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How Much Does an ATV Tour in La Fortuna Cost?

ATV tours in La Fortuna cost about $95 to $160 per person for 2 or 3 hours of riding. The longer and private tours cost the most, and combo days with a second activity run higher still.

Here’s a quick look at your options:

Option	Price	Good For
2-hour tour	About $105 to $155	The classic stops in a short ride
3-hour tour	About $95 to $160	More trail time and a closer volcano view
Double ATV	About $155 to $175 for two	Kids and nervous passengers
Side-by-side	About $315 for two	Families and nervous riders
Combo tours	About $157 to $229	Adding ziplines, rafting or canyoning

Most prices include hotel pickup in town, a guide, a helmet and goggles, and fruit or water. Pickups more than about 2 miles (3 km) from the center can cost extra, so ask when you book.

Our tip: book the morning slot a day or two ahead in high season. The early tours are the first to fill.

10 Best ATV Tours in La Fortuna

These are the 10 ATV tours we’d book in La Fortuna. Some are quick 2-hour rides, and some add hot springs, ziplines or rafting. For each one, you’ll find what you’ll see, what it costs and what’s included.

1. Rainforest and Volcano Views ATV Tour

This is the best all-round ATV tour in La Fortuna, and a great pick for your first time on a quad. It mixes muddy farm trails with a volcano viewpoint, a river swim and a stop in a small village.

After a 30-minute van ride and a safety briefing, you head out on private farm trails just outside town. Your first stop is a viewpoint facing Arenal Volcano. Then you spend about 20 minutes in a traditional village.

Next comes a break at the Arenal River, where you can jump in and wash off the mud. The last stretch is a scenic ride back through the countryside.

The trip takes about 3 hours, with about 2 hours on the ATV. It costs about $95 to $105 per person, and groups top out at 10. Hotel pickup, a snack, lunch and towels are included.

You can drive from age 14, and passengers ride from 5 with an adult. Wear water shoes, since the mud gets deep after rain.

2. Jungle and Maleku Village ATV Tour

This 2-hour tour is the classic one in town, and the most booked by far. It packs a lot into a short ride: jungle trails, river crossings, volcano lookouts and a visit to a Maleku home.

The Maleku are an Indigenous people from northern Costa Rica, and a family member gives a short talk about their culture. The ride ends at a river stop, where you can swim and snack on fresh pineapple.

It costs about $105 per person, with a guide, gear, water, fruit and pickup in downtown La Fortuna included. You need a driver’s license to drive, and the weight limit is 330 pounds (150 kg) per ATV.

Fair warning: part of the ride uses quiet public roads between the stops. Want more trail time? Pick the volcano base tour, which is next on this list.

3. Arenal Volcano Base ATV Tour With Lava Rocks

This 3-hour tour gets you as close to Arenal Volcano as an ATV can go. It’s longer and hillier than the 2-hour rides, with river crossings and plenty of mud on the way up.

Near the end, you leave the ATV for a short, steep walk to old lava rocks. From there, you get a big view of the volcano. You also stop at a quiet lake for fresh pineapple and hear a short talk from a Maleku family.

It costs about $119 per person. A bilingual guide, an automatic 4×4 quad, fuel, a helmet and goggles are included. So is pickup within about 2 miles (3 km) of town.

Bring your own water bottle, since there are refill stations but no bottled water. The walk is short but uphill, so it suits people with decent fitness.

4. Volcano, River and Forest ATV Tour

This 3-hour ride starts right at the base of Arenal Volcano National Park, so the volcano feels close the whole way. It’s a good pick when you want more trail and less road.

After a short practice run, you head out over rocky tracks, gravel and mud. Then you cross open pastures on the volcano’s lower slopes. On clear days, you stop for wide views over La Fortuna and Arenal.

You also ride through small villages and splash across the river. There’s a break to rest, drink water or jump in for a swim. One group even spotted a sloth with her baby along the way.

It costs about $160 per person. Hotel pickup in La Fortuna, the ATV, gear, a guide, lockers and a water bottle are included. You need to be 16 to drive, and younger kids ride with an adult.

Guides ride at the pace of the slowest person, so it suits nervous first-timers too. Send your hotel details at least 24 hours ahead, or the booking can be canceled.

5. Mud, Rivers and Nature ATV Tour

This 2-hour tour is all about the fun part: mud, water and green countryside. Reviewers rate it very highly, and plenty say it never feels rushed.

