Mezcal day trips can be surprisingly fun. I really like how this tour mixes hands-on agave and production with a mobile barrel cart that keeps the day moving, not just watching. One thing to consider: there’s no breakfast, and it’s a full 6-hour schedule centered on drinking tastings, so plan to eat beforehand and pace yourself.

In Oaxaca City, the day starts at 9:00 am at Mal de Amor Mezcal y Cocktail Room (Hidalgo 513, near the Alameda de León). You’ll likely travel with a small group (max 15), with an English-speaking guide and pickup offered, so it feels more personal than the big-bus crowds.

Key things I’d bank on before you go

• Agave production with real detail: agave garden visit, production steps, and maturation cellars
• Tastings in multiple styles: young, rested, aged, wild, and other labeled categories
• A cart through Santiago Matatlán: a barrel-shaped ride along maguey roads, plus plantation rituals
• Pulquería stop is part of the deal: pulque plus aguamiel, tepache, and cured meats
• Small group energy (up to 15): easier questions, less standing around

Why This Mal de Amor Mezcal Tour Makes Sense for Most Visitors

If you’re new to mezcal, you don’t just get handed a cup. You get a structured tasting, with a guide walking you through how to taste and what to look for in aromas, flavors, and finishes. That turns a “try a few sips” day into something you can actually remember, and it helps you understand why two mezcals can taste totally different even when they’re from the same broad region.

I also like the way the tour balances “how it’s made” with “where the plant grows.” You’ll see the mezcal agave garden, then head out along maguey roads to Santiago Matatlán, where the day includes a maguey plantation ritual and a pulquería tasting. It’s more rounded than the tours that only focus on the distillery.

The main drawback is simple: it’s an alcohol-focused day with tastings across multiple stops and no breakfast included. If you’re sensitive to alcohol, or you prefer a lighter pace, plan to eat before pickup and keep your water coming.

Getting There: Pickup, Start Time, and Where to Meet

The tour meets at Mal de Amor Mezcal y Cocktail Room, Hidalgo 513, with directions described as entering via 20 de noviembre. It’s located near the Alameda de León, and the start time is 9:00 am.

Pickup is offered, which matters because the day runs about 6 hours and includes travel out of the city. If you’re staying in Oaxaca City, pickup can save you from figuring out taxis or buses on a tight timeline. And if you’re taking public transportation, the meeting area is noted as being near transit.

Since the day starts in the morning, I suggest you treat it like a real “day plan,” not a casual stroll. Bring a light layer for the time outdoors, and keep a little patience for the road—this is a tour that moves between production, tasting, and agave fields.

Stop 1 at Palenque Mal De Amor: Agave Garden + Production You Can Actually Follow

The first stop is at Palenque Mal De Amor, starting with a tour of the mezcal agave garden. This is where the day gives you the foundation: you’ll see the maguey/mezcal agave environment and hear explanations about artisanal mezcal production, including what’s happening at each step.

What I like here is that you’re not just observing. The stop includes explanation and participation in the production process of artisanal mezcal and packaging. That “do and see” approach makes it easier to understand later tastings, because you’ll connect styles to process.

Then you shift into the maturation side. You’ll tour the mezcal maturation cellars described as having maturation in glass jugs, plus you’ll hear about resting and aging of mezcal in barrels. That pairing—seeing the production context and then understanding what maturation does—sets you up to taste more thoughtfully at the next stop.

Possible consideration: if you’re expecting a long, hands-on distillery workshop, this part is still a guided tour rather than a full DIY class. It’s detailed, but it’s paced to fit everything into the day.

Stop 2: Guided Mezcal Tasting With Categories, Agaves, and Organs of Flavor

Stop 2 is the tasting block at Palenque Mal De Amor. You’ll sample multiple artisan mezcals, including styles described as young, rested, mouthful, aged, ensembles, wild, and versions described as distilled with and matured with. The guide also covers how to taste a mezcal, category breakdowns, diversity of agaves, and what “denomination of origin” means in practical terms.

This is one of the most valuable parts of the experience because mezcal is easy to taste randomly and hard to understand without a framework. When you get guided tastings, you learn what to pay attention to—aroma first, then flavor, then how long it lingers. Even if you don’t become a mezcal expert by the end of the day, you’ll leave with a more useful palate.

The guide also focuses on organoleptic characteristics, which is basically a fancy way of saying you’ll talk about what you can detect through the senses. That’s helpful for you because it turns tasting into something you can repeat later when you’re buying bottles or ordering drinks.

If you’re comparing mezcals, this stop is where the differences show up. Young vs. rested vs. aged can feel like totally separate spirits. Wild agave styles (as presented here) add another layer of complexity that you can’t get from a single “one bottle, one sip” approach.

Stop 3 in Santiago Matatlán: Barrel-Shaped Cart, Plantation Rituals, and a Pulquería Break

The third stop takes you out into the agave fields of Santiago Matatlán, and the transportation adds a lot of character. You’ll ride aboard a barrel-shaped cart along the maguey roads. That’s not just a cute detail—it keeps you moving through the landscape while still being part of a guided day.

