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 resort zone, pass farms and small towns, soak in Nuevo Ixtlan’s warm mineral pools, then return by way of a one-hour beach massage in Bucerias. It feels more like a country outing with spa benefits than a standard sightseeing tour.

I like the personal shopping stop, where you help choose fruit and vegetables for lunch, and the care taken by guides Antonio and Jose. You may also get fresh tortillas, guacamole, fruit, lemonade, and a charcoal-grilled meal. The tradeoff is clear: this is an all-day trip with a long, winding, sometimes bumpy drive, so it is not the right pick if you want a quick spa visit.

Key points to know before booking

• The hot springs sit far beyond Puerto Vallarta, with a scenic drive through farming country and rougher roads near Nuevo Ixtlan.
• Your lunch is part of the experience, with market produce, fresh tortillas, grilled chicken and beef, vegetables, guacamole, and fruit.
• Guides Antonio and Jose shape the day, sharing local stories and adjusting the pace when the group allows.
• The Bucerias massage is a strong finish, with a full hour beside the ocean after the mountain outing.
• The day suits active adults, but walking difficulty, long sitting time, and uneven roads deserve careful thought.
• At $165 per person, the value depends on using the full package: transport, guide, hot springs, food, and massage.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for Nuevo Ixtlan

This excursion starts at 8:00 a.m. at Sam’s Club on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, with the activity ending back at that meeting point. Some guide reports describe hotel pickup and drop-off, so it is wise to confirm your exact pickup plan before departure.

The drive is a major part of the outing, not a short transfer. You head away from Puerto Vallarta toward the countryside, passing farmland, ranch areas, and small Mexican towns. Guides such as Antonio and Jose fill the ride with stories about local history, agriculture, plants, animals, and the area around the springs.

I like this because it gives the hot springs some context. You are not simply dropped at a pool complex. You see the working countryside that supplies local food and learn how rural communities fit into the region’s economy.

The downside is time. The drive can take about two hours each way, and the final roads are unpaved and bumpy. One account describes a particularly long ride, though careful driving helped. If you get carsick, bring whatever remedies you normally use and sit where you are most comfortable.

The published group limit is variously described as 10 or 12 people. Some outings may be smaller, even just four people, but you should confirm the group size when booking if a quiet, personal setting matters to you. A larger van can change the feel of the day, especially during the long ride.

Shopping for lunch in San Juan de Abajo

A stop in a small town gives you a practical role in the meal. You help select fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients at a local market or shop. The exact selection can vary, but food described for the grill includes chicken, beef, corn, potatoes, broccoli, pineapple, peppers, cactus salad, and other vegetables.

This is a better way to meet Mexican food culture than simply being handed a prepared plate. You see what is available locally, make choices with the group, and later recognize those ingredients on the table. The stop also supports small businesses outside the resort area.

The food does not end at the market. The outing often includes a visit to a tortilla-making workshop, where you can see fresh tortillas being pressed and cooked. A hot tortilla straight from the griddle makes a fine road snack, especially before the springs.

If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking. The supplied information describes a group meal rather than individualized menus, so do not assume that every ingredient can be changed. The guide does prepare the food, which adds a homemade quality but also means the menu may be shaped by what the group buys.

Soaking in the pools at Nuevo Ixtlan

Nuevo Ixtlan is the day’s main stop. The mineral pools are surrounded by mountain scenery and fresh air, with several pools offering different temperatures. The water is described as comfortably warm rather than painfully hot, making it easy to settle in for a long soak.

You get roughly two to three hours at the springs, depending on the day’s timing. That is enough time to move between pools, relax, dry off, and eat without rushing. Changing rooms and bathrooms are available, and a small convenience shop at the springs may sell drinks and beer.

The setting is simple and rural. This is not a polished hotel spa with silent treatment rooms and room service. It is a community-run hot spring area where local families and visitors share the pools. For many people, that is exactly the appeal.

The guide adds food and drink while you soak. Expect fresh fruit selected earlier, guacamole with chips, and lemonade or limeade. Then comes the grilled lunch, usually made with the market ingredients and cooked over wood or charcoal. Antonio is repeatedly praised for his cooking, especially the seasoned chicken and beef, guacamole, fresh tortillas, and vegetables.

A mud facial may be available for a small extra charge, reported at about $4. It is optional, not part of the stated tour price. If that interests you, bring a willingness to get messy and confirm the current cost with your guide.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The formal details do not list every item supplied, so it is safer to pack your own towel and drinking water. You may also want cash for optional purchases at the springs.

A Mexican grill that feels part of the outing

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a basic hot spring transfer. You do not just stop at a restaurant and return to the van. You help choose produce, watch tortillas being made, and then eat food prepared at the springs.

