Mezcal and chocolate make a surprisingly good match. This 2-hour tasting in Tulum is interesting because you learn how mezcal is made and why different agave types taste so different, then you follow that lesson with real sips and pairings. I especially like the small-group format with plenty of back-and-forth, and I also like that you sample five distinct mezcals paired with complementary chocolates and snacks. One possible drawback: this experience takes place at the host’s home area, so you’ll want to plan for a cab or a short ride if you’re staying farther out.

You also get a welcome cocktail that changes with the seasons, plus an explanation of the mezcal plant, production process, and cultural background. Host Shamira keeps things practical and easy to follow in English, and the pacing stays relaxed while you taste.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• You’ll taste five different mezcals made from different agave types, including Espadín and Silvestre
• Each mezcal comes with a pairing, usually chocolate and snacks designed to match the flavors
• Seasonal welcome cocktail starts you off, so you’re not just jumping into tasting notes
• Shamira runs the session and keeps the pace personal for a group of up to 10
• Chocolate is part of the teaching, not just dessert, and it comes with international acclaim
• Expect traditional snacks, including spicy peanuts with cacao and grasshopper snacks

Mezcal Meets Chocolate in a Real Tulum Setting

If you’re in Tulum and you want something more interesting than another drink-and-a-view stop, this tasting hits a good middle ground. You get a clear, hands-on intro to mezcal—what you’re tasting and why it tastes that way—then the experience shifts into pairings with fine Mexican chocolate.

The setup is also refreshingly direct: you’re not sent wandering across town for multiple short stops. Instead, you spend your time where it counts, with a host who can explain what you’re tasting and answer questions as you go. You’ll cover the agave liquor side (history, production standards, and the idea of denomination of origin), but you’ll also cover how chocolate changes what you think you’re tasting.

Your Two-Hour Flow: Cocktail, Five Mezcals, Snacks, Chocolate

This is an approx. 2-hour experience with a small group (maximum 10). That matters because the host can actually adjust to what your group wants to know—some people want the science, others just want the best pairing. Either way, you don’t get rushed out after one quick pour.

Here’s how the session typically moves:

• You start with a mezcal cocktail that changes with the seasons.
• You then taste five different mezcals, each paired with food and chocolate.
• The meal isn’t heavy, but it is purposeful: citrus and snack plates show up alongside the tasting.
• You finish with artisanal chocolates—including five different fine Mexican chocolates—so you can close the loop between agave flavors and cacao flavors.

Two things make this flow feel worth your time. First, the tastings are paired, so you’re not guessing. Second, the “lesson” stays tied to what’s in front of you, not stuck in theory.

First Stop: The Seasonal Mezcal Cocktail and Citrus Pairing

The session begins with a welcome cocktail. Since the cocktail changes with the seasons, you won’t get the exact same start every time, which keeps it from feeling like a copy-paste tasting.

Soon after, you’ll move into lighter complements like a citrus plate. Citrus is a smart pairing for mezcal because it cuts through the smokier, earthier notes you often get in agave spirits. In practice, that makes it easier to notice differences between agave types instead of letting one flavor dominate your palate.

If you’re someone who gets overwhelmed by strong flavors, this first part helps. You ease in, then you build confidence as the tastings get more specific.

The Main Event: Five Mezcals and What Makes Them Different

The heart of the experience is tasting five distinct mezcals, each tied to a different agave type. You’ll hear how agave becomes mezcal in an artisanal process, and you’ll also learn why strict production standards matter.

Two agave types you’re specifically told about include Mezcal Espadín and Mezcal Silvestre. Espadín is one of the most commonly discussed agaves, so it’s a helpful reference point. Silvestre generally signals a more wild, varied agave background, which can bring out a different set of aromas and textures in the final pour.

As you go through the five tastings, pay attention to how the host guides your tasting approach. The idea isn’t to sound like a sommelier. It’s to learn how to notice:

• aroma before the sip
• how smoke or sweetness shows up
• how the finish changes when paired with chocolate

One of the most useful takeaways from the session is the framing: mezcal tastes like it does because the agave plant drives much of the character. Wine has grapes; mezcal has agave. Once you accept that, everything you taste starts making more sense.

Snack Pairings That Keep You From Drinking in a Vacuum

You won’t just be sipping alcohol with nothing else to think about. You’ll get traditional snacks paired to support the experience—things that make the mezcal easier to compare and more enjoyable.

Examples included in the session:

• a citrus plate
• spicy peanuts with cacao
• grasshopper snacks

That last one is the kind of detail that turns a tasting into a story you’ll remember. Grasshoppers can sound intimidating, but the point here isn’t shock value. The flavor profile is described in a way that helps you connect it to the mezcal pairing logic: salty, slightly savory, with a spicy-leaning edge that can work well with mezcal’s character.

