Volcanic Hot Springs, Foot Massage, Tequila & Mex BBQ

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the change of scene. You leave the marina behind and ride into the hills toward natural volcanic hot springs, where the setting is quiet, green, and far removed from the city. Then the day adds tequila, a Mexican BBQ lunch, a pool, and a foot massage. It is an unusual mix, but it works.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which gives the guides room to keep the tasting and cocktail activities lively. I also like the range of things packed into five hours: a scenic ride, time by the water, food, drinks, and a 15-minute foot massage. The main caution is the transport. The open-concept bus has no air conditioning, and parts of the ride can be bumpy.

Key things to know

• The hot springs come straight from a volcano: Their temperature cannot be adjusted, so you should be comfortable with a natural setting rather than a controlled spa.
• The open bus is part of the experience: Expect hill views and fresh air, but no air conditioning and a ride that may feel rough in places.
• The tequila session covers several styles: Tastings include white, reposado, añejo, rosa, and special editions, with alcohol limited to adults age 18 and older.
• The food is more than a snack: A Mexican BBQ lunch is included, with vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan choices available.
• The guides add personality: Cesar is noted for his friendly approach, while Izzy leads entertaining tequila sessions and Erik brings cocktail-making skill.
• The group returns to the marina: Pickup and drop-off are at Av Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta, with a 10:30 am start.

From Marina Vallarta to the volcanic springs

The day begins at 10:30 am at Av Paseo de la Marina 121 in Marina Vallarta. From there, you ride in a public open-concept bus toward the hills. This is not a private luxury transfer, so set your expectations correctly. There is no air conditioning, and the road can be bumpy.

Still, the ride has real value. You get away from Puerto Vallarta’s hotels and traffic, and the route offers changing views of the hills and countryside. One reason I would choose this tour over a standard spa afternoon is that the drive gives the outing a sense of place. You are not simply being taken into an enclosed resort room. You are heading into a more natural setting.

Pack light, but bring what you need for several different activities. A swimsuit makes sense for the springs and pool, and bottled water is included. Since the bus is open and lacks air conditioning, sun protection is also practical. The supplied information does not list a detailed packing list, so I would keep your personal items compact and easy to manage during the ride.

The transfer also helps explain the five-hour length. This is not a quick stop at a single hot pool. You have transportation, time at the property, a meal, tequila, and a massage, all within a half-day schedule.

What the volcanic hot springs are really like

The hot springs are the heart of the outing. Water comes directly from the volcano, which gives the place its appeal and its one important limitation: you cannot control the temperature. This is a natural spring, not a hotel spa with a thermostat.

That detail matters if you are sensitive to heat. You may find the water wonderfully soothing, but the temperature can vary from what you expect. I would treat the spring as a nature-based bathing experience rather than promise yourself a perfectly warm soak. The setting is the attraction as much as the water.

The grounds also include a pool, giving you another place to cool off and relax. The combination works well. You can spend time near the hot springs, then shift to the pool, enjoy the views, or simply slow down before lunch.

Some of the activities described with the outing include a bike ride to the hot springs and time to enjoy the grounds. The exact order can vary, so you should allow the guides to set the pace. The point is not to rush from one scheduled station to the next. This is built as a relaxed break from the city.

The property also has a trampoline, a small but useful detail if you are traveling with children or simply like a bit of playful distraction. The experience is not only about sitting quietly in warm water. It mixes rest with casual activity.

A tequila tasting with five styles to compare

The tequila portion gives the tour its Mexican character. The tasting includes small-batch organic tequila made in the city of Tequila, Jalisco, with several styles to compare:

• White
• Reposado
• Añejo
• Rosa
• Special editions

You must be at least 18 years old to take part. Alcoholic drinks beyond the included tasting are not included, so keep that distinction in mind when planning your budget.

The range of styles makes the tasting more useful than a single sample. White tequila lets you focus on the spirit’s direct flavor, while reposado and añejo offer a chance to compare the effect of aging. Rosa and the special editions add variety. You do not need to be a tequila expert to enjoy this. A good tasting gives you a reason to slow down, compare, and ask questions.

Izzy is associated with this part of the experience and is described as witty and informative. That personality matters. Tequila can be presented as a stiff product demonstration, but a relaxed guide can make the tasting feel social and easy to follow.

If you do not drink alcohol, the tequila segment may be less important to you. The meal, springs, pool, scenery, and foot massage still give the tour plenty of substance, but the tasting is a major part of the identity of the outing. Anyone booking mainly for the springs should be comfortable with the fact that the schedule also gives real attention to tequila.

Cocktail making with Erik

The cocktail-making activity is one of the most distinctive parts of the day. Erik leads this portion, teaching drink recipes and mixing techniques in a casual setting. The supplied experience details do not specify the exact recipes, so I would not book it expecting a particular cocktail. You can expect hands-on drink instruction and a social atmosphere instead.

