ATV Tour R.R

Puerto Vallarta’s best ATV outings leave the pavement quickly. This one takes you from the Las Glorias office into the Sierra Madre, over rough mountain trails, bridges, streams, and dusty turns before reaching El Salto waterfall and its clear river pools. You can swim, then finish with tequila tasting at Canopy River.

I like the scenery and route, which give you more than a short motor ride around a prepared track. I also like the staff’s patience with first-time drivers. Guides including Alex, Eric, Alejandro, Charlie, and Misel have been praised for keeping groups comfortable and on course. The main catch is timing: the riding portion may be about two hours, but the full outing can take four to six hours.

Key points to know before you book

• The ATV ride is only part of the day: Allow four to six hours from pickup or meeting time to return, not just two.
• El Salto is the main natural stop: Bring a swimsuit if you want to swim beneath the waterfall or in the river.
• The trail is genuinely rough: Expect dust, mud, streams, mountain roads, and some sore arms afterward.
• Tequila tasting is included: The tasting follows the ride and may include flavored varieties, including almond.
• You must bring a driver’s license: You also need to pay a mandatory $10 vehicle insurance fee, or provide a credit card as a guarantee.
• Food costs extra: Some schedules include a long stop at the on-site restaurant, so bring money for a meal and drinks.

From Las Glorias to the Sierra Madre

Your starting point is Canopy River Oficina Las Glorias at Plaza Villas Vallarta, in the Zona Hotelera Norte. This is the office near the Las Glorias area, not the separate downtown office in the Romantic Zone. Confirm the exact meeting point and departure time before you go, since incorrect directions have caused confusion.

Hotel pickup is not included. The operator provides pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, but you need to give your hotel and preferred departure time when booking. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the experience ends back at the same office.

From there, transport takes you toward the Canopy River property and the mountain trails. Some groups have used an open-air truck, which adds to the sense that you are leaving the resort area behind. If you are staying in central Puerto Vallarta, build in extra time for the transfer.

The official riding time is listed at about two hours, while the full stop at Canopy River is described as up to four hours. In practice, you should keep most of a half-day free. Transportation, safety instructions, stops, swimming, tequila tasting, and restaurant time can stretch the outing to five or six hours.

That longer schedule is not automatically a problem. It simply matters if you have a dinner reservation, cruise departure, or another paid activity later in the day.

Riding the ATV through the mountain trails

After check-in, you receive the necessary equipment and instructions before setting out. A driver’s license is required on the day of the tour, and the minimum age is 18. The operation can accommodate up to 20 people, though the experience is sold as a small-group outing with personal attention from the guides.

The route is more adventurous than a flat road ride. You can expect rough ground, dusty stretches, bridges, streams, and changing mountain scenery. After rain, the area may be especially green, with flowing water along the route. In dry conditions, dust can make it harder to see, so keep a sensible distance from the ATV ahead of you.

You may ride alone on your own ATV, depending on the group arrangement. The equipment has been described as comfortable and in good condition, but you still need to handle the machine yourself. Your arms may feel tired after the ride, especially if you have not driven an ATV in years.

First-time drivers should not feel pushed to perform. Guides such as Eric and Alejandro have been praised for their patience with beginners, while Alex has been noted for explaining the area and checking that everyone felt comfortable before leaving. Still, this is a motorized mountain outing, not a gentle sightseeing drive. You need a moderate level of physical fitness and enough confidence to control the ATV over uneven ground.

Wear light clothing, closed comfortable shoes, and a swimsuit under your clothes. You will probably want sunglasses, though dust and water can make eye protection useful. The supplied information does not list a locker service, so bring only what you need and protect phones or cameras from water and dirt.

El Salto waterfall and the river swim

The natural high point is El Salto, a waterfall and spring area reached along the route. Depending on water conditions and the schedule, you may have time to walk a short distance and swim in the river. The water is described as clear, and the forest setting gives you a welcome break from the engine noise and dust.

Swimming is optional. You can enjoy the stop from the bank if you do not want to get wet, but a swimsuit is worth packing if you like the idea of cooling off in a mountain river. Bring a towel if you have room, since one is not listed among the included equipment.

This stop also explains why the tour feels more like a mountain excursion than a simple ATV rental. You are not only driving from point A to point B. You get a chance to pause, look around, and experience the river canyon on foot.

Photography can be a little tricky. The scenery is often the main reason to book, yet the riding schedule may not include frequent photo stops. You may get formal photos taken during the outing, but they are sold separately and can be expensive. If you want your own pictures, ask your guide when it is safe to stop rather than trying to use your phone while riding.

Tequila tasting after the engines stop

Once the ATV section ends, tequila tasting is included. This is more than a quick sample at the office. The tasting can be lively and entertaining, with Esmeralda receiving special praise for her energy and humor. Almond-flavored tequila has also been singled out as a favorite.

