I visited this WHS in January 2022 on two separate legs of my Mexico road, before and after visiting the Islas Marietas, marked by the loss of my camera due to technical failure and managing to find the exact same replacement online for half the price on my return to Tequila proper.

Due to this mishap, I allowed more time to explore the area and components of this WHS. First I focused on the agave landscape around El Arenal which is by far the most scenic and also the busiest, with several workers employed in the fields loading and unloading their trucks with the main raw material. Having a rental car or a bike helps to look out for the tiny roads with the most scenic spots for photography. The only drawback, a bit like in Burgundy, France, is the huge highway which passes right through the agave landscape. By far less disruptive are the railway tracks which are a great alternative if you want to visit the area in style with the expensive Jose Cuervo Express train+bus tour at sunrise or sunset departing from Tequila.

Be aware that most if not all attractions in Tequila and its surroundings are very touristy, for locals and foreigners alike, so early visits (in Mexico this is conveniently stretched to before 11am) will prove essential to beat the tour groups and the bulk of the tourist circus (especially in Tequila proper, with long vehicles in all shapes and forms (I've seen a red pepper vehicle, a tequila barrel vehicle, a tequila jarrito vehicle, an agave plate vehicle, etc.) roam the small streets till nighttime). If you're so inclined, you can also sleep in a tequila barrel-shaped room! The easiest way to explore the agave landscape around El Arenal is to park your vehicle at the famous Jarritos La Puerta de Agave (a busy place from noon to sunset but very quiet and ideal in the morning). Here there is a UNESCO tiled information board and map on this component which is situated just above the highway. Most tour companies also organise horse riding tours in this scenic area. Nearby I also really enjoyed a well-presented and more intimate tour at the Tres Mujeres distillery for a nominal fee of 50 Mexican pesos (just under EUR 2.50 with only 6 pax in total), which reminded me of the "Underground Cathedrals" of Nizza Monferrato for its LED-lit ambience. Quite a change from Fábrica La Rojeña, the oldest distillery in Tequila managed by the Jose Cuero monopoly (with tours ranging from around 300 to 450 pesos (around 14 to 20 EUR) per person which in my opinion did not give me much more than the smaller distillery tour to justify such a price difference. Moreover, at Tres Mujeres I tasted and really enjoyed the excellent Rompope liquor with macadamia nuts while listening to the piano notes coming from the chapel with tequila barrel seats. Something to keep in mind when driving around the El Arenal area is the weather. There were minor roads which involved literally crossing a small river or stream. I managed fine with my rented 2WD sedan in sunny weather, but I wouldn't have ventured so far in by car had I visited in a rainier season.

The other components of Amatitán and Tequila focus more on the historic and cultural aspects of the agave landscape than the natural landscape itself. In both central plazas, quite close to the letras, there is an UNESCO tiled information board and map focusing on each component, as well as an oval red UNESCO inscription plaque (both missing the shiny brass agave plant in the middle). In both towns there is a Ruta del Tequila trail to follow on foot with several information boards in Spanish and English as well as colourful graffiti and brass statues on the tequila industry. The main sites worth mentioning are the La Bola de Oro, the lively Parroquia Santiago Apostol square with voladores during the peak season, the Mural of the Mayahuel Goddess with a UNESCO symbol on the floor just in front of it, and of course the Jose Cuervo properties in Tequila.

Last but not least, I also made an extra effort to visit the pre-Columbian archaeological site of Guachimontones, awkwardly included in this WHS. It is known as the largest of the Teuchitlán Culture sites within the Tequila valleys. It consists of 10 circular mound-like structures, the biggest one being Circle 1, each encircled by other cerimonial mounds or buildings, and of course 2 ball courts. Due to heavy looting, but also due to the physical features of this archaeological site, there isn't much to see and I wouldn't classify it as worth the effort to get there. Nonetheless, if you're determined to visit, don't miss the panoramic view from high above the site by walking or driving uphill on the first cobble-stone street on the left just before arriving at the Guachimontones site, and then always keeping right till you get to a clearing where you can park your car. The views of the Guachimontones Circles from here are quite obstructed by the huge trees around them, but a short ramble/trail following the black rubble wall will lead you to an excellent viewpoint.

I enjoyed my visit in and around Tequila and after being lucky to find the exact some model of my bridge camera being sold online for half the price as an unwanted gift, I decided to celebrate and splurge it a bit to enjoy a short stay and swim at the luxury hotel Solar de las Ánimas, also owned by the Jose Cuervo monopoly.