Volcanic Hot Springs, Foot Massage, Tequila & Mex BBQ

Slow down, then taste Jalisco. This five-hour escape from Puerto Vallarta pairs volcanic hot springs with an organic tequila tasting, Mexican BBQ lunch, pool time, and a 15-minute foot massage. I like the unusual mix of nature, food, and easygoing fun, especially with guides such as Cesar, Izzy, and Erik helping set the mood. The main drawback is the open-air bus, which has no air-conditioning, and the ride can be bumpy.

I also like the small maximum group of 10, since it should feel more personal than a large coach outing. The setting sounds especially appealing: jungle views, a pool, hot springs reached by bike, and even a trampoline. Just remember that the spring temperature cannot be controlled, since the water comes straight from the volcano.

Key things to know before you go

• Volcanic water sets the schedule: The hot springs are natural, so the temperature is not adjusted for comfort.
• Five tequila styles are included for adults: Taste white, reposado, añejo, rosa, and special-edition tequilas made in small batches in Tequila, Jalisco.
• A 15-minute foot massage is part of the package: It takes place by the pool and adds a quiet break after the meal and tasting.
• The ride uses an open-concept public bus: There is no air-conditioning, and the journey may be bumpy.
• The food is more flexible than the title suggests: Vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan lunch choices are available.
• The group is capped at 10 people: That is a useful advantage for questions, drink instruction, and a relaxed pace.

Why this Puerto Vallarta outing feels different

Puerto Vallarta offers plenty of beach time, but this experience takes you away from the city and into a quieter setting shaped by hot water, hills, food, and spirits. You are not signing up for a single-purpose soak. The appeal is the combination.

The day brings together several pleasures that work well in sequence. The scenic drive gives you a change of pace. The natural springs provide the main reason to leave town. Lunch keeps the outing grounded in Mexican flavors, while the tequila tasting gives you a closer look at one of Jalisco’s best-known products.

Then comes the foot massage. Fifteen minutes is not a full spa treatment, but it is long enough to make the afternoon feel less rushed. I like that this is built into the day rather than offered as an optional add-on.

The experience has earned a 4.9 rating from 10 published ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, so I would not treat the number as a guarantee. Still, the praise is consistent around the food, drinks, setting, guides, pool, and relaxed feel.

Starting at Marina Vallarta at 10:30 a.m.

Your meeting point is at Av Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta. The start time is 10:30 a.m., and the activity returns you to that same point at the end.

That central start and finish make planning simpler. You can arrange your day around a known five-hour block rather than guessing when transport will return. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is offered in English.

The maximum group size is 10. That matters here because the day includes conversation, tasting, and practical drink instruction. A small group also makes it easier to ask about tequila without trying to speak over a busload of people.

I would arrive ready for warm weather and a casual outdoor day. The included transport is an open-concept public bus with no air-conditioning. The ride may be part of the fun for you, especially if you enjoy seeing the hills and countryside, but it is worth treating the transport as rustic rather than polished.

The scenic ride away from Puerto Vallarta

The trip to the springs is one of the more praised parts of the outing. The route passes through hills and changing views, and the drive gives you a look beyond the resort area.

You should expect some bumps. One account called the drive bumpy but still felt the setting made it worthwhile. That is a fair trade-off to consider. If you want a smooth, air-conditioned transfer, this may not be your ideal day trip. If you enjoy open-sided transport and watching the scenery change, the ride helps the day feel like an escape.

The journey is also useful as a mental reset. Within roughly 20 minutes, one description places you at an oasis-like setting where the pace slows down. The precise travel time can vary, so I would not plan a tight appointment immediately after the tour.

Arriving at the volcanic hot springs

The springs are the heart of the experience. Their water comes directly from the volcano, which means the operator cannot control the temperature.

That point is important. You are not visiting a spa pool maintained to a fixed setting. The water may be wonderfully warm, or it may feel hotter than you prefer. The natural quality is the attraction, but it also means you need to approach the soak with some flexibility.

The setting is described as peaceful and surrounded by jungle scenery. You may have access to a bike ride to the hot springs, adding a little movement and variety before or after soaking. The grounds also include a pool, views, and a trampoline, so the visit is not limited to sitting in hot water.

I like the mix of active and restful options. You can enjoy the springs, spend time by the pool, or simply take in the surroundings. The experience is not presented as a demanding adventure, so it should suit people who want nature without a full-day hike.

Tequila tasting with five distinct styles

The tequila tasting gives the day its Jalisco flavor. The selection includes white, reposado, añejo, rosa, and special editions. These are handcrafted organic tequilas made in small batches in the city of Tequila, Jalisco.

The different styles give you more than one version of the same drink. White tequila lets you focus on the spirit in its clearest form. Reposado and añejo bring the idea of aging into the conversation, while rosa and special editions add variety.

