Travel Guide Tequila

70 km northwest of Guadalajara. As its name suggests, it was here in the 18th century that the famous beverage made from the distillation of the heart of the blue agave was born. The bluish tones given to the landscape by its intensive planting in the Rio Grande plain, dominated by the Volcán Tequila, earned the region recognition as a World Heritage Site in 2006: Amatitlán, Tequila and El Arenal are thus considered to be the original territory for the production of tequila, whose authorization of controlled designation of origin has also been extended to certain neighboring states. However, it is in this territory that the most famous brands are concentrated; several tequila production houses are present in the village or its surroundings: Siete Leguas, Herradura, Cuervo, Sauza, El Cascahuín, etc. Practically all the brands organize visits to their agave fields and distilleries. La Rojeña is the oldest factory in the village, that of the Jose Cuervo brand: it is probably here that the most complete and professional tours are offered. In this factory, which has kept its copper stills, 50,000 liters of tequila are produced every day! The visit to the village is rather quick, since its center is very small; you will find several options for accommodation. For lunch, the municipal market is a good option. In the main square, many artisans sell objects made of obsidian, extracted from the heights of Volcán Colima since pre-Hispanic times.