ATV and Rafting in Puerto Escondido: Ride and River

Ride the mountain, then paddle the river

Combine ATV riding through the South Sierra Madre foothills with whitewater rafting on the Copalita River in a single day from Puerto Escondido. The activity includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, lunch and all equipment. The day runs about nine hours and suits travelers with moderate fitness who are at least ten years old.

Step-by-step itinerary

ATV and rafting adventure experience

• Drive ATV in South Sierra Madre
• Raft on Copalita River
• Receive tour information at hotel

The experience

The day splits into two halves: you start on an ATV, navigating the terrain around Puerto Escondido's inland hills, then move to the river for rafting. Both parts run with a guide who speaks English or Spanish, so the commentary and safety briefing land clearly. Hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport to the trailhead, and the vehicle is air-conditioned for the ride between activities.

Lunch and bottled water are included, which matters on a nine-hour day in the heat. You'll need moderate fitness to handle both the ATV riding and the river sections: the operator flags that poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries aren't compatible with this mix, and pregnant travelers should skip it. Children from age ten can join if an adult is with them.

The Copalita River is the payoff after the morning on the machine: you trade the ATV seat for a paddle and move through the water with the group. Souvenir photos are available to buy if you want a record of the day, and alcoholic drinks can be purchased along the way.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• all ATV and rafting equipment.
• lunch.
• bottled water.
• air-conditioned transport between activities.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (35 to 38 years) · Senior (40 to 45 years) · Youth (20 to 25 years) · Child (15 to 18 years) · Infant (10 to 12 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tour Operador, Guía de Turismo y Transportador Turístico

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so language is not a barrier to following the safety briefing and the commentary about the landscape. Book this if you want both machines and water in a single day and have moderate fitness to handle the full nine hours.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (20 to 25 years); Child (15 to 18 years); Infant (10 to 12 years). Under 10: they can't be included in the booking.

What's the fitness level needed for both the ATV riding and the rafting?

Travelers need at least a moderate level of physical fitness to handle the full day. The ATV riding and river sections both demand some stamina, and the operator notes that people with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries should not book this activity.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the starting point?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't need to find transport. The air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your hotel and returns you there at the end of the day.

Can my ten-year-old come along?

Children from age ten are welcome, but they must be accompanied by an adult throughout the day on both the ATV and the river sections.

Is lunch provided, or do I need to bring my own food?

Lunch is included in the day, along with bottled water. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase if you want them.