Puerto Vallarta: Predator ATV & Tequila Tour

The best part of this five-hour outing is the route itself. You leave the streets of Puerto Vallarta behind and ride through Mismaloya’s winding roads and rainforest hills, eventually reaching the crossroads used in the movie Predator. Then you cool off in the El Edén River beside a waterfall.

I like the mix of action and downtime. The ATV ride gives you real mountain roads and steep climbs, while El Edén offers a calm place to swim, eat, and have a tropical drink. I also like that a photographer is working along the route, so you can focus on driving instead of trying to take pictures at every turn.

The main concern is pace and pickup. A slower beginner in your group can hold up confident riders, and one booking had a serious pickup problem that required calling the office for a taxi. If you need a smooth, tightly managed start, confirm the meeting point and pickup details before you set out.

Key points to know before you book

• Predator filming location: Ride through the crossroads made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1987 jungle film.
• Two very different stops: Swim in the El Edén River, then enjoy the restaurant area and a tequila tasting stop.
• Five hours on an ATV: Most of the outing involves riding, with climbs, descents, dirt roads, and narrow streets.
• A face mask helps: Dirt roads can send dust into your face, especially when riding behind another ATV.
• Food and drinks cost extra: The El Edén Restaurant offers meals and tropical drinks, but they are not included.
• Best for active riders: Pregnant women and people with back or heart problems should not book this experience.

Riding from Mismaloya into the hills

This tour begins with a safety briefing and ATV lesson. The guides explain how to operate the vehicle and provide safety equipment before you ride out. That short orientation matters, especially if you have never handled an ATV or feel rusty after a long break.

You first travel through Mismaloya, a picturesque village south of Puerto Vallarta. The route includes narrow streets, winding roads, and views over the surrounding hills. This opening section is less about speed than getting comfortable with the vehicle, steering, braking, and the rhythm of riding in a group.

I would not expect a private, free-form ride. You follow the guide and stay with the group. That is useful for safety, but it also means the pace may not suit everyone. One experienced rider found the group too slow because beginners were taking their time. If you already ride ATVs often, ask how groups are organized before paying. A separate beginner and experienced rider group would make a big difference.

The road conditions also shape the experience. Once you leave the paved streets, the ride becomes dusty and rougher. A face covering is a smart addition, especially if you are near the back of the group. Wear clothing that can get dirty, and do not count on staying fresh for lunch.

What the ATV route feels like

The riding is the heart of the outing, not a short transfer between attractions. You spend much of the five hours on the ATV, climbing and descending through the hills around Mismaloya and El Edén. The route passes through rainforest scenery, with turns and changes in elevation that keep the ride active.

The appeal is simple: you get to see the area at road level, with the sounds, dust, and movement that come with an off-road vehicle. You are not looking at the mountains through a bus window. You are handling the turns yourself, while the guide keeps the group moving in the right direction.

That also means the ride can be tiring. The supplied safety information excludes people with back problems and heart problems, and pregnant women should not participate. Even if you are generally fit, the combination of bumps, heat, and five hours of activity is worth considering.

Closed-toe shoes are required. Comfortable clothes are a better choice than anything delicate, and you should bring water, biodegradable sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and a change of clothes. The biodegradable sunscreen recommendation is especially useful because part of the tour includes swimming in a natural river.

The Predator crossroads

One of the tour’s most unusual stops is the area connected with Predator. Arnold Schwarzenegger faced alien enemies in the 1987 film, and this route passes through the jungle crossroads used in those scenes.

You are not visiting a movie studio or a staged attraction. The fun comes from recognizing the terrain and knowing that a major action film used this part of the Puerto Vallarta area. For fans of the movie, it gives the ride a clear theme. For everyone else, it is a memorable pause in a rainforest route.

The stop also creates a natural photo opportunity. A professional photographer takes pictures during the ride and at points along the route. You can buy the photos afterward, so keep your camera ready but do not assume the included tour price covers professional images.

I like this stop because it adds local character without turning the whole outing into a film-themed attraction. Still, your enjoyment depends on how much the movie connection means to you. If you have never seen Predator, the surrounding jungle and ATV ride will matter more than the film reference.

Cooling off at El Edén River

After the more demanding riding, you reach El Edén River beside the Magical Garden of El Edén Restaurant. The river is the tour’s best chance to slow down. You can swim in the clear water, sit near the waterfall, or simply rest after the dirt-road ride.

Bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to get in. A change of clothes is helpful afterward, since you may be wet from the river and dusty from the road. You should also keep some money available for food and drinks, as neither is included.

The setting gives the tour a good change of pace. You go from engine noise, tight turns, and steep sections to moving water and a shaded rest stop. That contrast is one reason the tour works better than a ride that stays on the ATV from start to finish.

There is one practical limit: the river stop is not packed with included activities. One rider noted that zip lining is available at an extra charge and that swimming is the main included thing to do there. If you want a long list of organized activities, this may feel quiet. If you want a swim and a chance to recover, it should suit you well.

