Shaded Hot Spring, Massage and Mex Grill in Puerto Vallarta

Nuevo Ixtlan’s mountain hot springs are the heart of this full-day escape from Puerto Vallarta. You leave the city behind, pass farms and small towns, and soak in warm mineral pools before eating a fresh meal cooked by your guide.

I like the personal food stop, where you help choose fruit and vegetables for lunch, and the thoughtful pairing of hot springs with a one-hour beach massage in Bucerias. The main thing to consider is the drive: the road is long, winding, and bumpy near the springs, so this is not a quick spa outing.

Key points

• Fresh market-to-grill lunch: Help select local produce, then eat grilled chicken, beef, vegetables, guacamole, fruit, and tortillas.
• Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs: Relax in several pools with different temperatures in a quiet mountain setting.
• Tortilla-making stop: Try a hot, freshly made tortilla during a stop in a small town.
• Small-group feel: The advertised maximum is 12, with the tour described as an intimate experience for up to 10.
• Bucerias finale: End the day with a 60-minute massage overlooking the ocean.
• Long countryside transfer: Plan on roughly two hours each way, including some rough, unpaved road.

From Puerto Vallarta to the Mexican countryside

The day begins at 8:00 am at Sam’s Club on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. The activity ends at the same meeting point, although some outings have included hotel pickup and drop-off arranged by the guide. Confirm your exact pickup details before setting out.

The drive is part of the experience, not just a transfer. As Puerto Vallarta fades, the route reaches farming country and smaller communities. Antonio, also known as Tony, or Jose Antonio Garcia Rivas, has been praised for explaining local agriculture, ranching, plants, animals, and regional history along the way.

That makes the journey more useful than simply watching the road pass. You get a look at a less polished side of western Mexico, with working farms and ordinary small-town life. Still, bring patience. The ride to Nuevo Ixtlan can take about two hours, and the final road is unpaved and rough. Antonio is described as driving slowly and carefully, but a sensitive stomach may notice the bends.

The vehicle has been described as comfortable and well kept, though the group size can vary. The activity information gives a maximum of 12 people, while its small-group description suggests up to 10. One account described a much larger group, so I would confirm the expected number if space and quiet matter to you.

Choosing lunch in San Juan de Abajo

A stop in San Juan de Abajo adds a useful local touch. Instead of receiving a fixed meal with no say in it, you help select some of the fruit and vegetables that will later appear at the springs.

The stop can include a market visit and a tortilla-making operation. You may see tortillas being pressed or cooked and try one while it is still hot. Fresh tortillas, chips, guacamole, fruit, and lemonade turn what could be a routine shopping stop into a small food lesson.

This is one of my favorite parts of the day because it connects the meal to local people and ingredients. You are not just handed a plate at the end. You see some of the food before it is prepared, then taste it in a different setting.

The exact produce varies, but meals described during the experience have included chicken, beef, pineapple, chiles, broccoli, corn, potatoes, cactus salad, guacamole, and fresh tortillas. The guide handles the cooking, often over wood and charcoal, and serves the meal at the hot springs.

If you have dietary restrictions, tell the operator before booking. The available information does not promise vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or allergy-specific menus.

Soaking at Nuevo Ixtlan

Nuevo Ixtlan is a rural hot spring area in a lush mountain valley. The pools are naturally warm rather than scalding, and different pools offer different temperatures. That gives you room to find the level that feels right instead of being stuck in one very hot pool.

The setting is simple and peaceful. You have fresh mountain air, greenery, and a welcome break from Puerto Vallarta’s city streets. Some accounts describe about two to three hours at the springs, which is enough time to soak, eat, dry off, and relax without rushing.

The hot springs are used by local people as well as visitors, which helps the place feel connected to the community rather than built only for tourism. Facilities include changing rooms and bathrooms. A small convenience shop is also available, and beer has been available for purchase there.

The guide brings food to you while you relax. Expect fresh fruit first, followed by guacamole and chips, lemonade or limeade, and then the grilled lunch. This service is a real strength of the outing. You can stay in the pool while Antonio prepares and brings the food, instead of losing your relaxation time to a separate restaurant stop.

A mud facial is available as an optional extra for about $4, based on the experience details provided. It is not included in the listed price, so bring a little cash if you want to add it.

The springs are not a polished resort spa. The appeal is the outdoor setting, warm water, local food, and slower pace. You should expect a rural facility, not marble treatment rooms or a luxury hotel pool.

A Mexican grill served beside the pools

Lunch gives this trip much of its value. The meal is not an afterthought or a packaged sandwich. Antonio prepares grilled beef and chicken with vegetables chosen earlier in the day, often with fresh tortillas and guacamole.

The food is served after you have had time to settle into the pools. That timing works well: first you relax, then you eat a substantial meal, then you have time to dry off before the return journey.

The menu is not fixed in the same way a restaurant menu is. Part of the fun is choosing produce with the group, so the final spread may change. You may find fruit, corn, potatoes, broccoli, pineapple, chiles, cactus salad, seasoned meat, chips, and tortillas.

I would plan this as your main meal of the day. The experience provides plenty of food, but you can bring additional snacks and drinks if you need them. The hot springs may sell some drinks, though that should not replace bringing water for a long day in the countryside.

