A day tour in Montanejos hot springs.

Montanejos is a day for getting out of Valencia and into the water. You travel by air-conditioned van or bus to Fuente de los Baños, then continue to Salto de la Novia, where the plan includes another chance to swim. I like the combination of two distinct bathing stops and the small-group format, which is advertised for no more than six people.

I also like that transport and admission tickets are included, so you do not have to arrange the journey yourself. The main consideration is that this is a long day with substantial time in a vehicle, lunch is extra, and the amount of guiding may vary. Arrive promptly at the stated meeting point, since the departure is at 9:00 a.m.

At a glance

• Two water stops: Spend time bathing at Fuente de los Baños, then see the waterfall and swim at Salto de la Novia.
• About eight hours: The day starts and ends in Valencia, with roughly 1.5 hours to Montanejos and another hour back from the waterfall.
• A small advertised group: The tour lists a maximum of six participants.
• Tickets and transport included: You get transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle and admission to the attractions.
• Lunch is on you: There is a restaurant stop at the hot springs, but food is not included.
• Juan Carlos is the named guide: Accounts describe a warm, humorous manner and a knack for finding good viewpoints, though the level of commentary may not suit everyone.

Leaving Valencia for the mountains

The meeting point is Av. d’Aragó, 31, in Valencia, and the tour begins at 9:00 a.m. It ends back at the same point. The journey to Montanejos takes about an hour and a half by van or bus, so you can expect a fair amount of road time before the first swim.

That transfer is part of the value. Montanejos is not presented as a quick stop just outside the city, and arranging transport to both the springs and waterfall on your own would take planning. Here, the driver handles the route and the tickets are included. You trade some independence for a simpler day.

The vehicle is described as air-conditioned, a useful detail when you are spending several hours on the road. The tour is offered in English, and you receive a mobile ticket. The advertised group limit is six, which should make for a more personal outing than a large coach trip. One tour account, however, describes a group of eight, so if the exact group size matters to you, confirm it before booking.

The meeting point deserves care. The listed address is on Av. d’Aragó, and the guide’s response to one complaint identifies the departure point as Gate A3 at Mestalla Stadium on Aragón Avenue. Check the exact spot with the operator before the day, and be on time. The start is set for 9:00 a.m.; a missed departure could cost you the whole outing.

Bathing at Fuente de los Baños

The main stop is Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos, where you have about three and a half hours. Admission is included, and the plan is to bathe in the hot springs and have a meal at a nearby restaurant. Food is not included, so keep lunch money separate from the tour price.

This is the longest stop, and rightly so: it gives you more than a brief look at the water. You can spend time swimming, take a break to eat, and enjoy the setting without having to rush straight back into the van. The springs are the central reason to book this tour, so a generous block of time here matters.

Do not read the word hot as a promise about the exact water temperature on your visit. The tour identifies the site as hot springs and says you can bathe, but it does not give a temperature or seasonal details. If warm water is essential to your plans, check current conditions before you go.

You should also plan your meal rather than assume it is part of the package. The itinerary mentions eating at a restaurant at the springs, but the tour price does not cover lunch. Bring money for food and any other personal spending. The information provided does not specify whether you can bring your own food or what the restaurant serves, so ask the operator if you need to know.

The bathing stop has an easy appeal: you get time to enjoy the water at your own pace, rather than making the springs a quick photo stop. Still, the day is not a guided spa visit with a detailed program. The description leaves much of this time open for bathing and enjoying the area yourself. That suits you if you like unstructured time; it may disappoint you if you expect continuous commentary or organized activities.

The waterfall at Salto de la Novia

After Montanejos, the tour continues to Salto de la Novia, known in the itinerary as Girlfriend Waterfall. The drive takes about an hour, followed by roughly an hour at the waterfall. There you can see the falls and bathe in the river before the return drive to Valencia.

The change of scene gives the day a second focus. Rather than spending all your time at one swimming spot, you get a waterfall visit and another chance to get into the water. The stop is relatively short, however, especially after the drive. Think of it as a compact visit, not a long hike or an extended stay.

The name Salto de la Novia is a useful landmark when you are following the route, but the tour details do not promise a particular walk, guided history talk, or additional activity there. You can expect to see the waterfall and swim in the river, with about an hour on site. If you want to spend much longer at the falls, this fixed schedule may feel tight.

