Tequila & Ancient Ruins: Private Day Trip from Puerto Vallarta

Your private adventure begins in Puerto Vallarta with an early departure at 8:00 AM (or earlier if requested), heading inland through the scenic Sierra Madre landscapes toward the state of Nayarit. This immersive day trip is designed with both comfort and cultural richness in mind: we’ll make restroom stops at safe, clean gas stations or toll road pay houses along the way, and if guests require a light breakfast or snack stop, we can accommodate depending on medical needs, dietary restrictions, or preferences.

Please note: additional stops may affect total free time later in the day, as our return time is set for 5:00 PM, with a grace period until 5:30 PM at the latest to stay within the agreed experience window.

After approximately 2 hours of scenic driving, we arrive at Los Toriles, the only excavated pre-Hispanic ceremonial center in western Mexico open to the public. This fascinating site features over 80 stone structures, including temples, columns, and one of the only circular pyramids in the region—believed to honor the wind god Ehecatl.

Enjoy a walk through the site, hearing ancient stories and gaining insight into Mesoamerican culture, spirituality, and architecture. It’s a peaceful, eye-opening beginning to a day that blends history, nature, and agave culture.

Next, we have an optional stop, we'll drive from Los Toriles for 1 hour through the vibrant mining town of Magdalena, home to Mexico’s most prized opals. At Ópalos de México, you’ll experience a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of a family-run opal mine and artisan workshop. Learn how these fiery gemstones are extracted from volcanic rock, cut, and polished into radiant jewelry.

You'll have the opportunity skip this stop or meet skilled local craftsmen and explore their opal exhibits from raw stone to the perfect one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Just 20 minutes from our optional stop, we’ll be indulging our Lunch at the atmospheric "Restaurant & Bar Portales del Cielo", a beautiful restaurant built in the hearth of Tequila, where you’ll enjoy an authentic Jalisco-style lunch.

The menu showcases regional flavors and local ingredients, with optional tequila pairings or specialty cocktails available.

It’s a visual experience unlike any other—and an incredible photo opportunity. After lunch, you’ll have time to browse their artisan boutique or take a few more photos around the property before we continue.

By early afternoon, we arrive in the historic town center of Tequila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and vibrant Pueblo Mágico where tradition lives in every street corner. This part of the experience invites guests to stretch their legs and explore on foot.

We begin with a short drive from the restaurant to the main plaza, where you’ll take in the lively atmosphere, colorful architecture, and cultural highlights, including: The iconic TEQUILA sign (perfect for photos), The kiosk and main church and a walk through the Palacio Municipal (City Hall) to admire the massive murals that depict the ancient origins and spiritual meaning of the agave plant.

Before wrapping up the day, we make a final stop at the José Cuervo distillery museum, the most legendary name in the tequila world. While a full distillery tour inside is not included on this tour, all our guests will have time to explore the gift shop, tasting area, and photo spots outside the historic building.

This is the perfect opportunity to grab exclusive Cuervo products, local crafts, or a final souvenir from your tequila journey.

To respect your Viator experience time frame and ensure a smooth journey back, we begin our return to Puerto Vallarta at 5:00PM but no later than 5:30 PM.

Depending on traffic and any guest needs (bathroom/stretch stop), we aim to arrive back between 8:00–9:00 PM. Completing our 10-12 hours time frame service.