Puerto Vallarta: ATV Tour Sierra Madre Waterfall & Tequila

Summary

ATV ride through Puerto Vallarta’s mountain trails with waterfall swim and tequila tasting

You’ll ride ATVs through Puerto Vallarta’s Sierra Madre mountains with a local guide, splash through streams, cool off at Agua Zarca waterfall, then relax over lunch and tequila tasting at Rancho Mi Abuelo. Expect laughter, muddy shoes, real tortillas—and moments that stick with you long after you’ve left those dusty trails behind.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the dust — this fine, warm powder that clung to my arms as we kicked up the trail outside Puerto Vallarta. Our guide, Armando, handed me a helmet and goggles with a grin like he’d seen a hundred nervous first-timers before. The ATVs rumbled under us, louder than I expected, and honestly I was a little shaky at first (I stalled once — Armando just winked). We headed straight into the foothills of the Sierra Madre, where the green seems to go on forever. You can smell wet earth and something almost sweet from the trees. There’s this point where you crest a hill and suddenly all you see are mountains — it’s quiet except for birds and engines cooling down. I didn’t realize how much I needed that kind of silence until then.

We stopped at Coyote Viewpoint for a breather (and so Armando could tell us about some old mining town stories — he swears half of them are true). The ride isn’t just straight roads; there are rocky bits, streams you splash through (my shoes were soaked in seconds), even tiny villages where kids wave as you pass by. After maybe an hour or so we reached Agua Zarca waterfall. Cold water, way colder than I thought — but after all that dust it felt perfect. Some people swam; I just sat on a rock with my feet in and watched sunlight flicker on the river. One guy tried to climb behind the falls but slipped and everyone laughed, including him.

Lunch was at Rancho Mi Abuelo — this open-air spot with chickens wandering around and tortillas cooking right over fire. They showed us how to press them by hand (mine looked like a map of Mexico). The margaritas here are made with organic limes from their own trees; I swear they taste different after all that riding. Then came the tequila tasting — smoky, sweet, peppery, depending which one you try. They poured little samples and told us which ones were for sipping slow versus shooting fast (I did both; no regrets). The whole thing felt like being let in on some family secret.

The drive back was quieter — sun lower now, everyone tired but happy. My arms were sore from gripping the handlebars but it was that good kind of tired you only get after doing something new. If you’re thinking about an ATV tour in Puerto Vallarta, just do it. There’s dust in your teeth and maybe you’ll butcher some Spanish like I did (“más lento?”) but honestly? I still think about that view from up top sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — ATV tour with waterfall and tasting

• Receive safety briefing and equipment
• Drive ATV through Sierra Madre foothills
• Stop at Coyote viewpoint for views
• Continue ATV ride to Agua Zarca
• Swim at the waterfall
• Visit Rancho Mi Abuelo for meal and margaritas
• Learn to make tortillas
• Enjoy tequila tasting
• Return to base camp by ATV

Top questions

How long does the ATV tour in Puerto Vallarta last?

The ATV ride itself lasts about 1 hour and 20 minutes each way plus stops for viewpoints, swimming at the waterfall, lunch and tequila tasting.

Is lunch included on this ATV tour?

No, food and drinks at Rancho Mi Abuelo are not included in the price—you can buy breakfast or lunch there.

Do I need experience to drive an ATV?

No previous experience is needed; guides provide safety info and equipment before starting out.

Can children join this Puerto Vallarta ATV tour?

Yes—minimum age is 6 years old (as passenger), minimum driving age is 16 with valid permit plus adult signature.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; you need to arrive 10 minutes early at base camp for registration.

What should I bring for the ATV day trip?

Wear clothes that can get dirty or wet; bring swimwear if you want to swim at the waterfall.

Is there public transportation nearby?

Yes—public transport options are available near the meeting point.

Are there weight limits for double quad bikes?

The maximum combined weight for two people on one quad bike is 480 lb (218 kg).

What’s included

Your day includes all safety gear—helmet, goggles, sheepskin seat cover—plus fuel surcharge and guidance from an expert local guide throughout your ATV adventure in Puerto Vallarta’s Sierra Madre mountains.