Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour

The best part of this day is its mix of quiet hot springs and local food. You leave Puerto Vallarta for the mountains, soak away the morning, and eat a BBQ lunch cooked by Vicente, who serves as your driver, guide, and chef.

I like two things in particular: the chance to spend time at a hot-springs facility used mainly by Mexican families, and the personal feel of having Vicente explain the countryside while he grills meat, chicken, chorizo, and vegetables. The clay mask, massage, beers, and tequila tasting add plenty to the day.

The main drawback is the drive. Plan on roughly an hour and a half each way, or about two hours in some accounts. That is a large piece of an eight-hour tour, so this suits you best if you want a slow inland outing rather than maximum time in the pools.

Key points at a glance

• A mountain escape from Puerto Vallarta: The route passes through Sierra Madre scenery, smaller towns, and rural views beyond the resort zone.
• Vicente handles nearly everything: He drives, explains the area, prepares the BBQ, and keeps the day moving.
• A Mexican family setting: The hot springs are not presented as a polished resort attraction, which gives the outing a more local feel.
• Several wellness stops in one day: You get hot springs, a clay mask, and a 30-minute massage.
• A generous food and drink package: Lunch includes quesadillas, meat, chicken, chorizo, Portobello mushrooms, guacamole, refreshments, and three beers per person.
• A small tequila lesson: The final distillery stop shows how tequila is made in a smaller production setting and includes a tasting.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for the Sierra Madre

This is not a quick spa visit tucked into the hotel zone. It is an inland excursion, and that matters when you decide if it fits your holiday.

The tour starts at 8:00 a.m. at Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro, on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. Pickup is offered, but the instructions also name this store as the meeting point. You are asked to be in your hotel lobby 30 minutes before pickup and to have your ticket ready for the operator. Since the meeting instructions contain both a pickup arrangement and a specific starting point, confirm the exact pickup plan before the morning of your tour.

Once on the road, Vicente is more than a chauffeur. He explains areas along the route and keeps in contact before pickup, details that can make an early start easier. The vehicle is described as a spacious, air-conditioned cargo van, a useful feature during Puerto Vallarta’s hot summer months.

The drive takes you through the Sierra Madre mountain area and smaller communities. You might see chickens, cattle, iguanas, and wild birds along the way. The views are part of the outing, not just scenery outside the window while you hurry to the next stop.

Still, be honest with yourself about the timing. The trip to the hot springs can take up to an hour and a half, and the return journey takes similar time. One person found the total driving time too long, while others considered the mountain views and rural villages a fair trade. If you dislike long van rides, this may not be your best use of a vacation day.

Arriving at the hot springs

The hot springs are presented as a place to slow down rather than a busy sightseeing stop. The setting has a more local character, with Mexican families using the facility and fewer international visitors than you might find at a major resort spa.

A private tub was arranged for one party, but you should not assume that every booking includes a private pool unless the operator confirms it. The tubs fill and empty, and the water can take time to reach a comfortable temperature. This creates an important practical tip: do not expect to arrive, sit down, and immediately have a hot soak.

Use that filling time well. If you arrive hungry, you may be waiting for the water while wishing you had eaten. One useful suggestion is to have breakfast before leaving, especially because some resort breakfast rooms open at the same time the tour departs. A light breakfast gives you a better start without taking away from lunch later.

The water is naturally mineral-based, and the attraction here is simple: sit, warm up, and let the day become unhurried. The experience does not depend on a packed schedule or dramatic entertainment. You are paying for time, quiet, and a change from the beach routine.

Bring a towel. That detail is not listed among the inclusions, and you should not count on your hotel towel being available or suitable for a full day away from the resort.

Clay mask and 30-minute massage

The wellness portion adds structure to the hot-springs visit. A clay mask is applied to your face, followed by a 30-minute massage. Together, they turn a basic soak into a more complete spa-style outing.

The massage received especially strong praise, and the clay treatment is a pleasant match for a day built around rest. You can enjoy the warm water first, then let the treatment provide a quieter break from the pool.

There is one point to clarify before booking. The package information lists the clay mask and 30-minute massage as included, but one account described these services as carrying a separate charge. That is a meaningful difference. Ask Landing Tours to confirm exactly what your booked rate covers, particularly if you are comparing this excursion with a standard hot-springs admission.

You should also tell the operator about any dietary needs before departure. Vicente brings the ingredients for the BBQ, so advance notice is important if you cannot eat certain meats or other listed foods.

Vicente’s BBQ lunch

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular outing. Instead of stopping at a generic restaurant, Vicente cooks while you enjoy the springs and treatments.

The planned spread includes quesadillas, grilled meat, chicken, chorizo, Portobello mushrooms, guacamole, refreshments, and three beers per person. The food is described in practical terms, but the real value is the timing. After a morning on the road and in the hot water, a freshly prepared lunch feels like part of the experience rather than a break between activities.

The meal may include carne asada tacos, chicken tacos, and sausage tacos, depending on the day and preparation. The portions have been described as abundant, and the cooking is a personal touch that separates this from a simple transportation package.

