Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour

The best part of this day is its mix of hot springs and home-cooked Mexican food. Vicente drives you from Puerto Vallarta into the Sierra Madre foothills, then prepares a generous BBQ while you soak, relax, and take in the quieter side of the region.

I like the personal touch and the setting. Vicente serves as driver, guide, and cook, and the route passes through small towns and mountain scenery. I also like that the day includes a clay mask, massage, and tequila tasting, not just a quick dip in warm water.

The main drawback is the distance. The drive can take about an hour and a half each way, so you will give up a good part of your day in transit. Bring a towel, eat breakfast before leaving, and confirm exactly which spa services are included before booking.

Key points to know before you go

• Vicente handles the whole day: He drives, explains the area, keeps in touch before pickup, and cooks lunch at the hot springs.
• The drive is part of the outing: Expect mountain views, small villages, and roughly two hours or more on the road in total.
• The hot springs feel local: The setting is used mainly by Mexican families rather than being aimed only at resort visitors.
• Lunch is a major part of the value: The BBQ includes meat, chicken, chorizo, Portobello mushrooms, quesadillas, and guacamole.
• Wellness extras are built in: The package lists a 30-minute massage and clay mask, along with tequila tasting and drinks.
• Breakfast and a towel matter: The early start and hot spring setup can make both easy to forget.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for the Sierra Madre

This is not a quick resort transfer followed by an hour in a hot pool. It is a full inland outing, with the drive helping you shift from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone to a quieter rural setting.

The day begins at 8:00 a.m. The stated meeting point is the Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, though pickup is offered. You should be in your hotel lobby 30 minutes before pickup and have your ticket ready for the operator.

That early start is worth noting. One person found that their resort breakfast opened too late for the departure, so I would eat beforehand or arrange something simple the night before. You do not want your first hot spring soak competing with a growling stomach.

The road trip can take up to about an hour and a half each way, depending on the exact route and conditions. That is the largest tradeoff in the whole outing. If you want maximum beach time or a short activity close to your hotel, this is not the right choice.

If you enjoy watching a destination change outside the city, the drive has its rewards. The route passes through smaller communities, rustic villages, open countryside, and the Sierra Madre mountain area. You might see chickens, cattle, iguanas, and wild birds along the way. Vicente also explains the places you pass, turning the transfer into part of the tour rather than dead time.

A guide who also cooks your lunch

Vicente is the key personal element here. He serves as your driver, local guide, and chef, which gives the outing a more informal feel than a large coach tour.

The transportation is described as round trip, and the vehicle used in the experience has been described as a spacious, air-conditioned cargo van. Air conditioning matters in Puerto Vallarta’s warm months, especially when you have a long drive ahead.

Safety is another practical strength. Vicente has been praised for cautious driving and for keeping in contact before pickup. He also shares information about the communities and scenery along the way, so you can ask questions instead of simply watching the road.

The tour has a maximum of 20 people, though the personal cooking and guiding style may feel more intimate when the group is smaller. You are not being handed a boxed lunch at a fixed stop. Vicente buys and prepares the ingredients, starts the grill, chops vegetables, and gets lunch ready while you enjoy the hot springs.

That setup gives the meal real value. It also means you should mention dietary restrictions in advance. The listed food centers on meat, chicken, chorizo, mushrooms, quesadillas, guacamole, and BBQ-style tacos. If you do not eat one of those foods, do not wait until lunch to explain it.

What the hot springs day is really like

The main stop is a natural hot spring facility away from Puerto Vallarta. The appeal is simple: warm mineral water, a slower pace, and a change from the coast.

The hot spring pools are not presented as a sleek hotel spa. One of the most appealing details is that the place is used mainly by Mexican families, giving you a more local outing than the usual tourist wellness stop. That does not mean you should expect solitude or luxury. It means the atmosphere may feel more relaxed and everyday.

The pools use a fill-and-empty system, and the water can take time to reach the right temperature. This is an important detail. You may want to settle in, let the tub fill or heat, and avoid judging the stop in the first few minutes.

If your ideal spa day means silence, polished facilities, and a fixed treatment schedule, keep your expectations in check. If you like warm water, fresh air, and a less commercial setting, the hot springs make sense.

The natural surroundings add to the appeal. The setting can bring you close to birds and iguanas, and the trip through the foothills gives the stop a stronger sense of place than a spa inside the hotel zone.

Clay mask and 30-minute massage

The wellness portion adds more than a soak. A clay mask and 30-minute massage are listed among the inclusions, giving you a chance to slow down before lunch.

The clay mask is a light, uncomplicated treatment. It fits the setting well and makes the day feel more like a spa outing without turning the schedule into a series of formal appointments.

The massage has received especially strong praise. It is described as an excellent part of the day, particularly when paired with time in the thermal water. That combination works because the hot spring lets you loosen up before or after the treatment.

There is one point to clarify before you pay. The inclusion list says the clay mask and 30-minute massage are included, while one account describes the massage and clay facial as carrying a separate charge. Ask Landing Tours to confirm the current arrangement in writing. The same applies to whether your group has a private tub, since that has been available for some people but is not clearly promised as a standard feature.

This small check can prevent an awkward surprise at the spa. It also helps you compare the tour’s real value with other Puerto Vallarta day trips.

