ATV riding Puerto Vallarta: Botanical Gardens & coast

You steer the Sun Buggy through jungle and along the Pacific

Ride a manual-transmission Sun Buggy through Puerto Vallarta's Botanical Gardens, then along the south coast to Mismaloya for snorkeling and dinner. The 5.5-hour tour includes a stop at El Bastón Del Rey tequila factory and a break to explore the gardens on foot. A live guide speaks English or Spanish. Children from age 8 are welcome.

The experience

You drive a standard manual-transmission Sun Buggy, not an automatic, which means you're steering through the route yourself. The tour starts with a scenic coastal ride, then pulls into the Botanical Gardens, Puerto Vallarta's top destination for this kind of stop. You can wander the terraces, walk among the flowers and trees, sit in the breeze, or grab a snack at an authentic Mexican restaurant and browse the souvenir stalls. The gardens are built into lush jungle, so the quiet and the bird sounds are part of the experience.

After the gardens, you head back to the buggy and follow the picturesque south coast. The route includes a stop at El Bastón Del Rey, a historic tequila factory where you'll learn how the spirit is refined and can buy a bottle if you want. Then comes Mismaloya, where the tour includes dinner and snorkeling with boogie boards for body surfing. The whole outing runs 5.5 hours from start to finish.

A live guide travels with the group and speaks English or Spanish. The tour is built for moderate fitness. The driving itself is the main physical demand, though snorkeling and the time in the water are part of the day. Children from age 8 can join.

What’s included

• Snorkeling with boogie boards for body surfing.
• entrance to the Botanical Garden.
• dinner in Mismaloya.
• a stop at El Bastón Del Rey tequila factory.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (8 to 11 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

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

Operated by Landing Tours

Is this one for you?At 5.5 hours, the tour fills a full morning or afternoon but leaves the rest of your day open. You'll need a moderate level of fitness for the driving and the time in the water, and the manual transmission means you should be comfortable with a stick shift.

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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 (12 to 17 years); Child (8 to 11 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

What is the Botanical Gardens like during the tour?

The Botanical Gardens are Puerto Vallarta's top destination for this stop. You'll see flowers, trees and lush jungle spread across multiple terraces where you can lounge, relax in the breeze and listen to birds. The site has an authentic Mexican restaurant and souvenir shops on the grounds.

Do I need to know how to drive a manual transmission?

Yes. The Sun Buggy is a standard manual-transmission vehicle, so you'll need to operate the clutch and shift gears yourself. The tour is designed for drivers comfortable with that setup.

What happens at the tequila factory?

El Bastón Del Rey is a historic tequila factory where the guide explains how tequila is refined. You'll have the chance to purchase a bottle or two if you'd like, and it's one of the stops built into the route back from the gardens.

Is snorkeling included, and what's the water like in Mismaloya?

Snorkeling is included in Mismaloya, along with boogie boards for body surfing. Dinner is also part of the tour at that stop.

How long is the whole tour, and what time does it end?

The tour runs 5.5 hours total. It includes the drive to the Botanical Gardens, time to explore on foot, the coastal ride, the tequila factory stop, and the snorkeling and dinner in Mismaloya.