Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour

The best part of this day is its local feel. You leave Puerto Vallarta behind, ride into the Sierra Madre area, and spend time at hot springs used mainly by Mexican families rather than at a polished resort built for tourists. Vicente drives, guides, and cooks, which gives the outing a personal touch.

I like two things in particular: the combination of quiet hot pools and spa treatments, and the fresh lunch prepared on site. You can watch the grill work while enjoying the water, clay mask, and massage. The main drawback is the drive. It can take about an hour and a half each way, so this is a full-day outing rather than a quick spa visit.

Key points to know before booking

• Vicente handles the day: He serves as driver, local guide, and barbecue cook.
• The hot springs feel local: You may be sharing the setting mainly with Mexican families, not large tourist groups.
• The drive takes time: Plan on roughly 8 hours overall, with about 1 to 2 hours each way according to the route and traffic.
• Lunch is part of the appeal: Expect grilled meat, chicken, chorizo, portobello mushrooms, quesadillas, guacamole, beer, and soft drinks.
• The spa portion is varied: A clay mask and 30-minute massage are listed among the inclusions, along with the hot springs.
• The group stays small: The maximum is 20 people, though the guide may provide a more personal setup for your party.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for the hot springs

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

That early start matters. One useful tip is to eat breakfast before leaving, especially if your resort does not open its dining room early enough. The first major part of the tour is transportation, so you want to begin comfortable and ready for the road.

Vicente is both the driver and the person who keeps the day moving. He has been praised for safe driving, clear communication before pickup, and a spacious, air-conditioned van. That last detail matters in Puerto Vallarta’s warm weather, particularly when you are spending several hours on the road.

The route takes you away from the hotel strip and through smaller towns toward the hot springs. You may see chickens, cattle, wild birds, and iguanas along the way. The mountain views are part of the outing, but the distance is also its clearest weakness. One account describes the drive as roughly an hour and a half, while another found the total travel time close to two hours each way.

If you want a short activity between beach time and dinner, this is not the right choice. If you enjoy seeing more of the region and do not mind a long road ride, the drive gives the day a stronger sense of place.

A local hot spring setting, not a resort pool

The hot springs are the heart of the excursion. You get time in naturally heated mineral water, with a setting that feels more connected to local life than a hotel spa. The attraction is simple: soak, slow down, and let the day become less scheduled.

The pools or tubs may take time to fill and reach the right temperature. One practical tip is to have breakfast while the hot water is being prepared. This is not a fast in-and-out stop, and the waiting period becomes easier if you treat it as part of the relaxed pace.

You may have access to a private tub or a more private area arranged by Vicente. The exact setup can vary, so do not expect a luxury spa with identical treatment rooms and a fixed timetable. The appeal is the informal setting, the warm water, and the chance to spend time away from Puerto Vallarta’s busy hotel zone.

The water is described as mineral-rich and suited to relaxation. Claims about healing should be treated carefully, but the basic benefit is clear: warm water can be a pleasant way to loosen up after a long drive or several active days.

Bring a towel. That advice is especially useful because a towel is not listed among the inclusions. You should also plan your swimwear and a change of dry clothes, though the supplied details do not specify changing-room arrangements.

Clay mask and 30-minute massage

The spa treatments add variety to what could otherwise be only a soak. A clay mask is applied to the face, followed by a 30-minute massage. Together, they give the stop a clear wellness focus without requiring you to spend the entire day in a treatment room.

The massage received especially strong praise, and it fits well after the drive. You can think of the order as a gradual reset: road time, warm water, clay mask, massage, then lunch. The exact sequence may change, but the ingredients are designed to keep the day unhurried.

There is one detail you should confirm before booking. The tour information lists the clay mask and 30-minute massage as included, while some descriptions of the day refer to the mask and massage as separate charges. Because of that conflict, ask Landing Tours to confirm exactly what your booking covers. Do not assume that an optional treatment is included simply because it appears in one part of the description.

The treatment area is also not described in detail. You should expect a simple local spa setting rather than a high-end resort facility. That is part of the charm for some people, but it may disappoint you if you want polished luxury, a large treatment menu, or a formal spa reception.

Vicente’s barbecue lunch is a major reason to go

While you relax, Vicente prepares lunch. This is not a boxed meal handed over at a roadside stop. He grills the food himself, chops vegetables, and serves a generous Mexican-style barbecue.

The listed menu includes meat, chicken, chorizo, portobello mushrooms, quesadillas, and guacamole. The descriptions also mention carne asada tacos, chicken tacos, and sausage tacos. You get three beers per person and refreshments as well.

I like the way the meal is tied to the place. You are not rushing back to Puerto Vallarta for lunch, and you can watch the cooking happen while you enjoy the springs. The food becomes part of the social side of the day, not just another inclusion on a checklist.

Dietary needs require advance planning. The guide brings the meat for the barbecue, so contact the operator before the tour if you do not eat certain foods. The available information does not promise vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, or allergy-specific substitutions.

