A calm day starts with a hot tub. This Puerto Vallarta hot springs tour blends mineral water time with a BBQ meal and a tequila stop, run by Vicente. It’s a long-ish day, but the schedule is built for people who want to slow down.

What I like most is the hands-on vibe. Vicente drives, guides, and cooks, so you’re not just dropped somewhere and forgotten. You also get real spa time, including a clay mask and a 30-minute massage, not just a quick soak.

One thing to think about: the ride can take a while. Some people feel the travel time eats into vacation, especially if you’re hoping for a short day with minimal driving.

Key Highlights (Quick Hits)

• Vicente runs the show: driver, guide, and chef, with plenty of chat along the way
• Soak + spa combo: hot springs time plus a clay mask and a 30-minute massage
• BBQ lunch done at the grill: meat, chicken, chorizo, portobello mushrooms, guacamole, plus quesadillas
• Drinks included: 3 beers per person and refreshments, not just water and vibes
• Tequila tasting with Francisco: learning the process at a smaller distillery stop
• Small group size: max 20 travelers, which keeps things relaxed

Getting Picked Up in Comfort (and Why the Timing Matters)

Your tour starts in Puerto Vallarta with pickup at CHEDRAUI PUERTO VALLARTA PUNTA DE ORO, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2735, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48310. The start time is 8:00 am, so plan for an early morning and a smooth ramp-up.

Show up at the lobby 30 minutes before pickup and have your ticket ready for the tour operator. I like this part because it removes the usual chaos. Once you’re loaded into the vehicle, the day feels organized and calm instead of rushed.

Also, this is an English-offered tour. If you’re traveling with questions about the region, the driver-guide is in a good position to explain what you’re seeing along the way.

The Drive to the Hot Springs: Expect Mountain Views and Local Towns

After pickup, you’ll head out from Puerto Vallarta for the hot springs experience. The total time on the clock is about 8 hours, and that includes the back-and-forth travel.

In practice, the drive is the trade-off. Some folks find it worth it because the route goes through smaller towns and scenic mountain scenery (the kind where you notice chickens in yards and cattle wandering closer than you’d expect). If you hate sitting in traffic or you’re prone to getting restless, this is the one part that can feel like wasted time.

Still, there’s a practical upside: it’s not a beach-only day. You’ll get a change of pace, plus you’ll come back feeling like you left the main strip far enough to actually reset.

Hot Springs Time, Explained: Tubs, Heat-Up, and Bringing a Towel

Once you arrive, the heart of the day is the natural hot springs. The whole point is simple: warm mineral water for relaxation, with a wellness angle built on the minerals and heat.

Here’s how it can feel on the ground. Hot springs tubs often work on a fill-and-drain routine, so the water can take time to reach the right temperature once you’re ready to soak. That means you don’t want to plan your whole day like a timed workout. Think of it as a slow rhythm: get settled, let things warm up, then enjoy.

Bring a towel. That sounds obvious until you’re standing there doing the Mexico-version of towel shopping with time ticking. Having your own towel makes everything easier, especially when you’re moving between the changing area and the tubs.

Wildlife moments you might enjoy

This isn’t a zoo, but you may spot wildlife around the area, like iguanas and wild birds. It’s the kind of small, unexpected detail that makes a calm day feel a little more alive.

Spa add-ons and the “check before you pay” rule

You’ll have clay mask time and a 30-minute massage included as listed. If the spa offers extra services, just check what’s included versus what costs extra on site. I like to know before I’m relaxing with my eyes closed.

Clay Mask + 30-Min Massage: When Your Body Finally Gets the Message

The relaxation doesn’t stop at hot water. You’ll get a clay mask experience and a 30-minute massage, built into the day after you’re settled at the springs.

This pairing is smart. Heat loosens you up, then the massage helps you feel it in the places you didn’t realize were tight. Even if you’re not a spa person, the 30-minute length is a sweet spot. Long enough to help, short enough that you don’t feel like you missed half the day.

The clay mask part adds a little ritual to the experience. It also gives you a reason to slow down between tub sessions, instead of bouncing in and out like you’re at a water park.

Vicente’s BBQ Lunch: The Meal That Makes the Day Feel Like a Treat

If you’re booking this for the hot springs only, you’ll still be happy. But the lunch is a major reason to choose this specific tour.

You’ll have a BBQ meal served with a menu that includes meat, chicken, chorizo, portobello mushrooms, guacamole, and quesadillas. This isn’t just packaged food. Vicente cooks and grills on site as part of the experience, with the day’s drinks in play too.

What’s included with lunch

The tour includes 3 beers per person plus refreshments. That’s a nice balance: enough to enjoy without turning the day into a blur you regret later.

