Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour

Slow down, eat well, and soak awhile. This Puerto Vallarta day trip pairs quiet hot springs with a freshly grilled Mexican meal, a clay mask, massage, and tequila tasting. I like the personal touch from Vicente, who drives, guides, cooks, and keeps in touch before pickup. I also like the local feel: the springs serve mostly Mexican families, not just visitors from resort hotels. The main drawback is the drive, which can take around 1.5 to 2 hours each way.

This is an easygoing inland outing rather than a packed sightseeing circuit. You leave the coast, pass through smaller towns and Sierra Madre mountain scenery, then spend several hours at the pools. The early start means you should eat breakfast first, and you should bring a towel.

Key things to know before you book

• Vicente handles the whole day: He serves as driver, guide, and chef, with a reputation for safe driving, local conversation, and a generous BBQ lunch.
• The drive is part of the outing: Expect roughly 1.5 hours each way, with mountain views, rustic villages, chickens, cattle, and changing scenery.
• The hot springs feel local: You may find yourself soaking alongside Mexican families rather than in a resort-style spa setting.
• Lunch is cooked on site: The BBQ includes meat, chicken, chorizo, Portobello mushrooms, quesadillas, and guacamole, with three beers per person.
• Wellness extras are built in: The package lists entrance, a 30-minute massage, and a clay mask, though one account described these services as costing extra, so confirm before departure.
• The group is limited to 20 people: Pickup begins at 8:00 a.m., and the tour returns to the starting point.

A full day away from Puerto Vallarta’s beaches

Puerto Vallarta makes it easy to spend every day near the water. That is exactly why this outing can be useful. It gives you a change of pace without asking you to fill the day with zip lines, boats, crowds, or constant activity.

The tour lasts about eight hours and begins with pickup from the designated meeting point at Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro, on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. You are asked to be at the lobby 30 minutes before pickup with your ticket ready for the operator.

The structure is simple. You ride inland, spend time at the hot springs, eat a cooked lunch, enjoy the spa-style services, and stop at a tequila distillery before returning to the meeting point. The day works best if you want someone else to handle the driving and details.

The tour is offered in English, and the maximum group size is 20. That is not a private outing for everyone, but it is smaller and more personal than a large coach excursion. Vicente’s role helps keep the day friendly and informal.

The drive through the Sierra Madre foothills

The road trip is both a strength and a limitation. Several people found the drive comfortable and safe, particularly because Vicente keeps in contact before pickup and explains the areas you pass. His vehicle was described as a spacious, air-conditioned cargo van, an important detail during Puerto Vallarta’s hot summer months.

The route takes you beyond the city and through smaller communities. You might see chickens and cattle beside the road, rustic villages, and broad views through the Sierra Madre mountain range. This is not a formal sightseeing stop, but it gives you a glimpse of daily life beyond the hotel zone.

I would treat the drive as part of the tour, not as dead time. Still, you should be honest with yourself about the distance. One person felt that roughly two hours each way took too much time from a short vacation. If you have only one or two days in Puerto Vallarta, the long ride may not be worth it.

If you have already spent several days by the beach, the calculation changes. The journey becomes a scenic transition from resort city to rural Mexico. Bring water, wear comfortable clothes, and expect a full day rather than a quick half-day outing.

Hot springs with a local, family-oriented feel

The hot springs are the heart of the trip. The setting is not presented as a polished luxury resort, and that is part of its appeal. The pools are used mainly by Mexican families, giving the stop a more local character than many organized wellness attractions near major resort areas.

The water is naturally warm and mineral-rich. You can spend time soaking, resting, and letting the pace of the day slow down. The experience is best for people who enjoy simple relaxation rather than a long list of activities.

One useful detail concerns the tubs. The water may take time to fill and reach the right temperature because the tubs fill and empty. If you arrive hungry, the waiting period can feel longer, so eat before leaving your hotel. You may also want breakfast while the water is being prepared.

The setting can offer more than a soak. One account described seeing iguanas and wild birds nearby. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they show that the area feels connected to its natural surroundings rather than sealed inside a hotel spa.

Bring a towel. That practical tip matters because the tour information does not list one among the included items. You should also wear a swimsuit and pack dry clothes, although the supplied details do not specify changing facilities.

Vicente’s BBQ is a major part of the value

The lunch is not a boxed meal handed out between stops. Vicente prepares it himself while you enjoy the springs and spa services. He grills meat, chicken, chorizo, and Portobello mushrooms, then serves the meal with quesadillas and guacamole.

The food has been described as abundant and authentic, including carne asada tacos, chicken tacos, and sausage tacos. That makes lunch one of the strongest reasons to consider this tour. You get a hot meal prepared during the outing, not a standard restaurant stop chosen for convenience.

Three beers per person are included, along with refreshments. If you do not drink beer, the refreshments give you another option, but the details do not specify the exact brands or types. The package also includes food for the group, so this is a useful choice for anyone who values lunch as part of the activity rather than an afterthought.

Dietary planning deserves attention. Since Vicente brings the meat and prepares the meal, contact the operator before the day if you have dietary restrictions. Do not assume that substitutions will be available without advance notice.

