A mountain soak, then a beach massage—together. I like the Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs because the pools are set up for easy relaxation and the water is at a comfortable, soothing temperature. I also love the 60-minute beach massage in Bucerías, where the ocean atmosphere turns the day from soak to full unwind. The only drawback is that you’re in for a long day and a winding, sometimes bumpy ride to the countryside pools, so plan for that.

This is a true small-group format, capped at about 12 people, with pickup from your area and an English-speaking guide (Jose Antonio Garcia Rivas, often called Jose or Antonio). For the price ($165 per person) you’re paying for transport, entry to the hot springs, the Mexican grill meal, and a massage, which is a lot to stack into one outing.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Shaded hot springs at a comfortable temperature, with time to actually relax instead of rushing through.
• A hands-on market stop where you buy the produce and supplies for your group’s BBQ-style meal.
• Tortilla making experience that adds a real food-culture moment, not just a snack stop.
• Mex grill lunch cooked by your guide using ingredients you helped select.
• Bucerías massage with ocean views, a calm landing pad for the day.

The perfect reason to leave Puerto Vallarta for a day

If you want a break from the beach-and-hotel rhythm, this outing is built for it. You start in Puerto Vallarta, then head toward the mountains where the air feels cooler and the pace slows down. It’s not a showy tour. It’s a day built around soaking, eating well, and getting pampered.

What I liked most is that the day has a clear rhythm. First you settle into the hot springs and let your shoulders drop. Then you switch gears to market, tortillas, and lunch. Finally, you finish on the coast with a full-body massage. It feels like a full reset instead of a grab-bag of stops.

One more thing: the guide’s focus stays on you. With a max group size of around 12, you’re not just trapped in a seat watching a screen. You can ask for small tweaks—like how long to linger at the springs or whether you want to spend a bit more time in the market area.

Pickup, Sam’s Club meeting point, and the drive reality check

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation area and a start time of 8:00 am. The official meeting point is Sam’s Club on Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2880, 48290 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The tour ends back at the same point.

Here’s the practical part: this is a countryside day. That means drive time, including sections that can feel rougher than you’d expect if you only know Puerto Vallarta roads. Several parts of the route can be bumpy or winding, especially on the way toward the hot springs area.

If you’re the type who gets car-sick, I’d take that seriously. On the other hand, if you’re okay with a long road and you like watching farm areas roll by, the ride itself becomes part of the fun. I’d rather you think of it as a scenic transfer with some bumps than as a quick hop.

Market shopping that actually affects your lunch

One of the best parts is that you don’t just arrive hungry and hope for food. You help set the meal up.

You’ll stop at a market area to buy supplies for your group’s Mexican grill lunch. The idea is simple: you select produce and items your guide will use later, then you watch those choices turn into the food you eat.

This matters because it changes how the meal feels. Instead of eating something generic, you eat what you picked out—often things like fresh fruit, vegetables, and ingredients for simple but satisfying bites. It also adds a little local rhythm: you’re not only passing through. You’re participating.

And yes, you’ll get snack-style items along the way. Many people love the small in-between moments—fruit and fresh bites while you’re on-site—because the day feels continuous, not segmented into long empty gaps.

Tortilla factory stop: the food culture moment you’ll remember

After the market stop, you’ll visit a tortilla making experience. Think of it as your chance to see tortillas made fresh, not as a quick photo op.

This is one of those stops that works even if you’re not a “foodie.” The process is easy to understand and fun to watch, and you get to try a hot tortilla while it’s at its best. It’s the kind of detail that makes the day feel genuinely Mexican instead of just “Mexican-themed.”

If you’re traveling with someone who loves to cook or eat, this is a perfect partner stop. It gives you something real to talk about on the ride back—how tortillas are made, what fresh tastes like, and what ingredients actually matter.

Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs: where the day slows down

Nuevo Ixtlan is where the tour earns its name as a shaded hot spring experience. You arrive at a set of pools designed for soaking, and the temperature is described as comfortable enough that you can settle in without battling the water.

What I like about this hot springs setup is that it feels built for relaxation. You’re not just “allowed to sit somewhere.” You can actually spend time in the pools and enjoy the mountain air. And because your day includes food and a massage later, the hot springs slot gives you a chance to treat your body gently before you switch gears.

