Shaded Hot Spring, Massage and Mex Grill in Puerto Vallarta

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta excursion is the change of scene. You leave the coast and city behind for Nuevo Ixtlan’s warm mineral pools, rural villages, farms, and mountain air. It feels far removed from the hotel zone, with a fresh tortilla stop and a lunch cooked from ingredients you help choose.

I like the personal touch from guides Antonio and Jose, especially the fruit, guacamole, lemonade, and grilled meal served at the springs. I also like the clever ending: a one-hour massage in Bucerias after the long ride home. The main drawback is the drive, which can take roughly two hours each way and becomes bumpy near the springs.

Key points at a glance

• Fresh food chosen along the way: Help select fruit and vegetables, then eat chicken, beef, grilled vegetables, guacamole, and handmade tortillas.
• Warm pools in the countryside: Nuevo Ixtlan offers several pools at different temperatures, plus changing rooms and bathrooms.
• A real rural detour: The route passes through small towns, farms, and agricultural areas rather than staying in the resort zone.
• Massage with an ocean view: The final stop in Bucerias includes a one-hour full-body massage near the beach.
• Small-group feel: The tour is designed for an intimate group, with a stated maximum ranging from 10 to 12 people.
• Plan for a full day: The 8-hour schedule includes substantial road time, so this suits you best if you value the journey as much as the destination.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for Nuevo Ixtlan

The tour begins at 8:00 a.m. at Sam’s Club on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, an easy meeting point in Puerto Vallarta. The stated end point is the same location, though arrangements described for some departures include hotel pickup and drop-off. Confirm that detail before booking, particularly if your accommodation is outside the main hotel area.

Antonio, also called Tony, or Jose Antonio Garcia Rivas may lead the day. The strongest part of their role is not simply driving. They explain local history, agriculture, plants, ranching, and the towns along the route. That matters because the road trip is a large part of the experience.

You should expect a long ride through the countryside. The drive offers views of farmland and small Mexican communities, but it is not a quick transfer to a spa. Near the hot springs, the road becomes unpaved and bumpy. Guides have been described as driving carefully, but anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare accordingly.

The vehicle has been described as comfortable and well kept, though group size can affect how spacious it feels. The tour description calls it a small-group outing, with a maximum of 10 in one section and 12 in the booking details. One account describes a group of about 15, so I would confirm the expected group size before paying if personal space is important to you.

Market shopping and a hot tortilla stop

One of the smartest ideas in the itinerary is stopping in a local market area to select ingredients for lunch. You are not handed a generic boxed meal. Instead, the group helps choose fruit and vegetables for the grill and snacks.

This gives the food a clear connection to the region. You might see produce being selected for the meal, then later eat it beside the springs. The ingredients described include chicken, beef, pineapple, corn, broccoli, potatoes, chiles, and cactus salad, though the exact menu can vary.

The tortilla stop adds another useful layer. At a local tortilla-making business, you can watch the process and try a tortilla while it is still hot. Fresh tortillas, chips, guacamole, and fruit turn a routine sightseeing stop into something you can taste.

I would not think of this as a formal cooking class. The value is more direct: you see a small part of daily food production, choose some of what you will eat, and then watch Antonio prepare the meal later. It is a good fit if you prefer local food experiences to another restaurant lunch.

Three hours at the Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs

The hot springs are the main event. Nuevo Ixtlan sits in a rural mountain setting, where the air is cooler and cleaner than in Puerto Vallarta. The water is described as comfortably warm rather than painfully hot, and the pools have different temperatures so you can find a level that suits you.

Plan on roughly two to three hours here. That is enough time to soak, eat, chat, and slow down without turning the day into a rushed photo stop. The setting is simple and local, with Mexican families using the pools as well as day visitors.

Facilities include changing rooms and bathrooms. There is also a small convenience shop where you might buy a beer or other drink. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and water, since the day combines warm water, outdoor time, and a long drive.

A mud facial may be available for a small extra charge, reported as about $4. It is optional, not part of the core package. If you like small spa add-ons, it may be worth considering, but you do not need it to enjoy the pools.

The water is called medicinal in the tour description, but I would treat that as part of the traditional hot-spring experience rather than a medical treatment. If you have a health condition affected by heat, ask your doctor before soaking.

Fruit, guacamole, and a proper Mexican grill

The meal is one of the tour’s strongest features. While you relax in the pools, Antonio may bring out fresh fruit, guacamole, chips, and homemade lemonade or limeade. The timing is generous, so you are fed in stages rather than rushed through one plate.

