Hot tubs and a waterfall, one day. This private day trip drives about an hour north from San José del Cabo into the farming town area of Santiago, with stops at Santa Rita Hot Springs and the Cañon de la Zorra waterfall oasis. I like how the hiking is short and doable, so you still have time to slow down and soak. I also like that the day mixes warm water from the springs with cool swim time in lagoon-fed pools. One consideration: you should be comfortable with a moderate day of walking, and you’ll want decent weather for the full experience.

I also like the human side of this tour. Guides Jason (and Gen) handle the driving, keep things moving at a good pace, and bring a fun, relaxed vibe in the process. Pickup is included for downtown at La Comer, and if you’re staying behind a gate, you’ll be asked to keep your phone ready for access approval calls. The trip runs about 6 hours 30 minutes and includes snacks, bottled water, park fees, and even snorkeling equipment, so you’re not scrambling for basics once you arrive.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Santa Rita Hot Springs loop (about 1 mile) with natural hot tubs surrounded by desert plants and tall palms
• Cañon de la Zorra hike (about 2 miles out and back) leading to a 5-meter waterfall and swimming pools fed by a lagoon
• Water time is built in with snorkeling equipment included and time to rest by the main pool
• Private tour feel with only your group in the air-conditioned vehicle
• Jason and Gen’s guide style adds local context and lots of good energy to the day
• Local stops on the way back where you can grab authentic food, plus honey and homemade ice cream

From San José del Cabo to Santiago: how the day gets moving

This tour is built for one big, satisfying theme: get out of the coastal routine and spend a full morning and afternoon in a desert canyon world. You’ll start in San José del Cabo and then head north roughly an hour to Santiago, where the scenery changes fast—from busy streets to agricultural surroundings and wild desert flora.

The route matters here because it keeps the day from feeling rushed. You’re not bouncing between far-off “checkpoints.” Instead, you’re moving between two tightly connected nature stops: Santa Rita first, then the Cañon de la Zorra waterfall area later.

You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, picked up around five minutes before the start time. If you’re downtown, pickup is included. If you’re staying outside San José del Cabo, the meeting point shifts to the basement parking area of La Comer (so you can safely leave your car for the day). Either way, it’s worth having your phone handy for a quick call if your resort or gated community needs authorization.

Santa Rita Hot Springs: desert palms and natural hot tubs

Santa Rita Hot Springs is the kind of place you remember because it feels simple and real. You start with a short hike: about a one-mile loop through desert surroundings with native flora, including tall palm trees. It’s not a long grind. It’s more like a scenic walk that gets your body ready for the water.

What you’re aiming for is the reward: natural hot tubs. These aren’t the kind of hotel tubs that feel engineered. They’re part of the natural setting, and the temperature is the whole point. Once you get there, you can ease in, relax, and let your mind settle for a while.

A big advantage of this stop is timing. Going first while the morning air is cooler makes the whole experience feel more comfortable. Later on, you’re hiking again, so starting relaxed helps you keep the day enjoyable rather than tiring.

Possible drawback to plan around: the route is still a hike, and you’ll be on foot before you reach the hot tubs. The tour lists moderate fitness as the baseline, which is a smart clue that you should wear footwear you trust and take your time on uneven ground.

Cañon de la Zorra hike to Sol de Mayo waterfall and lagoon pools

After Santa Rita, you drive about 15 minutes to the next location. Then you do the day’s longer walk: a hike around two miles out and back through Canyon de la Zorra. This part is great if you like seeing how the Sierra de la Laguna area shapes plant life and wildlife.

Here’s the key detail: you don’t have to wait until the very end to experience the payoff. About a quarter mile into the hike, you reach an oasis with a striking 5-meter waterfall. From there, you get swimming pools fed by a lagoon, plus a sandy beach area where you can rest near the main pool.

This is the moment where the tour shifts from “pretty nature hike” to “you’re in the water, in the canyon.” The pools give you a cool break after the heat. And because it’s all tied to the lagoon-fed flow, the setting feels like a natural system rather than a man-made attraction.

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, which is relevant here because you’ll be around water and pools. You won’t be stuck choosing between hiking and swimming. The day is designed so you can do both, and then hang out when you’re done.

One thing to keep expectations realistic: the hike is short-to-moderate, not “easy stroll only.” Still, the reward is close enough that you can enjoy the best scenery without feeling like you’ve traded away the entire day to reach it.

What the included snacks, park fees, and gear actually mean for you

The best value in tours like this is how few things you need to think about. Here, that’s pretty clear in what’s included:

• Healthy snacks and fruits, plus bottled water
• Park fees covered
• Snorkeling equipment provided
• An air-conditioned vehicle
• An ice chest (helpful for keeping food and drinks handy)
• A licensed guide

That list matters because it lowers the friction. You’re not paying extra at each stop just to get basic refreshments, and you’re not scrambling for gear once you’re in the water area.

What’s not included is also important:

• Alcoholic beverages are not included
• Tips and gratuities aren’t included

If you like to manage your day like a checklist, this tour is friendly. You can focus on walking, soaking, swimming, and enjoying the canyon without constantly reaching for your wallet.

