Shaded Hot Spring, Massage and Mex Grill in Puerto Vallarta

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta day trip is the change of scene. You leave the city for farm country, small towns, mountain roads, and Nuevo Ixtlan’s warm mineral pools. I love the fresh-market lunch, because you help choose the fruit and vegetables before Antonio cooks them over wood and coals. I also like the beachside massage in Bucerias, which gives the long day a soft landing.

The main drawback is the drive. The hot springs are reached by a long, winding route with rough, bumpy sections near the pools. The ride is scenic and informative, but this is not a quick spa visit. Plan on a full day and bring patience for the road.

Key points to know before booking

• Three experiences in one day: You get rural Mexico, mineral pools, a cooked-to-order grill lunch, and a one-hour beach massage.
• Antonio sets the tone: Jose Antonio, also called Tony or Antonio, drives, cooks, explains the region, and adjusts the pace when possible.
• The market stop matters: You choose produce for the meal, then sample hot tortillas made nearby.
• Expect a long road journey: The countryside is part of the experience, but the route takes time and includes bumpy stretches.
• Small-group setting: The advertised maximum is 12 people, with some departures running much smaller.
• Good value at $165: The price includes transportation, the hot springs, food, and massage, making it more than a simple soak.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for the countryside

The day begins at 8:00 a.m. at Sam’s Club on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. The listed meeting point is easy to find, and the activity ends there as well. Some arrangements may include pickup and return near your accommodation, so confirm that detail before setting out.

Jose Antonio Garcia Rivas is the listed provider. He is also referred to as Antonio or Tony, so do not be surprised if you hear more than one version of his name. He serves as driver, guide, cook, and host. That combination gives the day a personal feel that you will not get from a large bus excursion.

The first stretch takes you away from Puerto Vallarta and toward smaller towns and agricultural areas. Antonio fills the ride with stories about local history, farming, ranching, plants, animals, and the development of the hot springs. The drive is not just dead time between stops, though it does require a good block of it.

The road becomes more winding as you get closer to Nuevo Ixtlan. Near the hot springs, unpaved and uneven sections can make the ride bumpy. Antonio has been described as driving slowly and carefully, but anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare for a long ride and consider bringing whatever normally helps.

Choosing lunch at a local market

One of the smartest parts of the itinerary is buying food before reaching the springs. You help select fruit and vegetables at a market in or near San Juan de Abajo, giving you a direct connection to the meal that comes later.

This is more interesting than arriving at a restaurant where everything has already been chosen. You may help pick produce for the grill, fruit for a snack, and ingredients for guacamole or salad. It also gives Antonio a chance to shape the meal around the group’s preferences.

The exact selection can vary, but the food described includes chicken, beef, vegetables, pineapple, corn, potatoes, broccoli, peppers, cactus salad, guacamole, and fresh fruit. The meal is not a token plate served at the end of a tour. It is a major part of the day.

The market stop also helps you see the practical side of Mexican cooking. Fresh ingredients are not decoration here. They become the lunch you eat a few hours later, prepared with fire, seasoning, and fresh tortillas.

Fresh tortillas before the hot springs

The route includes a visit to a tortilla-making operation. You can see the process and try a tortilla while it is still hot. Several details make this short stop memorable: the direct connection between corn and the finished food, the warm tortilla as a snack, and the chance to see a local food tradition outside the usual restaurant setting.

Fresh tortillas also return at lunch, often alongside chips and guacamole. If you enjoy food-focused outings, this part adds real value. It is a small stop, but it gives the meal more context and makes the barbecue feel less like standard tour catering.

The itinerary may include a market and tortilla stop before the hot springs, but timing can vary. The day is designed with room for conversation and local stops rather than a strict checklist of timed attractions.

Soaking in Nuevo Ixtlan’s warm pools

Nuevo Ixtlan is the centerpiece. The hot springs sit in a rural mountain setting, surrounded by fresh air and greenery. The water is described as a comfortable temperature, with several pools available at different temperatures. One account counted about 35 pools, giving you plenty of choice rather than one crowded basin.

You may spend around three hours at the springs, with roughly two hours in and around the pools depending on the day’s timing. This is enough time to settle into the water, move between pools, eat, and take a break without feeling rushed.

The springs are meant for slowing down. You can soak, talk, enjoy the countryside, and let the day’s road noise fade. The setting feels notably removed from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone and beach traffic. Internet access may be limited or absent in the rural area, which is either a welcome pause or a concern if you need to stay connected.

Facilities include changing rooms and bathrooms. A small convenience shop is also available at the springs, and some people purchase beer there. Bring cash if you want to buy anything extra, since the provided information does not specify payment methods.

A mud facial may be available for an extra charge. One account put the cost at $4, but treat that as a reported price rather than a guaranteed current fee. If you like simple spa add-ons, it can be a pleasant extra. It is not included in the stated tour price.