In the plantation, there are rituals with mezcal in a maguey plantation. I appreciate that this isn’t presented like a performance for tourists. It’s folded into the setting of where the plant grows and where the culture connects to production and drinking.

Then comes the pulquería visit, which is a smart twist if you think of Oaxaca only as mezcal country. You’ll taste pulque along with cured meats, aguamiel, and tepache. Those pairings matter because they give you something savory and sweet/tangy to contrast the drinks. You don’t have to “mezcal everything all day.” You get a fuller picture of regional alcohol culture.

Possible drawback: it’s a lot of sampling in one outing—mezcal here, pulque and other drinks there. Pace yourself, use water, and don’t feel pressured to finish everything just because it’s served.

Guides and Group Size: The Difference Between Watching and Learning

This tour caps at a maximum of 15 travelers, which changes the feel. With a smaller group, you’re more likely to get answers rather than one-way explanations. It also helps for a tasting day, because you can hear instructions and adjust your sampling without being lost in a crowd.

The reviews highlight strong guide communication. Maryori is described as a brilliant tour guide, with plenty of history and lots of samples. Vladimir is credited with communicating every step, conducting the tour himself, and driving guests back. Alejandro is mentioned as the guide for the bus-style portion through the fields, with a fun, informative approach.

There’s also a kind-of-under-the-radar benefit from the service side: one review mentions that Vladimir suggested a lunch place on the way back, and he even returned a forgotten fan. That doesn’t change the actual itinerary, but it tells you something about care and responsiveness—small things that make a day feel smoother.

Since the tour is offered in English and service animals are allowed, it’s built to be welcoming for a broad range of visitors.

What’s Included (and What You Should Plan for)

Here’s the practical breakdown of what you’re covered for. Bottled water is included during the tour, and the cost includes payment for the mobile barrel/cart experience, transportation, and mezcal tastings.

You’ll also get admission tickets included for the stops, which matters because it’s not just “go look and walk around.” You’re entering specific parts of the operation and participating in the guided tastings.

Breakfast is not included. That’s important because the day starts at 9:00 am and tastings come early. Eat something simple beforehand if you can—then you can focus on flavors instead of just coping with a hunger buzz.

Lunch isn’t listed as included either, though one guide suggestion is mentioned by a reviewer as happening on the way back. So have a plan for food after the tour, even if it’s just finding a reliable spot once you’re back in Oaxaca City.

Price Check: Is $71.73 Good Value?

At $71.73 per person, you’re paying for a lot more than a “quick distillery visit.” You’re paying for a structured day with transportation out of town, admission to the on-site experiences, a tasting program with multiple mezcal styles, and a pulquería stop that includes pulque plus aguamiel, tepache, and cured meats.

The value comes from two places. First, you’re getting both production context and sensory training, so you’re not leaving with random impressions. Second, you’re getting more than one type of alcohol experience—mezcal production and tastings plus a pulque break. That mix is hard to assemble on your own without a lot of coordination.

Also, the small group size (up to 15) supports the idea that you’re paying for access to a guide who can keep things moving and answer questions. If you’ve ever done a bigger tour where tastings happen while you’re stuck in line, you’ll understand why this matters.

Bottom line: if you want a full Oaxaca mezcal day that covers production, tasting, and agave fields without feeling like a tourist checklist, this price feels reasonable.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This tour is a strong match if:

• you’re visiting Oaxaca City for the first time and want a complete mezcal-and-agave day
• you want guided tasting help rather than random sips
• you like learning how spirits are made and how maturation changes flavor
• you want to see the agave fields around Santiago Matatlán, not only the city sites

It may be less ideal if:

• you prefer food-only experiences and want to avoid alcohol-forward tours
• you dislike long tasting sessions
• you need breakfast included or early meals provided by the tour itself

If you’re flexible and ready for a full day, it’s built for you. You get a clear flow: garden and production, tastings with guidance, then fields and pulquería.

Should You Book Mal de Amor’s Mezcal and Agave Fields Tour?

I’d book it if you want your Oaxaca mezcal day to feel educational and well paced, not just a slideshow of barrels. The combination of production explanation, guided tastings with categories, and the out-of-town agave field ride plus pulquería makes it a genuinely efficient use of your time.

Also, the guide quality signals are strong, with names like Maryori, Vladimir, and Alejandro showing up in reviews alongside examples of extra care and fun, informative guiding. And with a max group size of 15, you’re less likely to get swallowed by the crowd.

Just be smart about the one real drawback: no breakfast and a day centered on alcohol tastings. Eat beforehand, hydrate, and pace your sampling. Do that, and you’ll get a lot more out of every stop.

FAQ

How long is the Mal de Amor Mezcal and Agave Fields tour?

It runs about 6 hours (approx.).

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $71.73 per person.

Is pickup offered from Oaxaca City?

Yes, pickup is offered.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

What’s included besides the mezcal tastings?

Bottled water is included, and admission tickets are included for the stops. The cost also includes transportation and the mobile barrel/cart experience.

Is breakfast included?

No, breakfast is not included.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Mal de Amor Mezcal y Cocktail Room, Hidalgo 513, entering via 20 de noviembre, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, near the Alameda de León.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.