ATV tours near Manuel Antonio take you through private rainforest trails, river crossings, and a waterfall stop with hotel pickup and lunch included. Here's how the three main operators compare on price, duration, and what's actually included.
What You Should Know
- ATV tours near Manuel Antonio run on private jungle land above Quepos, not inside the national park; the route covers off-road trails, river crossings, and a waterfall stop over 3–4 hours, with hotel pickup and lunch included across all three featured operators. Waterfall access at the Rainmaker section depends on season and tour timing; dry season tours (December–April) may not include it.
- Tours run year-round; morning departures are standard, with most returning to your hotel by early afternoon. The trail is unpaved and includes river crossings, so expect to arrive muddy or wet regardless of season.
- Prices range from $85 to $134 per person; all operators include hotel pickup, a guide, and lunch. Fourtrax also adds a fruit snack and water. Costa Rica Jade Tours accepts passengers from age 4 on double ATVs with a 16+ driver, the youngest minimum of the three.
- The Destination Services Costa Rica half-day tour requires all riders to be 16 or older, so it's not suited to groups with younger children. Costa Rica Jade Tours (ages 4+, driver 16+) or Fourtrax (passengers 5+, drivers 18+, or 16+ with a guardian's waiver and a valid licence) are the right choices for mixed-age groups.
Manuel Antonio ATV Tours: What to Know Before You Book
ATV tours in Manuel Antonio don't run inside the national park; they operate on private jungle land above Quepos, roughly 10–20 minutes inland from the coast. All three operators cover off-road jungle trails, river crossings, and a waterfall stop, with hotel pickup, a guide, and lunch included (Costa Rica Jade and Fourtrax also list bilingual guides and helmets). Durations run from 3 hours (Costa Rica Jade) to 4 hours (Fourtrax), with prices from $85 to $134 USD per person. The key differences are age policy, trail time, and food inclusions. This guide covers all three.
Best overall: Costa Rica Jade Tours is the best ATV tour in Manuel Antonio for most travelers. It has the lowest starting price ($85/person), the highest review volume (1,371 reviews at 4.8 stars), A/C hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, a waterfall stop, and lunch included. It also has the most flexible age policy, accepting passengers from age 4, making it the right pick for families. Fourtrax is worth considering if you want more trail time (4 hours) and a slightly more comprehensive food package. Destination Services Costa Rica suits adults-only groups who want a 3.5-hour half day with a choice of single or double ATVs. If you're still deciding which activities to combine, our Manuel Antonio day tours guide covers the full range of excursions available from the same base.
Costa Rica Jade Tours (ATV Off-Road Rainforest & Waterfalls)
3-hour off-road tour through private rainforest with A/C hotel pickup, bilingual guide, ATV with helmet, and lunch included; accepts passengers from age 4 and has the highest review volume of any ATV operator in the Manuel Antonio area.
Book NowBest ATV Tour Operators in Manuel Antonio: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Tour Operator | ATV Type | Price | Rating | Ages | Duration | Transport | Food |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Rated Costa Rica Jade Tours (Off-Road Rainforest & Waterfalls) Book Now |
Single or double ATV | From $85/person | ⭐ 4.8 (1,371 reviews) Read Reviews |
4+ (driver 16+) | 3 hours | Yes, A/C hotel pickup/dropoff | Lunch included |
| Fourtrax Adventure Tours Book Now |
Single or double ATV | From $124.30 USD | ⭐ 4.8 (167 reviews) Read Reviews |
5+ (driver 18+, or 16+ with waiver) | 4 hours | Yes, hotel pickup/dropoff | Fruit snack + lunch + water |
| Destination Services Costa Rica Book Now |
Double or single ATV | From $134/person | ⭐ 4.7 (60 reviews) Read Reviews |
16+ | Half day (3.5 hours) | Yes, hotel transport | Lunch + water |
ℹ️ Prices, ratings, and review counts were updated and verified by our editorial team on October 9, 2026. Prices and availability may change; always confirm with the operator before booking.
What to Expect on a Manuel Antonio ATV Tour
Here's how a typical Manuel Antonio ATV tour runs from hotel pickup to drop-off.
- 01
Hotel pickup
A van picks you up from your hotel in Quepos or Manuel Antonio. Costa Rica Jade Tours uses air-conditioned vehicles. The drive to the departure base takes 10–20 minutes depending on your hotel's location. The operator confirms your exact pickup time the evening before.
