Mezcal vs. Tequila Cocktail Tasting in a Cantina

The main appeal here is the side-by-side test: you taste tequila and mezcal by themselves, then see how each spirit changes when mixed with fruit and other cocktail ingredients. It is a more useful introduction than simply ordering one drink and hoping you like it.

I like the small group cap of 15 people, and I like that the two-hour session ends with a full cocktail made to your taste. The lively entertainment, costume, and Zona Romántica location add plenty of local character. The drawback is simple: this is a bar-based tasting, not a quiet lesson in agave production, and dinner is not included.

Key points to know

• Seventeen tastings are included, followed by one complete cocktail.
• Tequila and mezcal are compared directly, first neat and then in mixed drinks.
• A Mexican costume is part of the fun, so expect a playful, social evening.
• Live entertainment is included, with dancing encouraged.
• La Catrina Cantina is in Zona Romántica, at Lázaro Cárdenas 315B.
• The group is limited to 15 people, and the activity returns to the starting point.

A tequila and mezcal tasting with a party atmosphere

La Catrina Cantina’s experience is built around comparison. You begin with tequila and mezcal on their own, then try several specialty cocktails from the cantina’s Viva Mexico menu. The point is not only to drink, but to notice how the two spirits behave with different fruits and cocktail combinations.

That makes this a good choice if you know tequila but have little experience with mezcal, or if you usually avoid one of them because of a bad first impression. A smoky mezcal can taste very different from a bright tequila, and mixing either one with fruit can change the balance quite a bit.

The experience lasts about two hours. That is long enough for a proper tasting without taking over your whole evening in Puerto Vallarta. You finish at the same place where you begin, which makes planning dinner, drinks, or a walk through Zona Romántica easy.

What happens when you arrive at La Catrina Cantina

You meet at La Catrina Cantina, located at Lázaro Cárdenas 315B in the Zona Romántica area of Puerto Vallarta. The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book.

The first unusual touch is the Mexican costume. You are outfitted before the tasting begins, so this is not a formal spirits seminar. It is meant to feel like a festive night out, with the costume helping set the mood from the start.

I would plan to arrive ready for a social setting. The cantina has a strong visual style, and the evening includes entertainers, music, and dancing. If you prefer a quiet bar where you can take notes and discuss production methods at length, this may feel too lively. If you want drinks, conversation, and a little theater, the setting fits well.

The small maximum group of 15 matters here. A tasting with too many people can turn into a crowded bar session where it is hard to hear or ask questions. This group size should make it easier to follow the progression and interact with the bartenders, though the entertainment remains an important part of the night.

First taste: tequila and mezcal on their own

The tasting starts with the spirits served by themselves. This is the most useful part for comparison because mixers are not yet covering up the character of the tequila or mezcal.

Tequila is made from blue agave, while mezcal can be produced from several types of agave. The information provided for this activity does not specify the individual brands, agave varieties, or production regions, so you should not expect a detailed producer-by-producer tasting. Still, beginning with both spirits neat gives you a clear baseline before the cocktails arrive.

This is also where you may discover that your usual preference changes. One person might find tequila cleaner and easier to drink, while another may prefer the smoky character of mezcal. A previous tasting guest specifically shifted from tequila toward mezcal after noticing the smoky flavors served at the cantina.

That detail is useful if you are unsure about mezcal. You do not have to commit to a full glass. The tasting format lets you try small portions first, then decide which spirit works best for you in a finished drink.

Drink slowly. Seventeen tastings is a substantial amount of alcohol, even if each sample is small. The experience is designed for adults aged 18 and older, and alcohol is included only for participants who meet that requirement.

The Viva Mexico cocktail comparison

After the neat pours, the tasting moves into specialty cocktails from the Viva Mexico menu. The same broad question continues: how do tequila and mezcal work with fruit?

This is where the activity becomes more playful and practical. A spirit that seems too smoky or sharp on its own may work very well with fruit. Tequila may provide a cleaner base, while mezcal can add a noticeable smoky layer. The cocktails let you compare those effects in a way that makes sense if you plan to order drinks during the rest of your stay.

You receive a total of 17 tastings. The supplied details do not identify every cocktail, fruit, or recipe, so you should not book this expecting a published tasting chart. The exact lineup may be less important than the chance to sample several combinations without buying a full cocktail each time.

At the end, the staff makes you a complete version of your favorite cocktail. This is one of the strongest parts of the value. You are not left with a string of tiny samples and no proper drink. Instead, you finish with the cocktail you liked best, made as a full serving.

