Review · HOT SPRINGS AND GEOTHERMAL POOLS

Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour

★ 5.0 · 18 reviews 8 hours (approx.) Operated by Landing Tours · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this outing is its mix of hot springs and homemade Mexican food. You leave Puerto Vallarta for a quieter inland setting, soak in mineral water, and return to a meal cooked by Vicente, your driver and guide. It feels more personal than a standard coach excursion.

I like the Sierra Madre views on the drive and the chance to spend time at a hot springs site used mainly by Mexican families. I also like the generous package: a massage, clay mask, tequila tasting, drinks, and lunch are all included. The main drawback is the road time, which can reach about two hours each way for some departures.

At a glance

Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour - At a glance

  • A full inland day: Plan on about eight hours from the 8:00 am start until your return to the meeting point.
  • Vicente handles the details: He drives, explains the areas along the way, prepares lunch, and stays involved throughout the outing.
  • A private hot tub may be arranged: The tubs fill and empty, so give the water time to heat before settling in.
  • Lunch is cooked on site: Expect BBQ meat, chicken, chorizo, Portobello mushrooms, quesadillas, guacamole, and drinks.
  • The wellness extras are included: You receive a clay mask and 30-minute massage, along with tequila tasting at a distillery.
  • The setting feels local: This is an inland hot springs visit rather than a polished resort day in central Puerto Vallarta.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for the hot springs

Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour - Leaving Puerto Vallarta for the hot springs

This is a long day by Mexican road-trip standards, but the route gives the outing its character. You meet at the Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio at 8:00 am, then travel inland toward the hot springs.

The drive has been described as roughly an hour and a half at the shorter end, with some accounts putting the total road time closer to two hours each way. That is a real part of the experience, not a minor transfer. You pass smaller towns, see chickens and cattle along the roadside, and get mountain views as the road heads through the Sierra Madre.

I like this transition from the hotel zone to rural Mexico. It gives you a look at parts of the region that a beach-and-boardwalk holiday can easily miss. The tradeoff is simple: if you want the maximum number of hours in the water, this tour may feel road-heavy. If you enjoy scenery and a slower inland outing, the drive becomes part of the day.

Vicente serves as driver, guide, and cook. That combination matters because you are not handed from one operator to another at every stop. He also explains some of the places along the route and keeps in contact before pickup. The vehicle has been described as a spacious, air-conditioned cargo van, a useful feature during Puerto Vallarta’s hot months.

You need to show up at the lobby 30 minutes before pickup and have your ticket ready for the operator. The listed meeting point is the Chedraui location, and the tour returns there at the end.

More Hot Springs in Mexico

Hot water, quiet time, and a slower pace

Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour - Hot water, quiet time, and a slower pace

The hot springs are the heart of the outing. You spend time in naturally heated mineral water, away from the noise and traffic of Puerto Vallarta. The setting is intended for rest rather than a packed schedule of activities.

One important detail is how the tubs work. They fill and empty, so the water may need time to reach a comfortable temperature. I would not rush straight into the tub after arriving. Use that waiting period to change, get settled, or let Vicente begin preparing lunch.

A private tub is part of the experience as described by people who booked this outing, though the supplied information does not promise a private tub for every booking. If having your own space matters, confirm that point with the operator before you go.

The hot springs may appeal most to you if your ideal day includes long stretches of sitting, talking, and soaking. It is less suited to anyone seeking a busy sightseeing program. You are not moving from landmark to landmark. The reward is time to slow down.

The setting also offers a little nature watching. Iguanas and wild birds have been seen around the area. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they add to the feeling that you are outside the city rather than inside a hotel spa.

A clay mask and 30-minute massage

The wellness portion adds more than just a soak. A clay mask is applied to your face, followed by a 30-minute massage. Together, these treatments give the day a spa-like shape without turning the excursion into a formal resort program.

The massage has received especially strong praise, so it is worth treating this as a major part of the schedule. You can spend time in the hot water, receive the mask, and relax during the massage while Vicente prepares the food nearby.

The supplied tour details list both the clay mask and 30-minute massage as included. That is important because one account described the treatments as separate charges, which conflicts with the current inclusion list. I would confirm the exact arrangement when booking, especially if the treatment package is central to your decision.

Bring a towel. This is one of the most practical tips for the day, and it is easy to overlook when the outing is sold as an all-inclusive experience. The tour includes a clay mask and massage, but the supplied details do not say that towels are provided.

Vicente’s BBQ lunch is a major reason to go

Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour - Vicente’s BBQ lunch is a major reason to go

While you relax, Vicente prepares lunch on the grill. The meal includes meat, chicken, chorizo, Portobello mushrooms, quesadillas, and guacamole. The food is served as a BBQ-style Mexican lunch, and tacos made with carne asada, chicken, and sausage have also been prepared on similar outings.

I like this setup because lunch is not just another stop at a restaurant. The guide who drove you there cooks the meal himself, which gives the day a friendly, hands-on quality. The food is also substantial enough to matter after the early start and hot spring session.

