ATV Riding in Vallarta: Drive the Sierra Madre off-road

Three and a half hours crossing mountain rivers, viewpoints and backcountry inaccessible by road

Off-road ATV riding in Vallarta's Sierra Madre mountains on a guided 3.5-hour route where you operate your own quad bike (or ride as a passenger) and stop to swim in crystal-clear waters, taste tequila and mezcal, and make tortillas at a local family stop. Helmets, guide in English or Spanish, and round-trip pickup from your hotel are included. You choose morning or afternoon departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Off-road ATV tour and cultural experience

• Drive off-road to viewpoint mountains
• Cross Cuale river bridge
• Enjoy viewpoint of the Coyote
• Drive along river Quee route
• Rest and drink at Vallejo waters
• Swim in crystal clear waters
• Make tortilla and molcajete sauce
• Taste tequila, mezcal, and Mexican dish

The experience

You drive your own ATV or ride as a passenger on a quad bike through terrain most visitors never see: mountain viewpoints, the Coyote overlook, and off-road passages along the Quee river that require a vehicle to reach. The route crosses the Cuale river bridge and climbs into the Sierra Madre, where the guide points out the landscape and local history as you move through it. The whole ride runs 3.5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Midway through, you stop at a mountain spring with crystal-clear water cold enough to swim in. This is where the day shifts from riding to sitting still: you bathe, rest, and then move into the cultural part. A local family teaches you to make tortillas by hand and molcajete sauce from scratch. You taste tequila and mezcal, learn how they're made, and eat a traditional Mexican dish. The guide talks through the history and craft while you're there, not as a lecture but as part of the meal.

Pickup happens at your hotel or the nearest meeting point. You need to book it at least 24 hours ahead and arrive 10 minutes early. The guide speaks English or Spanish. If you're riding solo, you get an individual quad bike. If two of you are going, one drives and one rides as a passenger on the same machine. Helmets and fuel are included. You'll need a current driver's license if you're 16 or older and want to operate the bike. Children from age 6 can ride as passengers.

What’s included

• Your own ATV or passenger seat on a shared quad bike.
• helmet and fuel.
• expert guide in English or Spanish.
• round-trip hotel pickup.
• tequila and mezcal tasting.
• tortilla and molcajete-making lesson with a local family.
• traditional Mexican meal at the mountain stop.
• access to the Coyote viewpoint and off-road mountain routes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Double quad with one driver and one passengerGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00Double ATV-quad for 2 people: one double quad bike, one person drives and one rides as passenger. Please select 2 people. A current licence is required. Includes pickup.

Solo ATV for one riderGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00Lasts 4 hours. Single quad bike for one rider: one person on a motorbike who holds a valid licence or permit. Includes pickup.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

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

Book up to1h before

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 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

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

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 Dirty Monkey Atv Adventure

Is this one for you?Book the individual quad bike if you have a current driver's license and want to control the ride yourself through the mountain terrain. Choose the double quad bike if you'd rather have someone else navigate the off-road sections while you take in the views and focus on the stops. Morning or afternoon departure lets you fit the ride around the rest of your day in Vallarta.

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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.

Can I ride the ATV myself or do I have to go as a passenger?

You can choose: ride your own individual quad bike if you have a current driver's license and are at least 16 years old, or ride as a passenger on a double quad bike with another person. Children from age 6 can ride as passengers.

What happens at the mountain stop in the middle of the ride?

You swim in the crystal-clear mountain spring water, rest, and then a local family teaches you to make tortillas and molcajete sauce by hand. You taste tequila and mezcal, learn about how they're produced, and eat a traditional Mexican meal while the guide shares the history and culture of the area.

What's included in the price and what costs extra?

The ride includes the ATV or quad bike, helmet, fuel, guide, tequila and mezcal tasting, and round-trip pickup from your hotel. Insurance costs $20 per vehicle, paid at registration. Food, drinks beyond the tasting, tips and souvenirs are separate.

How do I arrange pickup and what time does the tour start?

Book your pickup location at least 24 hours in advance. Tell the operator where you're staying and they'll send you the nearest meeting point. You choose morning or afternoon departure. Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time or you'll miss the transportation.

Is this safe for someone who's never ridden an ATV before?

The ride suits all fitness levels. If you've never ridden, you can go as a passenger on the double quad bike instead of operating your own machine. The guide is with you the whole time and the route is designed for the terrain, not for speed.

What's the weight limit for the double quad bike option?

The double quad bike (two people on one machine) has a combined weight limit of 480 pounds. If two people book but one wants to ride solo instead, the solo rider pays the full individual quad bike rate at the office.