About this tour
The Río Cuale is the river that splits Puerto Vallarta in two before it reaches the sea, and most visitors only ever see the last hundred metres of it — the island with the market stalls, the suspension bridges, the restaurants along the water. Follow it inland instead and within twenty minutes the city is gone: the road turns to dirt, the canyon narrows, and you are riding through proper jungle with the river running beside you the whole way.
That is what this tour does, and it does it privately. You meet at the shop in the 5 de Diciembre neighbourhood just north of the Malecón, get your machine and a proper briefing, and then ride out as a group of your own — no strangers, no convoy of twenty quads, no fixed pace. The first stretch takes you through the working neighbourhoods on the hillsides above town, where the streets are cobblestone and the views open back over the rooftops toward Banderas Bay, before the pavement gives out and the trail begins.
The turnaround is a jungle bar on the bank of the river, deep enough into the canyon that the only sound is water. You stop there for as long as you want: drinks and food are available to buy, there is usually something going on worth watching, and if you brought a towel you can get in the river. Then it is back down the same trail, dustier than you started, in time for a late lunch in town. Three hours, door to door — which makes it the easiest adventure day to fit around everything else you have planned.
Quick specs
- Duration
- 3 hours · private
- Departures
- Daily 9 AM – 5 PM · You pick the start time
- Difficulty
- Easy — no experience needed
- Group size
- Private · your group only
- Minimum age
- Drivers 16+ · passengers from 6
- Maximum weight
- Confirmed at booking
- Languages
- English & Spanish guides
- Meeting point
- Downtown Puerto Vallarta · 5 de Diciembre
Tour highlights
- 🛞Private from the startYour guide, your group, your pace — nobody else joins the ride.
- 🏘️Real Vallarta firstThe route climbs out through the cobblestone hillside neighbourhoods before it hits the jungle.
- 🌿Río Cuale canyonJungle trail along the river that runs down into the middle of the city.
- 🍹Jungle bar stopA break on the riverbank with cold drinks, food and shade — pay as you go.
- 💦Optional river dipSwimming at the stop is up to you; bring a towel if you plan to get in.
- ⏱️Only three hoursBack downtown by lunch or by sunset, depending on the time you pick.
Photo gallery
Photos: ATV tours in the mountains behind Puerto Vallarta.
How the day works
- Meet at the shopYou arrive at the meeting point in 5 de Diciembre, sign in and get your helmet, goggles and bandana.
- Briefing and practiceYour guide walks you through the controls, the hand signals and the safety rules, and you take a short practice run before setting off.
- Out through townThe ride leaves the city through the cobblestone hillside neighbourhoods, with views back over the rooftops and the bay.
- Into the canyonPavement turns to dirt and the trail follows the Río Cuale inland, into the jungle and away from the noise.
- Jungle bar on the riverThe long stop of the day: drinks, food, photos, a cultural activity if the group wants one, and a swim in the river if you feel like it.
- Ride backThe same trail in reverse and back to the shop, roughly three hours after you started.
What's included
Included
- Private guide for your group only
- ATV for the ride (one per driver)
- ATV orientation and safety briefing
- Helmet, goggles and bandana
- Optional cultural activity at the river stop
Not included
- Drinks and snacks at the jungle bar
- Transport to and from the meeting point in downtown Puerto Vallarta
- Gratuities for your guide
- Photos and video from the trail
What to bring
Wear clothes you do not mind covering in dust — a t-shirt, shorts or light trousers, and closed-toe shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed on the ATV pedals. Bring biodegradable sunscreen, sunglasses, and a towel and swimsuit if you want to get into the river at the stop. Carry a little cash or a card for drinks and food at the jungle bar and for your guide’s tip, since neither is included in the price.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to drive an ATV?
No. The tour is built for all skill levels and the machines are automatic — throttle, brake, steering and nothing else. Your guide runs a full briefing and a practice loop before you leave, and rides with you the whole way.
Is the tour really private?
Yes. You get your own guide and your group rides alone, which means the pace, the length of the stops and how much time you spend at the river are up to you rather than fixed by a schedule.
What gear do you provide?
Helmet, goggles and a bandana for the dust, plus the ATV itself. Everything else — clothes, shoes, sunscreen, towel — you bring.
Can two of us share one ATV?
Yes. A driver and a passenger can ride the same machine for a small surcharge, which is the usual arrangement for couples or for an adult riding with a child. Tell us how many drivers and passengers you need when you book.
Can I swim in the river?
If you want to. The stop is on the riverbank and getting in is optional — bring a towel and something to swim in if you plan on it.
Are drinks and food included?
No. The jungle bar sells cold drinks, beer and food, and you pay there. Bring cash or a card.
How do I get to the meeting point?
The shop is in 5 de Diciembre, a short taxi or Uber ride from the Malecón, the Zona Romántica or the hotel zone. If you are coming from the airport or want to be picked up, ask when you book and we will arrange a shuttle for a small extra charge.
Is it good for couples, families or solo travellers?
All three. It is a short, easy plan for a vacation day: couples take it as a half-day out, families ride with children as passengers, and solo travellers get a guide to themselves and a look at the side of Puerto Vallarta that is not the beach.