Costa Rica: ATV Beach & Mountain Tour with Local Wildlife

Summary

ATV adventure from Brasilito to Flamingo with wildlife views and local stories

You’ll ride an ATV from Playa Brasilito past white sands at Flamingo Beach, catch glimpses of Playa Conchal’s colors from a hidden viewpoint, and watch for howler monkeys or iguanas along the way. With a local guide leading and hotel pickup included, expect real Costa Rican life between stretches of open beach air.

What’s the experience like?

“You sure you’ve driven one of these before?” our guide grinned, handing me a helmet at Playa Brasilito. I laughed — not exactly, but I was ready to find out. The air smelled salty, mixed with something sweet from a roadside fruit stand nearby. We got a quick rundown (honestly, my mind wandered for a second watching some kids chase a stray dog), then we were off, engines humming over the sand. It’s louder than I expected at first, but after a few minutes it just becomes part of the background.

The route took us north past Flamingo Beach — that white sand really does look almost fake in the sun, kind of dazzling. Our guide, Luis, pointed out iguanas sunning themselves on fence posts and slowed down when he heard howler monkeys somewhere up above; we all stopped for a minute just listening to them argue in the trees. There was this one viewpoint where you could see Playa Conchal in the distance — the water shifts from turquoise to this weird glassy blue depending on where you stand. I tried to take a photo but honestly it didn’t do it justice.

We rolled through Potrero and some smaller streets where locals waved or just watched us rumble by (I caught one old guy shaking his head at my driving — fair enough). There’s something about riding through town that makes you feel like you’re getting a peek behind the usual tourist curtain. We made another stop for pictures near the marina at Flamingo — so many boats bobbing around, and pelicans everywhere. My hands were dusty by then but I didn’t mind; it felt good to be out there with the breeze and all that space around us.

I still think about that first moment when everything went quiet except for the ocean and those monkeys yelling overhead. If you want an ATV tour that actually shows you Costa Rica’s beaches and little towns — not just postcard views — this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — ATV tour from Playa Brasilito to Flamingo

• Start tour at Playa Brasilito
• Drive through local town
• Stop for pictures in town
• Visit Playa Flamingo beach
• See marina at Playa Flamingo
• Stop at Flamingo marina area
• View Playa Conchal from viewpoint
• Drive and stop at Playa Brasilito beach

Top questions

How long is the ATV Beach & Mountain tour?

The exact duration isn’t listed, but most tours cover multiple beaches and local towns in half a day.

Is hotel pickup included for this ATV tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in Conchal, Flamingo, Brasilito, and Potrero.

Can children join the ATV Beach & Mountain tour?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; infants may ride on laps or in strollers/prams.

Do I need experience driving an ATV?

No prior experience is needed; guides provide instructions before starting at Playa Brasilito.

What wildlife might we see during the tour?

You may spot howler monkeys and iguanas along parts of the route.

Is lunch included in this tour?

No lunch is mentioned as included; bottled water is provided.

Are there stops for photos during the tour?

Yes, there are several stops for photos at viewpoints and beaches like Flamingo and near Playa Conchal.

Is this ATV tour suitable for beginners?

Yes; it’s recommended for all ages and fitness levels as long as drivers are 17+ with a license.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off (for selected hotels in Conchal, Flamingo, Brasilito, or Potrero), bottled water to keep you cool under the sun, use of helmets for safety throughout your ride, plus guidance from a knowledgeable local who knows every twist of these beach roads before bringing you back again.