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If you’re craving some adventure in Puerto Vallarta, you’ve come to the right place!
Going on an ATV or a UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) tour is one of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta. I’ve gone on a lot of ATV tours all around the world, and I can confidently say Puerto Vallarta was one of my favorite spots to go riding. The hills in Puerto Vallarta provide cooler weather, great dirt road trails, and lots of muddy sections to splash through.
But as you can imagine, there are a few different ATV tours in Puerto Vallarta to choose from – and all tours aren’t created equal! Below I’ll go into detail about the absolute best ATV tours in Puerto Vallarta, as well as provide some essential info that you need to know before you book.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our FAVORITE tour is this private Puerto Vallarta ATV adventure. You’ll take an unforgettable ride through the Sierra Madre Mountains, crossing rivers and visiting beaches. Oh and you’ll also visit a hidden jungle bar!
This tour is VERY popular, check out the 850+ 5-star reviews here!
Tip: Reserve this tour early to guarantee your spot and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
Best ATV Tours in Puerto Vallarta
1. Private Puerto Vallarta ATV Adventure
- Price: $92+ USD
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 9 am OR 2 pm
- Highlights: Customizable private ATV tour to see the Sierra Madre Mountains, beaches, and rivers. Ability to choose single or double-rider ATVs.
- Inclusions: Private guide, all ATV safety equipment, fuel surcharge.
- Rating: 5 stars (check the 900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
This $92 USD, 3-hour private ATV Adventure is one of the top ATV tours in Puerto Vallarta for good reason! You’ll be ATVing through the side streets of Puerto Vallarta and then onto the Sierra Madre’s off-road trails.
During this scenic adventure, you’ll stop to jump into the Rio Cuale River to cool off, and even visit a hidden bar where you can chill and enjoy a cerveza (or two!)
You’ll meet just south of downtown Puerto Vallarta, and after you fill out some paperwork, you’ll get an orientation on how to use the ATV including hand signals. Our guide was very thorough and I felt super confident by the time we were ready to hit the road!
We love that this is a private tour meaning your group will be the only ones with your guide. This means you can customize the tour to your liking and choose how long you want to stay at each stop.
There is a minimum of 2 ATVs per booking, either single or double riders. Everything is included like face masks, a helmet, goggles, the ATV, and fuel. You must be at least 16 years old with a driver’s license in order to drive the ATV.
Check availability and reserve your spot on this popular ATV tour here!
2. Budget Sierra Madre ATV Tour
- Price: $81+ USD
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: 9 am OR 2 pm
- Highlights: Small group tour through the Sierra Madre Mountains, ride through the jungle and across streams, pass quaint villages, stop at a riverside restaurant.
- Inclusions: Guide, safety equipment, souvenir photos & videos.
- Rating: 5 stars (check the 750+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
This ATV tour in Puerto Vallarta will take you into the jungle, along dirt roads, and through creeks. There are two trips a day available starting in either the morning or afternoon, which makes it easy to fit into your schedule.
We loved that this tour started by driving through the old town of Vallarta, which really gave us a feeling of how this bustling town started. The paved streets soon turn to dirt roads and this adventure takes you on many river and creek crossings so be sure to pack accordingly.
There are two stops on this tour. The first is at a lovely Cantina to grab some refreshments and the second is a riverside restaurant – so be sure to bring some cash with you to try some of the authentic Mexican dishes!
Drivers will need to present a valid driver’s license in order to ride the ATV. Passengers must be at least 6 years old. As this tour is through the jungle, I highly recommend packing bug spray and wearing sunscreen and closed-toed shoes.
This tour is one of the cheapest ATV tours in Puerto Vallarta starting at just $81 USD per person – so it’s a great activity for those on a stricter budget. But a smaller price tag doesn’t mean it’s any less fun, this tour has over 700 5-star reviews!
Reserve your spot on this epic ATV adventure here and enjoy FREE 24 hour cancellation!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Puerto Vallarta ATV/RZR Bridge Experience
- Price: $112+ USD
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Time: 7:50 am, 11:50 am, OR 2 pm
- Highlights: Ride down Latin America’s longest suspension bridge on an ATV or side-by-side RZR, enjoy views of the Sierra Madre Mountains, cool off in a waterfall, tequila tasting on a mountain top.
- Inclusions: Transportation from Puerto Vallarta meeting point, tequila tasting, ATV or RZR vehicle with equipment.
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check the 390+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you’re looking for even more adrenalin, then this ATV and RZR experience is the tour you’ll want to book. It includes crossing a HUGE bridge and is one of the most iconic things to do in Mexico.
This half-day (5.5-hour) tour will take you through the Mexican jungle, and explore the hills of Puerto Vallarta. You will get taken to El Salto waterfall, a hidden waterfall in the jungle that you can swim in to cool off. Swimming in this waterfall is a lot of fun so be sure to bring your bathing suit!
