the average tequila ABV is 40%.

🥃 Looking for a mezcal with low ABV?

Opt for Mezcal Monte Alban Mezcal con Gusano , which is 40% ABV alcohol content. This is one of the most popular mezcals in the United States, and it’s readily available.

Is there a mezcal worm?

No — While you’ll find the infamous tequila worm in most bottles, mezcal does not contain a worm in the bottle.

Fun Mezcal Fact: That same worm is what’s used to make sal de gusano (worm salt). This is is traditionally served with mezcal in Mexico, and at many mezcalerias, you’ll get a plate with orange wedges and worm salt.

Where does mezcal come from?

Most of the world’s mezcal comes from Oaxaca, Mexico. In the state, the most commonly-used plant to make Oaxacan mezcal is the espadin agave.

Mezcal can be made from more than 30 different types of agave plants — though the majority of it comes from the tobalá , tobaziche , arroqueño , tepeztate and espadín varieties.

Of those, most mezcal is made from espadin agave. In fact, up to 90% of all Oaxaca mezcal is made from espadín, which grows wild throughout the state of Oaxaca.

Mezcal is produced in nine different Mexican regions; not just Oaxaca. However, Oaxaca produces more than 90% of all mezcal in Mexico, and it is the state most closely associated with Mexican mezcal.

How long does it take to make mezcal?

The production of mezcal starts with the plant, the agave plant. Baby agave plants are planted and can take around 7-25 years to mature.

Once mature, they are roasted for days (giving way to the spirit’s smokey flavor) before being crushed and fermented. Fermentation can take anywhere between 1-4 weeks.

Once fermentation is done, the mezcal is distilled, which takes 1-4 days depending on if the spirit is distilled once or multiple times. After that, it’s ready to serve!

What’s the best way to enjoy mezcal?

Mezcal is meant to be drunk at room temperature, sipped from a mezcal copita (meaning “little cup”) — not taken as a shot .

You’ll hear people describe sipping mezcal as kissing the glass, which is the best way to enjoy the unique flavors.

In Mexico, mezcal is typically served with oranges and sal de gusano on the site.

This is a salt mixture with chiles and dried larvae from the chinicuil worm. Alternatively, you can also enjoy mezcal in cocktails.

Does mezcal give you a hangover?

Yes — Mezcal can give you a hangover, but only after seriously overindulging.

One of the reasons mezcal is so popular is because this spirit miraculously leaves few with a hangover after imbibing, especially when you’re sipping it straight!

Since mezcal is a pure spirit, it doesn’t have additives as most liquors do.

While it’s rare for drinkers to feel side effects the day after, you probably don’t want to test your limits with mezcal because it’s pretty strong.

Where is mezcal made in Oaxaca?

There are a variety of palenques located across Oaxaca. However, some towns are known for their mezcal, including Santiago Matatlán, Santa Catarina Minas, Sola de Vega and San Pablo Villa de Mitla .

What is a palenque mezcal?

Palenque is the word used to describe a Oaxaca mezcal distillery. Mezcal palenque is a local term that’s primarily used in the state of Oaxaca.

Many other Mexican states have their own local terms, so this changes depending on where you are. For example, in Northern Mexico, the word fabrica is usually used more than palenque .

Palenquero (pronounced paw-lan-care-ohs) is another word of mezcalero . They both refer to mezcal distiller or mezcal-maker. You will hear both terms used in Oaxaca.

No matter the words you use, the best Oaxacan mezcal is always found at the source! If you have a mezcal tasting Oaxaca City on your itinerary, don’t miss these best Oaxaca mezcal tours .

Oaxaca Travel Guide and FAQ

How do you pronounce Oaxaca?

Wondering about the Oaxaca pronunciation? It’s a common question, so if you are, you’re not alone! The word Oaxaca is pronounced waa-haa-kah .

Where is Oaxaca located?

Oaxaca is a state in southern Mexico, surrounded by three other Mexican states : Chiapas, Guerrero and Puebla. The southern edge of the state sits on the Pacific Ocean, where you’ll find the best Oaxaca beaches .

