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If you’re thinking about ATVing in Bali, you’re probably wondering whether it’s safe, and if it’s worth it. So, we’re here to give you the lowdown on what to expect.
We’ve traveled to Bali countless times and even lived here for a while, so we’ve explored the island pretty much every way possible! I will say that quad biking around the island was one of our favorite experiences, but it may not be for everyone.
With that in mind, we’re going to give you our honest review of ATVing in Bali, and share some tips that helped make our experience even better. So grab your helmet, and let’s get into it.
What ATV Tour did I do in Bali?
As adventurous travelers, this ATV adventure tour caught our eye! And when we saw that this tour has over 1,300 5-star reviews, we were sold! We thought that this tour looked like a great opportunity to get off the beaten track and explore the rugged Balinese countryside … and as it turns out, we were right.
We also chose this tour because it was really well-priced. Tandem ATV rides start from as little as $38 USD per person, and we really enjoyed sharing our quad! That price also included lunch and there’s an option to add pickup from all over South Bali if you don’t feel confident driving a scooter here.
Book this ATV adventure here to access free cancellation!
Another option we wanted to highlight is this combo tour that goes on the exact same ATV adventure that we talked about above, but with the add-on of whitewater rafting! It only costs $20 USD extra to add it on, so we’ve done this in the past as well.
The tour starts with rafting down the Ayung River drifting past waterfalls and scenic jungle. Then we had a yummy lunch by the side of the river which was included in the tour price before hopping on our ATV!
The tour has around 700 5-star reviews, so we felt confident booking it. If you’re all about maximizing your time and budget, this tour is a great deal.
Easily book this combo tour we loved right here!
What I loved about ATVing in Bali
The gorgeous landscape
Our favorite thing about this ATV tour we took was that we got to get off the beaten track and dive right into the heart of rural Bali. We drove through gorgeous rice paddies and had an absolute blast splashing through a gorgeous waterfall that we would never have found on our own!
We also went through traditional local villages and the lush Balinese jungle, so we got to see an exceptionally beautiful side of Bali that many tourists miss.
Other adventure activities are included
Driving through the waterfall was such an adventure, and we got to stop to snap photos and even take a “shower” beneath it!
However, going through the natural underground tunnel was probably the craziest part of the tour. Squeezing through it was so much fun and made us feel like we were in an Indiana Jones movie. Even though we’ve done a bunch of ATV tours all over the world, we have never done anything like this!
Fun local guides
The guides on our tour were awesome! They struck the perfect balance between fun and safety, and were fantastic instructors. They taught us a lot about the area as we explored and shared plenty of funny stories, while also doing a great job of encouraging those in our group who felt less confident.
Good instructions and safety briefing
Clear instructions and a good safety briefing are musts on an ATV tour, so we were pleased to see that all of our guides took safety very seriously. They gave us a comprehensive briefing and ensured that everyone in our group knew exactly what they were doing before we headed out. Believe it or not, this does not happen on every ATV tour, so this one definitely earned our stamp of approval.
Great activity for adventurous travelers
This tour is perfect for those seeking a fun and adventurous way to explore Bali. We’re adventurous travelers and we love experiences that combine an adrenaline rush with beautiful scenery, and this tour definitely checks that box! So if you’re anything like us, you’ll love it, too.
Fantastic reviews and free cancellation
1,300 5-star reviews are hard to argue with! In fact, the excellent reviews were one of the main reasons that we chose this tour, but we also try to book tours with free cancellation wherever possible. This means that we were able to book our spot on the tour ahead of time, without worrying about losing money if our plans changed!
Read all the reviews and get FREE cancellation when you book the ATV tour here!
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.
What I didn’t like about the ATV tours
Experienced riders might find it a little boring
We were in a group of 10 riders and there were lots of beginner riders with us, so we sometimes found ourselves following a long line of ATVs until we got to a wide enough spot to overtake and zoom ahead.
Since we’re experienced ATV riders, this did mean that we got a little bit bored from time to time, because we like to go fast! So fellow speed demons may not find this particular tour as thrilling as they’d hoped. However, if you’re a first-timer or occasional rider, I don’t think that this would be much of an issue.
Did I feel safe on my ATV tour?
Yes! The great thing about ATV tours is that you can actually go as fast or slow as you’d like. There’s no need to go full-throttle – just take it at a speed that you’re comfortable with!
We got a comprehensive safety briefing before we headed out, and the guides gave us really clear instructions. We also had some time to practice before we hit the trail, which was a great refresher for us and a chance for the beginners in our group to get to grips with the ATVs before heading out. We also got helmets and boots to wear, so we were properly outfitted for the trip.
