About Mezcal Tour Oaxaca
We're an independent team of mezcal enthusiasts dedicated to helping travelers find authentic, high-quality mezcal experiences in Oaxaca.
Our Mission
Oaxaca has become a mezcal tourism hotspot, but finding authentic experiences is harder than ever. Tourist traps disguised as "traditional distilleries" are everywhere. Generic tasting rooms charge premium prices for mediocre mezcal. Large tour operators prioritize volume over quality.
We created this site to solve that problem.
Our goal is simple: help you find the best mezcal tours in Oaxaca — whether you're a first-timer looking for an introduction or a connoisseur seeking rare wild agaves.
Meet Our Experts
Diego Garcia
Senior Mezcal Reviewer & Industry Expert
Mezcal specialist with 15 years of experience in the Oaxacan spirits industry. Dedicated to preserving traditional production methods.
Read Full Bio → Sofia Mendez
Cultural Editor & Travel Curator
Cultural writer and resident of Oaxaca City. Sofia covers travel logistics, safety, and the rich cultural context surrounding mezcal.
Read Full Bio →Why Trust Our Reviews?
1. We Visit Tours Ourselves
Every tour we recommend has been personally tested by our team. We don't rely on marketing materials or second-hand reports. We book tours, visit palenques, and evaluate everything from guide knowledge to transportation quality.
2. Editorial Independence
Our rankings are based solely on quality, authenticity, and value — not who pays us. While we earn affiliate commissions when you book through our links (see our methodology for details), tour operators cannot buy better rankings. A tour's position is determined by our evaluation criteria, not advertising dollars.
3. Transparent Evaluation Criteria
We use a consistent rubric to evaluate every tour: authenticity of distilleries, quality of education, group size, guide expertise, value for money, and verified traveler feedback. Read our full methodology here.
4. We Update Regularly
Tours change. Guides leave. Quality shifts. We revisit our recommendations annually and update rankings when necessary. Every page shows the last update date.
5. Honest Pros & Cons
We don't write puff pieces. Every review includes honest drawbacks. Even our #1 pick isn't perfect for everyone. We tell you exactly who should book each tour — and who should skip it.
How We Make Money (Full Transparency)
We earn money through affiliate commissions. When you click our "Check Availability" or "Book Now" buttons and complete a purchase on GetYourGuide (our booking partner), we receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
This business model allows us to:
- Keep all content free for travelers
- Maintain editorial independence (operators can't pay for rankings)
- Focus on quality recommendations (we only earn if you actually book)
Important clarifications:
- You pay the same price whether you book through us or directly
- We disclose affiliate relationships on every page
- Our rankings are not influenced by commission rates
- We only recommend tours we genuinely believe are worth your money
Our Values
🎯 Authenticity Over Commercialization
We prioritize family-run palenques and small-group tours over industrialized operations. Real mezcal culture happens in working distilleries, not gift shops.
💎 Quality Over Quantity
We recommend 5 carefully curated tours, not 50 mediocre ones. Every recommendation has been thoroughly vetted.
🤝 Respect for Local Culture
Mezcal production is an ancestral tradition. We champion tours that respect mezcaleros, pay fair prices, and educate travelers about cultural significance.
📢 Honest Communication
We tell you the truth, even when it's not convenient. If a tour is overpriced, we'll say so. If a "budget" option has significant tradeoffs, we'll explain them.
Have Questions or Feedback?
We'd love to hear from you. Whether you're planning a trip or have feedback about our recommendations, get in touch.
Contact Us