- 0220–30 min
Briefing and gear
At the base your guide covers ATV controls, trail rules, and how to handle river crossings. You're fitted with a helmet and any other protective gear. No prior ATV experience is needed; guides have you practice basic controls on level ground before the group leaves the base.
- 03~2 hrs
ATV trail ride
Costa Rica Jade's 3-hour tour includes roughly 2 hours of actual ATV trail time; the remainder covers the safety briefing, the Rainmaker hike (when included), and lunch. Fourtrax (4 hours) and Destination Services (3.5 hours) follow a similar structure. The route covers off-road jungle tracks, farm roads, and river crossings through private land. Trails are unpaved with hills, mud sections, and stream crossings. A guide leads from the front and a second guide follows at the back.
- 0415–20 min
Waterfall stop
Most tours include a waterfall stop, but this depends on season. In green season, Costa Rica Jade typically stops at two swim spots; in dry season (December–April), the Rainmaker hike may be skipped entirely and some groups only get river crossings as their water component. Fourtrax's water stop is a natural river pool in a private reserve, reached by a short hike into the rainforest. Ask the operator when booking whether the Rainmaker is confirmed for your slot.
- 05
Food
All operators include a full lunch. Fourtrax also adds a fruit snack on the trail before the main meal and provides water throughout. Destination Services includes water alongside lunch. Costa Rica Jade includes lunch. The post-ride meal tends to be more substantial than most people expect: a full traditional Costa Rican spread, not a snack.
- 06
Return drop-off
Drop-off at your hotel. Total door-to-door time is approximately 4 hours for the Costa Rica Jade 3-hour tour, and longer for the 3.5-hour Destination Services and 4-hour Fourtrax tours.
- 01
Hotel pickup
A van picks you up from your hotel in Quepos or Manuel Antonio. Costa Rica Jade Tours uses air-conditioned vehicles. The drive to the departure base takes 10–20 minutes depending on your hotel's location. The operator confirms your exact pickup time the evening before.
- 20–30 min02
Briefing and gear
At the base your guide covers ATV controls, trail rules, and how to handle river crossings. You're fitted with a helmet and any other protective gear. No prior ATV experience is needed; guides have you practice basic controls on level ground before the group leaves the base.
- 03
ATV trail ride
Costa Rica Jade's 3-hour tour includes roughly 2 hours of actual ATV trail time; the remainder covers the safety briefing, the Rainmaker hike (when included), and lunch. Fourtrax (4 hours) and Destination Services (3.5 hours) follow a similar structure. The route covers off-road jungle tracks, farm roads, and river crossings through private land. Trails are unpaved with hills, mud sections, and stream crossings. A guide leads from the front and a second guide follows at the back.
~2 hrs - 15–20 min04
Waterfall stop
Most tours include a waterfall stop, but this depends on season. In green season, Costa Rica Jade typically stops at two swim spots; in dry season (December–April), the Rainmaker hike may be skipped entirely and some groups only get river crossings as their water component. Fourtrax's water stop is a natural river pool in a private reserve, reached by a short hike into the rainforest. Ask the operator when booking whether the Rainmaker is confirmed for your slot.
- 05
Food
All operators include a full lunch. Fourtrax also adds a fruit snack on the trail before the main meal and provides water throughout. Destination Services includes water alongside lunch. Costa Rica Jade includes lunch. The post-ride meal tends to be more substantial than most people expect: a full traditional Costa Rican spread, not a snack.
- 06
Return drop-off
Drop-off at your hotel. Total door-to-door time is approximately 4 hours for the Costa Rica Jade 3-hour tour, and longer for the 3.5-hour Destination Services and 4-hour Fourtrax tours.
No prior ATV experience is needed. Guides adapt the pace to the group's comfort level and supervise all river crossings. Most guests who were nervous about driving find that the river sections are the highlight by the end of the tour. The measured ATV pace is genuinely accessible to older adults; groups in their 60s and 70s complete the ride comfortably. The Rainmaker waterfall hike at the end involves significant stairs and is a separate physical challenge; some older visitors skip the hike and wait at the base.
Best ATV Tours in Manuel Antonio: Family, Adults & Budget Picks
All three operators cover the same general terrain and include hotel pickup and lunch, so the decision comes down to budget, trail time, age of your group, and whether you want the option to ride solo or shared. Here's how we'd break it down.
