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 the resorts of San José del Cabo for Santiago’s agricultural countryside, where palm trees, hot springs, mountain canyons, and a waterfall replace hotel pools and traffic. The day pairs a warm soak at Santa Rita with a cool swim at Sol de Mayo.

I like the private format, which lets Jason or Gen set a comfortable pace for your group. I also like the mix of short hikes and water time: one mile at the hot springs, then a two-mile out-and-back route toward the waterfall. The main consideration is physical effort. This is not a bus ride with a quick photo stop, and the rough natural trails call for a moderate fitness level.

Key things to know before you book

• Two very different water stops: Santa Rita offers natural hot pools, while Sol de Mayo has a 5-meter waterfall and cool swimming pools.
• A real rural escape: The tour takes you about an hour north of San José del Cabo to the small agricultural town of Santiago.
• Private transportation: Only your group joins the activity, with pickup in an air-conditioned Toyota Tundra.
• Short but active hikes: Plan for a one-mile loop at the hot springs and a two-mile out-and-back hike at the waterfall.
• Local add-ons are possible: The return trip may include Mexican food, local honey, homemade ice cream, and small gift shops, though purchases and alcohol cost extra.
• Best for flexible outdoor days: Pickup, snacks, bottled water, park fees, and a licensed guide are included, but you need sensible shoes and a reasonable level of fitness.

From San José del Cabo to Santiago’s desert valleys

The tour begins near San José del Cabo, with pickup offered in the downtown area. The meeting point is La Comer on Boulevard Mauricio Castro, a useful option if you are staying outside the regular pickup zone. You can park in the basement parking lot there for the day, then meet the vehicle.

The ride is in a desert-sand Toyota Tundra. Pickup is scheduled about five minutes before the activity begins, so keep your phone nearby. If you are staying inside a resort or gated community, the operator may need to call you for entry authorization.

The drive north takes about an hour. That matters because this is not an attraction beside the hotel strip. You get a look at a less polished, more rural part of the municipality, with Santiago serving as the base for the day. The change helps explain the appeal: you are not simply moving between two organized attractions. You are heading into an area of farms, mountain foothills, native plants, and natural water.

The total outing lasts about six and a half hours. That gives you enough time for both stops without turning the day into a long expedition. Since the activity is private, you do not have to match the pace of a large group. That is especially helpful if one person wants more time in the water while another prefers to sit in the shade.

Santa Rita Hot Springs: a gentle start with a warm reward

The first stop is Santa Rita Hot Springs. Starting here makes sense. The morning is usually cooler, and the hike is the shorter of the two. The trail forms a loop of about one mile, leading through native desert plants and tall palms.

Santa Rita is not presented as a large resort-style spa. The appeal is its natural setting and the simple pleasure of reaching hot pools on foot. Once you arrive, the pools offer a place to slow down, soak, and let the day begin without rushing.

The phrase natural hot tubs gives you the right idea, but do not expect polished changing rooms or a tiled wellness center. This is an outdoor stop. Bring clothing that works for walking and swimming, and be ready for natural ground underfoot.

I especially like the contrast here. The surrounding country is dry and rugged, yet palms and warm water create a small oasis. The stop gives you a close look at how water shapes the area around the Sierra de la Laguna, even when the wider country appears sun-baked.

The one-mile distance is modest, but the trail still requires care. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness, and that warning should be taken seriously if you have trouble on uneven ground. You will get more from the stop if you can walk steadily, manage a short trail, and get in and out of the pools without assistance.

Sol de Mayo and the five-meter waterfall

After Santa Rita, the vehicle drives about 15 minutes to the next area, Canyon de la Zorra. The second hike is about two miles out and back. Its early section leads toward an oasis at the base of the Sierra de la Laguna, with native plant life and the chance to see local fauna.

The reward comes roughly a quarter mile into the hike: a waterfall about five meters high, with swimming pools fed by a lagoon. This is the visual centerpiece of the day. The water gathers below the falls beside a small sandy beach, giving you a natural place to sit, swim, or simply watch the water move through the canyon.

The setting feels far removed from San José del Cabo. You are surrounded by rock, desert growth, palms, and water rather than hotel buildings. The short walk also means you do not need to commit to a full-day trek to reach the main view.

Still, keep the two-mile figure in mind. The waterfall may appear early in the route, but the stated hike continues as an out-and-back. If you stop at the pool and beach, the return walk remains part of the outing. The trail conditions are not described in detail, so sensible walking shoes are the safe choice.

The water temperature will feel quite different from Santa Rita. That is what makes the pairing work. Santa Rita is for warming up and relaxing; Sol de Mayo is for cooling off. If you enjoy swimming in natural pools, bring suitable swimwear and a towel. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, though the supplied details do not promise a specific snorkeling activity or underwater visibility.

You should also remember that natural pools depend on conditions. Water levels and flow can vary, and the experience is outdoors rather than controlled like a hotel pool. The good-weather requirement also matters. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

A private guide makes the day easier

Jason and Gen are the named guides associated with this experience. Their role goes beyond driving. The tour includes a licensed guide, and direct feedback highlights Jason’s humor, local knowledge, clean vehicle, and friendly manner. Gen is also described as an engaging guide who helps make the day enjoyable.