Dietary restrictions: handle it early

If you have dietary restrictions, don’t wait until you arrive. Contact the tour operator in advance. The cook brings the meats for BBQ, so it matters to plan so you’re not stuck trying to negotiate ingredients in the middle of the meal.

Why the BBQ matters for value

A hot springs day can be expensive when food isn’t included. Here, the BBQ and drinks are part of the package, which makes the whole day feel like one price buys you everything: transport, entrance, food, and the spa pieces.

Tequila Tasting at Francisco’s Distillery Stop

Toward the end of the day, there’s a tequila tasting at a distillery. Your guide there is listed as Francisco, and the tasting includes learning about the tequila-making process.

I like this stop because it’s not just a sip-and-snap photo situation. A smaller production setting tends to mean more explanation and more chance to ask questions. If you’ve had tequila before but never heard how it’s made, this is the kind of stop that turns a casual drink into something you actually understand.

It also breaks up the return drive, which helps when you’re already warm from the springs and full from BBQ.

Time, Pace, and What to Pack So You Don’t Feel Rushed

This tour starts early, and you’ll be out for most of the day. I strongly suggest having breakfast before you go. The tour starts at 8:00 am, and it’s easy to end up hungry if your hotel breakfast hours don’t line up.

Also think about towels, because you’ll be doing multiple wet-to-dry transitions. A basic small bag helps: towel, whatever you use to protect yourself from sun, and any personal items you want without digging around.

If you’re someone who likes a very tight schedule, this might feel slower than you expect. That’s not bad. It’s just a different style of day: hot water + spa time + good food, with fewer moving parts than tours that treat relaxation like a checklist.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Buying for the Full 8 Hours

There’s no single magic number to compare here, so I’ll focus on what’s actually included. For a full 8-hour experience, you’re getting:

• Round transport from the meeting point back to the same place
• Entrance to the hot springs
• BBQ lunch with multiple proteins and sides
• 3 beers per person plus refreshments
• Tequila tasting at a distillery
• Clay mask and a 30-minute massage
• Traveler insurance

That’s a lot bundled into one package, and it matters for real-world value. You’re not budgeting separately for transport, admission, lunch, or spa entry fees.

The one item not included is tips, so plan to factor that in if you like to tip generously. If you’re the kind of traveler who forgets tipping until the end, set a reminder for yourself so it doesn’t become an awkward last-minute moment.

Who Should Book This Hot Springs Tour (and Who Might Not Love It)

This is a good fit if you want a chill day away from Puerto Vallarta’s main beach area, especially if you like the idea of soaking, then being fed, then doing a short spa session. It also works well for people who enjoy a more local-feeling day, since the hot springs can lean toward Mexican family visits rather than being built only for tourists.

It’s also a smart choice if you want a guide with multiple roles. Vicente isn’t just giving directions. He’s driving, chatting, and cooking, which keeps the day feeling personal instead of transactional.

Skip it if you…

…really don’t want a longer drive. If you get cranky after 30 minutes in a vehicle, you’ll feel the travel time. This tour can still be enjoyable because the reward is a relaxed day, but the ride is part of the deal.

Should You Book It?

I’d book it if your ideal Puerto Vallarta day looks like this: morning pickup, hot mineral water, a clay mask, a real massage window, and a BBQ lunch that feels like someone planned it with care. The included tequila tasting with Francisco is a nice bonus that adds variety without turning your day into a sprint.

I’d think twice if you’re chasing maximum time on-site and minimum time in the car. The hot springs are enjoyable, but the drive matters. If you’re okay with trading some ride time for a slower day away from the core area, this tour is a strong match.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Hot Springs All Inclusive Relaxing Tour?

It runs about 8 hours.

Where is the meeting point, and where does the tour end?

You meet at CHEDRAUI PUERTO VALLARTA PUNTA DE ORO (Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2735, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48310 Puerto Vallarta). The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup and start time are listed for 8:00 am.

Do they offer hotel pickup?

Yes, round transport is included, and pickup is offered.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is BBQ with quesadillas, meat, chicken, portobello mushrooms, chorizo, and guacamole. You also get 3 beers per person plus refreshments.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. The tour includes tequila tasting in a distillery.

Are the clay mask and massage included?

Yes. The tour includes a clay mask and a 30-minute massage.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour lists a maximum of 20 travelers.

What’s the cancellation and refund policy?

The experience is listed as non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or request an amendment, the amount paid isn’t refunded.

If you tell me your travel month and whether you’re staying near Zona Hotelera or farther inland, I can help you judge if the early start and drive time will feel easy or annoying for your specific day.