Mezcal and chocolate, right in Tulum. This hands-on tasting pairs five mezcals with fine Mexican chocolates, guided by Shamira in clear English, with the agave story tied to every pour. I love that the flavors stay in focus, instead of turning into a drinks-only blur.

My second favorite part is the pacing and pairing logic, from a seasonal mezcal cocktail to snacks that make you taste differences more clearly. One thing to consider: it’s held in a residential patio area in La Veleta, so you should follow the meeting directions closely and plan to be a few minutes early.

Key highlights

• Five different mezcals matched with five chocolates, so you taste the logic, not just the alcohol
• Citrus, spicy peanuts with cacao, and grasshopper snacks that change the flavor of each pour
• A production lesson tied to agave types and origin rules, not just a sales pitch
• Small-group attention (max 10) with Shamira adjusting explanations to your questions
• Seasonal cocktail welcome plus an option to buy bottles during the experience

Mezcal and Chocolate in Tulum: Why This Pairing Works

Tulum has plenty of food and drink stops, but this one hits a sweet spot: it treats mezcal like a flavor ingredient, then shows you how chocolate can either calm it down or make it taste brighter.

You start by tasting mezcals made from different agave types. The key idea is simple: each agave choice brings its own aroma and character. Then the host helps you notice how each pour interacts with a specific chocolate and snack. That makes it less about guessing and more about learning how flavors connect.

The chocolate matters here too. The chocolates on the tasting menu have earned international recognition and awards, so you’re not just eating dessert. You’re tasting ingredients that were made to pair with spirits.

Your 2-Hour Tasting Flow: Cocktail, Mezcals, Snacks, Chocolate

Plan on about 2 hours total for the full experience. The group stays small, so you won’t feel rushed, and you should be able to ask questions as you go.

Here’s the typical flow:

• Starter welcome: a mezcal cocktail that changes with the seasons
• Mezcal tastings: you’ll sample five distinct mezcals, with the tasting structured so you move through different agave flavors in sequence
• Snacks along the way: a citrus plate, plus spicy peanuts with cacao and grasshopper snacks
• Dessert finish: five artisanal Mexican chocolates, served as part of the pairing

The order keeps your palate awake. You’re not waiting through long stretches between sips. You also get both savory and sweet notes, which is important because mezcal can swing from smoky to herbal to slightly spicy depending on the agave used.

The Star Mezcals: Espadín, Silvestre, and the Other Agave Expressions

You’ll taste five different mezcals made from different agave types. That’s the whole point of the experience: to understand why mezcal can taste so different from bottle to bottle.

From the tasting menu examples, you’ll definitely run into:

• Mezcal Espadín
• Mezcal Silvestre

Espadín is one of the best-known agaves for mezcal, and it often serves as a baseline for the tasting so you can compare later pours. Silvestre expressions tend to feel more wild and distinct in character, and that contrast is what helps you understand the role agave plays.

What about the other three mezcals? You’ll sample additional agave styles as part of the five-mezcal lineup. Even if you don’t know their names going in, you’ll learn to read the flavor cues the host points out—so you leave with a usable mental map for shopping later.

Snacks That Change the Pour: Citrus, Cacao, and Grasshoppers

This is where the tasting gets fun, and also where it becomes educational in a very practical way.

You’ll start with a citrus plate, which is a smart match for mezcal tasting because citrus can sharpen aromas and make smoky notes feel less heavy. Then you’ll move into more intense pairings, like spicy peanuts with cacao and grasshopper snacks.

Yes, grasshoppers. One past guest even described the pairing as surprisingly tasty, with a garlicky, spicy edge that worked with the mezcal. If you’re curious but nervous, consider this your low-risk try: you can taste, learn, and decide what you like without needing to commit to a whole meal built around it.

If you’re the type who usually skips adventurous snacks, you’ll still probably enjoy this part for the lesson alone. The host uses these pairings to show you how taste changes when you add salty, smoky, spicy, herbal, or acidic elements to the mix.

Agave 101: Production, Legends, and What Origin Really Means

The mezcal education here doesn’t sit off to the side. It’s braided into the pours.

As you taste, you’ll hear about:

• the history and legends of mezcal
• how mezcal is produced, from plant handling to what ends up on shelves
• why mezcal’s rules and standards matter

The agave part is especially important. The host explains that mezcal is made artisanally across Mexico and is tied to strict production standards, including a denomination of origin. That’s not trivia. For you, it’s a shortcut to making better choices when you’re buying a bottle later.