Costa Rica Jade Tours
At $85 per person with 1,371 reviews at 4.8 stars, Costa Rica Jade is the most-reviewed ATV operator in the area and, in our view, the right choice for most travelers. The 3-hour tour covers jungle trails, river crossings, and a waterfall stop with a bilingual guide, A/C hotel pickup, and lunch included. It accepts passengers from age 4 on double ATVs, the youngest minimum of the three, making it the most family-flexible option. Both single and double ATVs are available, so individual riders and pairs can each choose what works for them.
Fourtrax Adventure Tours
Fourtrax runs the longest tour at 4 hours and the most generous food package: a fruit snack mid-trail plus a full lunch and water throughout. At $124.30 per person, it sits between the other two on price. Single and double ATVs are both available. It accepts passengers from age 5; drivers must be 18, or 16 and up with a guardian's liability waiver and a valid licence, so small children can ride along. We'd lean toward Fourtrax if an extra hour on the trail and a more substantial meal experience are worth the higher price to you.
Destination Services Costa Rica
Destination Services Costa Rica's half-day tour is the priciest of the three at $134 per person and, like Costa Rica Jade and Fourtrax, offers both single and double ATVs, so everyone in an adult group can choose whether to drive solo or share. At 3.5 hours it sits between Costa Rica Jade and Fourtrax in trail time. Lunch, water, and hotel transport are included, and the tour runs with a minimum of 2 travelers. All riders must be 16 or older, so it's suited to adults-only groups. With 60 reviews at 4.7 stars it has the smallest review base of the three, and only a few of those are recent. We'd book it if your group is all adults and the other two are full on your date.
Most Popular Tours
Our Take
The "rainforest and waterfalls" in tour names refers to the landscape and one or two waterfall stops, not a hiking experience: most of the riding is on muddy jungle tracks and farm roads, and recent reviewers flag that the waterfall stop is not guaranteed on every departure. Whatever you wear will get muddy or wet, so closed-toe shoes, older clothes, and a change for after are the consistent advice.
Best Time for ATV Tours in Manuel Antonio
ATV tours in Manuel Antonio run year-round and the experience differs meaningfully between seasons. Dry season gives you firmer, dustier trails; green season brings mud, deeper river crossings, and a more physical ride.
Trails are firmer and river water levels are lower, making this the easiest window for first-time riders and families with young children on double ATVs. Peak tourist season: book 24–48 hours ahead as morning slots sell out quickly.
Morning tours typically stay dry while afternoon rains are common but rarely affect early departures. Trails are beginning to muddy up. Fewer crowds and more booking flexibility than dry season.
The jungle is at its most lush and river crossings run deeper. Guides adjust routes based on conditions. We think this is the most rewarding window for experienced riders who want the full off-road experience rather than the cleanest ride.
Most tours depart in the morning, typically around 7–9 AM, and return to the hotel by early to mid afternoon, fitting cleanly into a full day without giving up time at Manuel Antonio National Park or the beach.
How Much Do ATV Tours in Manuel Antonio Cost?
ATV tours in Manuel Antonio range from $85 to $134 USD per person across the three featured operators, with hotel pickup and lunch included in all of them. Here's how pricing breaks down:
Costa Rica Jade Tours
3-hour route with A/C hotel pickup, bilingual guide, single or double ATV, helmet, and lunch. Accepts passengers from age 4 on double ATVs; the most family-flexible option and the lowest price of the three.
Fourtrax Adventure Tours
4-hour route with hotel pickup, bilingual guides, single or double ATV, helmet, fruit snack on trail, full lunch, and water. Longest trail time and the most food inclusions of the three.
Destination Services Costa Rica
3.5-hour route with hotel transport, a guide, choice of single or double ATV, lunch, and water. All riders must be 16 or older.
We think Costa Rica Jade is the sweet spot at $85: it's the lowest price, has the highest review volume, accepts young children as passengers, and covers all the essential terrain. We'd give Fourtrax the edge if an extra hour on the trail and a more generous meal package matter more to you than price.
Most Popular Tours
ATV Tour Manuel Antonio: Real Footage
ATV Combo Tours in Manuel Antonio
Costa Rica Jade Tours, the top pick above, sells a full combo with ATV waterfalls, a canopy zip line, and a butterfly garden as a single booking. It runs about 8 hours from $165 per person with lunch and hotel transport included, and is rated 4.9 stars across 134 reviews, removing the need to coordinate schedules across two separate activity providers.
