Screw, the plane ticket. Let me take you on a tour of a magical place. And I’m not even exaggerating. Tequila, Mexico is one of many Pueblo Magicos (Magic Towns) in the country and where we spent my milestone, 40th birthday this year. Don’t worry. This was all before the world shut down. (If you’re looking for places to celebrate a milestone birthday, consider skipping the tried and true Mexican destinations and check out Tequila).
In typical, SnapShots form, there are tons of pictures to share so this post will be broken down into 2 posts. Today’s post will share our first day in Tequila: where we stayed and what we did in town. And the next will share our tequila tasting experience and how to drink tequila like a Mexican (hint: it isn’t by licking salt, taking a shot, and squeezing lime juice into your mouth. And it definitely does not include taking that shot off of your friend’s body. #Cancun1998)
This epic trip started with picking up the Bestie from the airport. That, in and of itself, was epic. The entire family went to pick her up because that’s how Cuban families roll. It was pretty magical, getting ready together. it brought back the teenage years of getting dolled up with gal pals but this time it included Daughter who was more than thrilled t get ready with the girls.
The Arrival
We were totally floored when we arrived at our hotel. The hotel is an Instagrammer’s dream. The rooms are huge tequila barrels on the grounds of La Cofradia, a tequila company right outside the town square. For Mexican prices, it was on the expensive side but it included a welcome drink, two tequila shots in your room, breakfast, transportation into town, a tequila tour, and a tequila tasting. Totally worth it in my opinion.
We could have spent the rest of our time here exploring the grounds and drinking yummies in their cave restaurant. (Yes, I said CAVE restaurant.) But we were meeting up with other friends in town and hard margaritas, rusas, cheladas, and tequila to drink!
Town Square
We started at La Capilla which is, according to many, a “must-see” for the world’s cocktail nerds and tequila-thirsty travelers (Saveur.com). If you’re wondering about the kiddos, they came too. I think it’s good for them to have to “tag-along” on adventures that might not be as fun for them as a day at the waterpark but that they will surely remember. And let’s be clear that as much as they’re “not having fun” they always walk away talking about how much fun they had.
the loose plan
There wasn’t much else planned for the day which was part of plan. We could have booked a tour at the Jose Cuervo distillery or hit up a ton of other cantinas but I some freedom in the plan. I like to have things on the list of what to do but keep it open. “Plan the Good Stuff, Partner with the rest.” I heard this once and it stuck with me. Essentially, don’t try to plan every little moment. Have a direction and then partner with what’s supposed to happen and where the day takes you.
As fun and Instagrammy as the pictures are, they don’t do it justice. Lingering in a Mexican town square includes so much more ambiance than I could ever reproduce on a website. Mariachi filled the air. Elote and other street food in every and any direction. And let’s not forget buying beer and margs from little booths and hanging out with friends, laughing as dusk approaches. There’s so much that made this trip epic and so many reasons to add this to one of the places to celebrate a milestone birthday. This is just a taste.
P.S. Making a super easy margarita.