A BBQ lunch cooked beside the pools

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. Vicente prepares a BBQ with meat, chicken, chorizo, Portobello mushrooms, quesadillas, and guacamole. The meal has been described as abundant, with tacos made from carne asada, chicken, and sausage.

That is a much more satisfying arrangement than a rushed restaurant stop. You get fresh food prepared during your relaxation time, and the meal becomes part of the social rhythm of the day.

Three beers per person are included, along with refreshments. If you prefer a nonalcoholic drink, the tour also lists refreshments separately. Since the meal features grilled meat and sausage, contact the operator ahead of time if you need vegetarian, allergy-friendly, or other special food.

The cooking also gives you something to watch. Vicente is not only dropping off lunch. He is working the grill, preparing the ingredients, and serving the food. That personal role is a big part of why the excursion feels different from a standard package outing.

I would plan to eat a light breakfast and save room for lunch. The meal comes later, after the drive and hot spring time, so leaving Puerto Vallarta without food is not wise.

Tequila tasting in a smaller distillery

Near the end of the outing, the route includes a tequila tasting at a distillery. You also receive an explanation of how tequila is made, with the visit described as taking place at a smaller production site.

This is a useful addition because it connects the day to a well-known part of Mexican food and drink culture without making the entire excursion about shopping. You get a look at the production process and a chance to taste tequila in a more local setting.

Do not expect a long museum visit or a full tequila course. The available details point to a compact, informative stop after the hot springs and lunch. It works best as a final cultural stop before returning to Puerto Vallarta.

The timing also makes sense. After several hours in warm water, a meal, and a massage, a short distillery visit gives the day a change of pace before the drive back.

The value of an eight-hour outing

The tour lasts about eight hours and includes round transport, hot spring admission, BBQ food, three beers per person, refreshments, tequila tasting, clay mask, 30-minute massage, and traveler insurance.

No price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost. I can say what you are paying for: not only admission, but also transportation, a personal guide, a cooked meal, drinks, and several added activities. If the massage and clay mask are truly included at the time of booking, the package has a strong value compared with arranging transportation, food, and spa treatments separately.

The value drops if you dislike long drives or want a tightly scheduled sightseeing day. The two-way journey can use several hours, and the hot spring itself is the main event rather than one stop among many major attractions.

For me, the best comparison is with a standard beach or resort spa day. This outing gives you mountain scenery, village views, local food, and a less polished hot spring setting. In exchange, you accept a longer road trip and fewer guarantees about privacy and spa-style facilities.

Tips are not included. Carry some cash for that, though the tour information does not state a required amount.

Who should book this experience?

You will likely enjoy this tour if you want a calm day away from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who value food and conversation as much as sightseeing.

It is also a good fit if you want to see a more local side of the area. The hot springs are not aimed only at international visitors, and the drive through smaller communities gives you a different view of the region.

You should think twice if you have limited time in Puerto Vallarta. An eight-hour tour with a long round-trip drive uses most of a day. It may also be a poor match if you want a luxury spa with highly controlled facilities, guaranteed privacy, or a short transfer.

The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate. The maximum group size is 20, but the exact feel depends on how many people book that day.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear a swimsuit and bring a towel. A towel is not listed among the inclusions, and one person specifically wished they had brought one.

Keep your phone charged for the mobile ticket and have the ticket ready at pickup. Be at the designated lobby or meeting point 30 minutes before the scheduled pickup, since the stated start time is 8:00 a.m.

Ask about the massage and clay mask before departure, because the supplied details conflict on whether those treatments carry an extra charge. Confirm the food too if you have dietary needs.

The activity ends back at the starting meeting point. It is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, so check your date, meeting point, and pickup instructions carefully before committing.

Should you book the hot springs tour?

Book it if you want a full inland day built around warm water, mountain views, a generous BBQ, and a personal guide. Vicente’s role as driver, guide, and cook gives the outing a friendly character, while the tequila stop adds a little culture after the spa time.

Skip it if your priority is staying close to Puerto Vallarta or fitting several major sights into one day. The drive is the clear cost in time.

For the right visitor, this is a relaxed and unusually personal day. Eat breakfast first, bring a towel, confirm the treatment fees, and give yourself permission to enjoy the road as part of the trip.

FAQ

How long is the hot springs tour?

The activity lasts approximately eight hours, including transportation from Puerto Vallarta and the return journey.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m. You should be in your hotel lobby 30 minutes before pickup and have your ticket ready.

Where does the tour start and end?

The listed meeting point is Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The instructions say to wait in your hotel lobby 30 minutes before pickup, while the listed starting point is Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro.

What food is included?

The BBQ lists quesadillas, meat, chicken, Portobello mushrooms, chorizo, and guacamole. The meal is prepared by Vicente.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package lists three beers per person and refreshments.

Is the massage included?

The inclusion list specifies a 30-minute massage, but one description says the massage may carry a separate charge. Confirm the current arrangement with Landing Tours before booking.

Is the clay mask included?

The inclusion list includes a clay mask, though one description also refers to clay facials as a separate charge. Ask the operator to confirm this detail before departure.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people. The experience is offered in English, and most people can participate.