Volcanic Hot Springs, Foot Massage, Tequila & Mex BBQ

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the mix of hot springs, tequila, and food in one small-group day. You leave the marina behind, ride into the hills, and spend time at a peaceful poolside setting with a Mexican BBQ lunch and a 15-minute foot massage.

I like the relaxed pace, and I like the personal touch that comes with a maximum of 10 people. The tequila tasting covers white, reposado, añejo, rosa, and special small-batch editions from Tequila, Jalisco. The main drawback is the open-concept public bus, which has no air-conditioning, and the hot spring temperature cannot be controlled.

Key Points To Know Before Booking

• The hot springs are naturally heated: Their temperature comes from the volcano, so you cannot request warmer or cooler water.
• Tequila tasting is for adults 18 and older: The lunch and other parts of the day remain available to younger participants.
• The group is capped at 10 people: That makes the outing feel more personal than a large coach excursion.
• Your ride is open-air and has no air-conditioning: Bring sun protection and dress for a warm Puerto Vallarta day.
• The best value comes from the combination: Lunch, bottled water, a foot massage, transportation, hot springs, and tequila tasting are included.
• The day returns to Marina Vallarta: Pickup and drop-off are at Avenida Paseo de la Marina 121.

From Marina Vallarta Into the Hills

Your day begins at 10:30 a.m. at Avenida Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta. From there, you board public transportation in an open-concept bus and leave the polished marina area for the hills beyond the city.

The ride is part of the experience, not just a transfer. The route offers changing views and an increasing sense of distance from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone. Some of the feedback about the drive points to beautiful hills and interesting sights, although the road can be bumpy. That is useful to know if you expect a smooth, air-conditioned coach ride.

I would wear light clothing, bring sunscreen, and carry a hat. Bottled water is included, but you may still want extra water for the ride. Since the bus has no air-conditioning, this is not the best choice for someone who strongly dislikes heat or open vehicles.

The small maximum group of 10 matters here. You are less likely to feel lost in a crowd, and it should be easier to ask questions or keep track of the day’s schedule. The exact flow can vary, but the experience lasts about five hours and ends back at the starting point.

A Jungle Setting Built for Slow Time

The destination is presented as a serene jungle retreat with volcanic hot springs, a pool, views, and open space. The setting does much of the work. Instead of moving from one crowded attraction to another, you get time to sit, soak, eat, and enjoy the surroundings.

The hot springs are the main natural feature. Water comes directly from the volcanic source, so the temperature is not controlled by the operator. This is worth taking seriously. If you prefer a precise spa temperature, you may find the springs too warm or too cool on the day you visit. If you like natural places with a little unpredictability, that is part of their appeal.

The pool gives you another way to cool off and relax. It is useful because hot springs are not a one-size-fits-all activity. You can split your time between the warm water, the pool, and the surrounding grounds instead of staying in one temperature for the entire visit.

The setting also includes a trampoline, according to the experience details shared by the operator and past participants. That small touch gives the place a playful side, especially for families and groups of friends. This is not a formal spa with a quiet, hushed atmosphere at every moment. It is more casual, social, and outdoorsy.

The Tequila Tasting, From Blanco to Añejo

The tequila portion gives the outing a strong Jalisco connection. You taste small-batch organic tequila made in the city of Tequila, the town that gives the spirit its name. The lineup includes white, reposado, añejo, rosa, and special editions.

The progression is useful even if you already drink tequila. White tequila lets you notice the cleanest expression of the spirit. Reposado has spent time resting in barrels, while añejo is aged longer and usually offers a smoother, more developed flavor. Rosa and special editions add variety beyond the usual three-bottle tasting.

Izzy leads the tequila tasting, and the experience gives the session a friendly, humorous tone rather than turning it into a dry lecture. You can expect information about the drinks as well as time to sample them. The tasting is included, but other alcoholic drinks are not. Read that distinction carefully. Tequila tasting is part of the package, while extra alcoholic beverages cost more.

You must be at least 18 to take part in the tequila tasting. Bring identification if you are close to that age requirement, although the supplied details do not specify what form of identification is accepted. Anyone under 18 can still take part in the non-alcoholic parts of the day, including lunch, the pool, and the hot springs.

Cocktails With Erik, If You Want More Than a Tasting

The experience has also featured cocktail preparation with Erik, who guides visitors through drink recipes and mixes cocktails on site. This adds a hands-on element that a standard tequila tasting often lacks.

I like this part because it connects the spirit to something you can actually use at home. Instead of simply sampling several pours, you learn how tequila works in a mixed drink. Erik is described as personable and fun, and the cocktail session has been one of the most praised parts of the day.

Still, you should treat cocktail-making as an added feature of the hosted experience rather than assume every detail is guaranteed in the same format. The formal inclusions list tequila tasting, lunch, transportation, bottled water, and a foot massage. It does not list an unlimited supply of alcoholic beverages or a separate cocktail class as a paid inclusion.