You ride past views of Arenal Volcano and through the farmland around La Fortuna. The last stop is the Arenal River, where there’s a spot to jump in the water. Fresh pineapple is waiting for you too.

Prices start at about $153, with a double ATV at about $173 and a side-by-side at about $305. Helmets, goggles and pickup are included, or you can meet the team at their base.

There are three departures a day, and groups can reach 20 riders. You need to be 16 to drive alone, and kids over 6 can ride with an adult on a double.

Wear clothes you don’t mind throwing out afterward. This one gets very muddy.

6. Private ATV Tour With Hot Springs

This one is for people who don’t want to share the trail. It’s a private tour, so it’s just you, your group and a guide on powerful 500cc quads.

You ride backroads, sugarcane fields and cattle ranches, with mud, water and some proper off-road sections. Riders often spot monkeys, and some have seen barn owls on the way back.

Then you finish with a soak at a quiet hot spring in the forest. It has pools at different temperatures, a sauna, a bar and clay for a face mask.

The tour takes about 4 hours and costs about $160 per person, with the hot springs entry included. Two things to know: it starts at a lodge near Platanar, outside La Fortuna, and there’s no hotel pickup.

It’s also non-refundable, and the trails suit people with some ATV time behind them. Heavy rain can close the road to the hot springs, so it’s best in dry season.

7. Side-by-side UTV Tour

A side-by-side is a small off-road buggy with a steering wheel and seats next to each other. It’s a great pick for families, couples and anyone who’d rather not balance on a quad.

The 2-hour ride crosses private trails and farmland. You stop at the Monterrey viewpoint and the old bridge over the Arenal River. You’ll still get muddy, and guides help push anyone who gets stuck.

Prices are per vehicle: about $315 for 2 people, $350 for 3, $390 for 4 and $430 for 5. Pickup, water, snacks, fruit, lockers, showers, towels and the guide’s tip are all included.

The driver must be 18 or older. Photos cost extra, so bring your phone in a waterproof pouch.

8. ATV and Zipline Combo Tour

Can’t pick between an ATV and a zipline? This half-day combo does both. You start the morning on an ATV, riding private farm tracks with views of the volcano.

Then you clip in for 8 ziplines through the forest. Some are as high as 300 feet (90 m), and the longest stretches about 1,900 feet (600 m). There’s a Tarzan swing too, for anyone brave enough.

It starts at 7:30 AM, takes about 4 hours and costs about $157 per person. Hotel pickup, snacks and water are included, and lunch at an organic farm costs $15 extra.

Riders often splash through small rivers and spot sloths or howler monkeys on the way. Pack a swimsuit, and skip this one when heights make you nervous.

9. ATV and White-Water Rafting Day Trip

This full-day tour fits two big activities into one day. You ride an ATV in the morning, then raft the Balsa River in the afternoon.

The ATV part takes about 1.5 hours through the rainforest, passing the La Fortuna Waterfall area. After a short bus ride, you raft for about 2 hours on Class II to III rapids. That means splashy and fun, but rarely scary.

The day takes about 8 hours and costs about $189 per person. Hotel pickup, both guides, lunch, fruit, snacks, cold drinks and towels are included.

Drivers must be 16 with a license and pass a short driving test, and passengers must be at least 8. Leave your dry clothes on the bus, because you’ll be wet for most of the day.

10. Waterfall Canyoning and ATV Tour

This is the wildest day out on the list. You start by rappelling down waterfalls and a canyon wall, then ride an ATV through mud and streams in the afternoon.

The canyon is about 20 minutes outside La Fortuna. Along with the rappels, there’s the monkey drop, a mix of zipline and rappel, plus some rock climbing. After lunch, the ATV ride ends with a river swim and fresh fruit.

It takes a full day and costs about $229 per person. Lunch, drinks, rubber boots, a full-face helmet and pickup from selected hotels are included. A photographer comes along, but the photos cost extra.

ATV drivers must be at least 15 with a valid license. Bring a change of clothes and shoes that can get soaked.

What to Expect on an ATV Tour in La Fortuna

Most ATV tours in La Fortuna last 2 or 3 hours, plus about 30 minutes each way for pickup. You start with a safety briefing and a short practice loop. That way, you get a feel for the quad before the real trails.

