ATV + Zipline + Waterfall + Rainforest Lunch COMBO

The day’s biggest thrill is the 2,400-foot zip line, where you sail almost half a mile above the forest. Before or after that, you ride an ATV into the hills, cool off at Bijagual Waterfall, and eat at a mountain restaurant with Pacific views. It is a lot of Costa Rica in one outing.

I like the mix of active adventure and local food. You are not simply racing from one attraction to the next: there is time for a waterfall swim, rural scenery, a tilapia pond, and a proper lunch. I also like the careful guiding. Marco, Emmanuel, Diego, Alex, Alonzo, and their teams are repeatedly praised for friendly instruction and steady attention to safety.

The main catch is the workload. Four hours on an ATV, followed by zip lines, can leave you tired, especially in heat or muddy conditions. Also, ATV drivers need to be at least 16 and carry a valid driver’s license, and the company requires a Visa or Mastercard security voucher with a $1,000 hold.

Key points to know before booking

• A full six-hour adventure: Expect zip lines, ATV riding, a waterfall stop, lunch, transfers, and time at the operating offices.
• The longest zip line reaches 2,400 feet: You get 10 zip lines and 10 platforms, with the included materials also describing 12 cables.
• A real ATV outing, not a short spin: The ATV portion is described as four hours and includes forest trails, muddy sections, rural roads, viewpoints, and the waterfall.
• Lunch comes with scenery: Restaurante Paz del Campo has a tilapia farm, fishing pond, mountain setting, and views toward the Pacific on clear days.
• Safety rules matter: Drivers must be 16 or older with a valid license, open-toed footwear is not allowed, and the ATV deposit requirement is substantial.
• Best for active families and groups: Children under 16 may ride as passengers, but the group needs enough licensed drivers for the number of ATVs.

One day, three very different Costa Rican experiences

This combo works because each part feels different. The zip line gives you height and speed. The ATV ride puts you close to the ground, with mud, forest trails, and changing views. The waterfall and lunch slow the day down at just the right points.

You meet at Adventure Tours Costa Rica in the Jaco area, at the orange building in Barrio Copey. Pick-up can be requested in the Jaco area, but confirm the arrangement when you book. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

The listed price is $179 per person. That is not a budget outing, but it covers several paid activities in one day: the canopy course, ATV use, bilingual guides, fruit and bottled water, lunch, waterfall entrance, and local transport connected with the tour. If you want to combine these experiences anyway, the package is a sensible use of a day.

The cost feels less attractive if you only want a quick zip line or a short ATV ride. This is built for people who want a packed day and are willing to trade a little downtime for variety.

The zip line starts with height and speed

The canopy portion takes you to the Los Suenos Canopy Tour. You ride 10 zip lines from 10 platforms, with the longest cable stretching 2,400 feet. That final long run is the signature moment, giving you nearly half a mile of open flight over the forest.

The included information also refers to 12 cables, so the exact count may depend on how the operator describes the course. The practical point is clear: this is a substantial canopy circuit, not one short cable tacked onto an ATV trip.

The zip line section takes about two hours, including the course and time at the canopy office. Staff fit your equipment, explain how to position yourself, and guide you from platform to platform. First-time riders can expect direct help. The teams led by guides such as Mary, Jordan, Justin, Willforte, and others have been singled out for making nervous riders feel comfortable.

Keep your eyes open as you move through the trees. Monkeys have been spotted during the canopy ride, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The forest setting is part of the pleasure, even when an animal does not appear.

After the course, you get pineapple and watermelon with bottled water. There is also an opportunity to buy a photo disk. If you care about pictures, ask about the photo process early, since the best moments can pass quickly while you are clipped in and moving between platforms.

ATV trails lead into the Bijagual hills

After the canopy outing, the transportation returns you to the Jaco office. Here you receive a helmet and instruction before setting out on your own ATV, if you meet the age and license rules.

The ATV portion is described as a four-hour tour. It is not a simple ride along a paved road. Within minutes, you reach secondary rainforest, then continue through a mix of forest, flatter areas, muddy sections, and rural Costa Rican scenery.

Your route depends on trail conditions and rider ability. That flexibility is useful because rain can alter the ground from one day to the next, but it also means no route is guaranteed. A specific viewpoint, trail, or water feature may not be available when conditions change.

The guides make frequent stops to check on the group and point out views. Alonzo, Justin, Marco, Emmanuel, Diego, and Alex are among the guides praised for being attentive and encouraging. That matters on an ATV tour, where a good guide keeps the pace comfortable instead of treating the group like a race.

You should expect to get dirty. Wear shorts or clothes you do not mind marking with mud, and bring a swimsuit for the waterfall. Closed-toe shoes are required, so tennis shoes are a safer choice than sandals. Flip-flops and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Mules, Rhinos, and tandem ATVs are available for people who do not want to operate a single ATV. Unlicensed participants and children under 16 must ride as passengers. The number of passengers cannot exceed the number of ATV drivers in your group, so plan the seating arrangement before arriving.

Bijagual Waterfall provides the cool-down

The waterfall stop is more than a photo break. You can rinse off, swim, and cool down in the water before continuing to lunch. Some guides may also point out a place where you can jump into the basin, but follow the guide’s instructions and only do so if the conditions are suitable.

The water is a welcome change after several hours of riding. It also gives families and mixed-ability groups a natural pause. Strong riders can enjoy the route, while others get time to relax rather than being pushed through nonstop activity.

Bring sunscreen and a swimsuit in a small, accessible bag. You will want them before the end of the ATV section, not buried under everything else. Bug spray is suggested, though it is not considered necessary.