The food also makes the $165 price easier to assess. You are paying for transportation, guiding, the hot spring visit, a cooked lunch, and a full massage. The inclusion of a personal meal prepared with ingredients selected during the day gives the outing more substance than a basic transfer to a swimming pool.

Returning through Bucerias for the massage

The final major stop is Bucerias, on the way back toward Puerto Vallarta. Here, you receive a 60-minute full-body massage with an ocean view. The sound of the waves and the beach setting provide a sharp contrast to the mountain pools.

This is an unusually well-planned ending. After several hours in a vehicle and time in the water, a massage gives you one more chance to relax before returning to the city. Several accounts describe it as the best part of the day, while others call it the perfect finish.

Massage style can vary, and the supplied information does not specify the exact treatment or whether you can request light or firm pressure. If that matters to you, ask before treatment begins.

Some outings have also included small comforts after the massage, such as chocolate, electrolytes, or a wine cooler. These details may depend on the guide and the day, so I would treat them as pleasant extras, not guaranteed inclusions.

Bucerias itself is not presented as a sightseeing stop with free time for shopping. The purpose here is the massage and ocean view. If you want a long beach visit or time to explore town, ask how much time is available before booking.

What the $165 price includes in practical terms

At $165 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Puerto Vallarta. The value comes from how many separate experiences are joined together: countryside transport, local food shopping, tortilla making, hot springs, a cooked lunch, and a one-hour massage.

You also get a guide who drives, explains the region, shops for ingredients, cooks, and keeps the day moving. That level of personal attention is different from taking a bus to a public hot spring and buying lunch on your own.

The cost makes the most sense if you would otherwise pay separately for a spa treatment, a day trip, and a meal. It is less appealing if you mainly want a quick soak or prefer to spend your day close to Puerto Vallarta.

The experience is booked an average of 31 days ahead, so popular dates may disappear early. Confirmation is provided when you book, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Last-minute changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this eight-hour outing

I would recommend this experience to couples, friends, and families who want a full day away from the resort zone. It suits people who value local food, scenery, and conversation as much as the spa elements.

It is also a strong pick if you have already spent time on Puerto Vallarta’s beaches and want to see farmland and mountain communities. The countryside portion gives the day a sense of place, while the pools and massage keep it restful rather than demanding.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The activity is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking or moving around easily. You will need to manage the vehicle ride, changing areas, pool access, and movement between stops.

This is not the right choice if you dislike long drives, rough roads, small vehicles, or a flexible group schedule. It is also not ideal if you want a tightly timed luxury spa day. The charm comes from the mix of planned stops and personal touches, but that means the day can feel less formal.

The small-group setup is a major advantage when the group is kept small. You may be able to ask for more time at the hot springs or request a different market stop. That flexibility is one reason the guide’s approach matters so much.

Practical advice before you go

Wear a swimsuit and bring a change of dry clothes. You will want something comfortable for the ride back after the pools and massage.

Bring water, sun protection, and any personal snacks you like. The day is long, and the available information confirms that extra drinks and snacks are allowed or useful, though it does not give a formal packing list.

Use shoes that handle uneven ground. The hot spring road is rough, and the activity is not designed for people who need easy, flat access at every stage.

Arrive early at Sam’s Club so the 8:00 am departure is not stressful. The meeting point is easy to locate, but the tour starts from there, and the return is also listed at that location.

If you hope for a particular guide, ask when booking. The provider is Jose Antonio Garcia Rivas, and the guide is frequently called Antonio or Tony. Jose is also named in the experience details, so the operating guide may vary by date.

Keep the day open. The stated duration is about eight hours, but road conditions, group needs, and time at the springs can affect the pace. Do not schedule a tight airport transfer or dinner reservation immediately after the expected return.

Should you book the Nuevo Ixtlan hot springs tour?

Book it if you want a full-day Puerto Vallarta escape with real countryside scenery, a personal grill lunch, and two very different forms of relaxation. The hot springs are the main attraction, but the market, tortillas, guide commentary, and Bucerias massage make the day feel complete.

Skip it if you want minimal driving, a resort-style spa, or a guaranteed tiny group. The long, winding road is the clear tradeoff, and group size may reach 12.

For most people who can handle the ride, this is a strong-value day. You get a look beyond the city, warm mineral pools, a meal tied to local ingredients, and a beach massage before returning to Puerto Vallarta. I would book ahead, confirm the group size and pickup details, and leave the entire day free.

FAQ

How long does the hot springs and massage experience last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, starting at 8:00 am.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Sam’s Club at Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 2880, 48290 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point. Some outings have included hotel pickup and drop-off arranged by the guide, so confirm your exact transportation details before the tour.

How many people can join the tour?

The additional information gives a maximum of 12 people. The experience is also described as a small-group activity, with some outings designed for up to 10 people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The guide provides a Mexican grill meal, with ingredients selected during a market stop. Meals have included grilled chicken and beef, vegetables, guacamole, fruit, chips, and fresh tortillas.

Is the massage included?

Yes. The experience includes a 60-minute massage in Bucerias with a beach or ocean view.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No. The activity is not recommended for people who have difficulty walking or moving around easily, and a moderate level of physical fitness is advised.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.