The Best Things to Do in Jalisco, Mexico

Jaslico’s outsized role in Mexican culture can be summed up in the state’s motto: “Jalisco is Mexico”. Home to mariachi music and the sombrero hat, this western state is also one of just five regions certified to make tequila, which its inhabitants have been doing for more than 500 years. When Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson founded his small-batch tequila brand Teremana Tequila, he chose Jalisco as its base for its proximity to the prized blue agave that are grown in the highlands and deep understanding of traditional roasting and refining methods.

First launched in 2020, Teremana has finally arrived in Australia. To mark the occasion, we’ve rounded up three of the best things to do in Jalisco.

Soak up the cosmopolitan buzz in Guadalajara

The vibrant, history-drenched capital of Guadalajara is the beating heart of Jalisco. Spend your days wandering downtown, where the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hospicio Cabañas, a 19th-century hospice now turned into a cultural centre and museum, and the landmark neo-Gothic cathedral crowned with ornate spires, await. Hip neighbourhoods such as Colonia Americana and Lafayette thrum with the energy of design-savvy young crowds filling its edgy boutiques and bars. Don’t miss the street markets – Mercado San Juan de Dios is Latin America’s largest indoor market – or get your art fix while exploring the mural-daubed streets.

Echoing Guadalajara’s sophistication, the richness of Teremana’s Reposado is the ideal foundation for any margarita. Made in small batches with blue weber agave, it’s roasted in brick ovens and aged in small American oak bourbon barrels for a smooth finish with notes of oak and vanilla.

Chill in the under-the-radar beach town of Yelapa

Obscured by forest-covered mountains in the southernmost cove of Bahía de Banderas, the paradisiacal village of Yelapa, meaning ‘where two rivers meet the sea’, is one of Mexico’s most charming hidden gems. The secret to Yelapa’s low-key charm – the pace is leisurely, the vibe bohemian and the sunshine endless – is its remoteness. Visitors arrive via 45-minute water taxi from Puerto Vallarta (300 kilometres west of Guadalajara), disembarking on a tranquil curve of golden sand fringed by emerald water. The beach gives way to tropical jungle dotted with boutique guesthouses and palapa (thatched-roof) restaurants serving fresh fish tacos. Embrace a languid rhythm, spotting colourful fish from the shallows, taking yoga classes on the beach and swimming in waterfall-fed waterholes.

Conjure the spirit of ocean breezes and lazy days wherever you are with Teremana Blanco, an ultra-fresh spirit with notes of bright citrus with a smooth, fresh finish that’s perfectly suited to margaritas and other classic tequila cocktails like the paloma.

Immerse yourself in the natural wonder of Lake Chapala

An hour south of Guadalajara by car, Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Chapala, is a magnet for visitors thanks to its incredible ecosystem that supports more than 300 species of birds, including the elegant great egret and the violet-crowned hummingbird. Overlooked by the brooding peaks of the Sierra Madre, the volcanic lake has thermal pools for soaking away all your cares. Fishing charters will test your luck chasing the prized bass, while colourful villages such as Ajijic add to the area’s charm with their cobblestone-paved streets, peaceful waterfront walks and lively street markets.

Complex and intriguing with slightly sweet notes of warm oak, vanilla and roasted agave, Teremana Añejo is as rewarding as taking in the enchanting Lake Chapala landscape. Drink it neat for the purest expression of Teremana’s premier tequila.

‘Share the Mana’ and discover Teremana Tequila online at Dan Murphy's.

Drink responsibly.