REVIEW · PUERTO VALLARTA
NEW!! Private ATV Tour of Everything Puerto Vallarta & Tequila T.
Puerto Vallarta looks different from the back of an ATV. You leave the waterfront and city streets, climb toward the Sierra Madre, pass through small villages, and reach mountain viewpoints that are hard to reach by ordinary sightseeing tour. The private format is the main attraction: your group rides with its own guide instead of waiting for a dozen strangers.
I like the choice of automatic or semiautomatic ATVs, especially if some people in your party are new to off-road riding. I also like the flexible pace. Guides including Sergio, Edson, Franco, Martin, and Agustina are repeatedly praised for checking on riders and adjusting the route or speed. The main drawback is that this is not a cheap three-hour outing at $139 per person, and food, drinks, and photos cost extra. Every booking also requires at least two ATVs.
Key points to know before you book

- Private from start to finish: Only your group rides together, which makes this a better fit than a large shared ATV convoy.
- City streets meet mountain trails: The route can include the Malecón, Cuale Island, Conchas Chinas, Gringo Gulch, jungle roads, rivers, and mountain villages.
- Good for first-time riders: Guides test your riding skills and can let you set a comfortable pace.
- Automatic and semiautomatic choices: You can choose the ATV style that feels easiest for you.
- Food and tequila add local flavor: Stops may include a family ranch or restaurant, tortilla making, small plates, margaritas, and tequila tasting.
- Plan for extras: Hotel transport is not included, and meals, drinks, and photography are optional purchases.
Why the private format matters on Puerto Vallarta roads

A shared ATV tour can be fun, but it often moves at the pace of its least confident rider. This private outing avoids that problem. You ride only with your own family or friends, and the guide can spend more time helping your group get comfortable.
That matters if one person is experienced and another has never operated an ATV. Martin is praised for being patient with a first-time rider, while Edson and Franco are noted for careful instruction and steady safety checks. The guides are not simply leading from far ahead. They can watch how you handle the machine and make the ride more manageable.
The minimum is two ATVs, not one. You can ride alone on your ATV or share a double ATV with another person. A family of six used three double ATVs, while couples have taken two machines. Ask about the exact setup for your party when booking, since the supplied details do not specify passenger limits or age rules.
The private format also gives you some control over the day. If your group wants more city riding, more mountain roads, or a slower pace, tell the guide early. The tour is advertised as customizable, but the exact route can change.
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Starting in central Puerto Vallarta
The meeting point is on Avenida México in the 5 de Diciembre area, and the tour ends at the same spot. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way there. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in central Puerto Vallarta.
Before riding, you receive safety equipment and a briefing. Expect the guide to check your comfort with the controls before leaving. This is a useful part of the tour, not filler. Puerto Vallarta riding begins on public streets, where you need to pay attention to traffic, pedestrians, cobblestones, and changes in road surface.
I would wear clothes you do not mind getting dusty. The route can include city roads, dirt tracks, jungle paths, river crossings, and mountain roads. The supplied information does not list a required clothing or footwear policy, so bring practical outdoor clothing and closed-toe shoes as a sensible choice.
Stop 1: The Malecón Boardwalk

The Malecón gives you a quick orientation to Puerto Vallarta’s waterfront. Riding along the city side lets you see how the resort town, old streets, public art, shops, and bayfront fit together.
This is not the quietest part of the route. You are sharing streets with regular traffic, so the boardwalk portion is more about seeing the city from the ATV than about speed. The private group helps here because the guide can keep an eye on the riders without trying to manage a huge line of machines.
The city section also makes this tour different from an off-road-only excursion. You get a sense of Puerto Vallarta before heading inland, and you can ride through areas that many beach-focused visitors never see.
Stop 2: Isla Cuale and the old city

Isla Cuale sits in the river area between parts of central Puerto Vallarta. A stop here connects the city ride with the town’s older streets and river setting.
The itinerary also includes Gringo Gulch, a hillside area known for narrow streets and views over the town. Guides such as Marcos and Mario have been praised for explaining the places along the way, so you may get more context than you would on a simple vehicle rental.
Cobblestone roads can be rougher than they look. If you are a first-time rider, this is where a slow start helps. Let the guide know if you need a few minutes to get used to steering, braking, and the ATV’s weight.
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Stop 3: Conchas Chinas and the climb toward the mountains

Conchas Chinas marks the point where the ride begins to feel less like a city tour. The route can shift from town streets to winding roads with broad views over Puerto Vallarta and the bay.
The mountain section is a major reason to book this experience. You may pass ranches, small villages, fruit trees, freshwater springs, and jungle roads. Some outings have included waterfall stops and viewpoints high above town, though the exact sights depend on the route selected that day.
The views are a strong part of the value, but the ride is not a sightseeing bus. You are managing an ATV while looking around. Stop when the guide indicates it is safe, and do not expect to take in every view while moving.
Stop 4: Gringo Gulch and the flexible route

Gringo Gulch brings the tour back into Puerto Vallarta’s urban setting, but the ride is not simply a loop of fixed photo stops. Because this is a private activity, the guide can shape the route around your group’s ability and interests.
A private tour does not mean every requested detour is guaranteed. The experience lasts about three hours, and the guide must allow time for instruction, riding, stops, and the return to Avenida México. Still, the format gives you more room than a rigid group excursion.
The strongest version of the tour combines several kinds of riding: city streets for local orientation, mountain roads for scenery, and rougher tracks for the adventure. If you want only dirt trails, ask about that before setting out. The advertised itinerary includes both city and mountain areas.
The ranch, lunch, and tequila stop