🗺️ Oaxaca Map

🇲🇽 where is oaxaca city located.

Oaxaca City is the state’s capital city, and located in the center of Oaxaca State. Many think Oaxaca is near the beach, but it’s actually about 160 miles (257 km) from the coast.

Oaxaca City is located about six hours south of Mexico City . You can book direct flights from Mexico City to Oaxaca City, or take the ADO bus. I recommend the flight, as it’s much shorter but not much more money.

What is the best time to visit Oaxaca Mexico?

The best time to travel to Oaxaca is during the dry season, October to May . However, the temperate weather in Oaxaca City means it can be a year-round destination.

While it will likely rain quite a bit during the Oaxaca rainy season, you’ll also get lower prices, as this is the slow season in Oaxaca. If you’re planning to take any tours in Oaxaca Mexico, they’re usually cheaper in low season too.

If you want to avoid the crowds, the Oaxaca busy season runs from about late-October for Day of the Dead , through mid-January.

Many also visit Oaxaca de Juárez (Oaxaca City) for the Guelaguetza Festival in July. This is the second biggest Oaxaca festival , and a very popular event, so book your Oaxaca hotel well in advance.

🌡️ Oaxaca weather Averages

Oaxaca City has a desert climate, so hot days and cool nights. The temperature in Oaxaca City fluctuates a lot, so be mindful and bring layers when packing for Oaxaca.

If you hate the heat, avoid the hottest months of April to May so you have an enjoyable Oaxaca vacation.

Is Oaxaca safe for tourists?

For the vast majority of travelers, Oaxaca is safe to visit. In fact, Oaxaca is one of the safest states in Mexico .

Oaxaca City is the country’s 67th largest city, with a population of about 275,000, but retains a humble, pueblo vibe. Now, that doesn’t mean bad things don’t happen in Oaxaca City; they do.

However, if you take the same general travel precautions you would anywhere else — ie. stay aware of yourself, your belongings and your surroundings — you should be safe traveling to Oaxaca City.

⚠️ For a deep dive into this topic and a Oaxaca safety guide, check out Is Oaxaca Safe to Travel to Right Now?

What’s the closest Oaxaca Airport?

Wondering, Is there an airport in Oaxaca City? Yes, there’s Oaxaca International Airport (code: OAX), located about 20-30 minutes from downtown.

You might see this airport called Xoxocotlán International Airport, but it is just another name for OAX Airport. ▶︎ Book your Oaxaca flights now!

🚐 Best Oaxaca Airport transportation

Is there uber in oaxaca city.

No — There is no Oaxaca Uber service, no Lyft in Oaxaca and no ride-shares in Oaxaca.

They do have DiDi Taxi through the DiDi Rider app, which lets you call a Oaxaca taxi via the app. It’s basically like using Uber or Lyft, but you will get a regular cab.

• Download DiDi Rider for iPhone
• Download DiDi Rider for Android

How do you get around Oaxaca City?

Oaxaca City is walkable, so if you’re just staying in the city itself, you can walk and use taxis and public transportation as needed.

If you’re doing Oaxaca day trips , a rental car or group tour is your best bet, and I recommend booking Oaxaca tours via Viator and Airbnb Experiences .

ARE TAXIS SAFE IN OAXACA MEXICO?

For the majority of travelers, yes, taxis are perfectly safe to use in Oaxaca.

I personally prefer to call taxis via the DiDi Rider app, so I have a record of my trip and the price is already set for me, but you can also just hail a cab on the street.

How many days do you need in Oaxaca City?

Within Oaxaca City itself, you can see the highlights in 2-3 full days. For those who want to explore the Oaxaca pueblos magicos , sites and villages outside town, you’ll want 5-6 full days.

The best things to do near Oaxaca include exploring Hierve el Agua in San Lorenzo Albarradas, San Agustín Etla, Teotitlán Del Valle and San Pablo Villa de Mitla, a pueblo magico (magic town).