Lunch, tropical drinks, and the tequila stop

El Edén Restaurant is the place to eat after the ride. The tour information points to a meal and tropical drinks at the restaurant, but you pay for them yourself. Treat this as an optional spending stop rather than part of the $160 booking price.

The restaurant setting beside the river and waterfall is a strong reason to stay for lunch. You can explore the ecological park around the restaurant, relax by the water, and enjoy the change from the road. I would budget for this in advance so the extra costs do not come as a surprise.

The experience also includes a tequila tasting stop, according to the tour details provided by previous participants. The exact tasting format is not specified, so you should not assume a full distillery visit, a set number of samples, or included bottles. Think of it as another stop connected with the regional food and drink culture.

The combination of tequila and ATV riding calls for some common sense. You should pace yourself, particularly because the ride back to the office follows the stops. The tour does not include meals or drinks, so you control what you buy and how much you consume.

Photos and the extra costs to expect

A photographer takes pictures during the tour. This is useful because you are unlikely to want to stop your ATV repeatedly to use your own camera, and handling a phone while riding is not a good idea.

The pictures are available for purchase, not included. If you care about having a record of the ride, ask about the photo price and viewing process before you leave. I would still bring a camera or phone for the river and restaurant area, but protect it from dust and water.

The advertised price is $160 per group up to one person, with the final amount depending on the option you select. Because the meeting point can vary by booking option, check exactly what you are paying for before confirming. The value is strongest if you want a half-day activity that combines transportation through the hills, an ATV, a guide, the river stop, the Predator location, and access to the El Edén area.

It is less of a bargain if you mainly want a quick ride. Much of the five hours is spent on the road, and meals, drinks, professional photos, and extra activities such as zip lining are separate expenses. Add those costs before comparing this tour with other ATV outings in Puerto Vallarta.

Pickup, timing, and group pace

The experience lasts five hours, but the starting time depends on availability. The meeting point may also change according to the option booked. Read the confirmation closely and make sure you know where you need to be.

Pickup deserves extra attention. One booking had a driver fail to arrive, leaving the group to contact the office and arrange a taxi. That is not a small inconvenience, especially if you are anxious about transport or have planned the rest of your day around the tour.

I would confirm the pickup location and time with the operator before the day of the ride. Keep the office contact details available, and avoid scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward. The tour is long enough that road conditions, group pace, or a delayed start could affect your plans.

Guides speak English and Spanish. Their job includes the ATV orientation, safety equipment, route guidance, and keeping the group together. Specific guide names are not provided, so you cannot request a named guide from the available information.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want an active half-day in the hills and like the idea of combining several modest stops into one route. It suits people who are comfortable with dust, bumps, heat, and a group riding pace.

Movie fans get an extra reason to book because of the Predator location. Strong swimmers and anyone who enjoys a natural-water stop will also appreciate El Edén River. The restaurant and waterfall make the end of the route more relaxed than the ride itself.

Beginners can take part, since the guides provide an orientation. Just remember that your pace may affect the whole group, and you may find the ride slower than expected if several people are learning. Experienced riders should ask about group separation before booking.

I would skip it if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, or dislike off-road driving. You should also think twice if you want an all-inclusive price, a quiet nature visit, or a highly polished pickup service. This is a practical, active excursion, not a luxury day out.

What to pack for the five-hour ride

Keep your packing simple and useful:

• Closed-toe shoes with a secure fit
• Comfortable clothes that can get dusty
• Swimwear and a towel
• A change of clothes
• Water
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• A camera or phone protected from dust and water
• A face mask or bandana for dirt roads

Do not wear anything you would hate to stain. The ride includes dirt roads, and the ATV may leave you dusty before you reach the river. Pack light enough that your belongings do not get in the way while operating the vehicle.

Should you book the Predator ATV and Tequila Tour?

Book it if you want a long ATV ride with a river swim, a movie location, and a restaurant stop rather than a short, isolated vehicle loop. The best features are the changing route, the El Edén River break, and the unusual Predator connection. The photographers also give you a chance to buy action shots without handling a camera while driving.

Before booking, confirm the pickup details, ask how beginner and experienced riders are grouped, and budget for food, drinks, photos, tequila purchases, and any optional activities. If those points work for you, this is a spirited way to see the hills south of Puerto Vallarta. If you need reliable transport, a fast pace, or an all-inclusive price, choose another ATV option.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta Predator ATV and Tequila Tour last?

The tour lasts five hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

The live guides speak English and Spanish.

Is swimming included?

Yes. You have the opportunity to swim in the El Edén River. Bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to enter the water.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and drinks at El Edén Restaurant are not included in the tour price.

What should I wear for the ATV ride?

Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Bring swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, water, and biodegradable sunscreen. A face covering is also useful on dusty roads.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems.