Private Tour to Hot Springs and Waterfall in Santiago

The best part of this private outing is the change of scene. In about an hour, you leave San José del Cabo’s resort zone for Santiago, a small agricultural town framed by the Sierra de la Laguna. The day combines a soak at Santa Rita Hot Springs with a swim beneath the 5-meter waterfall at Sol de Mayo.

I like the two-stop design: the hot springs suit the cooler morning, while the waterfall and pools offer a refreshing break once the sun rises. I also like having Jason and Gen handle the driving, local stops, and route, with snacks, fruit, water, park fees, and an air-conditioned Toyota Tundra included.

The main consideration is physical effort. The walks are short by expedition standards, but you still need a moderate fitness level, and the combination of uneven trails, desert heat, natural pools, and a six-and-a-half-hour day may not suit everyone.

Key points to know before you book

• Santa Rita comes first: The one-mile loop reaches natural hot tubs surrounded by native desert plants and tall palms.
• Sol de Mayo adds the swim: A two-mile out-and-back route reaches a 5-meter waterfall and pools fed by a lagoon.
• Jason and Gen lead the day: Their friendly, informative approach adds local context and keeps the private trip relaxed.
• The tour leaves resort country behind: Santiago gives you a look at a quieter agricultural part of Baja California Sur.
• The price buys privacy and transport: At $260 per person, the value improves for a small group that wants a dedicated vehicle and guide.
• Bring a moderate level of fitness: Short hikes, warm weather, and natural terrain are part of the experience.

From San José del Cabo to Santiago

Pickup is included in downtown San José del Cabo, with the tour beginning near La Comer on Boulevard Mauricio Castro. If you are staying outside downtown San José del Cabo, you can meet at the La Comer basement parking lot, which also offers a practical place to leave your car for the day.

The vehicle is a desert-sand Toyota Tundra. Pickup is scheduled about five minutes before the activity begins, so keep your phone handy and be ready to authorize entry if you are staying inside a resort or gated community. That small detail matters. A delayed resort pickup can eat into a six-and-a-half-hour outing quickly.

The drive north takes about an hour. This is not just dead time between attractions. You are moving from the hotel strip toward Santiago and the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna, where the setting becomes more rural and dry. The trip gives you a useful contrast with the polished coastal side of Los Cabos.

Because this is a private tour, only your group participates. That makes it easier to keep the day moving at your pace, ask questions, and spend more or less time at a stop within the limits of the schedule. It also makes the $260 price easier to assess if you are traveling with family or friends. A larger private group can spread the cost across more people, while a couple may find it a more expensive day than a shared excursion.

Santa Rita Hot Springs and the one-mile loop

Santa Rita is the first stop, and the timing makes sense. The morning air is usually fresher than the later part of the day, so the hot springs are a better opening activity than a midday soak.

The walk is a one-mile loop. You will pass native desert plants and tall palms before reaching the natural hot tubs. The setting sounds simple, but that is part of its appeal. This is not a spa with changing rooms, polished tile, and a menu of treatments. It is a natural pool experience in a desert canyon area.

I like the way the stop gives the day a calm beginning. You can take your time, settle into the warm water, and let the road trip fade before tackling the second walk. The hot springs are also a good fit if your idea of a day in Baja includes something quieter than a packed activity schedule.

The tradeoff is that natural hot springs do not offer the same controlled conditions as a resort pool. You should be comfortable with an outdoor setting and a trail rather than expecting formal facilities. The tour information does not specify changing rooms, restrooms, water temperature, or how long you stay in the pools, so ask Jason or Gen about the current conditions when booking or before departure.

The surrounding palms and desert vegetation give the stop a strong sense of place. You are not simply visiting a heated pool. You are seeing how water creates pockets of life in an otherwise dry region.

Sol de Mayo and the 5-meter waterfall

After Santa Rita, the group drives about 15 minutes to the next location. The second hike is listed as two miles out and back, and it leads into Cañon de la Zorra, or Fox Canyon, toward the base of the Sierra de la Laguna.

The route reaches the main oasis after about a quarter mile. That is useful to know if you are wondering how much of the walk is required before you see water. The full two-mile distance gives you a chance to explore farther, but the waterfall and swimming pools appear early in the route.

Sol de Mayo’s main feature is a 5-meter waterfall dropping into refreshing pools fed by a lagoon. A small sandy beach sits beside the main pool, giving you a place to rest between swims. The combination of rock, palms, running water, and dry canyon walls creates a dramatic change from the coast near San José del Cabo.

This is the more active and cooling half of the day. Once the sun is warmer, the pool is a welcome contrast to Santa Rita’s hot water. You can swim, sit on the sand, or spend time looking at the plant and animal life around the canyon. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, though the information provided does not explain exactly where or how it is used, so confirm the plan with your guide.

You should pay attention to footing. The tour requires a moderate physical fitness level, and the route is a natural trail rather than a paved promenade. The description does not give details about stairs, rocks, railings, or accessibility, so this is not a good choice if you need a fully accessible path.

The waterfall is listed as five meters high, but the real appeal is the full setting. You get water, shade, canyon walls, desert vegetation, and a sandy resting spot in one small area. If you want a day that feels far removed from the usual Cabo routine, this is the strongest part of the outing.

A private guide makes the difference

Jason is identified as the owner and guide, and Gen also helps lead the trip. Their role is more than driving you from one stop to the next. The day depends on their knowledge of the area, their judgment about timing, and their ability to adjust the outing to the group.