Planning to visit the best beaches in Oaxaca, including Puerto Escondido , Huatulco and Mazunte ? For a Oaxaca City and Oaxaca beaches trip, you’ll need at least a week or two.

What is Oaxaca known for?

There are five things Oaxaca is known for — art, culture, the Oaxaca Day of the Dead celebration, mezcal and food.

If you’re really wondering, Why is Oaxaca so popular? The answer is likely for the food. In fact, Oaxaca is known as the Foodie Capital of Mexico, so try both the street food in Oaxaca and the restaurants in Oaxaca.

For a deep dive into this topic, check out this What is Oaxaca famous for? article. In it, you’ll learn even more about what makes Oaxaca unique.

Is Oaxaca City worth visiting?

Short answer: YES! In a word, Oaxaca is  magical . It’s the Mexico people imagine Mexico to be with amazing food , fascinating history, colorful colonial architecture and more.

As you’ll usually need to take at least two flights to Oaxaca, Mexico, or a flight and a bus if you’re coming from Mexico City , wondering if traveling to Oaxaca is worth it is a totally valid question.

I hope this guide to Oaxaca made it clear that FU+K YES IT IS!

There’s everything from rich history, colorful festivals , UNESCO World Heritage Sites, locally-made mezcal, beautiful nature, colonial buildings, indigenous artisan communities , and of course, the yummy Oaxacan food .

Final Thoughts: Best Mezcalerias in Oaxaca Mexico

Still wondering what’s the best mezcal bar Oaxaca has? That’s a subjective answer, of course, but as you saw in this article, Oaxaca has a ton of good mezcal bars to choose from.

When traveling to Oaxaca City, you’ll want to plan ahead so you don’t miss any standout places on your itinerary for Oaxaca.

Now that you’ve read about the top 15 mezcalerias Oaxaca has to offer — Where will you head first?

Will you visit La Mezcaloteca or Mezcal In Situ for a Oaxaca mezcal tasting? Join a mezcaleria Oaxaca happy hour? Enjoy dinner and drinks at a restaurant like El Tendajón Agavería or Los Danzantes Oaxaca?

No matter what you decide, you’ll find an Oaxaca Mexico mezcal to love.

You might even end up filling your suitcases with your favorite distillations, creating a private library of the best mezcal from Oaxaca — curated by you!

Oaxaca Travel Planning Guide

Should i buy mexico travel insurance for oaxaca.

100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Travel Insurance Master , one of the biggest names in travel insurance. ( Read more )

Can you drink the water in Oaxaca?

No — You’ll want to buy this Water-To-Go Bottle , which filters your drinking water so you don’t get sick from drinking water in Mexico, and helps keep you hydrated while traveling to Oaxaca. ( Read more )

Is it safe to rent a car in Oaxaca?

Yes — Renting a car in Oaxaca is one of the best ways to see the state. I always rent with Discover Cars , which checks international companies and local Oaxaca companies, so you get the best rates. ( Read more )

Will my phone work in Oaxaca?

Maybe — It depends on your company, so check with your provider. If you don’t have free Mexico service, buy a Telcel SIM Card . As Mexico’s largest carrier, Telcel has the best coverage of all Mexico SIM Cards. ( Read more )

What’s the best way to book places to stay in Oaxaca?

For Oaxaca hotels, Booking.com is the best site . If you’re considering a Oaxaca Airbnb, also check VRBO , which is often cheaper than Airbnb. For the best Oaxaca hostels, use HostelWorld .

What do I pack for Oaxaca?

Head to the Ultimate Mexico Packing List + FREE Checklist Download to get all the info you need on packing for Mexico.

What’s the best site to buy Oaxaca flights?

For finding cheap Oaxaca flights, I recommend booking through Skyscanner .

Do I need a visa for Oaxaca?

Likely Not — U.S., Canadian and most European Passport holders don’t need a visa for Mexico; but you can check here to see if you need a Mexico travel visa.

The vast majority of travelers will receive a a passport stamp, or 180-Day FMM Tourist Visa upon arrival.