That personal element matters on a private outing. A guide can explain the area around Santiago and the Sierra de la Laguna, help you understand the route, and adjust the rhythm for your group. You are not locked into a fixed large-group schedule.

The clean Toyota Tundra is another practical plus. If you are prone to motion sickness, a clean, comfortable vehicle and a smaller group may make the drive easier, though no transport can guarantee that. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which is welcome after a warm hike or a swim.

The private setup also makes this a better choice for families or friends who want to spend the day together without strangers. It may be less appealing if you prefer a cheap shared excursion or do not care about having a guide to yourself.

Food, honey, and homemade ice cream on the way back

The return journey may include stops for authentic Mexican food and small tourist shops. Tacos at a local restaurant are one possible highlight, and local honey and homemade ice cream are also mentioned as shopping options.

These stops are not fixed as part of the two main attractions, so think of them as flexible additions rather than guaranteed meals or tastings. Ask your guide what fits the day and what is open. Food and purchases are not listed among the included items, so carry money for lunch, snacks beyond the supplied provisions, and gifts.

This is one of the tour’s most appealing touches. The hot springs and waterfall get you outdoors, but a meal in a local restaurant gives the day a connection to the community around Santiago. It is also a chance to try something beyond the menus found in the resort district.

The tour provides healthy snacks, fruit, bottled water, and an ice chest. That helps you stay comfortable between stops, but it does not replace lunch. If you have dietary needs, the supplied details do not specify special meal arrangements, so ask the operator before booking.

What the $260 price means

At $260 per person, this is not a budget day trip. The value depends on how much you care about privacy, transport, and a guide who handles the details.

The price includes pickup in downtown San José del Cabo, an air-conditioned private vehicle, a licensed guide, park fees, bottled water, fruit, healthy snacks, an ice chest, and snorkeling equipment. You also get two natural attractions in one half-day outing. For a private group, that package can make sense, especially if splitting the cost among several people.

The price is harder to justify if you are mainly seeking a quick waterfall visit. You are paying for the drive into the Santiago area, the private arrangement, the guide, and the ability to combine Santa Rita with Sol de Mayo. Alcohol, tips, lunch, and purchases are extra.

Group discounts are available, but the details are not provided. Ask how the discount applies to your party before you pay. The activity is commonly booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 31 days, so you should not assume a last-minute place will be available.

The strongest value comes for people who want an easy way to reach rural Baja California Sur without renting a car or planning the route themselves. You get a full outing with transport and local guidance, rather than paying only for entry to a single site.

Who should book this outing

I would choose this tour if you want more than beach time and are comfortable with active sightseeing. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who like swimming, short hikes, and local food.

It is also a good fit if you want a private day with room for conversation and flexibility. Jason and Gen’s friendly style, humor, and area knowledge are part of the appeal, especially if you prefer a personal guide to a scripted group tour.

You should think twice if you dislike uneven trails, natural swimming areas, or changing outdoors. The tour requires moderate fitness, and the two walks add up even though neither is extremely long.

I would also avoid booking it as your only plan if your ideal vacation day means staying beside a resort pool. This outing is about getting out of San José del Cabo and seeing a very different side of the region.

Practical details before you go

Pickup is included for downtown San José del Cabo. If you stay outside that area, meet at the basement parking lot of La Comer in San José del Cabo. The activity ends back at the starting point.

Wear comfortable footwear suitable for a one-mile loop and a two-mile out-and-back trail. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a phone. Bottled water and snacks are supplied, but extra cash is useful for lunch, tips, alcohol, honey, ice cream, or other purchases.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

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

Book it if you want a private, active escape from the resort zone, especially if hot springs and waterfall swimming sound better than another day at the beach. The combination of warm pools, cool canyon water, a local meal option, and a guide-led drive gives you a full picture of the area in roughly six and a half hours.

Skip it if you want a low-cost excursion, dislike walking, or need a tightly predictable schedule for food and swimming. For the right group, the $260 price buys convenience and a personal experience in a part of Baja California Sur that is easy to miss from San José del Cabo.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is offered from downtown San José del Cabo. The listed meeting point is La Comer, Boulevard Mauricio Castro #4650, Zona Hotelera, San José del Cabo.

Can I be picked up outside San José del Cabo?

If you are staying outside San José del Cabo, you can meet the vehicle at the basement parking lot of La Comer in San José del Cabo. The parking lot is described as a safe place to leave your vehicle for the day.

What vehicle is used for pickup?

Pickup is provided in a desert-sand Toyota Tundra. The vehicle is air-conditioned.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes. It ends back at the starting point.

How much walking is involved?

The Santa Rita Hot Springs trail is a one-mile loop. The Canyon de la Zorra hike to Sol de Mayo is about two miles out and back. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Santa Rita has natural hot pools, and Sol de Mayo has swimming pools fed by a lagoon below a 5-meter waterfall.

Is food included?

Healthy snacks, fruit, and bottled water are included. The tour may stop at a local restaurant on the way back, but food purchases are not listed as included.

Is this a shared group tour?

No. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.