Hot springs in Mexico beat the usual beach loop. This 8-hour Puerto Vallarta area tour pairs natural hot mineral pools with a guide-led BBQ lunch and clay mask plus a 30-minute massage, so your day feels properly taken care of. The main tradeoff is time: you’ll spend a good chunk on the road, and it starts early.

I like that the experience runs like a plan, not a scavenger hunt. You get round transport, entrance to the hot springs, food and drinks (including 3 beers per person), a tequila tasting, and even travel insurance—all in one package led by Vicente, who acts as driver, guide, and chef. The only real “watch-outs” are simple: have breakfast before you go, bring a towel, and know the soak tubs take time to heat up.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• Max 20 travelers, so the vibe stays calm instead of chaotic.
• Pickup at Chedraui Punta de Oro and hotel pickup by showing up early at the lobby.
• BBQ lunch cooked on site by Vicente, with options like meat, chicken, chorizo, portobello mushrooms, and guacamole.
• Claying and massage are included, and you might also see extra spa add-ons on arrival.
• Tequila tasting included at a distillery stop (not just a quick photo stop).
• Bring a towel and plan breakfast before the morning start.

A Relaxation Day With Hot Springs, BBQ, and Tequila

This is the kind of day trip that makes sense when you’re in Puerto Vallarta but you want a break from the constant walking, shopping, and saltwater sun. The hot springs are the headline, but the rest of the schedule helps you stay in relaxation mode: you’ll eat well without hunting for a restaurant, you’ll get pampered with a clay mask and massage, and you’ll finish with a tequila tasting.

What makes it work for most people is the pacing. You’re not rushing from one attraction to the next. Instead, you’re set up to soak, reset, and then refuel before the next (and final) stop.

Pickup From Chedraui Punta de Oro and What 8 AM Really Means

The tour starts at 8:00 am. The meeting point is at CHEDRAUI PUERTO VALLARTA PUNTA DE ORO, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2735, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48310 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. If your pickup is offered for your hotel, you’ll want to be at the lobby 30 minutes before pickup and have your ticket ready to show the tour operator.

Practical tip: do not rely on “we’ll find breakfast later.” Several guests strongly recommend you eat before you leave, because the day starts early and the hot springs time can be focused on soaking rather than stopping for food.

The Drive Away From Puerto Vallarta: Views, Towns, and Time on the Road

This trip isn’t a quick hop across town. The hot springs are outside the core Puerto Vallarta area, and you should plan on a longer day largely because of travel time.

Based on what people described, the drive can be around 1 hour and 20 minutes away (some mention closer to about 1.5 hours each way). That may feel like a lot if you’re hoping for a short excursion. But it also becomes part of the experience: the route passes smaller towns and scenic areas, and you can get a sense of how life looks inland rather than just along the coast.

If you hate sitting in traffic, bring something to keep comfortable for the ride. The vehicle is a spacious van with air conditioning, which matters in Mexico during warmer months.

Entering the Hot Springs: What “Mineral Relaxation” Feels Like

Once you arrive, the focus is simple: natural hot springs and time in the tubs. The idea is that mineral-rich waters create a wellness-style reset, and the day’s structure supports that. You’re given time for soaking rather than being pushed through.

How the tubs work matters for your comfort. Guests noted that the tubs fill and empty, and the water can take a while to heat up as it cycles. So if you jump in immediately expecting perfect temperature, give the tub a few minutes first. This is also why breakfast and a towel matter: you’ll want to settle in, not scramble.

One more pleasant surprise from people who went: the hot springs can be quieter and more local than you’d expect. Some guests even described seeing iguanas and wild birds, which adds that “this is real nature” feeling instead of a man-made theme park vibe.

Clay Mask and 30-Minute Massage: The Pampering Part That’s Built In

This tour includes a clay mask and a 30-minute massage. That’s a big value component because it turns the day from just soaking into a full-body reset. You’re not left wondering where to find spa services or whether they’re worth it.

Timing-wise, the spa portion fits naturally after you arrive and before lunch (so you can enjoy food afterward). Also, keep your expectations flexible: some guests said they saw additional massages or clay facial upgrades available for extra charge. Your included services are clearly part of the plan, but if you’re the type who wants to add more, budget for it.

If you’re sensitive to massage pressure, it’s smart to speak up right away. A good therapist can adjust on the spot.

Vicente’s BBQ Lunch: More Than Just Food on a Schedule

Food on a tour can be hit or miss. Here, lunch is one of the reasons this experience gets strong marks.

