Tequila and mezcal in Tulum hits different. I like the guided comparison of 3 artisanal tequilas and 3 mezcals, and I like the hands-on pairing snacks, including grasshoppers and crickets. One thing to keep in mind: the meeting spot is outside central Tulum, so plan on using a taxi to get there cleanly.

This is a 2-hour private tasting session in English that starts at 6:00 pm, with your group only. Led by Juan Carlos Aceves, with certifications from the European Bartender School in New York and tequilier training via Jose Cuervo, you’ll get a step-by-step guide plus a tasting attendance certificate.

At $50 per person, it can feel like a splurge if you just want something quick to drink. The payoff is that you’re not only tasting—you’re learning how to notice differences, pair flavors, and order more confidently later.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Six tastings in one sitting: 3 tequilas and 3 mezcals, designed for side-by-side comparisons
• Snack pairings that push your palate: fruit, cheese, grasshoppers, and crickets
• A real guide, not just pour-and-go: Juan Carlos Aceves brings European Bartender School training and Jose Cuervo tequilier experience
• A structured format: step-by-step guide and a tasting attendance certificate
• Practical tasting tools: breathing methods show up during tastings, not just small talk
• English experience with a mobile ticket and a straightforward start/end at the meeting point

Tequila Meets Mezcal: What This 2-Hour Tasting Really Does

If tequila and mezcal are your vacation drink choices, this kind of tasting changes the way you notice flavor. You get a set of six pours—three tequilas and three mezcals—so you can actually compare, not just sample.

The best part is that the session is set up to make you slow down. You’ll taste, then you’ll talk through what you’re smelling and noticing, and you’ll pair the sips with snacks picked to react with the spirits. That matters because mezcal and tequila can taste similar at first sip, but the details show up when you give your palate a little guidance.

You should also expect that the night stays fun. A tasting session like this is the kind of experience where you may get a bit tipsy, but it’s not a party crawl. The goal is learning how the spirits differ and how to match them with food.

Meet Juan Carlos Aceves in La Veleta (and Find the Place Without Stress)

You start at Burke Brothers Cafe in La Veleta, at Avenida Guardianes Maya MZ50 Lote 4 LC1, C. 9 Pte. Esq, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. The session begins at 6:00 pm, and it ends back at the meeting point.

This matters for two reasons. First, the address is specific, and the location is outside the main downtown drag, so don’t assume you’ll wander into it by accident. Second, because the session ends back at the meeting point, it helps to have your ride sorted before you start tasting.

Here’s my simple approach: take a taxi there, then confirm a pick-up plan for after the tasting. Once the tasting is over, you’ll want a smooth exit more than you’ll want to “see what’s around the corner.”

Your Lineup: 3 Artesanal Tequilas and 3 Mezcals

This tasting is built around a clear lineup: 3 artesanal tequilas and 3 mezcals. That six-part structure gives you a chance to notice patterns across types.

You’ll learn the distinct characteristics of each spirit and the subtle differences that shape flavor and aroma. Even if you’re not a hardcore drink nerd, you’ll walk away with a better sense of what to look for next time you’re buying tequila or mezcal.

A few things I love about this format:

• You’re not stuck with just one bottle or one style. You’re comparing multiple options.
• The pacing is designed for noticing. This is a slower way to drink, and it usually means a better experience.
• The tour isn’t only about taste. You also get a guide and a certificate, which makes it feel more intentional than a casual tasting flight.

Snacks That Actually Teach You Something

A tasting that only hands you tiny cups can feel like homework you didn’t ask for. Here, the pairing snacks help make the learning stick.

You’ll get snacks such as fruits, cheese, grasshoppers, and crickets—all included specifically to pair with what you’re drinking. That’s not random. The idea is to change your palate between sips so you can detect differences more clearly.

Even if you’re not sure you’ll try the insects, it helps to remember they’re not there for shock value. They’re included as part of the pairing experience, which means they serve a real purpose in how the flavors register.

If you’re squeamish, go in with a plan: take a small bite first, then sip. You’ll learn faster that way and you won’t feel rushed.

