Finca 18 Puerto Vallarta Tequila Tour + Chocolate Pairing

Finca 18 is a working ranch set along the old El Camino Real and run by a family with more than 150 years of roots in Puerto Vallarta. This two-hour visit combines a guided walk through a 12-acre estate with a tasting of agave spirits paired with chocolate, so it works both as a history stop and as an introduction to how tequila is made.

On arrival you are welcomed with a cocktail, fresh fruit and cold water. A guide then takes you around the estate, where you see the agave nursery and fields and learn about the tequila-making process at the distillery. The visit also takes in a restored Mexican ranch.

The tasting is the center of the visit. It features five or more pours of agave spirits curated by a master sommelier, paired with award-winning chocolate, guacamole and dehydrated snacks made at the ranch. Bottles, gifts, extra pours, beer and wine are sold on site, there is a gift shop, and there is time for photos, cocktails and appetizers. A liability waiver must be signed on arrival.

This visit suits people who want to learn about tequila and other agave spirits in a relaxed setting rather than just taste them. Service animals are allowed and the tour is described as suitable for all physical fitness levels, although it is not recommended for travelers who have trouble walking, since the visit covers the grounds. It is also not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, or for pregnant travelers.

On getting there, the operator says the best way is to take a taxi or Uber, and that it will call one for your way back, or you can ask your driver to wait. The description also mentions pickup-point transportation, which seems to contradict this, so check with the operator at booking how you will arrive. Gratuities are the only listed exclusion.