ATV riding Tamarindo to Playa Conchal: 2 hours

Ride mountain trails and secluded beaches on your own ATV

A 2-hour ATV ride from Tamarindo through tropical dry forest and hidden backroads to two quiet beaches on the Guanacaste coast. You operate the ATV yourself, guided by a local who speaks English, Spanish or French, stopping to swim at Playa Mina and Playa Conchal's southern point. Helmet and safety gear are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

ATV tour to secluded beaches

• Ride ATV through Tamarindo backroads
• Spot howler monkeys near Playa Puerto Viejo
• Walk and swim at Playa Puerto Viejo
• Visit secluded Playa Mina beach
• Look for iguanas and hermit crabs
• Enjoy sunset at Playa Mina

The experience

You pick up an ATV in Tamarindo and ride out through mountain trails lined with pochote and guanacaste trees, following a guide who knows the backroads most visitors never see. The route takes you past villages tucked into the tropical dry forest, and the driving time gets you comfortable with the machine before the beaches come into view. Watch for howler monkeys in the trees as you approach the coast.

The first stop is Playa Puerto Viejo, the southern end of Playa Conchal, where the sand is white and the water turns turquoise close to shore. You can walk in and swim if you want, or stay dry and look for iguanas and hermit crabs in the shade. The second beach is Playa Mina, a smaller, quieter stretch where tourists are rare and the light is best in late afternoon. The time you're not at the beaches goes to riding, so you're on the ATV for most of the two hours.

You need a valid driver's license and must be at least 16 to ride. Passengers can join at 10 and up. The guide provides the helmet and safety gear, and speaks your language: English, Spanish or French. If you're traveling with more people than one ATV holds, book multiple times or contact the operator directly to arrange a larger group.

What’s included

• ATV and helmet.
• safety gear.
• guide in English, Spanish or French.
• stops at Playa Mina and Playa Conchal for swimming.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupUp to 2

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mantaraya ATV Adventures

Is this one for you?The ride is 2 hours of active driving on mountain trails with beach stops, so you're on the machine most of the time and comfortable with operating it yourself. Choose this if you want to control the pace and explore backroads a car tour can't reach.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

What's the riding like on the trails between Tamarindo and the beaches?

The trails are mountain backroads through the tropical dry forest, not paved roads, so you're navigating dirt and uneven ground under a guide's lead. Most of the 2 hours is spent riding these hidden routes and village roads, with the beach stops breaking up the drive time.

Can I swim at both beaches, or just look around?

Both Playa Mina and Playa Conchal's southern point have clear water you can walk into and swim in if you choose. At Playa Conchal you might spot howler monkeys near the entrance. At Playa Mina, iguanas and hermit crabs are common in the shade and sand.

Do I need to know how to ride an ATV before I book?

No prior experience is required. The guide leads the way and you follow on your own machine, so the pace is set by the group. You do need a valid driver's license and be at least 16 years old to operate the ATV.

What happens if I'm traveling with a group larger than one ATV?

The operator has multiple ATVs available, so you can book the activity as many times as needed for your group, or contact them directly to arrange a larger party in one booking.