The tasting gives you a chance to slow down after the ride and learn about several tequila styles. It is also a social part of the outing, especially for groups celebrating a birthday, a wedding, or a family occasion.

Go easy if you are driving an ATV later, but here the tasting comes after the ride. You should still pace yourself, particularly if you plan to order lunch or additional drinks. Food and drinks are not included in the $110 price.

The restaurant stop and the real time commitment

The largest practical issue is the extra time at Canopy River after the riding ends. Some schedules include a restaurant stop lasting more than an hour. The food has been described as good, but the meal is optional in terms of price and not included in your booking.

This can work well if you want a relaxed half-day in the forest. It can feel frustrating if you expected to ride, taste tequila, and return quickly. Bring enough cash or another accepted payment method for food and drinks, since the tour price covers the professional guide, equipment, transport from designated meeting points, and tequila tasting, but not meals.

The difference between a two-hour ride and a five-hour outing is the single most important detail to understand. I would not book this on a tight schedule. Leave room for transport, preparation, the waterfall stop, tasting, and restaurant time.

What the $110 price really buys

At $110 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Puerto Vallarta. But the price includes more than ATV access. You receive a guided route through the Sierra Madre, equipment, designated meeting-point transport, the waterfall and river stop, and tequila tasting.

The value is strongest if you want several activities in one outing. You ride, spend time outdoors, swim if conditions allow, and finish with tequila. Paying separately for transport and a guided mountain route could otherwise add up quickly.

The value is weaker if you want only a short, high-speed ATV ride. In that case, the extended restaurant stop and long transfer may feel like extra time. The mandatory $10 vehicle insurance charge also raises the actual cost to at least $120 per person, unless you use a credit card as a guarantee instead.

That insurance fee is required on the day of the tour. It is not part of the advertised booking price, so include it in your budget.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This experience suits adults who want an active day outside Puerto Vallarta and do not mind getting dirty. It works particularly well for couples, groups of friends, and families with adult children. The guides’ patience makes it a reasonable choice for a first ATV ride, provided you meet the age and fitness requirements.

You should choose it if you want:

• Mountain scenery instead of a city-only excursion
• A real trail ride with rough sections and streams
• Time to swim at a waterfall
• A social tequila tasting
• A half-day activity with several parts

You may want a different outing if you dislike dust, rough roads, alcohol tastings, or uncertain timing. This is also a poor match for anyone under 18, since the minimum age is clearly stated. The tour requires a moderate fitness level, and you should be comfortable handling an ATV.

Group size can reach 20 people. That is still manageable with several guides, but it is not a private ride. If you want long photo stops or complete control over the schedule, this may feel too structured.

Clothing, documents, and small details that matter

Bring your driver’s license. Without it, you may not be allowed to drive. Wear light clothes, comfortable shoes, and a swimsuit. Expect your clothes and shoes to collect dust or mud, so do not wear anything precious.

You should also plan for:

• The $10 mandatory vehicle insurance fee
• Money for food and drinks
• A towel or spare clothes for swimming
• A meeting point that may differ from the downtown Canopy River office
• A flexible schedule of four to six hours

The activity has a mobile ticket and is offered in English. Confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.

Should you book the Canopy River ATV tour?

Book it if you want a full mountain outing rather than a quick ATV loop. The best parts are the rugged route, the Sierra Madre scenery, the waterfall swim, and the lively tequila tasting. Guides such as Alex, Eric, Alejandro, Charlie, Misel, and Esmeralda add a human touch, especially for first-time riders.

Just budget the extra money and time. The true cost is at least $120 per person after insurance, plus any meal or drinks. The true schedule is usually closer to four to six hours than two.

If you can handle dust, rough ground, and a flexible afternoon, this is a strong choice for an active Puerto Vallarta day. If your schedule is tight or you want a polished, short excursion, skip it and choose something with a fixed end time.

FAQ

How much does the ATV tour cost?

The listed price is $110 per person. A mandatory $10 vehicle insurance fee is paid on the day of the tour, unless you provide a credit card as a guarantee instead.

How long does the experience last?

The ATV portion is advertised at about two hours, but the complete outing often takes four to six hours when transportation, preparation, the waterfall stop, tequila tasting, and restaurant time are included.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Canopy River Oficina Las Glorias, Plaza Villas Vallarta, José Clemente Orozco Local H2A, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Pickup and return are available from designated meeting points, and you should provide your hotel and preferred departure time when booking.

Is swimming included?

The route includes a stop at El Salto waterfall and nearby springs, where you may swim in the river. Bring a swimsuit if you want to enter the water.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Some schedules include time at the on-site restaurant, so bring money if you plan to eat or order drinks.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. A driver’s license is required on the day of the tour.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 18.

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 or accepted.