The return journey to Valencia takes about an hour. Add the first 90-minute drive, the hour between the springs and waterfall, and time at both stops, and the day comes to about eight hours. The schedule is full, but it is not built around long stays in each place. The balance is variety and convenience, not a slow, independent visit.

What the guide adds, and where expectations should be modest

Juan Carlos is the guide named in accounts of the tour. His reported strengths include friendliness, humor, accommodating families, and knowing where to stop for views and swimming. For a day that involves several transfers and outdoor stops, a personable guide can make the logistics feel less like a shuttle service.

There is a caveat. At least one account describes the experience as mostly a driver taking the group between places, with too little explanation along the way. That points to a real distinction: this tour may be a good fit if you mainly want transport, entry, and time to swim, but less so if you expect a history-rich guided excursion with commentary throughout.

Another account reports that the guide did not show up. The operator disputed that complaint and stressed the 9:00 a.m. departure and the need to arrive on time. I would take the practical lesson seriously: confirm the meeting point, arrive on time, and keep the operator’s contact details handy. The information available does not establish how common such a problem is, but missing the van would be a costly way to lose a vacation day.

Several accounts of Juan Carlos emphasize his warmth and humor, including on outings with children and larger family groups. That makes the tour sound appealing for families and friends who enjoy a relaxed guide. But the experience still depends on the person leading the day, and you should not book it expecting a scripted, expert lecture at every stop.

Is $107.17 fair value?

At $107.17 per person, you are paying for an approximately eight-hour outing, transport from Valencia, an air-conditioned vehicle, and admission tickets. The price makes the most sense if you value having the route arranged and want to visit both Montanejos and Salto de la Novia without organizing separate transport.

It is less compelling if you have a car, prefer to control your own schedule, or mainly want a long, unhurried stay at the springs. You could value the flexibility of arranging your own day more than the convenience of a packaged trip. The tour’s included tickets and transfers are practical, but they do not include lunch or promise extensive guiding.

The group cap of six can also improve the value, since a small group is generally easier to manage at stops and in a vehicle. Because one account describes eight people, confirm the actual maximum for your departure if group size is a deciding factor. The published limit is six.

The outing is booked on average about 20 days in advance. That is a helpful planning signal, not a guarantee of availability, so do not assume you can leave it to the last minute if your dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund; if the minimum number of participants is not met, the options are a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this day trip?

I would consider this tour if you are staying in Valencia, want a full day outdoors, and care more about swimming and scenery than having a guide talk throughout the journey. It is also a useful choice if you do not want to arrange transport to two separate places. The combination of hot springs, a waterfall, and river bathing gives the day more variety than a single-site excursion.

Families and groups of friends may find the relaxed format appealing, especially if everyone is happy with time to explore and swim independently. The reported guide style sounds warm and light rather than formal. Keep in mind that the schedule includes several drives and that the waterfall stop is only about an hour.

I would hesitate if you want a highly structured tour, a detailed account of local history, or a long visit at each stop. I would also check the meeting point and group-size details in advance. With those expectations set, the core offer is clear: a convenient, swim-focused escape from Valencia with transport and entry handled for you.

Should you book?

Book it if you want two water stops in one day and appreciate having the transport and tickets sorted. The best reasons to go are the time at Fuente de los Baños, the waterfall and river stop, and the chance to do it all without driving yourself.

Skip it if lunch-inclusive pricing, extensive commentary, or a flexible schedule is essential. Before paying, confirm the exact meeting spot and group size, then arrive on time for the 9:00 a.m. departure.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about eight hours. It starts at 9:00 a.m. in Valencia and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Av. d’Aragó, 31, El Pla del Real, Valencia. The tour ends at the same point.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour information gives a maximum of six participants.

Is transport included?

Yes. Transfers to the attractions in an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

Are admission tickets included?

Yes. Tickets are included for the attractions in the itinerary.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, although the plan includes eating at a restaurant at the hot springs.

How much time is spent at Fuente de los Baños?

The tour allows about three and a half hours at Fuente de los Baños.

Can you swim at Salto de la Novia?

Yes. The stop includes time to see the waterfall and bathe in the river, with about an hour at the site.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.