The cooking also adds to the social character of the outing. Vicente is not only transporting you from point to point. He is preparing food, answering questions, and creating the kind of relaxed day that feels more personal than a standard bus tour.

Massage and clay mask: useful extras, but confirm the details

The listed package includes a 30-minute massage and a clay mask. Together, they turn the hot springs visit into more of a wellness day. A clay mask gives you a playful spa treatment, while the massage provides a clear break from the road and the heat.

The massage received especially strong praise, with one account calling it an incredible part of the day. The combination of hot water, clay treatment, and massage makes sense if your main goal is to rest rather than sightsee.

There is one important inconsistency you should address before booking. The included section lists the massage and clay mask as part of the tour, but another description says both were a separate charge. That may reflect a change in the package or a misunderstanding at the time of booking. Ask Landing Tours to confirm exactly what your booking includes and whether any payment is due at the spa.

The same advice applies to the tequila tasting. It is listed as included, but the precise distillery and tasting format are not specified. You should expect an introduction to tequila production, not necessarily a large commercial attraction.

A small tequila distillery adds local context

Near the end of the day, the outing stops at a local tequila distillery. Francisco explains how tequila is made, and the smaller scale makes the stop more personal than a highly commercial tasting room.

This is a good addition because it gives the return journey a cultural stop after the relaxation portion. You learn about production and have the chance to taste tequila in the region rather than simply buying a bottle at a souvenir shop.

The stop is informative, but it should not be the main reason you book. The hot springs, meal, and comfortable transportation are the core of the day. The distillery works as a bonus for anyone curious about Mexican spirits.

Drink carefully if you take part in the tasting. You have already spent time in hot water, and three beers are included with lunch. A relaxed pace is more enjoyable than trying to turn the final stop into a drinking contest.

What the all-inclusive format is really worth

No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost in pesos or dollars. I can still assess the value of what is bundled together: round-trip transportation, hot springs admission, BBQ lunch, three beers per person, refreshments, tequila tasting, clay mask, 30-minute massage, and traveler insurance.

Buying each element separately would take planning and could easily create extra transport costs. The value is strongest if you want a full day arranged for you and would otherwise need to find a driver, locate the springs, organize lunch, and book spa services.

The value is weaker if you only want access to the hot springs. In that case, the long drive and the full-day structure may feel excessive. You are paying in time as much as money, and the ride can occupy several hours of the day.

Tips are not included. Carry some cash for Vicente, spa staff, or other service workers if you feel the service deserves it. Also remember that the activity is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, so confirm your date, pickup plan, dietary needs, and included services before you commit.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and small groups who want a calm day beyond Puerto Vallarta. It suits you if you enjoy local food, warm pools, scenic road travel, and a guide who takes care of the practical details.

It is also a good fit if you want something different from the usual beach schedule. The day includes nature, food, wellness treatments, and a bit of local production without forcing you into a demanding physical activity.

You should think twice if you dislike long drives, need a tightly scheduled sightseeing day, or want a high-end spa with polished facilities. The hot springs have a local, straightforward feel, not a luxury-resort atmosphere.

The tour is described as suitable for most people, with a maximum of 20 participants. Still, anyone with mobility concerns or medical questions about hot springs and massage should contact the operator before booking, since the available information does not explain the facilities or physical requirements in detail.

Practical plan for a smoother day

Have breakfast before pickup, especially since the 8:00 a.m. start may come before your resort’s breakfast service opens. Bring a towel, a swimsuit, dry clothes, sunscreen, and a little cash for tips.

Wear comfortable clothes for the drive. An air-conditioned van helps, but you will still spend a good portion of the day on the road. Keep your booking ticket available at pickup, and arrive at the lobby 30 minutes early.

If you have allergies or follow a special diet, contact Vicente or Landing Tours in advance. The BBQ is prepared from ingredients brought for the group, so advance notice is the sensible way to request changes.

Before leaving, verify the massage and clay mask arrangements. The published inclusions say they are covered, while one description says they required an additional charge. A quick confirmation can prevent an awkward surprise at the spa.

Should you book the Puerto Vallarta hot springs tour?

Book it if you want a restful inland day, a good grilled lunch, safe transportation, and a guide who does far more than drive. Vicente’s cooking, local commentary, and friendly service are central to the experience, while the hot springs provide a welcome break from Puerto Vallarta’s beach scene.

Skip it if your holiday schedule is tight or you consider a 1.5 to 2-hour drive each way too much for a soak. Also confirm the spa inclusions before paying, since the massage and clay mask descriptions do not fully agree.

For the right kind of visitor, this is a generous day out: warm water, mountain views, tacos from the grill, a tequila lesson, and no need to worry about the road home.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The meeting point is Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro at Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2735, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does pickup begin?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m. You should be at your hotel lobby 30 minutes before pickup and have your ticket ready to show the operator.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation is included, and the tour returns to the starting point after the hot springs, lunch, spa services, and tequila distillery stop.

What food and drinks are included?

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

Are the massage and clay mask included?

The tour details list a clay mask and a 30-minute massage as included. However, one description says these services were charged separately, so confirm the current arrangement with Landing Tours before departure.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Cancellations or amendment requests do not qualify for a refund.