The most useful praise centers on their friendliness, humor, and local knowledge. One account describes Jason as funny and points out that his clean vehicle made the winding drive easier for someone who normally gets carsick. Another describes Jason and Gen as the highlight of the day, with a good mix of information and fun.

That kind of guide can change the feel of a private excursion. You are not simply following a fixed route with a crowd. You can ask about Santiago, the Sierra de la Laguna, the canyon, or places to eat. The supplied information does not promise a naturalist talk or a formal history program, so think of this as an approachable local outing rather than a specialist ecology tour.

The clean, air-conditioned Toyota Tundra is another practical plus. Baja roads and heat can make a vehicle matter more than you expect. A comfortable truck, bottled water, an ice chest, and snacks help keep the day pleasant, especially after the hikes.

Local food, honey, and homemade ice cream

On the way back, you may have options to stop for authentic Mexican food and small tourist shops. The food stop is not a fixed meal included in the $260 price, and alcoholic drinks are not included, so budget separately if you want lunch or a beer.

That flexibility is useful. You can stop for tacos or another local meal instead of returning hungry to San José del Cabo. One outing included a local restaurant and tacos that became a memorable part of the day. The precise restaurant is not specified, so your stop may depend on timing, availability, and what Jason and Gen recommend.

The small shops offer local honey and homemade ice cream. These are modest purchases, but they connect the outing to the farming and food culture around Santiago. I would choose these kinds of stops over a large souvenir store. They give you something local to taste or take home without turning the afternoon into a shopping trip.

Keep expectations clear. The tour includes healthy snacks and fruit, bottled water, and an ice chest, but it does not include lunch. The optional food and shop stops are part of the return journey rather than a guaranteed formal tasting program.

What the $260 price really covers

At $260 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a waterfall near Los Cabos. You are paying for a private experience, pickup or a convenient meeting point, an air-conditioned vehicle, a licensed guide, park fees, snacks, fruit, bottled water, an ice chest, and snorkeling equipment.

The price makes the most sense for people who value time and simplicity. You do not need to arrange the drive to Santiago, work out where the trails begin, or coordinate two separate canyon stops. You also get Jason and Gen’s local input, which can help with the food stop and the rhythm of the day.

For two people, the cost is a serious consideration. For a family or group of friends, privacy can make the price more reasonable, especially since only your party participates. Group discounts are available, but the exact savings are not specified, so ask before booking.

I would compare this with the cost of a shared outing plus transportation, not just the entrance price of a waterfall. The private format is valuable if you dislike crowded vans, need a flexible pace, or want the day to feel personal. If you only want a quick swim at the lowest possible cost, a shared option may be better.

Who will enjoy this day most

This tour suits you if you want to see a less developed part of Baja California Sur and are happy to trade the beach for canyon trails and freshwater pools. It is especially good for couples, families, and small groups who want a private vehicle and guide.

You should be comfortable with:

• A roughly one-hour drive each way from San José del Cabo
• A one-mile loop at Santa Rita
• A two-mile out-and-back walk at Cañon de la Zorra
• Natural hot tubs and outdoor swimming pools
• A moderate level of physical activity
• Warm weather and uneven natural terrain

The tour may not suit you if you want a fully scheduled meal, resort-style facilities, or a purely relaxed sightseeing day. The hikes are not long, but heat and footing can make a short route feel more demanding. The weather also matters. If poor conditions cancel the tour, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Wear practical walking clothes and bring whatever personal items you need for time around water. The provided details do not specify towels, changing facilities, or footwear, so confirm those points before departure.

Booking details and cancellation

Confirmation is received when you book. Pickup is included in downtown San José del Cabo, while those staying outside the downtown area can meet at the basement parking lot of La Comer.

The activity ends back at the original meeting point. It is offered in English, and the tour is private for your group only.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. Cutoff times use local time in Mexico, so check the exact start time before making changes.

Should you book the Santa Rita and Sol de Mayo tour?

Book it if you want a full half-day away from the resort strip, enjoy natural swimming spots, and value having Jason and Gen arrange the transport and route. The pairing of hot springs in the morning and a waterfall pool later in the day is well planned, and the food stop can add a tasty local finish.

I would be more cautious if your group has limited mobility, dislikes trail walking, or expects a polished spa and restaurant experience. The trails, natural pools, and moderate fitness requirement are central to the day.

For an active small group, this is a strong way to see the Santiago area without renting a car or building the route yourself. The clean private vehicle, friendly guides, waterfall, hot springs, and chance to eat local tacos give the outing more character than a simple sightseeing transfer.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The main meeting point is La Comer at Boulevard Mauricio Castro number 4650 in the Zona Hotelera area of San José del Cabo.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is included for downtown San José del Cabo. If you are staying outside San José del Cabo, you can meet at the basement parking lot of La Comer.

What vehicle is used for pickup?

Pickup is provided in a desert-sand Toyota Tundra.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What hikes are included?

The first walk is a one-mile loop to Santa Rita Hot Springs. The second is a two-mile out-and-back route at Cañon de la Zorra leading to Sol de Mayo waterfall and its pools.

Is lunch included?

No. Healthy snacks, fruit, and bottled water are included, but lunch and alcoholic beverages are not. Optional stops for Mexican food may be available on the return journey.

Is swimming possible?

Yes. Santa Rita has natural hot tubs, and Sol de Mayo has swimming pools fed by a lagoon. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.