Lunch follows with meat and vegetables cooked over wood and coal. That method gives the food a smoky flavor, and the menu has included seasoned beef and chicken, grilled vegetables, corn, pineapple, potatoes, chiles, and fresh tortillas.

The meal is included in the overall experience, and that makes the $165 price easier to assess. You are paying for transportation, guiding, hot-spring admission, a substantial lunch, and a one-hour massage, not just access to a pool. Exact inclusions can vary, so confirm whether drinks beyond the provided lemonade are extra.

The market stop also helps you understand the meal. You see where some ingredients come from and get a hand in choosing them. For me, that is more memorable than a resort buffet, even if the setting is less polished.

The winding ride back to Bucerias

After the springs and lunch, you return toward the coast. This is the least exciting portion for some people. The countryside is pleasant, but several hours of driving can feel long, especially after soaking in warm water.

That said, the route is part of the exchange. You spend a day outside the tourist center and see agricultural areas and small towns that are easy to miss from Puerto Vallarta. Guides fill the ride with information about local history and rural life, which helps the time pass.

You should not book this outing expecting a short transfer, a luxury vehicle, or a tightly packed list of attractions. Book it if you enjoy slow travel, local food, and the chance to see how the area changes outside the coast.

Finishing with a one-hour beach massage

The final stop is in Bucerias, north of Puerto Vallarta. Here you receive a one-hour full-body massage with the sound and view of the ocean nearby. It is a well-planned finish after the long road journey and the hot pools.

The massage is not a quick add-on squeezed into ten minutes. One hour gives you enough time to settle in and relax. Some people describe it as the highlight of the day, while others particularly value the springs and food. Your own preference will depend on whether you see this primarily as a spa day or a countryside food excursion.

Small extras may appear after the massage. One account describes chocolate, an electrolyte drink, and a wine cooler waiting at the vehicle. These touches are not the central reason to book, but they show the kind of hosting Antonio aims to provide.

From Bucerias, you return to Puerto Vallarta and the meeting point or arranged hotel drop-off. Since the day begins early and ends after a long route, I would avoid scheduling an important dinner, show, or airport transfer immediately afterward.

Who will enjoy this $165 day trip

This tour suits couples, friends, and families who want a full day away from the coast. It is particularly good for you if you like:

• Hot springs with several temperature choices
• Rural Mexican food and fresh tortillas
• A guide who talks during the drive
• A flexible small-group outing
• A massage added to a day in the countryside
• A slower, less polished experience outside the resort zone

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking or moving easily. The springs may involve walking between areas, and the road is long and uneven near the destination.

It is less suitable if you dislike winding roads, need a short outing, or expect a quiet private tour. The group is advertised as small, but the actual number can vary. If you want a completely private day, ask about that directly.

Practical details before you book

The price is $165 per person. That is not cheap for a day trip in Puerto Vallarta, but the package includes several separate experiences: transportation, local guiding, the hot springs, market shopping, a cooked meal, and a one-hour massage. If you paid individually for a spa visit, lunch, and transport, the combined cost could quickly approach the tour price.

The day lasts about eight hours and starts at 8:00 a.m. You should wear a swimsuit under easy clothing and bring a towel, sunscreen, water, and some cash for optional purchases such as drinks or a mud facial. A phone with offline access to your booking details is useful because the route leaves the city.

Mobile tickets are accepted, and the tour is offered in English. Confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Weather can affect the outing, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

The high rating and large number of bookings point to a consistently well-liked experience, but the one recurring concern is clear: the drive is long. Go in expecting a road trip with a spa day attached, not a spa located just outside Puerto Vallarta.

Should you book the Nuevo Ixtlan experience?

I would book this if you want one day that combines countryside, food, warm pools, and a massage. Antonio and Jose add the personal connection that makes the drive worthwhile, while the market and tortilla stop keep the day tied to local life rather than resort service.

I would skip it if you are uncomfortable on bumpy roads, have limited mobility, or prefer a short, tightly organized excursion. For everyone else, $165 is fair value because the day gives you much more than a single attraction. Pack lightly, leave room for a long ride, and treat the journey as part of the experience.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Sam’s Club at Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2880 in Puerto Vallarta. The start time is 8:00 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The listed end point is the original meeting point. Hotel pickup or drop-off may be arranged in some cases, so confirm this before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

What is included in the day?

The itinerary includes transportation, a visit to the Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs, a Mexican grill meal, and a one-hour massage in Bucerias. The day also includes a market stop and a tortilla-making stop.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The activity requires a moderate level of physical fitness and is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking or moving easily.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather may also lead to a new date or a full refund.