Three beers per person, refreshments, and the meal are included. If you prefer not to drink alcohol, the refreshments give you another option. If you have dietary restrictions or avoid particular meats, contact the operator before departure. The menu is built around grilled meat, chicken, chorizo, and vegetables, so advance notice is sensible.

Breakfast deserves attention. The tour starts early, and one resort did not open its breakfast service before departure. I would eat beforehand or arrange something portable. Going into a full day of driving, soaking, massage, and lunch without breakfast is an avoidable mistake.

The food is also one reason the tour can offer decent value even without a stated price in the supplied information. You are not only paying for transport and entrance. You are getting a cooked meal, drinks, treatments, a tasting, and insurance in one package. The value is strongest if you plan to use all of those inclusions.

Same place, a different hour on the table:

A small distillery and tequila tasting

Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour - A small distillery and tequila tasting

Near the end of the outing, you visit a local tequila distillery. Francisco explains how tequila is made, and the stop gives you a look at smaller-scale production rather than a large tourist attraction.

This is a good change of pace after the hot springs. You have time to relax first, then finish with a cultural and food-related stop before returning to Puerto Vallarta. The tasting also fits naturally into a visit to Jalisco, a state closely linked with tequila production, though the tour details do not specify the distillery’s name or the length of the stop.

You do not need to treat this as a shopping mission. Think of it as a short explanation of the production process with a tasting included. If you are not interested in tequila, the stop may be less important to you than the hot springs and massage.

What the all-inclusive package really covers

Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour - What the all-inclusive package really covers

The package includes:

  • Round-trip transportation
  • Entrance to the hot springs
  • BBQ lunch with meat, chicken, chorizo, Portobello mushrooms, quesadillas, and guacamole
  • Three beers per person
  • Refreshments
  • Tequila tasting at a distillery
  • Clay mask
  • 30-minute massage
  • Traveler insurance

Tips are not included. Bring money for gratuities if Vicente, the massage provider, or anyone else gives you good service.

No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the package against a specific peso amount. I can still assess the structure. The outing has strong value for you if you want an easy day with food and services arranged in advance. Transport alone over this distance can take planning, and the added lunch, drinks, massage, and tasting reduce the need to organize separate bookings.

The package is less useful if you do not drink beer, do not want a massage, dislike long drives, or prefer to choose your own restaurant and schedule. In that case, you may pay for inclusions you will not use.

Group size, comfort, and practical limits

Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour - Group size, comfort, and practical limits

The maximum group size is 20 people. That is small enough to avoid the feel of a huge tour bus, though the actual group may be smaller or larger within that limit.

The experience is offered in English, and most people can participate. No special accessibility details are provided, so you should ask the operator directly if you need specific assistance with the vehicle, hot spring access, massage, or changing areas.

The activity is listed as approximately eight hours. Start at 8:00 am, arrive back at the Chedraui meeting point at the end, and expect the road portion to take a large share of the day. Wear something comfortable for the drive and bring a towel. Since you will use hot water and receive a clay mask, packing a change of clothes is also sensible, though the tour details do not state that changing facilities are available.

The cancellation rule is strict. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Only book once your plans are firm.

Who will enjoy this day most

Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour - Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend it to you if you want:

  • A quiet break from beaches, pools, and Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone
  • A rural drive with Sierra Madre views and small-town scenery
  • A guide who also cooks lunch
  • A combination of soaking, massage, facial treatment, food, and tequila
  • A more local-feeling hot springs visit rather than a polished resort spa
  • A full-day outing with most costs arranged in advance

I would think twice if you have limited time in Puerto Vallarta and want to stay near town. The drive may take up to four hours round trip, leaving less time for other activities. I would also choose another tour if you need a tightly timed schedule, dislike hot weather, or want a high-end spa with clearly stated facilities and services.

The day works especially well for couples, friends, and small groups who want to talk and relax. It can also suit families, since most people can participate, but the tour information does not describe children’s pricing or special family arrangements. Ask before booking if that affects your plans.

Should you book the Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour?

Book it if you see the drive as part of the adventure and want one easy package built around hot water, a massage, clay mask, BBQ lunch, and local tequila. Vicente’s role as driver, guide, and cook gives the day a personal touch, and the meal is a real highlight.

Skip it if two hours on the road each way sounds like wasted vacation time. The hot springs are enjoyable, but they are not close to central Puerto Vallarta. Eat breakfast first, bring a towel, confirm the treatment details and private tub arrangement, and tell the operator about dietary needs. With those points settled, this is a strong choice for a restful inland day rather than a standard beach excursion.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2735, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta. The tour returns to this same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 8:00 am. You should be at the lobby 30 minutes before pickup and have your ticket ready to show the operator.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. The drive to the hot springs may take about an hour and a half at the shorter end, while some journeys can take closer to two hours each way.

What food and drinks are included?

The BBQ includes quesadillas, meat, chicken, Portobello mushrooms, chorizo, and guacamole. You also receive three beers per person and refreshments.

Are the massage and clay mask included?

The supplied inclusion details list a clay mask and a 30-minute massage as included. Since one description gives different information about treatment charges, confirm the current arrangement with the operator before booking.

What is not included?

Tips are not included. The experience is also non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking.

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