There were multiple guides with our group and they did a great job of catering to everyone. These guys were absolute pros, so they were able to whiz between the front and the back of the group and ensure that everyone was happy and staying safe. So whether you end up at the head or the tail of the pack, the guides will take good care of you!
What do ATV tours typically include/not include?
Any good ATV tour will include everything you need for the day: your quad bike, safety gear, knowledgeable guides, insurance, and a safety briefing.
The tour that we did included all of the above, and we also got lunch, which we were happy with. There was also the option to add pickup for an extra fee, and you can arrange this from pretty much all the major tourist areas in Bali, including Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, Ubud, Sanur, Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua.
Related Read: If you’re interested in more of our tour recommendations, check out our blog about the 4 types of tours in Bali that everyone should try!
Which tour would I recommend?
I would recommend this ATV tour hands down. It’s only 1.5 hours long, so it’s easy to fit in and it’s a great way to cover a lot of ground. Plus, it has some super fun moments like driving through a waterfall and in an underground tunnel. It’s one of our all-time favorite tours in Bali and we plan to do it again!
Another option we like is the ATV and whitewater rafting combo tour because you get to experience two awesome adventures in just one day! It’s a great deal, too, as it works out cheaper than booking these activities separately. So if you want to get the most out of your time and budget, I would highly recommend booking the combo tour!
If you do want more info on the rafting portion, we wrote a review about whitewater rafting in Bali about that side of the tour!
Would I go again?
Yes! We had such an amazing time, and the tour was an incredible way to see Bali’s raw, untouched beauty, away from the touristy areas. It was like stepping back in time to see what the island must have been like before the tourism boom of the 1960s, and we would definitely do it again.
Related Read: For a full guide on what to do here, check out our huge list of the best things to do in Bali. (It has 28 ideas!)
Where to Stay in Bali
Bali is full of stunning hotels – so many, in fact, that it can be hard to choose. The first step is deciding on which area suits you best and then selecting a hotel afterward.
There are three areas of Bali that we personally love and recommend to all of our friends. You can read about them below as well as our top hotel choice in each area!
Canggu
This is Bali’s trendiest area! This is where Dan and I stay whenever we are in Bali for an extended amount of time because of the lifestyle here. There are beautiful cafes on every corner, amazing restaurants and bars, and boutique shopping. It’s also close to the beach and has a great nightlife. This is the area where most expats base themselves in Bali, which creates the buzzing atmosphere that Canggu is known for.
Chesa Canggu is a boutique hotel within walking distance of Canggu’s best restaurants, bars, and beaches. Each room faces the outdoor pool and has a private bathroom, free WiFi, a TV, and a safety deposit box. Chesa has an onsite bar and restaurant and offers free parking for guests. The beds are super comfortable, and the staff always go out of their way to help you. Trust us, you won’t regret staying here!
Prices start as low as $124 USD per night and you can book online here.
Uluwatu
This is the perfect place to stay if you want a relaxing beach holiday! Uluwatu is a lot quieter than Canggu with a lot less traffic. The beaches here are amazing and some of the most beautiful on the island. There are also plenty of cafes, restaurants, and beach clubs here. We also love the closer proximity to the airport, making for a convenient stay if you’re only in Bali for a short time.
Anantara Uluwatu is a fantastic option for those looking to treat themselves during their stay in Uluwatu. It’s located right on the beach, so you’re guaranteed some amazing views. There are multiple restaurants and bars, an outdoor infinity pool, a spa, and a fitness center. Plus, each room comes with your own hot tub! The employees are super helpful, and the hotel has onsite activities like dance classes, ceramic-making, and yoga.
Prices range from $320 to $1,500 USD, and you can check rates and availability online here.
Ubud
Not a beach person? Then Ubud is for you! It is located inland, surrounded by lush jungle. The area is still quite trendy with plenty of cafes and restaurants, although the nightlife is a lot more limited. Ubud is where you can easily find nearby waterfalls, go whitewater rafting, ATVing, and all the other fun adventurous activities.
We stayed at Abipraya, which was super quiet and nestled into a tropical garden, about 10 minutes’ walk from the main town. The location was ideal for us and we loved the big swimming pool overlooking the rice fields, as well as the open and airy feel that the rooms had.
Prices start at around $50 USD per night, which includes breakfast, so it was a really good budget option. Book Abipraya here!
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!
If you’re thinking about an adventure in Bali, I highly recommend trying ATVing! The tours we suggest are both highly rated and prioritize safety and fun. It’s a great way to see another side of Bali complete with beautiful waterfalls and jungle trails. We hope to see you out there!
While you’re planning a tropical getaway, have a look at our other blogs on Bali. This is one of our favorite places to visit and we have lots of tips and ideas to share with you!
12 Best Tours in Ubud that Made us Fall in Love with Bali!