Local food and souvenir stops on the way back

The day doesn’t end when the hiking does. On the return drive, you have options for authentic Mexican food and small tourist gift shops.

This is one of those smart “flex” parts of the itinerary. If you want a proper sit-down lunch, you can take it. If you’d rather stretch your legs and browse briefly, gift shops are available too. You can even look for local honey and homemade ice cream—simple treats that make a good end to a warm day outside.

One of the tour’s strongest points is that the day feels like it’s about the region, not just the headline attractions. Getting out of the immediate San José del Cabo area helps you see how people live around the canyons and farms.

Jason and Gen’s guide style: why it changes the day

A private tour lives or dies on the guide. Here, the guide team is part of the reason people rave about this experience.

Jason is described as a great host with a funny, relaxed style, and he’s also credited with being strong on local context—helping you connect what you’re seeing to where it is. Gen is also mentioned as part of the guiding team, sharing in the experience and support.

You’ll also appreciate the practical side. People note that the vehicle is very clean, and that matters more than you’d think on a long day ride. If you’re sensitive to motion, a smooth, clean setup helps you feel comfortable before you ever step out for the hikes.

Private tours also let you set a realistic pace. You can take breaks when you need them. You can spend a little extra time in the hot tubs or by the waterfall pool, without worrying about catching the group pace.

Price and value: $260 per person and where that money goes

At $260 per person, this isn’t a budget “grab a ticket and go” activity. It’s paying for a private day that bundles transportation, guided time, and access costs into one plan.

Here’s why the price can make sense for the right traveler:

• You’re paying for an air-conditioned vehicle and direct transport between the two nature areas.
• You’re paying for a licensed guide handling timing and route decisions.
• You’re covered for park fees, plus snacks, fruits, and bottled water.
• You’re not paying separately for snorkeling equipment and you get an ice chest for comfort.

If you’re comparing it to piecing together a hot springs visit plus a waterfall hike plus local food stops, the bundled approach often comes out cleaner. You also gain something that’s hard to measure in dollars: the day feels guided, not stressful.

One more value signal: this tour is commonly booked about a month in advance. That usually means people plan it as a “must-do” day, not a casual afterthought.

Weather, timing, and what to expect from the schedule

The experience is weather dependent, which is common for canyon water areas. If weather is poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s the kind of policy that helps you book without too much anxiety.

Timing wise, plan on about 6 hours 30 minutes total. The day starts with a hike to Santa Rita, then moves to the canyon hike and waterfall pool area, then returns to the pickup point. That structure means you’re never waiting around for long stretches.

Because the morning starts cooler, you’ll likely find Santa Rita more comfortable at first, and the later hike more about managing heat and pacing.

Who should book this private hot springs and waterfall tour

This is a great fit if you want:

• A nature day that mixes hot and cool water
• Short hikes with major rewards (one-mile loop at Santa Rita, then a two-mile out-and-back with quick access to the waterfall oasis)
• A private guide team that keeps the day fun and practical
• A region-exploring day outside the immediate San José del Cabo beach strip

It may be less ideal if you:

• Want a fully effortless day with zero hiking. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness
• Are traveling only for one specific spot and don’t want a longer drive and a second hike afterward

If you’re celebrating something, this kind of private nature loop feels special without turning into a fancy, overplanned production.

Should you book it?

I’d book this tour if you want an outdoors day that actually gives you time to enjoy both Santa Rita Hot Springs and the 5-meter Sol de Mayo waterfall area without turning it into a marathon. The price is higher than basic group tours, but you’re getting real value through transportation, guide time, park fees, snacks, water, and snorkeling equipment—all wrapped into a day that’s paced for comfort.

If you’re the type who likes real desert canyon settings, wants a guide who can keep things lively, and doesn’t mind moderate walking, this is the kind of trip that pays off quickly. If you’re unsure about weather or your fitness level, you’ll likely feel better going into it with flexible plans and a realistic expectation of a guided half-day hike day.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the tour?

You start at La Comer on Blvd. Mauricio Castro #4650 in the Zona Hotelera area of San José del Cabo. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup included?

Yes for downtown San José del Cabo. Pickup is done from a Toyota Tundra about five minutes before the start time. If you’re staying outside San José del Cabo, you’ll meet at the basement parking lot of La Comer as a safe place to park for the day.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 6 hours 30 minutes.

What stops are included?

You visit Santa Rita Hot Springs first, then you head to Canyon de la Zorra for the hike toward the Sol de Mayo waterfall and lagoon-fed swimming pools.

What’s included in the price, and what isn’t?

Included are healthy snacks, fruits, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, an air-conditioned vehicle, a licensed guide, an ice chest, and park fees. Not included are alcoholic beverages and tips or gratuities.

What if the weather is bad?

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

If you want, tell me your travel month and how active your group is, and I’ll help you judge whether Santa Rita first or the canyon timing will feel best for your day.

You Might Also Enjoy

Park Pass at Wild Canyon One Place, Many AdventuresPhoto Session in Los CabosHorseback Riding Beach and Desert in CaboLos Cabos Tour to the Arch in a Transparent Boat