If your group wants both an ATV ride and a canopy experience in the same day, a combo package is the most efficient option. For a full breakdown of the zip line operators serving the Manuel Antonio area, including course details, pricing, and who each course suits, see our Manuel Antonio zipline guide. Another popular pairing is an ATV tour in the morning followed by an afternoon on horseback; our Manuel Antonio horseback riding guide covers operators, routes, and what each suits. For a full day focused on waterfalls rather than off-road riding, our waterfall tours near Manuel Antonio guide covers six tours from $85 visiting Nauyaca, Mulguri, Eco-Chontales, and more. For an evening after either activity, our Manuel Antonio night tour guide covers nocturnal wildlife walks and a mangrove boat safari with dinner, both of which pair well with a daytime ATV or horseback outing.
Our Take
The age policy is the main thing that catches families off guard: Costa Rica Jade Tours accepts passengers from age 4 on double ATVs (driver 16+), Fourtrax from age 5 (drivers 18+, or 16+ with a guardian's waiver and a valid licence), and the Destination Services half-day tour requires every rider to be 16 or older. Choose the operator before you book the date, not after.
Tips for Your Manuel Antonio ATV Tour
- Book 24–48 hours ahead in dry season: Morning slots fill quickest in peak season (December–April). Most operators run tours daily but popular departure windows book up fast.
- Wear clothes you don't mind ruining: The trail is muddy year-round. Closed-toe shoes, old shorts or pants, and a shirt you're fine staining are the right call. Bring a change of clothes for after the tour.
- Clarify single vs. double ATV at booking: A double ATV means two people share one vehicle, one driving and one as passenger. All three operators offer both single and double ATVs, and Costa Rica Jade also offers a side-by-side. If everyone in your group wants their own vehicle, confirm single ATV availability when booking.
- Apply sunscreen before leaving your hotel: The route is mostly jungle shade, but departure and return are in open terrain. Apply before the pickup van arrives; stopping mid-trail is inconvenient.
- Bring a waterproof bag or phone case: River crossings splash water into the ATV. Most operators advise keeping phones and cameras sealed during crossings; a zip-lock bag works fine.
- Mention fitness or mobility concerns when booking: ATV riding involves gripping handlebars and absorbing trail bumps for 3–4 hours. Most operators can accommodate minor limitations but it's worth confirming directly at the time of booking.
- Confirm pickup time the evening before: Operators contact you the night before to confirm your exact pickup window based on hotel location and group logistics.
- In dry season, bring sunglasses and consider a buff or face covering: Dust kicked up from the ATV ahead is the most consistent complaint from December through April visitors. No protective eyewear is provided; sunglasses or goggles make a real difference.
- The booking time shown is your hotel pickup time, not when riding starts: Transit to the base takes 20–30 minutes, and the safety briefing adds another 20 minutes before the group heads out on the trail. Factor this in if you have afternoon plans.
- The route covers more plantation than jungle canopy. African palm plantations make up a large portion of the trail on every operator's route; the forested sections and waterfall stops come in the second half of the ride. The scenery isn't what most people picture from the name, but from what we've seen in reviews, the variety of terrain (plantation roads, river crossings, and forest) is more interesting than a single-terrain loop.
- Visiting in November? Our Manuel Antonio in November guide covers the green-to-dry transition, when trails firm up late in the month for better ATV conditions.
- Wildlife sightings are most likely near the waterfall areas. Monkeys and other animals tend to appear in the forested sections around the waterfall stops rather than on the open plantation roads. If spotting wildlife matters to your group, we'd make sure to mention it at the start; most guides will slow down and point out animals when conditions are right.
- Visiting in March? Our Manuel Antonio in March guide covers the hottest, driest month, when firm dry trails are great for ATV but an early start beats the midday heat.
- Riding in La Fortuna too? Our La Fortuna ATV guide compares the off-road jungle tours around Arenal Volcano. Riding in Guanacaste? Our Tamarindo ATV guide compares the tours and routes there. Staying further up the Pacific coast? Our Jacó ATV tour guide compares the rides in the hills behind Jacó.
- Planning your full trip? Our things to do in Manuel Antonio guide covers every activity, beach, and tour in the area, with a comparison table and sample itineraries.
Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio
Staying in Manuel Antonio or planning a trip? Here are three well-reviewed hotels, with live prices from our booking system. Rooms at the best-rated hotels are usually the first to go, especially in peak season and over holidays, so it's worth locking in your stay before availability fills up.
Compare Live Manuel Antonio Hotel Prices
Live rates for a three-night stay for two adults, checking in about a month from now. Change the dates at checkout and book with instant email confirmation.