This is where the tour moves beyond a simple tequila sample. You get to see how tequila can work in mixed drinks, not only as a shot or neat pour. Erik is described as personable and skilled behind the bar, which should help beginners feel comfortable.

There is also a practical point here: cocktail activities can add to your alcohol intake quickly. Pace yourself, drink water, and remember that bottled water is included. The tour combines spirits, lunch, and warm outdoor conditions, so a relaxed approach is wiser than trying to sample everything too fast.

The small group size helps this activity. With no more than 10 people, you are less likely to feel lost in a crowd while the guide demonstrates a recipe. It also gives the session a friendly, informal feel rather than the rhythm of a large class.

Mexican BBQ lunch with flexible food choices

Lunch is a full Mexican BBQ meal, not simply a packet of snacks between activities. It is included in the $86.08 price, along with the tequila tasting, bottled water, transportation, and foot massage.

The food is important to the value of the outing. Transportation into the hills can take time, and a meal keeps the day from becoming a series of paid extras. You also get a chance to sit down and enjoy the setting instead of treating the property as a quick photo stop.

Vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options are available. That makes the tour easier to plan for mixed groups, though you should make your dietary needs clear when booking or confirming details. The available information does not provide a full menu, so do not expect to choose from a long restaurant-style list.

The BBQ format also fits the relaxed mood. It is casual, social food that pairs naturally with the tequila and cocktail activities. If you want a formal gourmet meal, this is not the right promise to attach to the tour. If you want a satisfying Mexican lunch in an outdoor setting, it fits much better.

A 15-minute foot massage by the pool

The foot massage is short, but it is a smart addition. At 15 minutes, it is not a full spa treatment. It is a small reset after the ride, walking, swimming, and time in the hot springs.

I like that it takes place by the pool rather than in a sealed treatment room. The setting keeps the experience informal and lets you continue enjoying the property. You can use the massage as a quiet pause before or after lunch, depending on how the schedule runs.

Do not book this tour expecting a long massage session. The treatment is a bonus, not the main event. Its value comes from how it completes the day: you get a little physical relaxation after several active and social parts of the outing.

How the $86.08 price holds up

At $86.08 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning near Puerto Vallarta. But the price includes several separate elements: round-trip public transportation, the hot springs setting, tequila tasting, a Mexican BBQ lunch, bottled water, and a 15-minute foot massage.

I see the strongest value for someone who would otherwise pay for transportation, lunch, a spa treatment, and a tasting as separate activities. The tour also saves you the work of arranging transport into the hills. Since the maximum group is 10, you are paying for a fairly personal format rather than a large coach outing.

The value is weaker if you care only about a long soak. You are also paying for the tequila and cocktail side of the day, the food, the scenery, and the guides. Someone who does not drink or who dislikes group activities may find that some of the package matters less.

The experience is typically booked about 21 days ahead. That suggests planning early, especially if your Puerto Vallarta dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity returns to the original meeting point.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for couples, friends, and small groups who want a day that mixes relaxation with conversation. You get enough variety that the schedule should not feel repetitive. One person can focus on the springs, another on tequila, and someone else may prefer the pool, food, or massage.

It also suits visitors who want to leave the city without committing to a full-day excursion. Five hours is long enough to reach a quieter setting and enjoy several activities, but short enough to leave room for an evening in Puerto Vallarta.

Families need to think about the alcohol focus. The tour is not adults-only based on the supplied information, but tequila tasting is restricted to people age 18 and older. The trampoline and pool may appeal to younger visitors, while the cocktail and tasting sessions are aimed at adults.

You should also be comfortable with an open bus and a potentially rough ride. If air conditioning, smooth roads, or a polished spa setting are essential to your comfort, this may not be your best match.

The tour allows service animals and is near public transportation. No detailed mobility information is provided, so you should ask the provider about the bus, hot springs access, pool area, and massage setup if you have mobility concerns.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:30 am start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Weather matters because the activity can be canceled in poor conditions. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of a different date or a full refund.

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It ends back at the Marina Vallarta meeting point, which makes planning your next activity easier than an outing with an uncertain drop-off.

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta outing?

I would book it if you want a social half-day with hot springs, tequila, food, and a little spa time, rather than a single-purpose bathing trip. The setting, small group, and variety give it a strong sense of value, while guides such as Cesar, Izzy, and Erik add personality to the experience.

I would skip it if you dislike alcohol-centered activities, need air conditioning during transport, or want precise control over water temperature. For everyone else, the combination is appealing: a scenic ride into the hills, volcanic water, a pool, Mexican BBQ, tequila styles from white to añejo, cocktail making, and a short foot massage. It is an easy choice for a relaxed break from Puerto Vallarta’s city pace.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Av Paseo de la Marina 121, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. Tequila tasting is included for adults age 18 and older. Alcoholic beverages beyond the included tasting are not included.

Can children join the tequila tasting?

No. You must be at least 18 years old to take part in the tequila tasting.

Are food options available for special diets?

Yes. Vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options are available with the Mexican BBQ lunch.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.