Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta day trip is its unusual mix of local hot springs and a freshly cooked BBQ lunch. Vicente handles the driving, guides you through the countryside, and grills meat, chicken, chorizo, mushrooms, quesadillas, and guacamole while you enjoy the pools. I especially like the private-feeling setup and the chance to visit a hot springs area used mainly by Mexican families, not a standard resort crowd.

I also like the relaxed pace and personal attention. The clay mask, 30-minute massage, cold drinks, and small-group limit of 20 make this feel more like a hosted outing than a basic bus excursion. The tradeoff is the drive: depending on traffic and the exact route, you may spend about one hour and 20 minutes to two hours each way, which takes a real slice out of an eight-hour day.

Key points to know before booking

• Vicente handles several jobs: He serves as driver, local guide, and cook, and keeps in touch before pickup.
• The hot springs are outside Puerto Vallarta: Expect a countryside drive through smaller towns and Sierra Madre mountain scenery.
• Lunch is cooked during your spa time: The BBQ includes meat, chicken, chorizo, Portobello mushrooms, quesadillas, and guacamole.
• The wellness portion is varied: You get hot springs access, a clay mask, and a listed 30-minute massage.
• Drinks are part of the package: Three beers per person and refreshments are included.
• Plan for an early start: Pickup begins at 8:00 a.m., and you should be at the lobby 30 minutes beforehand.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for the hot springs

The day begins with pickup at 8:00 a.m. The stated meeting point is the Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, though pickup is offered and the instructions ask you to wait in your hotel lobby 30 minutes before departure with your ticket ready.

That early start matters. One useful tip is to eat breakfast before leaving, especially if your resort does not open its breakfast service until later in the morning. The outing includes lunch, but there is no promise of food during the first part of the drive.

Vicente is more than a person behind the wheel. He introduces himself as your driver, guide, and chef, and that combination shapes the whole day. You are not simply transferred to a spa and left on your own. He explains areas along the route, stays in contact about pickup, and prepares the main meal himself.

The vehicle is described as a spacious, air-conditioned cargo van. That is a meaningful detail in Puerto Vallarta, particularly during hot weather. A cool, roomy vehicle makes a long inland ride easier, though you should still be ready for a substantial amount of road time.

The route takes you away from the hotel zone and into smaller communities. You may pass rustic villages where chickens and cattle are part of daily life, with views toward the Sierra Madre mountains. The drive is part of the experience, but it is also the main cost in time. If you want a quick spa visit close to town, this is not the right outing.

What the hot springs day is really like

The hot springs provide the central change of pace. Instead of spending another day on the beach, you get warm mineral water and a quieter inland setting. The pools are described as hot tubs that fill and empty, so there can be a wait while the water reaches a comfortable temperature.

That plumbing detail is worth knowing. You may arrive ready to get straight into the water, but the tub may need time to fill and heat. Use that pause to settle in, apply the clay mask, or simply take in the surroundings.

One useful suggestion is to eat breakfast while the water is being prepared. It turns a possible delay into part of the rhythm of the day. You should also bring a towel. The tour includes access to the hot springs, but a towel is specifically recommended, so do not assume one will be provided.

The setting feels more connected to local life than a polished hotel spa. The hot springs are used mainly by Mexican families, and you may be among very few international visitors there. That can be a real plus if you want an outing with a local character rather than another attraction built around foreign visitors.

The setting is not described as a silent luxury retreat. Families may be present, and the facilities may have a practical, local feel. Go for the warm water, the country setting, and the hosted meal, not for a high-end resort atmosphere.

Clay mask and 30-minute massage

The wellness services add variety to the hot springs. A clay mask is part of the listed package, and it gives the day a simple spa touch without making the whole outing feel formal. You will likely apply it during your time at the hot springs, alongside the soak and other activities.

The listed package also includes a 30-minute massage. This is one of the more valuable inclusions because a half-hour treatment can turn a pleasant day into a proper rest day, especially after a long drive or a busy Puerto Vallarta holiday.

There is one point to clarify before you pay. The package information lists the massage and clay mask as included, but one description says these services were a separate charge. That is an inconsistency. Contact Landing Tours before booking and confirm that both services, particularly the 30-minute massage, are included in your current reservation.

The massage itself is not presented as a medical treatment. Think of it as a relaxation service connected to the hot springs visit. If you have specific health concerns, ask the operator directly before participating, since the available tour information does not explain medical restrictions.

Vicente’s BBQ lunch is a major part of the value

The meal is not an afterthought. Vicente fires up the grill, chops vegetables and meat, and prepares lunch while you enjoy the hot springs and spa services. The listed menu includes meat, chicken, chorizo, Portobello mushrooms, quesadillas, and guacamole.

That range works well for a mixed group. You get familiar grilled meats, a vegetarian option in the Portobello mushrooms, fresh guacamole, and quesadillas to round things out. The food is described as abundant, and the menu has the feel of an informal Mexican cookout rather than a prepacked excursion lunch.

The cooking also adds a personal element. Instead of eating at a restaurant chosen for a large tour group, you receive a meal prepared by the same person who has been driving and guiding you. Vicente’s cooking is a strong reason to choose this trip over a simpler hot springs transfer.

Three beers per person and refreshments are included. You should not treat the beer allowance as unlimited, but it is a pleasant addition to lunch and the hot springs. Tips are not included, so carry money if you want to thank Vicente or other service providers.

