Shaded Hot Spring, Massage and Mex Grill in Puerto Vallarta

The best part of this day is the change of pace. You leave Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone, pass farms and small towns, soak in Nuevo Ixtlan’s warm mineral pools, then return to the coast for a full-body massage in Bucerias. It feels less like a standard sightseeing loop and more like a carefully planned day away.

I like two things in particular: you help choose the fruit and vegetables for lunch, and guide Jose Antonio Garcia Rivas, often called Antonio or Tony, does much of the cooking himself. The tortilla stop, fresh guacamole, grilled chicken and beef, and beach massage give the day a pleasant rhythm.

The main drawback is the drive. The hot springs are far inland, and the final roads are unpaved and bumpy. This is not the right pick if you want a short outing or dislike winding roads, but it is a strong choice if you value quiet scenery and a full day of relaxation.

Key points to know before booking

• A full countryside day: Plan on about eight hours, with a long drive each way from Puerto Vallarta.
• Three hours at the hot springs: The pools offer different temperatures, with changing rooms and bathrooms on site.
• Lunch starts at the market: You help select produce, then eat a wood- and charcoal-grilled meal at the springs.
• Fresh tortillas are part of the fun: A stop at a tortilla-making shop adds a simple, tasty look at local food traditions.
• A one-hour massage ends the day: The Bucerias stop puts you beside the ocean after the inland portion.
• Small-group format: The tour is advertised for a maximum of 12 people, though the exact group size can vary.

Why this Puerto Vallarta day trip feels different

Many Puerto Vallarta excursions stay near the coast. This one takes you into the agricultural country beyond the resort strip, where the day is shaped by farms, village roads, market shopping, and mineral water.

That change matters. You see a quieter side of the region, and the drive becomes part of the experience rather than mere transport. Antonio or another guide from the same operation provides stories about local history, farming, plants, and the area around the springs.

You should know what you are buying. This is not a polished spa inside a resort. It is a rural outing with a long ride, uneven roads, and a simple hot-spring setting. The reward is a more personal day, with food and stops that connect you to the area.

The price is $165 per person. That is not a budget outing, but it covers transportation, the hot springs, market-based snacks and lunch, and a one-hour massage. Since a separate massage and a full meal can take a good portion of a day’s budget in Puerto Vallarta, the package offers solid value if you plan to use every part of it.

The 8:00 am start at Sam’s Club

The listed meeting point is Sam’s Club at Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2880 in Puerto Vallarta, with an 8:00 am start. It is an easy place to locate, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Some accounts describe hotel pickup or drop-off arranged by Antonio, but you should confirm that directly rather than assume it is included for your accommodation. The formal meeting details point to Sam’s Club.

The early start is sensible. You have a long road journey ahead, and leaving at 8:00 am gives you time for the market, tortilla stop, springs, lunch, and massage without making the day feel rushed.

The vehicle has been described as a comfortable, well-kept van. Still, remember that the group limit is listed as 12 people, and actual group size may affect personal space. One account described a much larger-feeling group, so confirm the expected number if a small, quiet outing is important to you.

Shopping for lunch in San Juan de Abajo

One of the smartest touches is stopping in a local town to choose ingredients for the meal. The exact market route can vary, but San Juan de Abajo appears in the detailed accounts.

You may help select fruit, vegetables, chicken, beef, and other items that later go on the grill. This gives you a role in the meal instead of simply receiving a pre-set plate. It also makes the food feel connected to the places you pass through.

The stop is useful for more than lunch. It shows how much of the region’s daily life is tied to agriculture and small-town trade. Antonio uses the drive and market visit to explain local farming, ranching, and food traditions.

Expect a working market rather than a tourist showroom. That is part of its appeal, but it also means the stop may feel less polished and more ordinary. Bring an open mind, and let the food choices be part of the day.

Fresh tortillas and a taste of local food culture

The tortilla stop is a small highlight with a big payoff. You can watch tortillas being made and eat one fresh from the press or bakery while it is still hot.

Several parts of the meal build on this stop. Fresh tortillas accompany the grilled food, and chips are used with guacamole. Some meals also include a cactus salad, pineapple, chilies, broccoli, corn, potatoes, and other vegetables selected earlier.

Food quality is one of the strongest reasons to choose this excursion. Antonio has been praised for his cooking, especially the marinated chicken and beef, homemade guacamole, and grilled vegetables. Cooking over wood and charcoal adds flavor that you will not get from a standard buffet.

The menu is not presented as a formal restaurant meal, so expect a generous rural grill rather than a plated fine-dining service. If you have dietary restrictions, state them when booking or before departure. The supplied details do not promise vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-specific meals.

Reaching Nuevo Ixtlan by rural roads

The drive to Nuevo Ixtlan takes roughly two hours according to the detailed accounts, though the full route and traffic can affect timing. The scenery shifts from the city and coast to farms, hills, and countryside.

Near the hot springs, the road becomes unpaved and bumpy. Antonio has been described as driving slowly and carefully, but the surface remains part of the trip. If you get carsick, consider preparing for the ride. The supplied information does not state that motion-sickness medicine or special seating is provided.

This is the point where you need to make an honest choice. The ride gives you access to a rural area that is not close to Puerto Vallarta, but it also takes up a large part of the day. One account found the drive boring, while most treated it as a pleasant route through the countryside. Your enjoyment will depend on how much you like long scenic drives.