The waterfall visit depends on weather and trail conditions. The tour operates in all weather, but lightning or poor conditions can affect water activities. One outing had to reschedule the cooling portion because of lightning, with the change handled around the group’s schedule. The policy allows a new date or full refund if the entire experience is canceled because of poor weather.

Lunch at Paz del Campo is part of the appeal

After the waterfall, you continue to Restaurante Paz del Campo, a mountain restaurant and tilapia farm. This is one of the strongest parts of the day because it gives you a proper meal in a rural setting instead of a rushed snack between activities.

You can try fishing from the pond or simply sit back while lunch is prepared. The meal is described as delicious and authentic, and the food has earned some of the warmest praise connected with the tour. For many people, this will be more memorable than an ordinary restaurant stop because the setting is part of the experience.

Clear days bring views toward the Pacific Ocean and the Nicoya Peninsula across the bay. Weather controls how much you see, but the ride back toward sea level includes rural views even when haze hides the coast.

The lunch stop also helps break up the physical demands of the day. Four hours on an ATV can be tiring, and the meal gives your hands, shoulders, and legs a chance to recover before the final return.

What the guides add to the day

A combo this busy depends heavily on staff. You are changing settings, equipment, and activities, so clear instructions matter.

The ATV guides are described as attentive during stops, willing to take family photos, and good at adjusting the pace. Emmanuel is praised for explaining the route and helping riders feel at ease. Marco is noted for being attentive during the ATV portion, while Diego is described as polite and careful with the group.

The zip line staff also receive strong praise for humor, reassurance, and safety. That is particularly useful if you are nervous about your first canopy ride. You are clipped in and guided through each stage, rather than being expected to figure it out alone.

The operation can involve different guide teams and a larger group for the canopy section. One outing had a private ATV and waterfall portion before joining a bigger zip line group. The maximum group size is 15 people, though the size of your particular group can vary.

The service is bilingual in English and Spanish. Confirmations are sent at booking, and the tour runs in all weather unless conditions make the experience unsafe or impossible.

The $1,000 ATV hold needs serious attention

The biggest practical issue is the security requirement. Every ATV or Rhino tour requires a Visa or Mastercard voucher to remain on file until the vehicle is returned in the same condition.

For one to four vehicles, the company requires one card with a $1,000 hold. Larger groups may need two or three cards, each with a $1,000 hold. The voucher is returned or destroyed after the vehicle is checked, depending on your preference.

This is not the same as a final charge, but it can reduce your available credit during the outing. One person arrived without expecting the requirement and could not drive an ATV, so a staff member drove instead. Treat this as a booking detail, not a minor footnote.

Bring the required card with you on the day of the tour. If you are traveling with a family or group, decide in advance who has the cards and how many vehicles you plan to use.

Who will enjoy this combo most

I would choose this outing if you want a busy day with several kinds of activity and do not want to arrange separate bookings. It suits couples, families with older children, and friend groups that enjoy a bit of mud, water, and speed.

It is also a good choice if you want scenery along with action. The mountain views, waterfall, tilapia farm, rural roads, and Pacific outlook keep the day from feeling like a string of machines and cables.

I would hesitate if you have limited stamina, dislike getting dirty, or want a quiet nature day. The ATV ride alone is long enough to tire you, and adding zip lines makes this a demanding schedule. One day of both activities is best for people with moderate physical fitness.

Children under four cannot ride. Anyone under 16 must be a passenger, and ATV drivers need a valid driver’s license. Service animals are allowed, and the site is near public transportation, but the main starting point remains the Jaco office.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack closed-toe shoes, a swimsuit, sunscreen, a camera, and clothes that can handle dirt. Add a small towel if you have room, since the waterfall stop comes before lunch and the return ride.

Keep valuables to a minimum. The information provided does not specify storage arrangements, so ask the office where personal items should go before leaving for the trails.

Do not wear sandals or flip-flops. Bring the correct credit card for the ATV hold, and make sure every person who plans to drive meets the age and license requirements.

The cancellation policy is generous if you act early. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may result in a new date or full refund.

Should you book the Jaco ATV and zip line combo?

Book it if you want maximum variety in one day. The long zip line, substantial ATV route, waterfall swim, mountain lunch, and Pacific views give you much more than a single adventure activity. The guides are a major strength, especially for first-time riders and families who want steady support.

Before paying, make sure your group understands the $1,000 ATV card hold, the license rules, and the physical demands. If those fit your plans, this is a strong-value day near Jaco, with enough local scenery and downtime to keep the action from becoming a blur.

FAQ

How long does the ATV and zip line combo take?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. The canopy section takes about two hours, the ATV and waterfall portion is listed at three hours in the stop schedule, and the return and related activity time adds about one hour. The ATV portion is also described as a four-hour tour, so allow a full half-day rather than planning a tight schedule afterward.

What is included in the $179 price?

The price includes the zip line canopy tour, ATV tour, bilingual guides, tropical fruit, bottled water, lunch, waterfall entrance, and requested pick-up in the Jaco area.

Can children ride the ATVs?

Children under four cannot ride. Participants under 16 must ride as passengers, while ATV drivers must be at least 16 and have a valid driver’s license. The number of passengers cannot exceed the number of ATV drivers.

What footwear is required?

You must wear closed-toe shoes, such as tennis shoes. Flip-flops, sandals, and other open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is an ATV security deposit required?

Yes. A Visa or Mastercard voucher is required and held until the vehicle is returned in the same condition. For one to four vehicles, one card with a $1,000 hold is required. The voucher is then returned or destroyed according to your preference.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

The activity operates in all weather when conditions allow. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Cancellation by you is free when made at least 24 hours before the start time.