La Fortuna: ATV Adventure, Mud Mask & Arenal Volcano Views

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/47

Duration3h

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

ATV trails through rainforest, village life and Arenal river breaks

You’ll ride ATVs through muddy rainforest trails near La Fortuna with a local guide, spot massive Watusi bulls by Quebrada Platanillo, visit a small countryside village pulpería, try volcanic mud masks if you want, and relax with snacks at Rancho La Poza before heading back—muddy shoes and all.

Step-by-step itinerary

ATV ride and local village visit

Start tour at private farm La Naciente
Safety briefing and ATV practice
Ride through muddy rainforest trails
Stop at Quebrada Platanillo to spot Watusi bulls
Visit La Guaria village and explore church and pulpería
Continue to Arenal River for photos and swim
Relax and snack at Rancho La Poza pool

The Experience

Ever wondered what it feels like to get absolutely caked in mud while staring up at Arenal Volcano? I didn’t, honestly, until our guide Diego handed me a helmet and grinned like he knew something I didn’t. We started just outside La Fortuna—barely ten minutes from town but already the air smelled thicker, green somehow. There was this low hum of cicadas and the kind of damp that makes your shirt stick to your back before you even hit the throttle.

The first few minutes on the ATVs were more nerve-wracking than I’d admit out loud. Diego ran us through a practice loop (I stalled once—he pretended not to notice) before we headed into the real trails at La Naciente. It’s not just puddles; it’s proper squelchy ruts, tree roots you have to dodge, and these sudden flashes of birds darting overhead. Somewhere along Quebrada Platanillo we stopped for water and there were these enormous Watusi bulls just standing around like they owned the place. Their horns are wild—like something out of a cartoon. Diego told us about how important this river is for local farmers, which made me see it differently.

I liked the stop in La Guaria best. It’s just a tiny village really—a church with peeling paint, an old pulpería where we bought cookies that tasted faintly of cinnamon and dust (in a good way). An older woman waved as we passed by; her smile was so wide I couldn’t help but wave back. The rain started up again right then—warm drops that felt almost soft—and nobody seemed to mind much.

We ended up at the Arenal River for photos (and if you’re braver than me, a swim). The light was all silvery on the water and for a second everything went quiet except for someone laughing behind me about losing their shoe in the mud. On the way back we stopped at Rancho La Poza for snacks—fresh fruit mostly—and sat by their pool just long enough for my shoes to dry out. I still think about that view of the volcano behind misty trees, honestly. Sometimes adventure is just letting yourself get messy.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from La Fortuna hotels, all taxes and fees covered, use of helmet and safety gear for riding ATVs through rainforest trails with a local guide, bottled water throughout the journey plus snacks served at Rancho La Poza before returning home muddy but happy.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Original Arenal ATV