The fresh mountain air and quiet setting help once you arrive. Internet access may be limited or absent in parts of the trip, which suits anyone hoping to step away from messages and screens. If you need reliable connectivity all day, this is worth considering before you book.

Soaking in the mineral pools

Nuevo Ixtlan has a series of hot-spring pools with different temperatures. That variety lets you move around and find a pool that feels right instead of being stuck with one water temperature.

The water is described as comfortably warm and medicinal. You can settle in, enjoy the mountain setting, and let the slower pace do the work. The time at the springs is roughly three hours, with some accounts describing about two hours of actual soaking before the return drive.

Changing rooms and bathrooms are available. A small convenience shop at the springs may sell drinks, including beer, but you should not depend on it for every snack or beverage. Packing water is a sensible idea, especially since this is an all-day outing.

Antonio may bring fruit, lemonade or limeade, and guacamole with chips while you are in the pools. This is a pleasant detail because it breaks up the soak without pulling you away from the setting. The snacks are made from the produce selected earlier.

A mud facial may also be available for an extra charge. One account put the cost at about $4. Treat it as an optional add-on, not part of the stated $165 price.

The pools are not described as a luxury spa complex. Their appeal comes from the warm water, open setting, local hosts, and time to slow down. You should be comfortable with a more natural, simple environment.

A grilled lunch made at the springs

Lunch is served after you have had time to settle into the pools. The timing works well: you snack on fruit and guacamole first, then move to a larger meal once you are ready to eat.

The spread may include grilled chicken and beef, vegetables, fresh tortillas, guacamole, and cactus salad. Pineapple, corn, potatoes, broccoli, and chilies have also been part of the meal. The food is prepared from the ingredients chosen earlier, which gives the market stop a clear purpose.

I like this arrangement because the meal becomes a social part of the outing. You are not just stopping at a restaurant, eating quickly, and getting back into the van. You see the ingredients, taste a fresh tortilla, relax in the pools, and then eat food prepared by the guide.

Portions appear generous. If you prefer to snack throughout the day, bring something small for the drive, since the experience lasts about eight hours and the road sections are long.

Bucerias and the one-hour beach massage

The final major stop is Bucerias, on the return toward Puerto Vallarta. Here you receive a one-hour massage with a view of the ocean, described in several accounts as a full-body massage on the beach.

This is a smart ending. After a long drive and time in the hot springs, you are already relaxed. The sound of the waves and the coastal setting give the day a second kind of calm, different from the mountain pools.

The massage is included in the tour description, but the details of the provider and treatment style are not specified. If you require a particular pressure level or have an injury, tell the massage therapist before the session begins.

Small extras may appear at the end. Some people received chocolates, electrolytes, or a wine cooler after the massage. These touches are not guaranteed in the formal description, so view them as possible additions rather than promised inclusions.

The return to the meeting point comes after the massage. Since the experience may run close to eight hours, avoid scheduling a dinner reservation or evening show too tightly after the stated finish.

Who will enjoy this experience most

You are likely to enjoy this tour if you want more than a resort day. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children or adults who can manage a long vehicle ride and uneven walking conditions.

It is especially good for you if you like:

• Rural scenery and local food stops
• Hot springs with several pool temperatures
• A guide-led day with stories about the region
• A meal prepared during the outing
• A massage after an active day
• A small-group setting rather than a large coach tour

You may want another activity if you have difficulty walking or moving around easily. The additional information specifically says the outing is not recommended for people with mobility difficulties. The unpaved road and hot-spring setting also make this a poor fit for anyone needing a highly accessible route.

The day is also less suitable if you want to spend most of your time in Puerto Vallarta. The hot springs require a long journey, and the drive is unavoidable.

Practical value, timing, and cancellation

At $165 per person, the value depends on how you measure a day out. You receive transportation, local guiding, market and tortilla stops, hot-spring access, snacks, a grilled meal, and a one-hour massage. Paying separately for these pieces could cost more, while also requiring you to arrange transportation into the countryside.

The best value comes from staying for the full program. If you dislike long drives, the package will feel less attractive even if the food and massage are excellent.

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the ticket is mobile. The tour is offered in English. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that period are not accepted for a refund. Since good weather is required, a weather cancellation brings either another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs tour?

Book it if you want a full, varied day that combines countryside, food, hot springs, and a beach massage. The strongest parts are the personal guiding from Antonio or Jose, the produce shopping, the tortilla stop, the generous grilled lunch, and the calm final hour in Bucerias.

Skip it if you want a quick spa visit, a luxury facility, or a short drive from your hotel. The route is long, the final road is rough, and the group may be larger than expected.

For the right person, this is one of the better ways to see a less tourist-focused side of the Puerto Vallarta area without giving up comfort at the end of the day. Bring water, allow the full day, and think of the drive as part of the price of reaching the springs.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed starting point is Sam’s Club at Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2880 in Puerto Vallarta. The scheduled start time is 8:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The formal meeting details say the activity ends back at the Sam’s Club meeting point. Some arrangements may include hotel drop-off, but you should confirm this before departure.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity information lists a maximum of 12 travelers. It is presented as a small-group experience, but the exact group size can vary.

Is the massage included?

Yes. The tour includes a stop in Bucerias for a one-hour massage with a beach or ocean view.

Are food and drinks included?

A Mexican grilled lunch is provided, along with fruit, guacamole, chips, tortillas, and drinks such as lemonade or limeade. The exact food selection can vary. Extra drinks, such as beer, may be available for purchase at the springs.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.