The best part of this trip is crossing the longest bridge in Latin America, Jorullo Bridge. This isn’t your typical bridge but instead a suspension bridge only a few feet wide that stretches over the jungle canopy. This will give you an aerial view of the forest below and is quite the thrill. In true Mexican fashion, the experience ends with an optional tequila tasting. Does it get any better than that?
There are different prices for different types of ATVs and amount of people riding. For $167 USD you’ll be able to ride an ATV by yourself, and $261 USD for a group of 2 people on an ATV.
This tour also has vehicles called RZR which is a side-by-side. These vehicles hold up to 4 people and have a roll bar on top. The price is $351 USD for up to 2 guests on an RZR, and $448 USD for up to 4 people on one RZR. The minimum age for drivers is 18 years with a valid driver’s license while the minimum age for passengers is 6 years old.
Book this highly-rated tour in advance here before it sells out!
Related Read: While you’re here, you should be sure to check out the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta!
4. ATV-Zip Line Combo Adventure
- Price: $140+ USD
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 9 am OR 2 pm
- Highlights: Ride an ATV through the Sierra Madre Mountains, zipline over the jungle, take a mule ride through the canyon.
- Inclusions: Professional guide, use of ATV and helmet, fees and handling charges, photos & videos of ATV portion of tour.
- Rating: 5 stars (check the 260+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
If you’re looking for even more adrenalin and adventure, you’ll want to check out this half-day ATV and Zip-Line Combo Adventure. This tour starts at $140 USD per person and includes time on an ATV and will have you ziplining through the jungle!
You’ll meet in Puerto Vallarta in the morning where the friendly staff will get you set up and comfortable with the ATV before you head out on the open trails. The ATV tour heads through Puerto Vallarta and then southeast through the Sierra Madre mountains down the River Cuale until you reach the zipline course.
Expect to get muddy and wet as there are a few places to cross creeks. Also make sure to bring your bathing suit as there are secret places to swim along the way – you’ll thank me later!
The zip line course has 8 cable ziplines that you’ll ride from treetop to treetop. This means you’ll not only get to experience the adrenaline-pumping zipline but also get spectacular views of the mountains. The ziplines will take you on a series of swings down the mountain. The interesting part is after you complete the zipline course you’ll jump on the back of a mule to take you back to the top of the course where your ATV is.
You should plan for this tour to be around 4 hours long and include everything you need from a guide to helmets. One of my favorite parts of this trip is that they include photos and videos in the price so you will be left with both memories and photos.
For a day full of action packed adventure, book this tour online here!
5. Sayulita UTV Adventure (from Puerto Vallarta)
- Price: $399 USD per group up to 4 people
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Drive a UTV from Punta Mita to Sayulita, explore Sayulita on foot, have a bite to eat at a local restaurants, take a break at a beautiful beach.
- Inclusions: Professional guide, snack and water, use of UTV and helmet, transportation to/from Sayulita.
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check the 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
This ATV tour in Punta Mita and Sayulita is one of the best day trips from Puerto Vallarta. The adventure starts at 8 am when you’ll be driven out to Punta Mita. Then the fun begins! From Punta Mita you’ll drive to Sayulita in your UTV.
A UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) is larger than an ATV and can comfortably fit up to 4 people. With a roll cage on top, these are similar in style to a side by side complete with seatbelts and a more standard vehicle seat. These vehicles are more stable and have a steering wheel that is more familiar to newer drivers.
The best part is that this tour includes time to explore the small town of Sayulita. This small fishing village has a market where you will find craft stalls and some food stalls. There are tons of amazing restaurants in Sayulita, so it’s perfect that this tour allows time to stop for lunch here before driving back to Punta Mita in your UTV.
Jungle dirt roads will be how you get to this town so be prepared to get dusty, dirty, and wet as there are a few places that have puddles and river crossings. Don’t worry, this tour includes goggles so you can see what’s in front of you no matter how dirty you get!
The $399 USD price is for a group of up to 4 people, which means it’s only $100 USD each if you had a group of 4! Not included in the price thoguh is a non-refundable $40 USD insurance fee for each UTV that must be paid at the start of the tour.
Check availability for this fun UTV trip to Sayulita here!
Related Read: If you love Sayulita why not consider staying there? Check out our guide on where to stay in Sayulita!
Other Activities to do While You’re in Puerto Vallarta
There’s a good reason why Dan and I keep coming back to Puerto Vallarta – not only are the ATV tours a ton of fun, but there are so many other fun things to see.
From strolling down the Malecon (boardwalk) to seeing sea creatures up close under the water, there’s no shortage of things to fill up your itinerary! Here are a few of our personal favorite things to do in Puerto Vallarta:
- Enjoy a swashbuckling show on a pirate ship – Ahoy landlubbers! Ever wanted to live out your dream of being a pirate, sailing across the seven seas? Or maybe you’ve got a little one who is swinging around their imaginary cutlass like a pro? This pirate ship cruise includes a dinner fit for a pirate king with cannons, fireworks, and all kinds of jolly entertainment to boot!