If you are attending with a partner or friends, compare notes as you go. You may prefer tequila in one style and mezcal in another. That is more useful than trying to choose a single winner.

Entertainment, costumes, and dancing

The free show is a major part of the evening. Several entertainers perform during the tasting, and dancing is encouraged. This changes the tone from a standard bar tasting to a night of food-free entertainment with drinks at the center.

I like this combination for a first evening in Puerto Vallarta, especially if you want a social activity rather than a museum-style tour. The cantina’s Mexican costume and decorative atmosphere give you something memorable to do besides sit at a table.

The entertainment can also make the time pass quickly. Two hours is a good length for a show and tasting, but the evening may feel less focused on spirits once the performances begin. If you are hoping for a serious explanation of distillation, barrel aging, agave cooking, or regional differences, the supplied details do not promise that level of instruction.

Think of the show as part of what you are paying for. The bartenders and entertainers are both central to the experience. Tipping is strongly encouraged, so budget for tips to the staff and performers in addition to the booking price.

What the experience includes, and what it does not

The package includes 17 alcoholic tastings and one complete cocktail for adults aged 18 and older. It also includes the free show and the costume experience.

Dinner is not included. Additional drinks and food are also not included, so do not arrive assuming this replaces an evening meal. If you need dinner, plan it before or after the tasting, or allow for a separate purchase at the cantina if available. The supplied details do not confirm a food menu or meal service.

This matters when you judge the value. The experience gives you a generous tasting sequence, entertainment, and a full cocktail, but it is not an all-inclusive night out. The best comparison is with a cocktail flight or organized bar tasting that also includes live entertainment, not with a dinner show.

The value is strongest for someone who wants variety. Buying several full cocktails separately would make it harder to compare spirits and could cost more, while also leaving you with drinks you may not enjoy. Here, the samples let you experiment before settling on your favorite.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Vallarta activity

I would recommend this for adults who enjoy cocktails, lively bars, and interactive evenings. It fits couples, friends, and small groups who want an activity with a festive tone.

It is especially suitable if:

• You want a first introduction to mezcal.
• You normally order tequila and want to compare it with something smokier.
• You like fruit-based cocktails.
• You enjoy live entertainment and dancing.
• You are staying near Zona Romántica.
• You prefer a small group instead of a large organized tour.

It may not suit you if you want a quiet tasting, a detailed spirits lecture, or a meal included in the booking. It also may not be ideal if you do not drink alcohol, since the central feature is the 17-pour tasting and final cocktail.

The activity is offered in English, which helps if you want the tasting explained in that language. Service animals are allowed. The location is near public transportation, but stairs are part of the setting, so anyone concerned about mobility should keep that in mind.

Practical timing and cancellation advice

The experience lasts approximately two hours and ends back at La Catrina Cantina. Since there is no transfer to another location, you do not need to arrange a return ride as part of the activity.

A mobile ticket is accepted, which is convenient for a night out. Confirmation arrives at booking. Because the tasting includes alcohol, I would avoid scheduling it immediately before an important reservation or long excursion. Give yourself time to enjoy it at an easy pace.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted. The cutoff follows Puerto Vallarta local time, so check the clock carefully if your plans change.

Is this tasting worth booking?

Book it if you want a social Puerto Vallarta night built around mezcal, tequila, cocktails, and entertainment. The 17 tastings give you real variety, and the final full cocktail makes the format feel more worthwhile than a simple sample flight.

I would choose it for a fun introduction to mezcal, especially if you are curious about smoky flavors but do not want to buy a full drink before testing them. The lively show and costume make it more memorable than a standard bar stop.

Skip it if your main goal is technical education, a peaceful tasting room, or dinner. For everyone else, La Catrina Cantina offers a compact, playful way to compare two important Mexican spirits while keeping the evening centered in Zona Romántica.

FAQ

Where does the mezcal and tequila tasting take place?

It takes place at La Catrina Cantina, Lázaro Cárdenas 315B, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

How many tastings are included?

You receive a total of 17 tastings.

Do I receive a full cocktail?

Yes. After the tasting, the staff makes you a complete cocktail based on your favorite option.

Are both tequila and mezcal included?

Yes. You taste both spirits on their own and then compare them in specialty cocktails.

Is food included?

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

Is entertainment included?

Yes. A free show with several entertainers is included, and dancing is encouraged.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.