One day here feels like a reset button for Puerto Vallarta. You get shaded hot springs at Nuevo Ixtlan, then a Mexican grill lunch, and you finish with a beach-view massage in Bucerias. It’s built for slow soaking, good food, and easy conversation with a small group.

I especially like the way the day is paced. You are not rushing through photo stops, and you’re given time to actually enjoy the mineral pools. One thing to keep in mind: the drive includes rural roads, and near the springs some sections can be rough and winding, so it may not feel great if you get motion sick or dislike bumpy rides.

This is also run with a personal touch. The guide name often shows up as Antonio or Jose, and the tour is connected to the experience provider Jose Antonio Garcia Rivas, so you’re likely to meet a host who takes pride in the day. Expect a guided market stop, a tortilla-making stop, and a cooked meal you help choose ingredients for, which is part of why this feels less like a bus tour and more like a real day out.

Key highlights you will feel from the first hour

• Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs in shaded pools with a comfortable soak temperature and multiple pool options
• Market shopping plus tortilla-making so your lunch ingredients actually come from the area
• Wood and coal grilled Mexican BBQ with sides like fresh guacamole and chips
• Bucerias beach-view massage for about one full hour to close the day
• Small-group format (up to about 12) that makes it easier to customize timing a bit

What the day looks like: from Sam’s Club to mountain mineral water

The tour starts at 8:00 am at Sam’s Club on Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2880, Puerto Vallarta. From there, you head out of the city and into the countryside. You should expect a long day, about 8 hours total, with plenty of time focused on activities rather than just sitting around.

The tone is calm and nature-first. You are in mountain air, away from the tourist strip, and the day is structured around two big relaxation moments: the hot springs and the beach massage. In between, you get the food parts, which are not an afterthought.

A practical note: this is not recommended if you have trouble walking or moving easily. The tour is built around soaking and getting in and out of places, and the day involves driving plus a few stops on uneven ground.

The market stop and the tortilla-making moment that makes lunch feel real

Before you ever reach the springs, you go to a local market area to buy supplies for the grill lunch. This is where the tour starts turning from sightseeing into a hands-on food experience. You’ll be able to pick items that show up later as part of your meal and snack spread.

Then there is a tortilla-making stop that many people remember as a small, satisfying detour. You get to see fresh tortillas made, and you may get to try them hot and just pressed. It’s simple, but it changes the whole feel of lunch because you’re not just eating, you’re seeing the process.

Why I think this matters: market and tortilla moments make the meal taste more meaningful. Even if you are not a food-history person, it’s hard to eat guacamole and chips after watching tortillas being made without feeling like you got the real work behind the flavor.

Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs: shaded pools, multiple temperatures, and a slow pace

Nuevo Ixtlan is the main event, and it’s set up for soaking. You’ll arrive and have time to settle in with mineral water in pools that can run at different temperatures. One review specifically called out around 35 pools, which tells you this place isn’t a tiny bath. You can usually find a spot that matches your comfort level.

The tour description points to shaded hot spring areas and a comfortable water temperature. In plain terms, this is not about freezing then rushing, or about sprinting between pools. You’re supposed to relax. Reviews repeatedly highlight how soothing the mineral water feels and how the pools are well organized, with a clean setup.

Two other details that help you enjoy the soaking more:

• There are facilities on site for changing and basic needs, which makes the day smoother.
• The tour includes snack service while you soak. People report fruit plates, guacamole, chips, and lemonade-style drinks served during the relaxing portion.

Expect that the roads getting there and back can feel rough near the springs. The good news is the guide is careful, taking it slow on winding sections. If you’re sensitive to motion or want to be extra comfortable, plan to take it easy in the vehicle and sit where you feel best.

The Mex Grill-style lunch: help choose, then eat what’s grilled right

After soaking, you move into lunch, and this is where the day becomes properly festive. Your meal is a traditional Mexican grill experience, described as a BBQ with locally sourced ingredients. In reviews, people talk about marinated chicken and beef grilled over wood and coal, plus vegetables from the market.

You’re not just handed a plate and sent away. You get a hand in what goes into the food, which can include items you selected earlier at the market. Many reviews mention fresh guacamole and chips alongside the main lunch, which is great because it means you’re eating well even if you arrived hungry after the drive.

Some of the specific items people have listed include:

• grilled chicken and beef
• grilled vegetables such as broccoli, corn, and potatoes
• a cactus salad (mentioned in at least one review)
• fresh tortillas from the earlier tortilla-making stop
• fruit snacks during the soak, plus lemonade-style drinks

Also, keep an eye out for extra add-ons. One review mentions a mud facial for an extra fee (reported as $4). This is not a core part of the description, but it signals that there may be small spa-style options at the springs if you want to add something.

Bucerias beach massage at the end: one hour of sound and salt air

By the time you head back toward Puerto Vallarta, the itinerary includes a stop in Bucerias for a massage. The tour description frames it as a beach-view massage, and reviews consistently call out a 60-minute full-body session.