You’ll typically have a good chunk of time at the springs—often around a couple of hours, with some flexibility depending on how your group wants to pace it. Some people prefer to move through different pool temperatures. Others want to find one spot and stay there.

Practical notes:

• There are changing rooms and bathrooms available on-site, which makes the “soak then reset” part easier.
• The roads to get there can be bumpy, so once you’re in the springs, it’s worth it to settle and treat it like your main event.

The Mex Grill lunch: you help choose, then you get grilled to satisfaction

After the soaking, the day pivots into food. Your guide cooks a Mexican grill-style lunch using locally sourced ingredients, and that lunch connects directly back to what you shopped for at the market.

This is not a flimsy snack plate. You’ll get a proper spread that can include things like chicken and beef, veggies, and tortillas. Many people rave about how fresh it tastes because it’s grilled and served hot, with flavors that come from simple, quality ingredients and wood/coal cooking.

Even better: there’s usually a snack flow that keeps you satisfied during the transition between activities. People often mention fruit, guacamole, chips, and lemonade while they’re relaxing in the hot springs area, which helps keep the day from feeling like a waiting game.

If you’re budgeting for your vacation, this is also a major value piece. You’re essentially bundling:

• entry and time at the hot springs
• guided transport
• lunch with multiple components
• plus later, a paid massage hour

That’s a lot of “meals + experiences” packed into one day.

Bucerías beach massage: the calm finish you came for

On the return toward Puerto Vallarta, you stop in Bucerías for a beach-view massage. The massage is described as a full-body session lasting about 60 minutes.

This is the part that turns the whole outing from a nice trip into a true relaxation day. You’ve already done the soaking. Now you’re layered into the ocean-side setting, where the sound and scenery help your body shift out of the travel mode.

There are also little finishing touches that many people remember—snacks and drinks after the massage—so it doesn’t feel like you’re just dropped and dismissed. You end the day refreshed, not rushed.

If you schedule this on a day when you have no other big plans, it hits even harder. You’ll likely want the rest of your evening to be quiet.

Price and logistics: is $165 worth it?

Let’s talk value in real terms. At $165 per person for about 8 hours, you’re paying for a bundle of things that are usually separate costs on vacation: hot springs access, a guided day-trip structure, a Mexican grill lunch with multiple dishes, transportation out of the city and back, and a 60-minute beach massage.

If you were to piece those together yourself, the cost usually climbs quickly once you add transport and entry fees. This tour keeps it simple. You show up, and you get a managed day with food included and a massage included.

Now the honest tradeoff: you’re paying for convenience and experiences, not speed. It’s a full-day excursion. You’ll spend a good part of the day traveling in a van, and the countryside roads can be bumpy. If you want a quick half-day with minimal riding, this isn’t that.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This is a strong match if you want:

• a relaxing hot springs day with a real food component
• a beach massage at the end to smooth out the rough edges of travel
• a small-group setup with a guide who’s hands-on

It’s also a good fit for couples, friends, and families who want a day that doesn’t feel like a museum tour. The rhythm of soaking, eating, and massaging is easy to enjoy together.

I’d think twice if:

• you have difficulty walking or getting around easily, since this is not recommended for people with walking or mobility challenges
• you strongly dislike rougher roads, because the ride toward the springs can feel winding and uneven

Should you book this hot spring + Mex grill + massage day?

If you want one ticket that delivers a full relaxation arc—mountain soak, Mexican grilled lunch, then a beach massage—this is a really solid choice. The value comes from bundling experiences that normally cost extra and from the fact that the day feels “worked for you,” not just scheduled for you.

My practical advice: book it when you can give the full day to the experience. Don’t stack it with a late-night plan. The best part of this tour is how it lowers your stress level, and that works only if you let the day finish naturally.

FAQ

What is the price per person for this tour?

The price is $165.00 per person.

How long does the tour take?

The duration is approximately 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The meeting point is Sam’s Club, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2880, 48290 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico.

Is this tour available in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Does the day include a massage?

Yes. On the way back toward Puerto Vallarta, there is a stop in Bucerías for a massage with a beach view.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour limited to people with good mobility?

The tour notes that it is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking or moving easily, and it lists a moderate physical fitness level.