You must be at least 18 to take part. Alcoholic drinks beyond the tasting are not included, so you should not assume the package covers cocktails or additional beverages.

Izzy receives specific praise for making the tasting entertaining and informative. That combination matters. Tequila can become a hurried series of samples, but a good host helps you notice differences and understand what you are drinking. If you are curious about Mexican spirits, this may be one of the most useful parts of the day.

There is also mention of cocktail-making with Erik, including drink recipes and hands-on instruction. Since the formal inclusions list the tequila tasting rather than a separate cocktail class, I would treat the cocktail activity as part of the hosted experience when offered, not as a promise that every departure includes a full class.

Erik is repeatedly praised for his energy, bartending skills, and ability to keep the group involved. That personal touch appears to be a major reason the drinks portion gets such strong attention.

Mexican BBQ lunch with flexible food choices

Lunch is a Mexican BBQ meal, and it is included in the price. Vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options are available, which makes the outing workable for more than meat eaters.

The food is praised alongside the drinks and setting, and it seems to be a substantial part of the value. You are not paying for a transport-only visit with a small snack at the end. The meal gives you time to sit, talk, and enjoy the grounds without watching the clock.

Exact dishes are not specified, so I would not expect a fixed menu of particular meats or sides. If you have a dietary preference, the available options are reassuring, but it is still sensible to make your needs clear when booking or before the meal.

The lunch also helps balance the tequila tasting. Eating during a day involving alcohol is practical, not just pleasant. Bottled water is included as well.

Pool time, views, and a short foot massage

The pool gives you another way to relax after the springs and lunch. You can choose water time instead of another soak, or simply settle near the pool and enjoy the setting.

The 15-minute foot massage takes place by the pool. It is a brief treatment, so you should see it as a pleasant finishing touch rather than a long spa appointment. Still, it adds real value to a package that already includes transport, lunch, tasting, and natural bathing.

This is where the experience feels especially well designed. The day moves from sightseeing to soaking, then food and drink, then a quiet treatment. You get several kinds of relaxation instead of repeating the same activity for hours.

The grounds also include a trampoline. That detail may sound minor, but it tells you the mood is informal and playful rather than formal and hushed. Families and mixed-age groups should note that tequila tasting is limited to adults 18 and older, even though other parts of the setting may appeal to a wider group.

Is the $86.08 price good value?

At $86.08 per person, I see this as a strong value if you plan to use most of what is included. The price covers transportation from the meeting point and back, lunch, bottled water, tequila tasting for adults, the hot springs setting, and a 15-minute foot massage.

You are also paying for access to a full five-hour experience rather than one short attraction. The small group size adds value because the tasting and drink activities are more enjoyable when the host can interact with you.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink tequila, dislike rustic transport, or only want a simple hot-spring visit. Alcoholic beverages beyond the tasting are not included, so additional drinks could raise your final cost.

I would compare this with the price of arranging separate transport, a meal, a spa treatment, and a nature visit. The package saves you the work of coordinating those pieces. Its strongest value comes from variety, not luxury.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a social day with several low-pressure activities. It suits you if you like learning about tequila, tasting local food, and spending time outdoors without committing to a strenuous excursion.

It is also a good choice if you want to see a quieter side of the Puerto Vallarta area. The road into the hills and the volcanic setting give you a break from the city and beach routine.

You may want to choose another activity if you need air-conditioned transportation, have difficulty with bumpy roads, or want precise control over water temperature. The springs are natural, and that means comfort can vary.

The group size should appeal to anyone who prefers a personal host. Cesar is praised for being friendly, informative, and fun, while Izzy and Erik bring distinct strengths to the tequila and cocktail portions.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The tour is booked an average of 21 days in advance, so I would not leave it until the last minute if your schedule is fixed. It uses a mobile ticket and is offered in English.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 10:30 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so if that minimum is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Those details make the tour easier to fit into a wider Puerto Vallarta schedule.

My final take on this volcanic springs day

I would book this experience if you want a relaxed but varied outing from Puerto Vallarta. The best parts are the natural hot springs, the small-group format, the Mexican BBQ, and the lively drink hosts. The 15-minute foot massage is a welcome extra, and the pool and views give you room to set your own pace.

Go in expecting an open-air bus, possible bumps, and water temperature you cannot control. If those limits sound manageable, $86.08 buys a full half-day of food, nature, tequila, and rest. If you want a polished spa day with climate-controlled transport, choose something else.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Av Paseo de la Marina 121, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour begins at 10:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately five hours.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is provided by an open-concept public bus without air-conditioning.

Is the tequila tasting included?

Yes, tequila tasting is included for adults aged 18 and older.

What tequila varieties are offered?

The tasting includes white, reposado, añejo, rosa, and special-edition organic tequilas made in small batches in Tequila, Jalisco.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Mexican BBQ lunch is included, with vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options available.

Is the foot massage included?

Yes. A 15-minute foot massage by the pool is included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.