ATV riding in Puerto Vallarta: Sierra Madre Mountains

You operate the ATV yourself through mountain streams and winding trails, not watch from a passenger seat.

ATV riding in Puerto Vallarta takes you through the Sierra Madre Mountains on a 3-hour guided adventure where you handle the vehicle across streams, ridge trails and mountain roads. After a safety briefing and short training, you ride roughly 90 minutes along the Cuale River route, stop at the El Coyote viewpoint for panoramic views, then visit a tequila distillery to learn traditional production methods and taste varieties. The day ends at a local family restaurant where you make handmade tortillas from scratch before returning to the starting point.

Step-by-step itinerary

ATV adventure and cultural experiences

• Safety briefing and ATV training
• ATV ride along Cuale River route
• Visit El Coyote viewpoint
• Tour tequila distillery and tasting
• Learn to make handmade tortillas
• Return by ATV to starting point

The experience

The ride starts with a safety briefing and hands-on training so you get comfortable with the ATV before heading into the mountains. Once you're ready, you spend about 90 minutes navigating the Cuale River route through the Sierra Madre: crossing stream banks, winding through tropical forest, and climbing mountain roads where bird calls and the smell of plants fill the air. The terrain is challenging enough to feel real, but the guide is there and the pace lets you take it in.

El Coyote viewpoint breaks up the ride with a panoramic view of the Sierra Madre where you can stop, breathe, and take photos without rushing. From there the route heads to a tequila distillery run by locals who walk you through how they make the spirit using traditional techniques. You taste different varieties and learn to pick out the flavors in each one. A 15-minute ride brings you back to the starting point after that.

The final stop is a family-run restaurant where you learn to make tortillas by hand: mixing dough, pressing it into shape, and cooking it on a traditional griddle. You can order Mexican dishes à la carte and drink fresh fruit agua fresca from the region's organic crops. The whole experience sits inside 3 hours, helmet and guide included. Fuel and entrance to the natural pools along the route are covered.

What’s included

• Expert guide in English or Spanish.
• helmet, goggles, bandana and first aid kit.
• entrance to natural pools along the route.
• fuel surcharge.
• tequila tasting at the distillery.
• tortilla-making lesson at the family restaurant.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Pv Excursions

Is this one for you?The tour starts and ends at a fixed point in Puerto Vallarta, so you'll need your own transport to the meeting spot or arrange a separate transfer. There's no hotel pickup included. If you're staying in the city without a rental car, book a taxi or rideshare to get there, and the 3-hour window fits easily into a half-day plan.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

Do I need ATV experience to ride, or will the training get me ready?

The tour includes a safety briefing and short training session before you head out, so no prior experience is needed. Once you feel comfortable with the vehicle, you start the ride.

What is the El Coyote viewpoint like, and how much time do you spend there?

El Coyote is a panoramic viewpoint in the Sierra Madre where you can see across the mountains. You stop long enough to take photos, rest, and soak in the view without a fixed time limit.

What happens at the tequila distillery, and do I have to buy anything?

A local distillery teaches you how tequila is made using traditional techniques, and you taste different varieties to learn the flavors. Tasting is included. Any bottles you want to buy are optional.

Is the tortilla-making lesson hands-on, or do you watch someone else make them?

You make the tortillas yourself: mixing the dough, pressing it into shape, and cooking it on a traditional griddle. After that, you can order Mexican dishes à la carte at the family restaurant.