One practical tip that comes up in the experience: Shamira shares guidance on how to spot authentic mezcal, including attention to the percentage-related details you’ll see on bottles. You don’t need to memorize anything complicated. The value is learning how to ask better questions in a store, so you don’t end up with something that tastes fine but isn’t what you thought you were buying.

Fine Mexican Chocolates That Earn Awards (and How They Pair)

Chocolate tasting can go two ways: either it’s vague (“this is good”), or it’s paired with a purpose. This experience does the second one.

You’ll try five different fine Mexican chocolates as part of the tasting, matched to what you’re sipping. The host guides you to notice differences in how each chocolate affects the mezcal’s flavor—whether it amplifies smoke, softens heat, highlights fruit notes, or makes certain herbal aromas feel clearer.

The chocolates are also described as award-winning. That matters because award recognition usually reflects craft, balance, and consistent flavor. In other words, the chocolate isn’t a random sweet add-on. It’s built to be tasted.

If you love chocolate, you’ll likely find this more satisfying than a generic dessert stop. If you’re more of a mezcal person, the chocolates still work as palate tools. After a few pairings, you start to understand what kinds of sweetness and cacao flavors make the spirit taste better, not just sweeter.

La Veleta Patio Setting: Intimate, Local, and Actually Comfortable

The tasting meets at Zona Nove. 9 Sur entre Calle 6 Sur y 4 Sur, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico, and the experience ends back at the same meeting point.

One detail that can surprise people: this isn’t a big hotel lobby or a storefront tasting room. It’s hosted at Shamira’s residential patio, turned into a welcoming event space. Reviews describe it as secure and beautifully decorated, with a friendly, professional vibe. Think: calmer atmosphere, better conversation, and fewer distractions.

Because the setting is intimate, small-group format feels real. You can ask questions without talking over music, and you’re not stuck in a line waiting your turn.

If you’re using a rideshare or cab, plan to arrive ready to find the meeting point on foot. The host meets people outside and brings you into the patio setup from there.

Price and Value in Tulum: What $89.61 Buys You

At $89.61 per person for about 2 hours, this tasting isn’t cheap, but it also isn’t vague.

You’re paying for:

• multiple pours (welcome cocktail plus five mezcals)
• snacks that are part of the pairing plan (citrus, spicy peanuts with cacao, grasshoppers)
• five chocolates, chosen for pairing and described as award-winning
• a guided explanation that connects flavor, agave types, and production standards
• small-group attention, capped at 10 people

That means your money goes to ingredients and host time, not just the setting. If you’ve ever done a basic tasting where you get a few sips and a quick speech, this is built to be different: the pace and the pairings are meant to help you learn what to buy and what to avoid.

One more practical note: the experience is often booked ahead (on average around 18 days), so if your dates are fixed, don’t wait until the last minute.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Skip It)

This is a great fit if you:

• enjoy food-and-drink experiences that teach you what you’re tasting
• want a real pairing session, not just a sip sampler
• like learning about Mexican culture through what people actually make and drink
• are pairing-minded: you want the chocolate lesson as much as the mezcal one

It can also work for mixed groups. In at least one case, someone in the group didn’t drink alcohol, and Shamira provided non-alcohol options like organic coffee and fresh juices, so that person could still enjoy the tasting format and aroma-led experience.

You might consider skipping if:

• you don’t want to try adventurous snacks like grasshoppers
• you prefer a more traditional bar-style drinking experience and don’t want a patio sit-down format

My Booking Decision: Should You Reserve This Tasting?

If you like mezcal, love chocolate, or even just want a smart, fun introduction to both, I’d book this. The biggest reason is the structure: five mezcals, paired snacks, and five chocolates, all connected to how agave flavor and production rules affect the end result.

Add in a small group limit and Shamira’s friendly, English-speaking guidance, and you get a session that feels personal without being fussy.

One last practical point: plans can change, and you can cancel for a full refund if you give enough notice (up to 24 hours in advance).

FAQ

How long is the Artisanal Mezcal and Fine Chocolate Tasting in Tulum?

It runs for about 2 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The group size is limited to a maximum of 10 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

It is offered in English.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll try a seasonal mezcal cocktail, sample five distinct mezcals, enjoy traditional snacks (including a citrus plate and spicy peanuts with cacao and grasshopper snacks), and finish with five fine Mexican chocolates.

Where does the experience start?

The meeting point is ZONA NOVEC. 9 Sur entre CALLE 6 SUR Y 4 SUR, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico.

Do I need a print ticket?

No. It uses a mobile ticket.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Can most people participate?

Most people can participate.

Is there an opportunity to buy mezcal bottles?

There is an opportunity to purchase a few special bottles during the experience.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, there is no refund.