The typical spread can be generous: grilled chicken and beef, vegetables, guacamole, fresh tortillas, fruit, and sometimes cactus salad. Some outings also include lemonade or limeade and fruit served before the main meal. The timing lets you snack while soaking, then eat lunch once the grill is ready.

This arrangement is particularly good for couples and friends who enjoy food as part of travel. It also gives the day a social rhythm. You shop together, soak together, and gather around a shared meal.

Still, lunch is a group affair. If you arrive late to the food table or have very specific preferences, you may not get exactly what you want. One account describes a crowded departure where some people had fewer vegetables left by the time they reached the tray. A smaller group should offer a more relaxed meal, so ask about the expected headcount.

Returning through Bucerias for the beach massage

After the hot springs and lunch, you return toward the coast and stop in Bucerias. Here, the final spa treatment is a one-hour full-body massage with a beach view and the sound of the ocean nearby.

This is more than a token add-on. The massage changes the mood of the afternoon. After a long drive, a warm soak, and a full meal, you can stretch out beside the water before the final ride to Puerto Vallarta. Several descriptions place this among the most memorable parts of the day.

The treatment is outdoors or beachside, so do not expect the privacy and controlled setting of a hotel spa. The ocean view is the attraction, but beach facilities can also mean sand, wind, and a less formal atmosphere. If you prefer a quiet indoor room, this may not suit you.

Some guides provide small extras after the massage, such as chocolates, electrolytes, or a wine cooler. These touches are not clearly guaranteed, so treat them as a pleasant possibility rather than part of the contract.

Is the $165 price good value?

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest hot spring outing in the Puerto Vallarta area. The cost makes more sense when you count the full day: transportation, a guide, market shopping, the tortilla stop, hot spring entry, snacks, a substantial grilled meal, and a one-hour massage.

You are also paying for the convenience of combining several separate activities. Arranging a remote hot spring visit, buying market ingredients, finding a cook, and booking a beach massage on your own would take time and transportation. The guide handles the connections and keeps the day moving.

The value is strongest if you want variety. You get rural scenery, local food, thermal pools, and a coastal massage in one outing. It is weaker if your main goal is simply to spend an hour or two in hot water, since much of the day is spent in the vehicle.

The 8-hour estimate is realistic as a full-day plan, but the schedule can stretch with traffic, road conditions, and group timing. Plan nothing important for the evening. You may return tired, especially after the massage and long ride.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Vallarta excursion?

I would choose this for couples, friends, and families who want a full day away from the city. It works especially well for people who enjoy food, countryside views, local stories, and informal spa time more than polished resort facilities.

It is also a good choice for a first trip to the area if you want to see more than the hotel zone. The guide-led drive introduces farms, small towns, and rural communities that most beach visitors never see.

I would think twice if you dislike long vehicle rides, have trouble with bumpy roads, or need easy access throughout the day. The activity requires a moderate fitness level and is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking or moving around easily.

The hot springs themselves may be restful, but reaching them is part of the price. The day includes getting in and out of the vehicle, walking around the market and spring facilities, changing clothes, and managing a full schedule.

Practical details that matter

The meeting point is Sam’s Club, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2880, Puerto Vallarta, with an 8:00 a.m. start. The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.

Confirmation arrives when you book. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. The tour depends on good weather, so poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Because the tour includes springs, lunch, and a massage, wear clothing that can handle a long day and bring swimwear. Pack a towel, water, sunscreen, and cash for optional purchases such as drinks or the mud facial.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a broad, hands-on day rather than a quick attraction. The combination of market shopping, fresh tortillas, mountain hot springs, a generous grill lunch, and a beachside massage gives you a lot for the $165 price.

Skip it if a long drive sounds unpleasant or if you need a tightly scheduled, luxury spa experience. The road is winding, the group size can vary, and rural facilities are simpler than resort amenities.

For the right person, this is one of the better ways to pair relaxation with a look at rural Mexico. Ask about the group size and pickup details, accept that the drive is part of the adventure, and leave your evening free.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point. Some trip arrangements may include hotel pickup and drop-off, so confirm the exact transportation plan when booking.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours. The drive to and from Nuevo Ixtlan takes a substantial part of the day.

How large is the group?

The published information gives a maximum of 10 to 12 participants, depending on the description. Some departures may be smaller, so confirm the expected group size if that is important to you.

What food is included?

The experience includes a Mexican grill meal made with ingredients selected during a market stop. Food can include chicken, beef, vegetables, fruit, guacamole, chips, fresh tortillas, and lemonade or limeade.

Is the massage included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a one-hour massage in Bucerias with a beach view on the return to Puerto Vallarta.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.