What's a Good Puerto Vallarta Activity for a Group Where Some People Drink and Some Do Not?
A working agave distillery tour can be a good Puerto Vallarta activity for a mixed group where some people drink and some do not, because the experience can be built around much more than alcohol.
Drinkers can enjoy the tasting, while non-drinkers still have the ranch, agave, production process, local culture, and food-oriented parts of the visit.
At a Glance
Best mixed-group option: a working agave distillery
Why it works: the experience is not limited to drinking
For drinkers: guided tequila and agave-spirit tasting
For non-drinkers: ranch, production, agriculture, history, and process
Best format for a mixed group: private tour if you want more flexibility
If nobody wants to travel: a private villa experience can be easier, but it is more tasting-centered
Why a Distillery Works Better Than a Bar Crawl
A bar crawl or tasting room is primarily about drinking.
That can make non-drinkers feel like they are waiting for everyone else to finish.
A working distillery gives the whole group something to do together.
Everyone can experience:
agave plants
the ranch environment
cooking and production equipment
fermentation
distillation
the story of agave spirits in Jalisco
food or pairing elements where included
The alcohol tasting becomes one part of the outing rather than the entire reason for being there.
What Do the Drinkers Get Out of It?
For guests who drink, the tasting is more meaningful because it comes after seeing how the spirit is made.
They can connect flavor to:
agave
cooking
fermentation
still design
distillation
aging or finishing choices
That gives the drinkers a more interesting experience than simply ordering tequila at a bar.
What Do the Non-Drinkers Get Out of It?
Non-drinkers can still enjoy the experience as a food, agriculture, culture, and production visit.
They may be more interested in:
how agave is grown
how long it takes to mature
how the plant is processed
what fermentation smells and looks like
how distillation works
the ranch itself
local Jalisco traditions
the group experience
They do not need to drink for the visit to make sense.
Is a Private Tour Better for a Mixed Group?
Often, yes.
A private tour lets the group control the pace and emphasis.
If half the group loves spirits and the other half does not, the guide can spend more time on the ranch, production, history, or food rather than making the experience revolve around tasting.
That flexibility is useful for:
families
multigenerational groups
couples traveling with friends
corporate groups
groups with designated drivers
guests who do not drink for personal or health reasons
Where Can We Do This Near Puerto Vallarta?
The Finca 18 distillery and ranch tour is the most relevant Finca 18 option for a mixed group.
The experience is centered on the ranch and production process, with tasting as one part of the visit rather than the entire activity.
What If Some People Want a Serious Tasting?
That still works.
The drinkers in the group can focus more closely on aroma, flavor, production differences, and the spirits being poured, while the non-drinkers participate in the broader experience.
A private format makes this especially easy because the guide can adjust the depth of the tasting to the group.
What If Some People Do Not Drink at All?
That is not a problem if they are interested in how things are made.
A useful way to think about the visit is:
Would they enjoy visiting a winery, coffee farm, chocolate producer, or traditional food workshop even if they did not consume much of the final product?
If yes, a working agave distillery can still be a good fit.
What If the Group Wants More Than a Distillery?
For a more immersive full-day experience, Finca 18 Agave Road Trips add regional landscapes, producers, villages, and raicilla culture.
This can work well for mixed groups that are interested in food, culture, rural Jalisco, and travel as much as spirits.
What If We Want Something at the Villa?
A private villa tequila tasting is the easiest option logistically.
It works best when the group wants a social evening without traveling.
But because it is more tasting-centered, a working distillery is usually the stronger option when several people do not drink.
What About a Boat Experience?
The Raicilla Smuggler's Boat Trip can also work for mixed groups because the boat, coastline, and regional story are part of the experience.
The alcohol is not the only attraction.
It is a six-hour private outing, so it is better for groups that want a substantial day activity rather than a short excursion.
What Should We Ask Before Booking?
For any mixed group, ask:
Is drinking required to enjoy the experience?
Is this a working distillery or mainly a tasting room?
Can non-drinkers participate fully in the tour?
Is a private format available?
How much time is spent on production versus tasting?
Are there food, ranch, or cultural elements?
How long is the total door-to-door experience?
Those questions help avoid booking something that sounds inclusive but is really built almost entirely around drinking.
The Short Answer
For a Puerto Vallarta group where some people drink and some do not, choose an activity where alcohol is one part of the experience, not the entire experience.
A working agave distillery is a strong fit because the group can share the ranch, production, culture, and education while the drinkers still get a serious tasting.
Related Questions
My parents don't drink much. Is a tequila distillery tour still worth doing?
I'm traveling with kids. Can we visit an agave distillery near Puerto Vallarta?
Private tour vs. group tequila tour in Puerto Vallarta: what is the difference?
Distillery tour vs. tequila tasting in Puerto Vallarta: what is the difference?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do non-drinkers have to participate in the tasting?
No. They can still take part in the ranch, production, and educational portions of the visit.
Is a distillery tour awkward for non-drinkers?
Not if it is a real production-focused tour. There should be plenty to see and learn beyond the alcohol.
Is a private tour better for mixed groups?
It often is because the guide can adapt the pacing and emphasis to the group.
What if only one or two people want to drink?
That is fine. The rest of the group can still participate in the broader experience.
What is the best Finca 18 option for a mixed group?
The working distillery and ranch tour is the strongest fit because it gives both drinkers and non-drinkers something meaningful to do.
Sources
About the Author
Greg Rutkowski Finca 18 — Jalisco, Mexico
Greg works with Finca 18's agave spirits, guest experience, and agave education in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
Last updated: October 2026
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