Mezcal vs. Tequila Cocktail Tasting in a Cantina

The most interesting part of this Puerto Vallarta experience is the side-by-side tasting. You try tequila and mezcal on their own, then see how each spirit changes when mixed with fruit and other cocktail ingredients. The final drink is built around your favorite.

I like the 17 total tastings, which gives you more than a quick sip and a sales pitch. I also like the small-group limit of 15 people, plus the lively entertainment at La Catrina Cantina. The main drawback is that dinner and extra drinks are not included, so this is a tasting night, not a full meal.

Key points to know before booking

• Seventeen tastings plus one full cocktail: You sample tequila, mezcal, and specialty cocktails before choosing a favorite drink.
• The tasting begins with a Mexican costume: This adds a playful photo opportunity and sets the tone for the evening.
• Tequila and mezcal are compared in two ways: First neat, then in fruit-based cocktails from the Viva Mexico menu.
• Live entertainment is included: The evening includes a free show, with music and a strong invitation to dance.
• La Catrina Cantina is in Zona Romántica: The tour starts and ends at Lázaro Cárdenas 315B, making it easy to pair with time in central Puerto Vallarta.
• Plan for tips and no dinner: Tipping the staff and entertainers is strongly encouraged, while food and extra drinks cost extra.

Starting at La Catrina Cantina in Zona Romántica

You meet at La Catrina Cantina, at Lázaro Cárdenas 315B in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica. The activity lasts about two hours and returns to the same cantina, so you do not have to arrange a second pickup point or figure out where the evening ends.

That location matters. Zona Romántica is one of the easiest parts of Puerto Vallarta to reach by local transportation, and the cantina is near public transportation. If you are already spending the evening in the area, this tasting can fit neatly into your plans.

The group can include up to 15 people. That is not a private experience, but it is small enough to keep the tasting more personal than a large bar event. You should still expect a social setting, since the entertainment and dancing are central parts of the night.

There are stairs at the venue. Service animals are allowed, but the available information does not promise step-free access. If stairs are a concern, contact the provider before booking rather than assuming the cantina will be easy to navigate.

The costume sets a playful tone

The evening begins by outfitting you in a Mexican costume. The available details do not specify exactly which costume pieces you receive, so think of this as a festive part of the activity rather than a formal cultural presentation.

I see this as a good match for people who enjoy a little theater with their drinks. It gives the evening a shared theme and can make the first few minutes less awkward, especially if you arrive without knowing anyone else in the group.

It also tells you what kind of experience this is. You are not signing up for a quiet, technical spirits seminar. You are joining an entertaining cantina night that uses tequila and mezcal as its main subjects.

If you prefer a serious tasting room, printed production notes, and long explanations about agave, this may feel light on detail. The focus is comparison, cocktails, and fun. That is not a flaw, but it is important to book the experience you actually want.

Tasting tequila and mezcal on their own

Before cocktails enter the picture, you taste tequila and mezcal by themselves. This is the most useful part for comparing the two spirits, since fruit, sweeteners, and other ingredients can hide the differences between them.

Tequila and mezcal are both agave spirits, but they do not taste identical. The point of this tasting is not simply to decide which name you recognize. It is to notice how each spirit works on its own, then judge what happens when it is mixed.

The experience does not list the exact brands, agave varieties, or production methods served. You should not expect a detailed catalog of every pour before arriving. The value comes from sampling several expressions in one sitting and paying attention to your own preferences.

One drinker found the smoky character of the mezcal more appealing than the tequila. That is a useful clue if you have always assumed tequila would be your clear favorite. Mezcal can bring a smoky flavor that changes the whole profile of a cocktail, and this tasting gives you a direct way to test that for yourself.

Take small sips. Seventeen tastings can add up quickly, even when each individual pour is modest. You will get more from the session if you notice the aroma and finish instead of treating every sample like a shot.

Comparing the Viva Mexico cocktails

After the spirits are tasted on their own, you create several specialty cocktails from the Viva Mexico menu. Both tequila and mezcal are used with different fruits, allowing you to compare how the spirits respond to sweet and fresh flavors.

This is where the activity becomes practical for your next night out. A spirit that seems sharp or smoky on its own may work well with fruit. Another may lose its character once mixed. You get to judge the balance rather than relying on a general rule that tequila is lighter or mezcal is smokier.

The exact cocktail recipes and fruit choices are not provided, so you should not book this expecting a fixed list of named drinks. The menu is described as Viva Mexico, with several specialty cocktails, but the available information does not spell out every combination.

I like this format because it connects tasting with drinking. A neat pour tells you what the spirit tastes like. A cocktail tells you how useful that flavor can be in a real bar setting.

You receive 17 alcoholic tastings in total, followed by a complete cocktail for travelers aged 18 and older. The complete drink is based on your favorite cocktail from the tasting. That final choice gives the evening a clear finish instead of leaving you with a string of small samples and no drink you actually want to enjoy.

The free show and the dancing

La Catrina Cantina adds entertainment throughout the tasting. The included show is not a side note. The experience specifically encourages you to bring your dancing shoes, so expect a lively atmosphere rather than a hushed bar.