You get a guide who is also busy at the grill, chopping vegetables and preparing the meat. That arrangement works best if you enjoy a relaxed, social pace. It is less suited to someone who wants a formal restaurant meal with a fixed menu and quick service.

The drink package includes three beers per person and refreshments. Since the driver is responsible for transportation, you should let Vicente handle the driving and keep your own drinking within the package. The tour also includes traveler insurance, while tips are not included.

A small tequila distillery near the end

The tequila stop gives the day a cultural and production angle after the wellness time. At a smaller local distillery, Francisco explains the tequila-making process and offers a tasting.

This is not positioned as a large factory tour. The appeal is seeing a smaller operation and learning how the drink is produced in a more personal setting. If you have already visited several major tequila attractions, this may feel modest, but it offers a useful contrast to Puerto Vallarta’s beach and resort activities.

The stop also breaks up the return portion of the excursion. After a long soak, lunch, and massage, a short educational visit gives you something to look at and listen to before heading back.

As with any tasting, use good judgment if you are also enjoying the included beers. The tour is a full day, and the strongest part of it is the relaxed rhythm, not seeing how much you can drink.

What the eight-hour schedule really means

The published duration is approximately eight hours. That includes transportation, the hot springs, wellness services, lunch, and the tequila stop. Because the route can take up to an hour and a half each way, the time at the springs is not eight full hours.

That is not a flaw if you want a complete inland outing. You are getting transport, an entry ticket, food, drinks, treatments, insurance, and a tasting in one package. The value comes from having these pieces arranged together, with Vicente coordinating the day.

The value is less clear if you only want a few hours in hot water. In that case, the driving can feel costly in time, even though the entry and meal are bundled. No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact dollar value. Compare the total booking cost with what you would pay separately for transportation, hot-springs admission, lunch, massage, clay treatment, drinks, and a distillery visit.

A maximum group size of 20 is listed, but the experience can still feel personal when Vicente is actively hosting and cooking. If you strongly prefer a private day, ask about your group size and whether a private tub is guaranteed.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this outing if you want a rest day with scenery, not a high-energy adventure. It works well for couples, friends, and families who enjoy a long meal, warm water, gentle treatments, and conversation with a local guide.

It is also a good choice if you have already spent several days around the Puerto Vallarta beaches and want to see a different side of the region. The rural route, small towns, mountain views, and local hot-springs setting give you a fuller sense of the area than another afternoon beside a hotel pool.

You may want to skip it if your holiday schedule is tight, if you do not tolerate long drives, or if you want a luxury spa with precise appointment times and polished resort facilities. The setting is more straightforward and local than upscale, and the tubs may take time to fill and heat.

Before booking, confirm four details: your exact pickup point, whether the massage and clay mask are included in your rate, whether a private tub is guaranteed, and how the menu can be adjusted for dietary restrictions. Those questions remove the main areas of uncertainty.

Practical details for a smoother day

Wear clothing that is comfortable for an early departure and a hot-springs visit. Bring a towel, and pack anything you need for changing after the water. The supplied information does not specify changing-room arrangements, so keeping your belongings simple is sensible.

Eat breakfast before leaving. This is especially important if your resort does not open its breakfast service early enough for the tour. Lunch comes later, after the road trip and hot-springs time.

Keep your ticket ready and arrive at the lobby 30 minutes before the planned pickup. The tour is offered in English, and mobile tickets are accepted. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate, though the information does not give detailed mobility guidance.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. It is listed as non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so check your schedule, pickup details, and treatment inclusions before you commit.

Should you book the hot springs tour?

Book it if you want an easygoing day that combines mountain scenery, local food, and soaking time. Vicente’s role as driver, guide, and cook gives the outing a personal character, and the BBQ, beers, massage, clay mask, and tequila tasting make it more than a basic hot-springs transfer.

Skip it if the thought of spending up to three hours in the van bothers you. The drive is the clear tradeoff. For the right person, that road time opens the door to a quieter part of the region and a family-oriented hot-springs setting. For someone chasing maximum beach or pool time, it will feel like too much of the day is spent getting there.

FAQ

How long does the hot-springs tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including transportation, the hot springs, lunch, wellness services, and the tequila distillery visit.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m. You are asked to be in your hotel lobby 30 minutes before pickup.

Where does the tour start and end?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered, but the instructions also identify Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro as the starting point. Confirm your exact pickup arrangement with the tour operator before departure.

What food is included?

The BBQ includes quesadillas, meat, chicken, Portobello mushrooms, chorizo, and guacamole. The meal may also be served as carne asada, chicken, and sausage tacos.

How many drinks are included?

Three beers per person, along with refreshments, are included.

Are the massage and clay mask included?

The package information lists a clay mask and 30-minute massage as included. One account described these services as a separate charge, so confirm the treatment inclusions for your booking.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. The tour includes a tequila tasting at a distillery, where the tequila-making process is explained.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Tips are not included.