Finca 18 Puerto Vallarta Tequila Tour + Chocolate Pairing

Finca 18 gives you something most Puerto Vallarta tastings cannot: a look at agave growing and spirit making on a family ranch. You walk the 12-acre property, see the nursery and fields, visit the distillery, then sit down for five or more pours paired with Mexican chocolate.

I like the small group size, capped at 10, and the warm, personal hosting from people such as Greg, Mario, Alex, Emily, and Javier. I also like that the tasting includes more than tequila, with mezcal, raicilla, and other agave spirits presented side by side. The main drawback is the location. Finca 18 sits well outside central Puerto Vallarta, and the included two-hour visit does not include transportation or a full meal.

Key points to know before you book

• A working ranch outside the city: Finca 18 sits at kilometer 18 near Ixtapa, away from the hotel zone and central Puerto Vallarta.
• A small-group format: The experience allows a maximum of 10 people, which leaves room for questions and conversation.
• More than a tequila tasting: You may taste tequila, mezcal, raicilla, and other small-batch agave spirits.
• Chocolate is worth adding: The award-winning Mexican chocolate pairing adds a second set of flavors to each pour.
• Snacks are light: Guacamole, cooked agave, dehydrated ranch snacks, and water are included, but you should eat before arriving.
• Plan your ride: Uber, public transportation, or a separately arranged transfer may work, but the experience begins and ends at Finca 18.

Why Finca 18 feels different from a city tasting

Puerto Vallarta has plenty of places where you can sip tequila at a bar. Finca 18 takes you out to the source. The property has more than 150 years of family roots in the Puerto Vallarta area, and the visit uses that setting to explain how agave spirits begin in the soil and end in a bottle.

That distinction matters. You are not simply comparing pours while someone recites a few facts. You walk past agave plants, see the ranch buildings, and visit the production area. The process becomes easier to understand when you can connect each stage with a real place.

Finca 18 is also a small operation. The spirits are made in limited batches, and no two batches are exactly alike. That gives the tasting an artisanal feel, but it also means the selection can change. You should arrive ready to taste what is being produced now, not expecting a fixed menu of familiar commercial brands.

The guides add much to the experience. Greg is often described as an engaging host with a strong grasp of the craft, while Mario has led property tours and helped with transportation questions. Alex, Emily, Javier, and Beau have also hosted portions of the experience. Your guide may vary, but the format is built around direct conversation rather than a large scripted group.

Arriving at the ranch near Ixtapa

Finca 18 is at Carr Las Palmas KM 18 in El Colorado, near Ixtapa. From Zona Romantica, the drive can take about an hour, depending on traffic and your exact starting point. The route takes you away from the resort core and through countryside, villages, and smaller local communities.

That ride is part of the appeal, but it is also the biggest practical issue. A two-hour tasting can become a half-day outing once you add transport. If you are staying in central Puerto Vallarta, arrange your return before you leave. Uber has been used for the trip, and some people have taken a public bus back toward the city. Airport transfers have also been arranged for some bookings, sometimes for an extra fee, but transportation is not listed as included.

The meeting and ending point are the same: Finca 18. Do not assume your hotel, cruise terminal, or airport is covered. If you are visiting from a cruise ship, leave plenty of time for the ride in both directions and confirm your return plan before starting the tasting.

On arrival, you receive cold filtered water, fresh fruit, and a welcome cocktail. The drink may be a tequila mule or another house cocktail, and the team has even shared cocktail recipes with people who asked. Several friendly ranch dogs may also greet you. They are an enjoyable part of the welcome, though anyone with a fear of dogs or an allergy should keep that in mind.

Walking through 12 acres of agave country

The first formal part of the visit is a guided walk around the 12-acre estate. You see the agave nursery and fields, learn about planting and growth, and hear how the raw plant becomes an agave spirit.

This section is especially useful if you have only experienced tequila as a bottle on a shelf. The field gives you a better sense of the time and labor involved before harvesting begins. You also learn why the word tequila does not cover every spirit made from agave.

The experience can include discussion of tequila, mezcal, raicilla, and related spirits. Their methods and regional identities differ, even when they begin with the same broad family of plants. Finca 18 uses the property to explain those distinctions in plain terms, then lets you taste them later.

The grounds are a strong reason to make the trip. The ranch provides photo opportunities, open views, and a calm break from the busy hotel areas. It is a good fit for you if you prefer small family operations and working properties to polished attractions built around large crowds.

This is a walking tour, however. The property is spread across 12 acres, and the activity information says it is not recommended for people who have trouble walking. Bring comfortable shoes and expect to spend time outdoors before sitting down for the tasting.

Seeing how agave becomes a spirit

At the distillery, your guide explains the production process from the plant through cooking, fermentation, distillation, and bottling. The exact amount of activity you see can depend on the season. At some times of year, there may not be an active production step taking place, so the guide uses demonstrations and explanations instead.

That is worth knowing if you expect a factory tour with machinery running at every stage. Finca 18 is a small distillery, not a large industrial plant. The reward is a closer look at an artisanal operation, though the visit is more educational than theatrical.

The cooking stage is part of the story, and cooked agave may be available to taste. The production area helps explain why agave spirits can show notes that range from earthy and smoky to sweet, herbal, fruity, or woody. You will understand the tasting better after seeing the ingredients and equipment first.

Ask questions as you go. With no more than 10 people, you have a better chance to ask about aging, distillation, regional terms, or the differences between the bottles on the table. That personal access is one of the strongest reasons to choose Finca 18 over a large group excursion.