- Instant confirmation by email
- Live rates, not brochure prices
- Free cancellation on selected rates
Parador Nature Resort and Spa
The only large full-service resort in Manuel Antonio: 130-plus rooms, seven ocean-view pools, restaurants, a spa and tennis on the Punta Quepos headland.
Rooms, photos & reviews
Hotel Costa Verde
The most characterful stay here: the converted Boeing 727 Fuselage Home, plus troops of monkeys crossing the grounds.
Rooms, photos & reviews
El Faro Containers Beach Hotel
Rooms built from shipping containers about 50 m from the national park entrance, with an ocean-view infinity pool, bar and restaurant. The biggest review base here; rooms are small and the restaurant can be slow.
Estimated nightly rate for a 3-night stay, 2 adults. Final price on Expedia.Room only. Local taxes and fees are added at checkout and can add roughly 20%.
Search all resorts & dates on Expedia →How We Selected These Tours
The Costa Rica Day Trip team reviewed ATV operators serving the Quepos and Manuel Antonio area on operator reputation, review volume and consistency, age policy transparency, inclusions relative to price, and route coverage. We required hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, and lunch as baseline inclusions since those three factors most directly affect how practical and enjoyable the day is. Every tour here is a verified booking from a highly rated operator. We excluded listings with unclear age or weight restrictions, inconsistent pickup logistics, or review histories too thin to assess reliability with confidence. We selected tours to cover the main situations travelers face: the best value option for families and first-timers, the best choice for couples or adults wanting more time on the trail, and the most flexible option for adult groups who want to choose between single and double ATVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to do an ATV tour in Manuel Antonio?+
No. All three operators include a safety briefing and basic controls tutorial on level ground before the group leaves the base. Guides lead from the front and a second guide follows at the back. Beginners consistently describe picking up the controls within the first 15–20 minutes on the trail, and river crossings are supervised throughout.
What is the minimum age for ATV tours in Manuel Antonio?+
It depends on the operator. Costa Rica Jade Tours accepts passengers from age 4 on double ATVs with a driver aged 16 or older, the most family-friendly option. Fourtrax Adventure Tours accepts passengers from age 5; drivers must be 18, or 16 with a guardian's waiver and a valid licence. Destination Services Costa Rica requires all riders to be 16 or older. Choose based on who's in your group before booking.
What should I wear on an ATV tour in Manuel Antonio?+
Closed-toe shoes and clothing you don't mind getting muddy or wet. The trail includes river crossings and unpaved jungle terrain; whatever you wear will pick up mud and water regardless of season. Leave anything you care about at the hotel. Apply sunscreen before departure and bring a waterproof bag or phone case for river crossings.
Where do ATV tours near Manuel Antonio actually go?+
All three operators run on private land above Quepos, not inside Manuel Antonio National Park. The route covers off-road jungle trails, farm tracks, and river crossings with a waterfall stop mid-tour. Departures are about 10–20 minutes inland from Manuel Antonio by hotel pickup van.
Is hotel pickup included with ATV tours in Manuel Antonio?+
Yes. All three featured operators include hotel pickup and drop-off from Quepos and Manuel Antonio hotels. Costa Rica Jade Tours uses air-conditioned vans. The operator confirms your exact pickup window the evening before your tour.
How much do ATV tours in Manuel Antonio cost?+
The three featured operators range from $85 to $134 per person, all with hotel pickup and lunch included. Costa Rica Jade Tours is $85 for a 3-hour tour with single or double ATV. Fourtrax Adventure Tours is $124.30 for a 4-hour single or double ATV tour with fruit snack, lunch, and water. Destination Services Costa Rica is $134 for a 3.5-hour half day with single or double ATV (riders 16+ only).
Can I do an ATV tour and zip lining on the same day in Manuel Antonio?+
Yes. Costa Rica Jade Tours' full combo bundles an ATV ride with a canopy zip line and a butterfly garden for $165 per person in a day of about 8 hours. Alternatively, Costa Rica Jade's 3-hour ATV tour in the morning leaves the afternoon free for a standalone zip line session. See our Manuel Antonio zipline guide for a full comparison of canopy courses in the area.
Are ATV tours in Manuel Antonio good during rainy season?+
Yes, all operators run year-round. The rainy season (May–November) makes trails muddier and river crossings deeper, which many guests find makes the ride more exciting. The jungle is at its most lush and green during these months. Wear clothes you're fine ruining and bring a change for afterward.
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