The entertainment received especially strong praise. Service and the show were highlighted as major reasons the evening worked so well, and the bar’s aesthetic was also part of the appeal. You will probably get the most from this activity if you enjoy music, audience participation, and a little movement between tastings.

The performers’ names are not provided, so I cannot promise a particular act or style of show. The program may also depend on the night. What you can count on from the description is live entertainment, a free show, and an atmosphere built around celebration.

Tipping is strongly encouraged. Set aside cash or another convenient way to tip the bartenders, staff, and entertainers. Tips are not included in the stated inclusions, and the provider specifically asks you to remember everyone who helps make the evening happen.

What the tasting includes, and what it does not

The included package covers the alcoholic tastings and one complete cocktail for adults 18 and older. The free show is also included. That combination makes the experience more than a flight at a bar, since you are paying for a guided comparison, entertainment, and a final drink.

Dinner is not included. Neither are additional drinks or food. If you arrive hungry, plan to eat before the activity or budget for a separate meal at the cantina.

This point affects the value. If you compare the experience with the price of ordering one cocktail, 17 tastings and a full drink may make it attractive. If you compare it with a dinner show, you must remember that a meal is not part of the package.

The absence of dinner can also be useful. You are not locked into a set meal, and you can choose what to eat before or after in Zona Romántica. Just do not treat the tasting as a substitute for dinner.

How the two-hour format affects the evening

At about two hours, the activity is long enough to sample several drinks without taking over your entire night. You can schedule dinner before or after, and the return to the same meeting point keeps the plan simple.

The pace is likely to be steady. You have the costume, neat pours, cocktail comparisons, entertainment, and final drink all within one evening. If you want time for detailed questions about every spirit, two hours may feel short.

For most people, that brisk pace is a benefit. Alcohol tastings work best before your palate and attention fade. Drink water when available, keep your sips small, and avoid arriving with the idea that every tasting must be finished quickly.

The activity is for adults 18 and older because alcohol is included. The provided information does not describe a nonalcoholic version, so this is not a good choice if you do not drink.

Who will enjoy this La Catrina experience?

I would recommend this for couples, friends, and solo visitors who want an easy evening activity with a social feel. It suits people who are curious about mezcal but do not know how it differs from tequila, as well as tequila drinkers who want to test smoky spirits without committing to a full bottle or large pour.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy themed venues. The costume, cantina setting, cocktail menu, and show all work together. You are getting a night out, not just a lesson about alcohol.

It may be less suitable for someone seeking a quiet, highly technical tasting. The experience does not promise brand details, production lectures, or a formal spirits certification. The entertainment can also be a drawback if you want to focus on every flavor without distraction.

I would be cautious about booking if stairs create a serious access problem. Service animals are allowed, but step-free access is not stated. Ask La Catrina Cantina directly before paying if you need specific accessibility arrangements.

Making sense of the value

The best way to judge the value is to count what you would otherwise pay for separately. You receive 17 tastings, several specialty cocktail comparisons, one complete cocktail, and a show. You also get the social setting and the costume element.

The strongest value is for someone who wants variety. Ordering tequila and mezcal cocktails one by one can become expensive, and you would still have trouble comparing them in a controlled sequence. Here, the tasting lets you sample both spirits with the same general cocktail concept.

The value is weaker if your main goal is dinner or a single premium drink. Food is extra, and the available information does not identify specific brands or promise high-end pours. You are paying for range and entertainment as much as for the alcohol itself.

The positive feedback centers on friendly service, delicious drinks, and lively entertainment. Miguel was singled out for friendly bartending, and the staff helped create a welcoming mood. That suggests the human side of the evening is a major part of what you are buying.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

Confirmation is received at booking. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time.

Cancellation within 24 hours is not refundable, and changes made within that window are not accepted. Keep the local Puerto Vallarta time in mind when making changes.

The meeting point and ending point are the same: La Catrina Cantina. The activity is offered in English, and it is near public transportation. Since the tour includes alcohol, arrange your evening so you do not need to drive afterward.

Wear something that allows you to move comfortably, especially if you plan to dance. You may be given a costume to wear during the experience, and the venue includes stairs, so practical clothing and shoes are sensible.

Should you book the mezcal and tequila tasting?

Book it if you want a playful cantina night, a clear tequila-versus-mezcal comparison, and plenty of drinks packed into two hours. The combination of 17 tastings, a final cocktail, and live entertainment gives the evening more variety than a basic bar flight.

Skip it if you want dinner included, a quiet spirits class, or detailed information about specific producers. Also ask about stairs before booking if access is important to you.

For most adults spending an evening in Zona Romántica, this is a strong choice for fun and variety. Bring a light appetite, pace yourself, budget for tips and food, and leave room for dancing.

FAQ

Where does the mezcal and tequila tasting take place?

It takes place at La Catrina Cantina, located at Lázaro Cárdenas 315B in Zona Romántica, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the experience end?

It ends back at La Catrina Cantina, the same place where you meet.

How many tastings are included?

You receive 17 alcoholic tastings, followed by one complete cocktail based on your favorite.

Is the activity available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is food included?

No. Dinner, food, and any additional drinks are not included.

Is entertainment included?

Yes. A free show is included, and the activity includes entertainment during the tasting.

What is the cancellation policy?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted and are not refundable.