The rides mix muddy farm tracks, forest trails, river crossings and some quiet country roads. Common stops include the Monterrey viewpoint facing the volcano and a swim in the Arenal River. Many tours also visit the Maleku people.

Morning tours usually leave around 8 AM, and the last ones start mid-afternoon. Clouds often hide the top of the volcano by then, so go early for the best photos.

Who Can Drive an ATV in La Fortuna?

Most ATV tours in La Fortuna let you drive from age 16 with a valid driver’s license. A few allow 14 or 15, and side-by-side drivers must be 18. Bring your physical license, since only some operators accept a clear photo.

Passengers can usually ride from age 5 with an adult, and rafting combos start at 8. The weight limit is about 330 pounds (150 kg) per ATV, so add both riders together on a double.

No license? You can still go. Most tours let you ride as a passenger behind a licensed driver.

You don’t need any riding background either, since guides run a safety briefing first. Pregnant women, people with back or heart problems and anyone who’s had surgery in the last 6 months can’t ride.

Single ATV, Double ATV or Side-by-side: Which Should You Pick?

A single ATV is the best pick for most adults, since you drive yourself and set your own pace. It’s simply more fun.

A double costs less per person, about $155 to $175 for two, but only one of you drives. The passenger gets all the bumps and the mud, with no say in the steering.

A side-by-side, or UTV, has a steering wheel and seats next to each other, like a small buggy. At about $315 for two, it costs more, but kids and nervous riders feel a lot safer in one.

Book a double for kids under 16, a side-by-side for families, and singles for everyone else. Check the weight limit first when you’re sharing.

What to Wear on an ATV Tour in La Fortuna

Wear clothes you don’t mind ruining, because the mud gets everywhere. Here’s what to bring:

• Closed shoes you can get wet, like old sneakers or water shoes
• Long shorts or light pants
• A rain jacket, May to November
• Sunscreen, a hat and bug spray
• A swimsuit and towel for the river stop
• A waterproof phone bag and a change of clothes

Skip sandals and anything white. Mud stains most fabrics for good, so this is the day for your oldest T-shirt. On dry days, keep your goggles on, since dust from the trail gets in your eyes.

What Is the Best Time for an ATV Tour in La Fortuna?

The 8 AM tour is the one to book. The air is cooler, and the volcano is more likely to be clear before the afternoon clouds roll in.

The dry season, December to April, means firmer trails and better views. The rainy season, May to November, means muddier, messier riding, which plenty of people love.

Tours run all year, but afternoon slots are more likely to get rained on. A thunderstorm can pause a ride, so check the refund rules when you book.

ATV Tours in La Fortuna FAQ

How Much Does an ATV Tour in La Fortuna Cost?

An ATV tour in La Fortuna costs about $95 to $160 per person. A 2-hour tour costs about $105 to $155, and a 3-hour tour about $95 to $160.

A double ATV costs about $155 to $175 for two people, and a side-by-side about $315 for two. Most prices include pickup in town, a guide and gear.

What Is the Minimum Age for an ATV Tour in La Fortuna?

The minimum age to drive an ATV in La Fortuna is 16 on most tours, with a valid driver’s license. A few tours let you drive from 14 or 15, and side-by-side drivers must be 18.

Kids from age 5 can ride along as passengers with an adult. Rafting combo tours start at age 8.

Do You Need to Have Ridden an ATV Before?

You don’t need to have ridden an ATV before a La Fortuna tour. Guides run a safety briefing and a practice loop first, and they ride with the group the whole way.

Take it slow in the mud, and ask to swap with a passenger if a section feels too rough. The private hot springs tour is the one exception, since its trails suit riders with some practice.

Is an ATV Tour in La Fortuna Safe?

ATV tours in La Fortuna are safe when you follow the guide and ride at the group’s pace. Operators provide helmets and goggles, a safety briefing and a practice loop before the trail.

The trails are muddy and slippery, so slow down on corners, keep your distance and don’t try to race. Guides ride with the group the whole way and help anyone who gets stuck.

Before you set off, ask what happens if the ATV gets damaged. Some operators sell extra damage cover, so it’s good to know upfront.

Are ATV Tours in La Fortuna Worth It?

ATV tours in La Fortuna are worth it for a fun, muddy half day with volcano views and a river swim. At about $95 to $130 for 2 or 3 hours, they’re good value for what you get.

Skip it with kids under 5, on a tight budget, or right after heavy rain, when the trails get very slick.