- Explore underwater – While there’s plenty to do on land, it’s like a whole new world beneath the waves! If you can, snorkeling or scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta is a must. This scuba diving tour is jam-packed with caves and more tropical fish than you can count. Or to stay closer to the surface, this snorkeling cruise visits the beautiful Marietas Islands.
- Visit the Rhythms of the Night Show – When it comes to the best dinner shows in Puerto Vallarta, the Rhythms of the Night Show is a tough one to beat! It takes place on a secluded island with incredible dancing, acrobatics, music, and, of course, the food is amazing too. You also get to enjoy a beautiful catamaran cruise to and from the island! You can book your ticket online here.
- Walk the Puerto Vallarta Malecon – The boardwalk here is absolutely full of amazing museums, some of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta, and more shops than you can count! This is a great spot to pick up some souvenirs for the folks back home, have a go at making your own chocolate, or simply enjoy a drink at Señor Frog’s!
- Go whale watching – Going whale watching in Puerto Vallarta is a pretty popular activity (and a favorite of mine!). Not only is it one of the best places to see humpback whales, but you might even see grey or blue whales too. This 4-hour whale-watching tour is ideal for those on a budget but is also capped at just 12 passengers per tour!
Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta
There are TONS of great hotels in Puerto Vallarta – no matter your budget or preferences. From luxurious budget resorts to cozy boutique hotels, deciding where to stay in Puerto Vallarta is super exciting, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite spots with you!
Hilton Vallarta Riviera – $$$
The Hilton Vallarta Riviera is one of the best resorts in town – it’s all-inclusive, so you’re free to have plenty of peaceful downtime. They also have 7 restaurants, a private beach, a pool, a spa, and a gym. Rooms have super comfy beds and can include a terrace, balcony, and a private jetted tub overlooking the ocean! There’s evening entertainment and a kid’s club to keep the little ones happy. Rooms here at the Hilton Vallarta Riviera average around $350-$650 USD per night, but you can often get a good deal (on the lower end of that range) if you book in advance
Amapas Apartments Puerto Vallarta – $$
The Amapas Apartments in Puerto Vallarta are a series of adult-only, self-contained apartments, located in my favorite area of town – the Romantic Zone. It’s really close to the beach, restaurants, as well as tons of shopping and nightlife options. They even have a pool, with all rooms being air-conditioned too!
With one and two-bedroom apartments available, a stay here typically starts around $96 USD per night, which I think is a great deal considering the size of the apartment and its location! This is another really popular spot though, so don’t forget to book your stay online in advance.
Posada de Roger – $
Another superb budget choice is the Hotel Posada de Roger that’s right in the heart of the Romantic Zone. All rooms here have AC, and they even have an outdoor pool that gets tons of sun. If you fancy making up some packed lunches, they also have a shared kitchen which is free for guests to use. No wonder it’s our go-to place to stay in Puerto Vallarta!
A one-night stay here at Posada de Roger starts at $64 USD per night, but it is pretty popular, so I’d recommend making your reservation in advance on Booking.com. You can always cancel the stay for free if you change your mind, so it’s a win-win!
Oasis Hostel – $
Who said you couldn’t live the dream on a budget? The Oasis Hostel offers both dorms and private rooms, which all have air conditioning with traditional Mexican decor. It’s around 5 km (3 mi) to get downtown, but that’s really easy with a taxi, or you can also rent a bike straight from the hostel.
Rooms here are super affordable, starting at just $19 USD including breakfast! Whether you’re backpacking through Puerto Vallarta or prefer to spend your money on experiences over accommodation, this is a great choice. You can book your space on either Hostelworld or Booking.com.
Note: For more options, you can also browse all the hotels in Puerto Vallarta here!
Renting a Car in Mexico
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to get around Mexico is in a rental car.
I struggled to get around by bus and taxi for the longest time. But after renting a car in Cancun in 2023, I never looked back. It allowed me to explore the country without worrying about tours or taxis. It was why I fell in love with Mexico and eventually decided to live here periodically.
I refuse to use local services whenever I rent a car in Mexico. The truth is they sometimes can’t be trusted or come with hidden fees (or costly insurance that doesn’t make sense.) There are even rental car scams! So instead, I use Discover Cars, the company most experienced travelers or ex-pats in Mexico recommend. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
The rates on Discover Cars are cheap, too, with the average rental costing around $25 USD per day. Full coverage insurance can be added for an extra $10 USD a day too.
Driving in Mexico also only requires a driver’s license using the Roman alphabet. If yours uses another like Japan and China, you simply need an international driving permit.
Insurance is required, but if you book with Discover Cars and get the full coverage, that’s all you need! Oh, and being over 18 is required, and if you’re over 25, your rental will be much cheaper!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
One of my favorite things to do when I visit Puerto Vallarta is an ATV tour. I love climbing the hills, swimming in the rivers, and cruising down the dirt roads. For adrenaline junkies like me, I cannot recommend doing an ATV tour in Puerto Vallarta enough!
I hope this blog has helped you choose the right Puerto Vallarta ATV tour for you! If you enjoyed this blog, be sure to check out our other Mexico blogs including a few favorites below: