You can taste Cabo’s tequila culture without the big-tour chaos. This private workshop pairs six tequilas and three mezcals with real snack pairings and a guide who explains what you’re drinking.

Two things I especially like: the food pairings that help flavors click, and the fact that it’s a private session, so you can ask questions without waiting your turn. You’ll even get a proper lesson on how to taste, not just how to take a shot.

One consideration: if you only want tequila-for-tequila’s-sake and nothing more, this is still an educational tasting. Also, any time you pick up grasshoppers as a novelty bite, be ready for a fun, slightly adventurous moment.

Key Points You’ll Actually Care About

• Central Cabo meeting point means you can fit it around shopping and you likely won’t need a car.
• 9 total pours: six handmade tequilas plus three types of mezcal in one focused session.
• Snack pairings are part of the point, with options like agave heart, dark chocolate, seafood, cheese, and meat.
• Proper tasting technique gets taught, so the spirit doesn’t just burn.
• Private, English-language workshop keeps the pace calm and questions easy.
• Fun factor is real, with guides like Juan (who goes by Johnny Cash of Mexico), Luis, Juan Andres, and Santos frequently praised for energy and humor.

A Private Tequila Workshop That Starts Easy in Central Cabo

Cabo San Lucas has a lot going on, so I love tours that don’t demand a whole day of logistics. This tasting starts at a real tasting room in central Cabo, at Tequilera Santos Destilados Centro (Calle Mariano Matamoros). The big win is that it’s walking distance from the hotel and shopping areas you’re already aiming for. That means you can handle it like a plan, not a production.

You’ll do the experience with only your group. That private format changes the whole feel. Instead of being shuffled through tastings like a conveyor belt, you get to slow down with a guide and actually connect each pour to what the drink is doing on your palate.

The session is about 1 hour 30 minutes, so it fits well as either a first-or-last-day stop—especially if you’re the kind of traveler who wants one great activity instead of three rushed ones.

What You Taste: 6 Tequilas and 3 Mezcals (Plus the “Why” Behind Each)

The tasting is built around one simple idea: tequila and mezcal are not just the same spirit with different labels. They come from different agaves and production styles, and your guide helps you notice those differences.

Here’s the core lineup:

• 6 handmade tequila varieties
• 3 types of mezcal
• Each is paired with snacks that are meant to change the way the spirit tastes

You’ll also get a guide-led explanation as you go—history, production basics, and how different types of tequila and mezcal tend to taste. In reviews, guides like Juan (often mentioned with the Johnny Cash of Mexico nickname), Luis, Juan Andres, and Santos get high marks for explaining origins and meaning without dragging it out.

A useful takeaway: many people finish with a clearer sense of what they actually like—like whether they prefer a certain tequila style, or whether mezcal’s smoky notes win them over. That’s not just trivia. It’s how you avoid buying a bottle you don’t understand.

The Snack Pairings Are Not an Afterthought

A lot of tastings say they’ll do food pairings. Here, the snacks feel like part of the tasting design. You’re not eating to soak up alcohol—you’re eating to compare flavors.

The sample pairing menu can include:

• Agave heart
• Dark chocolate
• Cheese
• Meat and shrimp
• Grasshoppers for those willing to try something very Mexican

Here’s why that matters for your experience. Tequila and mezcal can move between sweet, roasted, vegetal, earthy, and smoky depending on the agave and the process. Chocolate can bring out sweetness. Cheese can mellow sharp edges. Savory bites like shrimp or meat help you understand how the spirit handles salt and umami. The result is that you taste with context instead of guessing.

And yes, grasshoppers come up more than once in the conversation. The point isn’t that you must eat them—it’s that the tasting room understands this as a food-and-drink culture, not a sterile classroom.

How the Tasting Works: Learn to Sip Like You Mean It

One reason this workshop earns such a strong rating is that it focuses on how to drink. You’ll learn how to taste properly so the spirit reads as flavors instead of just heat.

In feedback, people specifically mention learning methods that make tequila and mezcal more enjoyable and less burn-y. Guides are praised for being patient—teaching you what to look for, what to notice between sips, and how to pair your drink with the right bite.

This is also where the private format shows its value. If something doesn’t make sense, you can ask. If you don’t like mezcal’s smoke, you can mention it and the guide can steer you toward comparisons that match your taste. That’s how the lesson turns into a personalized tasting instead of a set script.