The food is also a strong value factor. Since round transportation, entrance, lunch, beer, refreshments, and the listed treatments are bundled together, you are not paying separate admission, restaurant, and transfer costs throughout the day. The actual tour price is not provided here, so I cannot judge it against a specific number. Still, the package has more substance than a basic hot spring admission.

A small tequila distillery on the way home

The tequila tasting gives the return portion of the outing a second focus. At a local distillery, you learn how tequila is made and sample the product. The stop has been described as a small-scale production visit, which can feel more personal than a large commercial showroom.

This is useful if you want context behind one of Mexico’s best-known drinks. You get more than a tasting glass, at least in the intended format, because the visit includes an explanation of the production process.

Keep your expectations measured. The schedule only identifies a tequila tasting and distillery visit, not a long educational tour or a large museum. The stop is best viewed as a compact cultural addition after the hot springs, not as the main reason to book the day.

The timing also matters. After a hot soak, massage, barbecue, beer, and several hours on the road, you may feel ready for a quiet ride home. The distillery gives the day one last stop, but it also extends the schedule. If you prefer a pure spa day, the tasting may feel like an extra detour.

Transportation, group size, and pace

The experience lasts about eight hours and ends back at the starting point. The maximum group size is 20, though the personal attention described for Vicente’s outings may depend on how many people book on your date.

The van’s air conditioning is an important practical feature. Puerto Vallarta can be hot, and a comfortable vehicle makes the long drive much easier. Vicente has also been described as a cautious driver who explains the places you pass, so the road portion can feel like informal sightseeing rather than dead time.

Still, you should be comfortable spending several hours seated. The route may take about 1 hour and 20 minutes to 2 hours each way, depending on conditions. That is a large share of an eight-hour tour.

The best pace is slow. You should not book this expecting a packed schedule with constant activity. The point is to let the warm water, meal, and massage occupy the day. Bring a phone or camera for the mountain views, but do not expect every minute to be filled with formal guiding.

Who will get the most from this day

I would choose this tour if you want a break from the beach, enjoy local food, and like the idea of seeing inland Mexico. It suits couples, small groups, and anyone who wants a relaxed day with several elements rather than one single attraction.

It is also a good fit if you value a guide who takes on several roles. Vicente is not only driving you to the springs. He is explaining the route, arranging the visit, preparing lunch, and helping organize the spa portion.

Families may find the day appealing, but the supplied information does not give age rules, child pricing, or specific facilities for children. If you are booking with young children, ask the operator about the pool setup and treatment arrangements first.

You should think twice if long drives cut into your holiday enjoyment. One person considered the journey too much vacation time, even though the hot springs and barbecue were enjoyable. That is a fair criticism. The outing works best for someone who sees the road trip as part of the experience.

You should also ask about treatment charges, dietary requests, and towel arrangements before payment. The cancellation policy is strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Confirm the details you need before committing.

Is the all-inclusive package good value?

Since no price is provided, the fairest way to judge value is by what is bundled. You receive round transportation, hot spring entry, a cooked meal, three beers per person, refreshments, a tequila tasting, and traveler insurance. A clay mask and 30-minute massage are also listed as included, though that point needs confirmation because other wording suggests an extra charge.

That is a strong list for a full day. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer, find lunch in an unfamiliar area, or book a massage on your own. The guide’s cooking and local knowledge are central to the package, not minor extras.

The value is weaker if you want maximum time at the springs. The long road journey takes up a large part of the day, and the distillery visit adds another stop. You are paying in time as well as money.

For me, the package makes sense for visitors who want comfort and variety. If you only want a hot pool, find a closer option. If you want warm water, a homemade meal, a massage, a tasting, and a glimpse of the countryside in one outing, this is a well-filled day.

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta hot springs tour?

Book it if you want a slower inland escape with local food, warm pools, and personal guiding. Vicente’s role as driver, guide, and cook gives the day a friendly character, and the barbecue appears to be one of its strongest features.

Skip it if you dislike long drives or want a luxury resort spa. Also confirm the massage and clay mask charges before booking, and eat breakfast before pickup. With those points settled, this is a worthwhile choice for a full day away from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is Chedraui Puerto Vallarta Punta de Oro, at Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2735 in the Zona Hotelera area. Pickup is offered, and you should be in your hotel lobby 30 minutes before pickup with your ticket ready.

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and returns to the starting point. The drive to the hot springs may take about 1 to 2 hours each way, depending on conditions.

Who is the guide?

Vicente is identified as the driver, guide, and cook for the tour. He also prepares the barbecue lunch.

What food and drinks are included?

The listed food includes quesadillas, meat, chicken, chorizo, portobello mushrooms, and guacamole. The package also includes three beers per person and refreshments.

Are the massage and clay mask included?

They are listed as inclusions, but some tour information describes them as separate charges. Confirm this detail with Landing Tours before booking.

Does the tour include a tequila tasting?

Yes. The day includes a tequila tasting at a distillery, along with an explanation of the tequila-making process.