Several outings have included a stop at a family-run ranch or restaurant in the hills. This is where the ride gains a food and culture element. You may watch or take part in tortilla making, try salsa and small plates, and taste tequila. Some groups have also stopped for tacos, margaritas, or a light lunch.
I like this addition because it breaks up the driving and gives you a closer look at local food traditions. One family specifically found the tortilla demonstration worthwhile rather than a forced shopping stop. That distinction matters. The stop is optional, and food and drinks are not included in the $139 price.
You should budget extra if this part appeals to you. The provided details do not give a food or drink price, so ask on the day if you want to plan your spending. Tequila tasting is also not the same as a full distillery visit. Expect a tasting and a meal stop, not an all-day production tour.
Some descriptions refer to a tequila farm, while others mention a restaurant or ranch. That suggests the stop can vary by route or operating day. Confirm what your group is scheduled to visit if this is a central reason for booking.
Safety, skill level, and the real pace of the ride

The tour supplies safety equipment and a briefing, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, according to the supplied information. No specific physical, age, licensing, or driving requirements are provided, so ask the operator about those points before booking if they affect your group.
The guides receive the most consistent praise for safety and personal attention. Edson is described as checking that everyone was doing well. Franco and Agustina are praised for helping riders feel confident, while Noe is described as patient with a mixed-ability group.
That does not make the ride risk-free. You are operating a motor vehicle on streets and rough trails. One person reported an injury near a waterfall and said the team provided first aid and helped with translation at a clinic. That is reassuring about the response, but it is also a reminder to ride within your ability and listen closely to the guide.
If you are nervous, say so at the start. The best use of a private tour is to set a pace that feels controlled. If your group wants a faster, more energetic ride, the private format may also make that easier, provided the guide considers the road and rider skill.
Photography is useful, but it is an extra
A photographer may ride ahead or position themselves along the route to capture action shots. This can produce better photos than trying to hold a phone while riding, and the photographer can catch mountain views, city streets, and group moments.
The photography package is not included. One person found the photos well done but expensive compared with the tour price. Another considered the package reasonably priced for the number of moments captured. That difference tells you what to expect: the service can be convenient, but it is an add-on, not a bargain included in your booking.
Ask about the price before the ride if you think you will want the images. You can then decide without feeling pressured at the end.
Is $139 a fair price for three hours?
At $139 per person, this costs more than a basic shared ATV ride. The comparison is not quite like-for-like. The price includes your own group, a guide, an ATV, safety equipment, taxes, and a private route that combines the city with mountain riding.
For a couple, the total can feel substantial. For a family or group of friends, the private arrangement may offer better value because you are not paying for separate activities to keep different interests happy. You get city sightseeing, outdoor riding, viewpoints, and the possibility of food and tequila in one outing.
The value drops if you expect a long off-road expedition. The tour lasts about three hours, and hotel transport, meals, drinks, and photos are extra. I would book it for the private attention and variety, not simply for the number of minutes on an ATV.
The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average lead time of 39 days. If you are visiting during a busy period, reserve early, especially if you need several ATVs for a large group.
Who will enjoy this most?
I would recommend it to couples, families, and friend groups who want a private outing with several kinds of scenery. It works particularly well for first-time riders because the guide can test your ability and avoid forcing you into the pace of a large convoy.
It also suits people who have already spent time in the Romantic Zone or along the beach and want to see another side of Puerto Vallarta. The route can take you from the city to jungle roads, mountain villages, ranches, and high viewpoints in a single morning or afternoon.
I would hesitate if your group dislikes dust, uneven roads, traffic, or optional food and drink stops. I would also compare prices carefully if you only want a quick ATV ride and do not care about the private guide or city sightseeing.
My call: book it for variety and personal attention
Book this tour if you want more than an ATV rental. The best parts are the private group, adjustable pace, city-to-mountain route, strong guide attention, and the chance to add tortillas, lunch, margaritas, and tequila to the outing.
Before paying, confirm the number of ATVs, the route, the optional meal stop, and the cost of photography. Remember that two ATVs are required, transportation is your responsibility, and the $139 price does not cover food, drinks, or photos.
For a private Puerto Vallarta adventure that mixes cobblestone streets, jungle roads, mountain views, and local flavors, this is a solid choice. For a strictly off-road ride or a low-cost excursion, choose something simpler.
FAQ
How long does the private ATV tour last?
The tour lasts approximately three hours.
How much does the tour cost?
The listed price is $139 per person.
How many ATVs are required?
At least two ATV rentals are required for each tour.
Can I choose an automatic or semiautomatic ATV?
Yes. The tour offers both automatic and semiautomatic ATVs.
What is included in the price?
The price includes the private experience for your group, bilingual guides, safety equipment and briefing, an ATV, and all taxes.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The tour starts and ends at the meeting point on Avenida México in the 5 de Diciembre area.
Are food, drinks, and photos included?
No. Food, drinks, tequila tasting, and photography packages are optional extras and are not included in the tour price.
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