That distinction affects the value. The tasting is included in the $86.08 price, but extra drinks are not. If you plan to drink beyond the tasting, budget for additional charges and ask the host what is available.

Mexican BBQ Lunch With Flexible Food Choices

Lunch is a Mexican BBQ meal, served at the hot springs property. Food matters on a five-hour outing, especially one that includes heat, swimming, and alcohol. Having lunch included means you do not need to find a restaurant in an unfamiliar rural area or interrupt the day to arrange food.

Vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options are available. That is a major advantage for mixed groups, since one person’s dietary choice does not have to dictate a separate restaurant stop. You should still make your preference clear when booking or at the start of the activity.

The food is described as a strong part of the experience, but the available details do not give a full menu of side dishes, proteins, or desserts. If you have allergies or strict dietary needs, ask for confirmation before booking. The stated options cover vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan meals, but they do not promise a particular ingredient-free menu.

The meal also helps balance the drinks. You can eat before or after the tasting and cocktail portion, depending on the schedule for the day. Since the exact order may change, I would avoid planning another fixed lunch immediately after the activity.

A 15-Minute Foot Massage by the Pool

The foot massage is short, but well timed. You receive 15 minutes of treatment by the pool, giving your legs and feet a break after the ride, walking, soaking, and time outdoors.

Do not book this expecting a full spa treatment. Fifteen minutes is enough for a pleasant reset, not a long massage session. Its value comes from being included and from fitting neatly into the day. You can return to the pool or hot springs afterward instead of spending several hours in a treatment room.

The poolside setting keeps the mood informal. This is a practical add-on for anyone who enjoys a little pampering but does not want the entire day built around a spa appointment. It also gives non-drinkers another relaxing activity while the tequila portion is under way.

How the $86.08 Price Works Out

At $86.08 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning near Puerto Vallarta. It is also not simply a transportation ticket to hot springs. The price includes transportation from Marina Vallarta, lunch, bottled water, tequila tasting for adults, and a 15-minute foot massage.

You are also paying for access to a rural setting, the hosted tasting, and the convenience of having the day arranged in one package. If you tried to organize transportation, lunch, tequila samples, and a massage separately, the cost and planning would rise quickly.

The value is strongest if you want several different activities in one outing. It is weaker if your only goal is to soak in hot water. Someone who does not drink alcohol may still enjoy the food, pool, hot springs, views, and massage, but part of the package will have less value.

The five-hour length is another positive. You get a full half-day without giving up an entire day in Puerto Vallarta. Since the activity returns to Marina Vallarta, you can plan dinner or another evening activity afterward, though the bumpy ride and outdoor heat may leave you ready for a quiet night.

Who Will Enjoy This Best

I would recommend this outing to couples, friends, and small families who want a change from the city and beach hotels. It works well for people who like food, drinks, outdoor settings, and a flexible social atmosphere.

It also suits first-time visitors who want several local flavors in one day: Jalisco tequila, Mexican BBQ, a mountain drive, and a natural hot spring setting. The small group size should help the guides keep the experience conversational.

You may want to choose something else if you need fully controlled conditions. The bus has no air-conditioning, the road may be bumpy, and the spring temperature is natural rather than adjusted. You should also avoid booking if your main goal is a long professional massage, since the included treatment lasts only 15 minutes.

This is not a silent wellness retreat. The tequila tasting, cocktail preparation, trampoline, pool, and group transport give it an easygoing party feel. You can relax, but you should expect conversation and activity around you.

Practical Details That Matter

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is provided when you book, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, though your package already includes the open-concept bus from the stated starting point.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the 10:30 a.m. start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The activity depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can receive a different date or experience, or a full refund.

The day ends at the same Marina Vallarta meeting point. That makes the outing easier to plan than an activity with a separate rural drop-off.

Should You Book It?

Book this if you want a relaxed half-day that combines nature, Mexican food, Jalisco tequila, a pool, and a little pampering. The strongest reasons are the small group, the wide tequila tasting, the included lunch, and the chance to learn cocktails with Erik while Izzy handles the tequila session.

Think twice if air-conditioning, a controlled spa temperature, or a long massage is important to you. The open bus and natural hot springs require some tolerance for heat and unpredictability.

For $86.08, I see good value in the package, especially for anyone who would otherwise pay separately for transportation, lunch, drinks, and a spa-style treatment. Bring sun protection, keep your schedule flexible, and book at least a few weeks ahead if possible. This is a good choice when you want Puerto Vallarta to feel less like a resort and more like a day in the hills.

FAQ

Where does the experience start?

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

What time does the activity begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours and ends back at the original meeting point.

Is tequila tasting included for everyone?

Tequila tasting is included for adults who are at least 18 years old. Alcoholic beverages beyond the included tasting are not included.

Are food options available for different diets?

Yes. The Mexican BBQ lunch offers vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity may be canceled because it requires good weather. If that happens, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.