You’ll get a BBQ-style meal, cooked by your guide Vicente, with items such as:

• Meat
• Chicken
• Chorizo
• Portobello mushrooms
• Guacamole

Some guests also described tacos made with carne asada or sausage-style options, which suggests the meal is friendly and generous rather than tiny and “tour-sized.” Either way, the point is the same: you’re eating hearty, not grabbing something bland between activities.

Drinks are also included. You get 3 beers per person, plus refreshments during the day. That’s helpful because it keeps you from having to track down a bar while you’re trying to recover from the travel.

If you have dietary restrictions, don’t assume it will be handled automatically. One guest emphasized contacting the tour operator in advance because the BBQ includes meat and specific ingredients.

Tequila Tasting at a Distillery Stop You Can Actually Learn From

After soaking and eating, the day ends with a tequila tasting at a distillery. This isn’t pitched as a hard-sell shopping stop. Instead, Francisco (mentioned by name) explains the tequila-making process, and guests described the distillery as a smaller production, which often means the explanation feels more personal than you’d get at a big factory.

This stop works well if you like culture, not just souvenirs. You get something structured to do with your time, and it gives the trip a Puerto Vallarta-side contrast: coastal vacation energy earlier, then a more rural, production-focused end to the day.

Duration, Group Size, and Comfort: Why Those Details Matter

The tour runs about 8 hours. That length can be perfect if your goal is relaxation—and it can be annoying if you’re trying to cram in everything else during the same day.

A big help is the group size limit: up to 20 travelers. Smaller groups usually mean less waiting around, and your guide can keep track of everyone without turning the day into herding.

Transport comfort matters too. People noted a safe, cautious driver and emphasized the van’s air conditioning. If you’re prone to feeling overheated, this is the kind of “not glamorous, but crucial” detail that makes a day trip feel smoother.

Finally, traveler insurance is included, which is reassuring when you’re spending a full day away from home base.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)

This works especially well if you want:

• a chill day away from the beach
• a combination of hot springs + massage + good lunch
• a guided route where you don’t have to plan transport or spa timing
• smaller-group attention (max 20)

It may not be ideal if:

• you’re only interested in quick, nearby sights and hate long drives
• you’re the kind of traveler who wants lots of free time to explore on your own
• you’re very strict about dietary needs and haven’t contacted the operator first

One guest even pointed out a key vibe detail: the hot springs can be mostly for Mexican families, and in some cases you may end up with a more private tub setup. If you love local routines and quieter soaking, that’s a plus.

Value Check: What You’re Getting for One Ticket

Even without seeing a price in front of you, you can still judge value by what’s included versus what you’d otherwise pay for separately.

Here’s the value stack:

• Round transport
• Hot springs entrance
• BBQ lunch with multiple proteins and sides like guacamole
• 3 beers per person plus refreshments
• Tequila tasting
• Clay mask
• 30-minute massage
• Traveler insurance

Most day trips only include transport plus one activity. This one adds the kind of extras that cost real money at hotels or standalone spas: massage time and a structured tasting. You’re also not stuck figuring out where to eat between stops, because lunch is part of the schedule.

Should You Book This Hot Springs Tour?

I’d book it if you want a true reset day: soak in mineral hot springs, eat a proper BBQ meal, and get massage plus a clay mask without adding extra bookings to your schedule. The high rating (4.8) and the strong recommendation rate (94%) line up with what matters most here: relaxation, good food, and a guide who runs the day smoothly.

I’d think twice if you’re the type who hates travel time and wants short excursions. The road time is real, and the early start is non-negotiable. Also, if you’re anxious about tub temperature or heating cycles, remember the tubs fill and empty and take time to warm.

If you go, do the easy things that make the day better: eat breakfast first, bring a towel, and let the operator know about dietary restrictions.

FAQ

What time does the Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 8 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

The meeting point is CHEDRAUI PUERTO VALLARTA PUNTA DE ORO, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2735, Zona Hotelera, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48310 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered. If your pickup is arranged, show up at your hotel lobby 30 minutes before pickup and have your ticket to show the tour operator.

What’s included in the price?

Included items are round transport, hot springs entrance, BBQ food (quesadillas, meat, chicken, portobello mushrooms, chorizo, guacamole), 3 beers per person, refreshments, tequila tasting, clay mask, 30-minute massage, and traveler insurance.

Is tips included?

No. Tips are not included.

Are there any limits on who can participate?

Most travelers can participate, and the tour has a maximum of 20 travelers. Confirmation is received at the time of booking.