The Breathing and Step-by-Step Guide Factor

One of the most useful parts of this session is that it’s structured. You get a tasting attendance certificate plus a step-by-step guide, and the host guides how you approach each pour.

You’ll also use breathing methods during the tasting. That sounds a little odd until you try it—then it clicks as a way to focus your sense of smell and notice aroma in a more consistent way.

This is the kind of detail that pays off later. After a guided method like this, you’re less likely to buy based on hype or price alone. You’ll have a framework for what to notice, and that can help you avoid the “uh-oh” hangover feeling that sometimes comes when people drink without understanding what they’re choosing.

Why Juan Carlos Aceves’ Training Shows Up

The host, Juan Carlos Aceves, isn’t just friendly—his background points to why the experience feels organized. He’s credited with certifications from the European Bartender School in New York and training as a tequilier by Jose Cuervo.

That kind of training usually shows up in how a session is paced:

• the pours and comparisons feel intentional
• explanations are tied to what you’re tasting
• the flow doesn’t turn into a long monologue

If you care about learning, this is one of the biggest strengths of the experience. You’re not only tasting—you’re getting the why behind the flavor differences and the practical pairing logic.

And yes, the vibes are warm. You’ll likely feel like you can ask questions, and the host’s passion for tequila and mezcal tends to make the whole thing feel like an evening out, not a classroom.

Price and Value at $50 per Person

Let’s talk money. At $50 per person, this isn’t the cheapest “drink something in Tulum” activity. But it can be good value because you’re getting multiple built-in components:

• six tastings (3 tequila + 3 mezcal)
• pairing snacks (including more than just chips)
• an English-led experience
• a step-by-step guide and tasting certificate

For me, the value comes down to whether you want knowledge or just alcohol. If you just want a buzz, you’ll find cheaper options. If you want to leave with better ordering instincts and a fun story you can actually explain, $50 starts to look more reasonable.

Also, because this is private, you’re not stuck sharing your evening with strangers while you try to listen and learn. Your group gets the attention and pacing.

Timing, Weather, and How Not to Get Turned Around

This experience starts at 6:00 pm and runs about 2 hours. That’s a great time window if you’re staying in the evening rhythm of Tulum—late enough to enjoy daylight, early enough to still have time afterward.

There are two practical considerations:

• You need good weather, or the activity may be canceled and offered another date or a refund.
• The location is not in the center of downtown, so plan your taxi ride.

My advice: don’t treat this like a spontaneous stop. Lock in the time, get to the meeting point a bit early, and keep your plan simple for the ride back. When you’re mid-tasting, you don’t want a scavenger hunt.

Who This Tasting Fits Best (and Who Might Skip)

This works well if you:

• like mezcal and want more than a casual sampling
• want to understand flavor profiles enough to buy smarter later
• enjoy guided experiences more than self-directed wandering
• don’t mind trying new foods for pairing

It might not be for you if you:

• only want the lightest, fastest drink experience
• hate structured tastings and prefer a bar vibe
• are strongly uncomfortable with included snack pairings like grasshoppers and crickets

If you’re the type who likes learning through doing—tasting, smelling, pairing—this hits the sweet spot.

Should You Book This Private Tulum Tequila and Mezcal Session?

I’d book it if you want a real tasting framework in about two hours. The six-spirits lineup, snack pairings, and guided method (including breathing techniques) make it more than a basic flight.

It’s also a solid choice for couples or friends who want a more personal pace. And if you’re a fan of tequila and mezcal already, this is the kind of activity that makes your next bottle purchase feel less like guessing.

Just do one thing to protect the experience: get yourself to Burke Brothers Cafe by taxi, and go in knowing you’re there to taste and learn, not to rush.

FAQ

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

How long is the tasting session?

It runs about 2 hours.

What’s included in the tasting?

You’ll enjoy 3 artesanal tequilas and 3 mezcals, plus pairing snacks such as fruits, cheese, grasshoppers, and crickets.

What language is it offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

Where do I meet for the tasting?

You start at Burke Brothers Cafe in La Veleta, located at Avenida Guardianes Maya MZ50 Lote 4 LC1, C. 9 Pte. Esq, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico. It ends back at the meeting point.

Do I need good weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.