The five-pour tasting and chocolate pairing

After the walk, you settle in for a sommelier-style tasting led by the Finca 18 team. The experience includes at least five pours, and some sessions have included six or seven agave spirits. The lineup may include tequila, mezcal, raicilla, and other Finca 18 products.

The tasting is designed to slow you down. Rather than treating each pour as a quick shot, the guide explains how to smell, taste, compare, and notice differences among the spirits. You may also taste the same spirit from different vessels, which helps show how presentation can affect your perception.

The chocolate pairing is the part I would add. Mexican chocolate gives the tasting another layer, especially when its cocoa, spice, sweetness, or bitterness changes the way an agave spirit tastes. It is not just a dessert after the tasting. It gives you a practical lesson in pairing and helps make some of the stronger or more unusual pours easier to appreciate.

The tasting includes guacamole, dehydrated snacks made at the ranch, cooked agave, and water to cleanse your palate. These are helpful with alcohol, but they are not lunch. Eat beforehand, particularly if you are planning to sample all the pours. Extra cocktails, beer, wine, bottles, and additional pours are available for purchase.

The selection may appeal to serious tequila fans and to people who are less certain about tequila. You can compare styles instead of being expected to enjoy one narrow profile. Still, this is an alcohol-focused experience. If you do not drink, or if you prefer a full meal with your tastings, the format may not suit you.

Shopping for bottles and ranch-made gifts

The visit ends with time for photos, more conversation, and the gift shop. You can buy bottles and gifts, along with additional drinks if you want to stay a little longer.

The shopping portion is low pressure. The team explains what is available, but the visit is not built around forcing a purchase. That makes a difference if you want to taste first and decide later. You can also use the tasting to choose among styles instead of buying a bottle based only on a label.

Some people have taken home a reposado or other small-batch spirit. Selection and prices can change, so check what is available on the day. If you are flying, remember to consider airline and customs rules before buying a bottle.

The shop is not the main reason to come. It works best as a final extra after the ranch walk and tasting. If you do not plan to buy anything, you still receive the main experience through the tour, samples, chocolate, and snacks.

Is $89.41 a fair price?

At $89.41 per person, Finca 18 is not the cheapest tequila tasting in Puerto Vallarta. The price makes more sense when you count the full package: a guided ranch visit, agave fields, a distillery explanation, a welcome cocktail, at least five pours, water, snacks, and the chocolate pairing.

You are paying for access to a small property and a personal format, not just the liquid in the glasses. A large city tasting may cost less and take less time, but it will not necessarily show you an agave nursery or a working family distillery.

The value depends on your priorities. I think the price is reasonable if you want a quiet countryside setting, small-batch spirits, and a lesson in how agave drinks differ. It is less appealing if your main goal is to buy inexpensive tequila, eat a large meal, or stay close to the beach.

The chocolate pairing strengthens the value. It adds a distinct food element without turning the experience into a full culinary tour. Since it is described as an available addition, confirm whether it is already part of your booking or needs to be added separately.

Timing, comfort, and who should book

The advertised experience lasts about two hours. In practice, allow extra time for arriving, photos, questions, shopping, and your ride back. Some visits may run longer, especially when the group is engaged or transportation is being arranged.

The maximum group size is 10, a good number for conversation without making the tour feel crowded. Confirmation arrives when you book, mobile tickets are accepted, and the experience is offered in English.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The walking requirement deserves attention if you have limited mobility. The property is not presented as a fully accessible attraction, so contact Finca 18 before booking if you need specific assistance.

This experience suits:

• Adults who enjoy tequila, mezcal, raicilla, or craft spirits
• Couples looking for a quieter outing outside central Puerto Vallarta
• Families with adult children who can legally drink
• Small groups celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• People who prefer family-run operations to large commercial tours
• Anyone curious about agave farming and distillation

It is less suited to you if you want a short walk from your hotel, a hearty meal, a lively party, or a guaranteed view of active production at every stage.

Should you book Finca 18?

Book Finca 18 if you want the process behind the bottle, not just a round of drinks. The best parts are the ranch setting, the small group, the range of agave spirits, and the chocolate pairing. The guides bring warmth and useful detail, and the dogs add an easygoing ranch welcome.

Before you commit, solve the transportation question and eat a meal first. If you can accept the ride out to Ixtapa and the light snacks, this is a strong choice for a thoughtful, personal Puerto Vallarta outing.

If you are comparing it with a city tequila tour, choose Finca 18 for land, craft, and conversation. Choose the city option if convenience, nightlife, or a broader Puerto Vallarta sightseeing program matters more. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the booking is nonrefundable and changes are not accepted.

FAQ

Where is Finca 18 located?

Finca 18 is at Carr Las Palmas KM 18 in Ixtapa, Centro, 48280 El Colorado, Jalisco, Mexico. The activity begins and ends at the ranch.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately two hours. Extra time may be useful for photos, shopping, questions, and transportation.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

What is included in the tasting?

You receive five or more pours of agave spirits, a sommelier-style tasting class, a welcome cocktail, cold filtered water, guacamole, dehydrated ranch-made snacks, cooked agave, and an award-winning chocolate pairing.

Does the experience include transportation?

Transportation is not listed among the included features. You must reach Finca 18 at the meeting point and return from there. Airport transfers may be separately arranged, so confirm details before booking.

Is a full meal included?

No. The included guacamole, cooked agave, and dehydrated snacks are light tasting accompaniments rather than a full meal. Eating before arrival is advised.

Can I buy bottles and gifts?

Yes. Bottles, gifts, extra pours, beer, and wine are available for purchase at the property.

Is the activity suitable for someone who has trouble walking?

The activity is not recommended for people who have trouble walking. Most other participants can take part, and service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refundable.