If you have dietary restrictions, contact the operator before the tour. Since Vicente brings the ingredients for the BBQ, advance notice is important. The available information does not promise substitutions, so do not wait until lunch to raise the issue.

The tequila distillery adds a different flavor

Near the end of the outing, the route includes a tequila tasting at a distillery. Francisco explains the tequila-making process, and the visit focuses on smaller-scale production.

This is a useful contrast to the hot springs. The morning is about slowing down, while the distillery adds a short educational stop before returning to Puerto Vallarta. You get some context for one of Mexico’s best-known drinks rather than only sampling it.

The tasting is included, but the information does not specify how many samples are offered or whether bottles are available for purchase. If you are interested in buying tequila, ask about payment methods and shipping directly at the distillery.

Because the distillery comes toward the end, keep the drive schedule in mind. A stop that sounds brief can add time to an already full day. Still, the combination of hot springs, BBQ, and tequila makes this a more varied outing than a single-purpose spa trip.

Transportation, group size, and timing

The experience lasts about eight hours and ends back at the meeting point. Round transport is included, and the maximum group size is 20 people. That limit is small enough to allow for a more personal outing, though the actual group size on your date may be lower or close to the maximum.

The road time is the main practical issue. One account places the trip at about an hour and a half each way, while another describes roughly two hours to and from the hot springs. The difference may reflect traffic, the pickup route, or the exact location of the pools.

For me, that makes the tour a better choice for a full day than for a tightly scheduled holiday. You should not pair it with an evening activity that requires a precise return time. The drive can be enjoyable because of the mountain views and small towns, but it still uses vacation hours.

Safety is another strong point of the setup. Vicente is described as a cautious driver who explains the places along the route and keeps in touch before pickup. You still need to follow the meeting instructions carefully: be ready in the lobby 30 minutes early and keep your ticket available.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is received at booking. Most people can participate according to the available information, but no detailed accessibility information is provided. If you need specific assistance, ask Landing Tours before reserving.

How the package value adds up

No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost in pesos or compare it fairly with nearby alternatives. I can assess what you receive: round transport, hot springs entry, a substantial cooked meal, three beers, refreshments, tequila tasting, clay mask, massage, and traveler insurance are all listed as included.

That is a broad package. If the massage and clay mask are truly included at the time of booking, the value is much stronger than a simple transfer and hot springs admission. You are paying for transport, guiding, food preparation, drinks, wellness services, and the time saved by having one person organize the day.

The main question is how you value the long ride. Someone who wants an authentic inland break, a home-style BBQ, and a low-pressure spa day may find the package worthwhile. Someone who wants maximum beach time or a short treatment near the hotel may see the drive as too expensive in vacation hours.

The included insurance is another small benefit, though the details of its coverage are not supplied. Read the booking terms and ask what it covers if that matters to your decision.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this tour if you want a calm day away from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone and do not mind spending much of the day on the road. It suits couples, small groups, and anyone who prefers food and conversation over a packed schedule of attractions.

It also works well for people who want to see a less tourist-focused side of the region. The hot springs are used by local Mexican families, and the drive passes through smaller communities and mountain country. That gives the day a more everyday feel than a resort spa.

The tour may not suit you if you dislike long drives, need a luxury spa setting, or want complete control over your meal. The itinerary has several moving parts, and the hot springs may take time to fill and heat.

Families may appreciate the easygoing format, but the available information does not give a minimum age or specific child policy. Ask before booking if you are traveling with children. The same applies to mobility needs, as participation is described broadly but without detailed facility information.

Booking details worth checking

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking. That makes it important to confirm your date, pickup details, dietary needs, and included services before you commit.

The meeting information names Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro as the start and end point, while pickup is offered. Confirm exactly where Vicente will collect you, especially if your hotel is outside the main hotel zone.

Most important, ask Landing Tours to confirm the current treatment inclusions. The written package lists a clay mask and 30-minute massage, but the massage and mask were also described as extra charges in one account. Get that answer before booking rather than relying on assumptions.

Should you book the Puerto Vallarta hot springs tour?

Book it if you want an eight-hour inland escape built around warm water, a personal BBQ, a massage, and a tequila stop. Vicente’s role as driver, guide, and cook gives the day a friendly, hosted quality, while the local hot springs setting keeps it from feeling like a standard resort excursion.

Skip it if your holiday schedule is tight or a two-hour drive each way sounds like wasted time. The hot springs are enjoyable, but the real value comes from the whole package: the mountain road, Vicente’s cooking, the quiet soak, the clay mask, and the distillery visit.

Before you reserve, confirm the pickup point, towel arrangements, dietary requests, and whether the massage and clay mask are included. With those details settled, this is a strong choice for a slow, food-centered day beyond Puerto Vallarta.

FAQ

How long does the hot springs tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and returns to the original meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m. You should be in your hotel lobby 30 minutes before pickup with your ticket ready to show the operator.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The listed meeting point is Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro, on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2735 in Puerto Vallarta. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round transport is included, and pickup is offered. Confirm the exact pickup location with Landing Tours before the tour.

What food is included?

The BBQ includes quesadillas, meat, chicken, Portobello mushrooms, chorizo, and guacamole. Three beers per person and refreshments are also listed as included.

Is the massage included?

The package information lists a 30-minute massage as included. However, another description says the massage and clay mask were charged separately, so confirm the current arrangement with Landing Tours before booking.

How large can the group be?

The activity has a maximum of 20 people. The available information does not state the usual group size for each departure.