If you’re not sure you’ll want to try everything, you can still enjoy the tastings while watching how the pairings change the way each mezcal lands. It’s a good lesson even if you pass on one snack.

Chocolate That Earns Its Place on the Table

This tour treats chocolate like part of the main course. The chocolates are not random sweets. You’ll taste five different fine Mexican chocolates, and the experience highlights that the chocolate has earned international awards.

In other words, the pairing isn’t just for fun. It’s meant to help you compare flavors in a structured way. Chocolate adds cacao bitterness, sweetness, and texture—each one can amplify different aspects of mezcal. Pairings can also smooth out rough edges so you can focus on the agave notes instead of only the smoke.

If you love chocolate already, this is the type of tasting where you might leave thinking about cacao differently. If you don’t usually care much about chocolate, I still think it’s a smart way in, because you taste it in relation to something else you’re learning about.

Shamira’s Small-Group Style Makes the Education Stick

The host is Shamira, and she’s a big part of why the experience earns repeat praise. The session is structured, but it doesn’t feel scripted. You get clear history and production explanations, and the host can also answer Mexico-related questions beyond mezcal.

A key practical point: Shamira seems to adapt to the group’s interests quickly. If you want the how and why, you’ll get it. If you just want to enjoy the flavors and keep it light, you can keep it that way.

There’s also an added benefit if your group includes someone who doesn’t drink. In at least one described group case, the host offered non-alcohol options like coffee and fresh juices. You can still be part of the smell-and-taste learning style because mezcal tasting includes scent, not just sipping.

Where You Meet: Plan for a Cab to La Veleta

The meeting point is in La Veleta, at ZONA NOVEC, 9 Sur between Calle 6 Sur and 4 Sur. The experience ends back at the meeting point.

One logistical note that matters: this tasting happens at the host’s home area, in a residential part of Tulum town. That’s not a problem, but it means you should not assume it’s right next door to the most central tourist strip. If you’re staying a bit out, a cab is the easiest plan, and it helps you arrive without stress.

Once there, the patio setup is described as inviting and secure—so you’re not going to feel like you’ve wandered into the wrong place. Still, show up on time so you start with the cocktail rather than squeezing into a later slot.

Price and Value: Is $89.61 Worth It?

At $89.61 per person, this isn’t a cheap impulse stop. The value comes from what you actually get in two hours.

You’re paying for:

• a small-group setting (max 10), which usually means more time with the host
• five mezcal samples tied to agave variety and production education
• pairings every step of the way, including citrus, snack plates, and chocolate
• a welcome seasonal mezcal cocktail
• chocolates with international acclaim, not generic dessert

If you’ve done other tastings that feel like you get one pour and a brief lecture, this one is different. You get repeated comparisons, so the learning sticks. And if you’re the type who cares about what to buy after tasting, the session also gives practical guidance—like how to think about what counts as authentic mezcal and how to avoid being fooled by industrial products.

In short: if you want a structured, high-touch tasting, it’s reasonable. If you only want casual sipping with no interest in education or chocolate, you might find it pricier than you expected.

Who This Is Best For (and Who Might Skip It)

This experience is a strong fit if you:

• want a guided introduction to mezcal beyond the basics
• like food pairings and want chocolate that matters
• enjoy small-group formats with plenty of time to ask questions
• are curious about traditional snacks, including grasshoppers with cacao flavors

You might skip it if:

• you want a purely scenic, passive activity
• your group only wants a single quick drink with zero tasting education
• you’re not interested in chocolate pairings at all

The best part is that you can tailor your level of intensity. You can enjoy it as a delicious pairing session, or you can treat it like a mini class on agave and production.

Should You Book This Mezcal and Chocolate Tasting?

I’d book it if you’re in Tulum and you want one of the better structured food-and-drink experiences that stays focused on flavor and learning. The small group size and the way the tastings are paired make it feel like more than a repeat of the same tourist activity. And Shamira’s style—warm, clear, and adaptable—turns the lesson into something you can actually remember.

One more practical tip: since this activity often gets reserved about 18 days in advance, plan ahead. Book early if your dates are tight, and you’ll avoid playing games with availability.

If mezcal and chocolate are already your thing, this is an easy yes. If they’re new to you, it’s still a solid choice, because the tastings are set up to help you understand what you’re noticing from the first sip.

FAQ

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

It lasts about 2 hours.

What will I sample during the tasting?

You’ll start with a mezcal cocktail, taste five different mezcals (including Espadín and Silvestre), enjoy snacks and a citrus plate, and finish with five fine Mexican chocolates.

How many people are in a group?

The experience has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is ZONA NOVEC. 9 Sur between Calle 6 Sur and 4 Sur, La Veleta, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience starts, you won’t receive a refund.

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