Guides With Personality: Juan, Luis, Juan Andres, and Santos

The guide makes a real difference in this kind of experience. Based on the feedback, the tasting hosts are often lively and funny, and they blend explanation with entertainment.

Names that show up again and again:

• Juan, often described as the Johnny Cash of Mexico, with humor and strong teaching energy
• Luis, praised for clear explanation, patience, and passion
• Juan Andres, described as combining history and philosophy with the tasting
• Santos, mentioned in connection with a welcoming vibe and a helpful history lesson

Why I think this matters: you’re learning a traditional topic with lots of production terms. A strong host keeps the information human. If you’re nervous about tasting or worried you won’t “get it,” this is the kind of place that helps you feel comfortable fast.

Price and Value: $40 for a Short, High-Variety Tasting

At $40 per person, this isn’t one of those “cheap shots and goodbye” stops. You’re paying for:

• Nine different spirits (six tequilas + three mezcals)
• A guided workshop with history and tasting instruction
• Food pairings that support the tasting
• The fact that it’s private, so your group isn’t waiting behind other people’s questions

For a 90-minute activity, value usually comes down to two things: how many distinct samples you try, and whether the guide helps you understand what you’re tasting. This experience hits both. People repeatedly mention learning how to appreciate tequila and mezcal, not just consuming them.

One more practical note: because this is tasting-focused, it’s often a good precursor to buying a bottle later. A lot of people end up leaving with more confidence about what to take home and why.

Where to Fit It Into Your Cabo Day

The meeting point is in central Cabo, so you can build the day around the tasting instead of around transportation. That’s huge if you want to avoid taxi math before or after.

A simple way to schedule it:

• Go earlier in the day if you want it to be your anchor activity
• Pair it with nearby shopping and then cool down afterward with a meal nearby
• If you’re doing other tours, treat this as the calm, low-stress stop that adds context to the rest of your Cabo plans

Because it ends back at the meeting point, you’re not stranded in a different part of town.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Skip It)

This private tasting is a great fit if you:

• Want an experience with tasting education, not just alcohol
• Like getting a few guided explanations to help you buy better later
• Enjoy food pairings and are open to trying traditional snacks like agave heart and dark chocolate
• Prefer a smaller, question-friendly setting

You might skip it if:

• You only want a loud party-style alcohol event
• You strongly prefer not to do any adventurous food bites (like grasshoppers)
• You’re looking for a full-day excursion with lots of movement and sights (this is a workshop format)

Quick Tips to Get More Out of Your 90 Minutes

• Pace yourself. The point is comparison across multiple pours, so take your time.
• Mention your preferences early. If you’re unsure about mezcal, say so and use the tasting pairings to help you find your lane.
• Pay attention during the technique part. Learning how to taste properly can change the whole experience fast.
• If you’re curious about the grasshoppers, treat it like a snack moment, not a challenge.

Should You Book This Tequila and Mezcal Tasting in Cabo?

My take: yes, book it if you want a well-organized, private tasting with real explanations and snack pairings that actually help you taste. The best reason is that you’re not spending 90 minutes chasing buzz—you’re spending it learning what makes tequila and mezcal different, then leaving with a clearer sense of what you like.

If you’re the type who enjoys short cultural lessons paired with tastings, this is one of the easier wins in Cabo. The price is reasonable for nine pours plus food, and the central location makes it easy to work into a travel schedule.

If you want, tell me your dates and whether you’re more into tequila or mezcal, and I’ll suggest a smart day plan around this tasting.

FAQ

How much does the Cabo San Lucas tequila tasting cost?

It costs $40.00 per person.

How long is the tequila and mezcal tasting experience?

The duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Is this experience private?

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

Where does the tasting take place?

The start location is Tequilera Santos Destilados Centro, Calle Mariano Matamoros, Centro, 23450 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

Alcoholic beverages for the tequila tasting with food pairing are included.

What kinds of drinks and snacks can you expect?

You’ll sample six handmade tequila varieties and three types of mezcal, paired with snacks such as agave heart, dark chocolate, meat, shrimp, cheese, and grasshoppers for those who want to try them.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What are the accessibility basics for getting there?

The meeting point is near public transportation, and most travelers can participate.