Fruit, guacamole, and a fire-grilled lunch

Antonio brings food to you while you are relaxing. The sequence may include fresh fruit, guacamole, chips, and lemonade or limeade before the main meal. That timing works well because you can snack in the pool instead of waiting hungry for lunch.

The grill lunch is cooked on site, often over wood and coals. Chicken and beef are central, with vegetables such as corn, potatoes, broccoli, pineapple, and peppers. Fresh tortillas and additional guacamole round out the spread. A cactus salad may also appear.

I would not book this expecting a formal restaurant meal. The appeal is the setting and the care behind it. You help choose some of the ingredients, then eat food prepared by your guide while sitting near the springs. That is a more personal experience than a buffet stop.

Portions appear generous, but dietary needs are not described in the available information. If you have allergies, avoid certain foods, or follow a special diet, tell the operator before the day begins. The small group makes communication easier, but it does not guarantee a separate menu.

Bucerias and the one-hour massage

After the hot springs and lunch, the day turns toward the coast. The return route includes Bucerias, where you receive a one-hour massage with a beach view. This final stop is more than a bonus. After several hours in a vehicle and time in warm water, a massage can make the trip feel balanced rather than tiring.

The massage is described as full body, with some accounts calling it deep tissue. The beach setting adds sound and air to the treatment, though expectations should remain practical. This is a beachside massage included in an active day tour, not a private luxury resort spa.

You will likely want to dry off fully, change into comfortable clothes, and keep personal items organized before this stop. The tour combines wet pools, outdoor dining, a long vehicle ride, and massage, so a small day bag is useful. Bring swimwear, a towel if one is not confirmed, sun protection, drinking water, and any motion-sickness remedy you normally use.

Some departures include a small treat and drink after the massage, such as chocolates, electrolytes, or a wine cooler. These extras are not clearly promised as part of every booking, so enjoy them if offered but do not count on them when comparing tours.

What the $165 price really covers

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Puerto Vallarta. It is also not simply an admission ticket to hot springs. The price bundles transportation, guiding, local food shopping, the tortilla stop, access to the springs, a substantial lunch, and a one-hour massage.

That combination makes the value easier to understand. If you would otherwise pay separately for a day trip, a meal, hot spring entry, and a massage, the package can be good value. It also saves you from arranging transportation to a rural area where the roads become rough and the route may be difficult to navigate on your own.

The strongest value comes from the personal hosting. Antonio does not only drive you to the pools. He explains the region, prepares lunch, serves snacks, and helps shape the day. If you enjoy a guide who stays involved from morning to evening, the cost makes sense.

The weaker value is for anyone who wants a short, polished spa outing. You spend many hours on the road, and the group size can reach 12 even though some departures are much smaller. One account described a larger vehicle with about 15 people, which conflicts with the stated maximum. Confirm the group size and vehicle arrangements if space is important to you.

Who will enjoy this day most

This tour suits you if you want to see more than Puerto Vallarta’s beach and hotel districts. It gives you rural scenery, small-town food traditions, agriculture, mineral water, and a coastal finish in one long outing.

It is especially good for couples, friends, and families who enjoy food and conversation. The small-group format allows some flexibility, such as spending longer at the springs or making a different market stop when timing allows. That flexibility depends on the group and the day, so do not expect a completely private itinerary.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The experience includes getting in and out of a vehicle, walking around markets and facilities, changing for the pools, and handling rough road conditions. It is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking or moving around easily.

This is less suitable for you if you dislike winding roads, long drives, shared tours, or unstructured time. The hot springs are rewarding, but you must earn them with the journey.

Practical details that affect your day

The tour lasts about eight hours and starts at 8:00 a.m. Because the hot springs are far from Puerto Vallarta, the exact amount of time at each stop can shift. Keep your evening plans light, especially if you want to enjoy the massage without watching the clock.

The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is received at booking. The stated maximum is 12 people, while some outings may have only four or five participants. Ask about the expected group size when booking if a quieter day matters to you.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs tour?

I would book this if you want a full day that combines country roads, local food, mineral pools, and a beach massage. The strongest reasons are Antonio’s hands-on hosting, the fresh market-to-grill meal, and the satisfying contrast between the mountain springs and the coast.

I would skip it if your ideal vacation day means staying close to Puerto Vallarta, avoiding rough roads, or spending the whole afternoon in a quiet luxury spa. The drive is a real part of the experience, not a minor transfer.

For most people who want a more personal look at the area, the $165 price is justified by how much it includes. Confirm pickup, group size, and any dietary needs before booking, then leave your schedule open. This is a long day, but it gives you far more than a soak in a pool.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The listed end point is the same meeting point at Sam’s Club. Some arrangements may include pickup and return near your accommodation, so confirm this before departure.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts about eight hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The stated maximum is 12 people. Some departures may be much smaller, so you can ask about the expected group size when booking.

Is the massage included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a one-hour massage in Bucerias with a beach view.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The guide takes you to choose ingredients and prepares a Mexican grill meal. Food can include chicken, beef, vegetables, fruit, guacamole, chips, and fresh tortillas.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.