This timing is smart. Your day has two high-calm blocks, hot springs first, massage second. So your body gets to unwind in stages instead of going from travel stress straight into lunch and then right back into a busy evening.

What to expect in practice:

• You should plan to feel relaxed but still energized enough to enjoy the drive back.
• You are ending on something you can actually feel physically, not just see in photos.
• The beach setting matters, because the reviews describe the ocean sounds as part of why the massage feels special.

Some people even mention little finishing touches after the massage day winds down, like drinks and snacks waiting in the van on the way back. Those are small details, but they do add to that pampered feeling.

Price and value: how $165 per person makes sense for a full day

At $165 per person, this tour isn’t cheap on paper. But it has several value anchors that stack up.

You’re paying for:

• round-trip touring time outside Puerto Vallarta (about 8 hours)
• guided stops (market and tortilla-making)
• admission and time at Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs
• included snack and lunch elements that are not just packaged food
• a full one-hour beach massage in Bucerias

If you compare that to buying hot spring entry plus hiring a massage separately and then arranging a countryside food day on your own, the bundled format starts to look more reasonable. The small-group size also helps here. You’re not competing for attention, and it’s easier for the guide to adjust timing. Reviews also mention that the guide is flexible, like allowing a bit more soak time if the group wants it.

The main trade-off is time on the road. You are going to spend a large chunk of the day in the van, and one review noted the van felt packed in their instance. Most likely it’s usually smaller, but it’s worth factoring in that you are signing up for a long drive day, not a short hop.

Group size, guide style, and how the day can be customized

This tour runs as a small group, with a maximum stated at 12 travelers. Some descriptions also suggest even smaller group experiences, and reviews show instances as small as four people. In any case, the point is the same: you’re not in a giant crowd.

That matters because it changes the feel of the market and the soaking. When the group is small, it’s easier to pick out market items without feeling rushed. It’s also easier for the guide to carry snacks on a sensible pace, so everyone gets a fair share of fruit, chips, guacamole, and lemonade-style drinks while relaxing.

Guide style also comes through in the reviews. People repeatedly highlight hosts like Antonio and Jose for being punctual, friendly, and attentive. They also mention stories about local history, agriculture, and rural life on the drive. Even if you care little about history, that kind of storytelling makes the long van ride feel less like downtime.

What to pack and how to plan so the day feels easy

The tour data does not list a detailed packing list, so I’ll stick to what you can safely plan for. You are soaking in hot springs and then getting a beach massage. That means you’ll want to be comfortable with changing and mobility over uneven areas.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider that the ride includes winding roads and can be bumpy near the springs. The guide often drives carefully, but you will still feel the terrain.

Food-wise, you’re getting snacks and lunch included as part of the experience. Still, it can be smart to travel with water on board if it makes you feel better, especially since it’s a full day. One review also mentions a small convenience store at the springs for buying beer, which suggests there are minor purchasing options on site.

Who this tour is best for

This tour works best if you want:

• a relax-first day outside Puerto Vallarta
• hot springs plus food plus a massage, without needing to plan three separate activities
• a guided experience with market and tortilla culture touches
• a small-group feel with a host who pays attention to timing and comfort

It may not be ideal if:

• walking or getting in and out of areas is difficult for you
• you hate bumpy, winding roads, even when the driver is careful
• you want a short, city-style outing with minimal travel time

If you’re traveling as a couple or friends, it tends to land well because the day has natural romantic pacing: soaking, eating, and then finishing by the ocean with a massage.

Should you book the Shaded Hot Spring, Massage and Mex Grill tour?

I’d book it if you want a real “get out of town and reset” day. The core value is the combination: Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs plus a lunch you help assemble at a market plus a Bucerias beach massage. For $165, the math works best when you would otherwise pay separately for these experiences or spend time arranging them yourself.

I would hesitate if you are very sensitive to long van rides. You’re trading convenience for scenery and atmosphere, and the day includes winding roads. Also, if mobility is a concern, skip this one, since the tour is specifically noted as not recommended for travelers who have difficulty walking or moving easily.

If you can handle a full day and a bumpy stretch or two, this is the kind of tour that earns repeat bookings, and the overall rating reflects that: a strong 5.0 score across 571 reviews, with 100% recommending it.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $165.00 per person.

How long is the experience?

It runs for about 8 hours.

What time does it start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

Where do we meet?

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

What is the tour language?

The tour is offered in English.

How big is the group?

It is a small-group experience, with a maximum of 12 travelers.

What happens at Nuevo Ixtlan?

You visit Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs and spend time soaking in the hot mineral waters.

Is Mexican food included?

Yes. You’ll have a Mexican BBQ grill-style lunch experience, and you can buy supplies for it at a market.

Is there a massage?

Yes. On the return toward Puerto Vallarta, there is a stop in Bucerias for a massage with beach view.

Is cancellation free?

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

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.