ATV Waterfall & Organic Coffee Farm with Lunch

The best part of this Nosara outing is the switch from ATV adventure to family farm visit. You ride dirt roads and jungle trails to a quiet waterfall, then climb higher into the hills for coffee, fruit trees, fresh juice, and lunch with a broad view toward the coast. I like the mix of active travel and local contact, especially the visit with Juan and his family. I also like that the waterfall is not rushed, so you can swim and explore at your own pace.

The main drawback is the walk to the falls. It follows a rocky riverbed and may be too hard for some people with mobility limits. You should also be comfortable on an ATV, though Junior and the other guides can help beginners. The tour requires at least four people to run.

Key points at a glance

• ATV ride through Nosara’s hills: Follow dirt roads and jungle trails with a local guide, passing rural homes, mountain views, and several scenic stops.
• A waterfall with time to swim: Walk along a rocky riverbed to a natural fall, then stay as long as you like within the tour schedule.
• Juan’s family coffee farm: Learn how coffee is grown, cared for, harvested, and prepared, alongside orange, dragonfruit, avocado, and lime trees.
• Lunch with a coastal view: Eat an included organic meal at the farm while looking across the hills toward Nosara’s coastline.
• Helpful guides for mixed skill levels: Junior has assisted new ATV riders, while guides such as Abraham bring detailed knowledge of the coffee and fruit grown in the area.
• Private and small-group format: Only your own group takes part, but at least four people are needed for the outing to operate.

Why this Nosara day works so well

Many Costa Rica excursions force you to choose between action and culture. This one gives you both. The ATV ride supplies the motion and a bit of rough-road fun, while the farm visit gives the day a human center.

I like the way the stops connect. You do not simply ride to a staged attraction, take a quick photo, and leave. You first see the hills from the ATV, then walk through a working family farm where coffee and fruit are part of daily life, and finally sit down for a meal made in that setting.

At $195 per person, this is not a cheap half-day ride. Still, the price covers about six hours, a private outing, the ATV portion, guide service, waterfall stop, coffee and juice tasting, and lunch. For you, the value depends on wanting variety. If you only want an ATV ride, you can likely find a simpler and less expensive option. If you want a full day with food, nature, and a personal farm visit, the cost makes more sense.

The outing runs from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the actual tour lasting about six hours. The meeting point is Tierra Costa NosaraCentro, and you return there at the end. Since it is private, your group does not share the day with strangers, which matters when you want more time at the waterfall or need extra help learning the ATV.

Setting out from Nosara on four wheels

The tour begins in Nosara, in Guanacaste and northwest Costa Rica. From the meeting point, you get onto an ATV and follow dirt roads and jungle trails toward the hills.

The route is part of the appeal. You are not sitting in a van watching the countryside through glass. You feel the road surface, see local life at closer range, and stop at viewpoints along the way. The ride toward the farm has been especially useful for showing how quickly the surroundings change as you gain height.

You should expect a real outdoor ride, not a smooth paved-road transfer. The word ATV suggests a little work: uneven ground, turns, dust or mud depending on conditions, and close attention to your guide. Beginners are not left to figure it out alone. Junior has been singled out for helping new riders feel at ease, while more experienced riders can still find the route pleasantly adventurous.

The guides also adjust when a group needs it. One family was given a larger ATV to help accommodate a son with walking challenges. That does not remove every physical hurdle, especially at the waterfall, but it shows a useful level of flexibility.

The rocky walk to the waterfall

At some point, you leave the ATV and make your way toward a natural waterfall. The approach follows a rocky riverbed, so sturdy footwear matters.

Water sandals with a good grip can work, but I would not choose flimsy flip-flops. Shoes that can handle wet rock and uneven ground will make the walk safer and more comfortable. You should also expect some effort rather than a paved path or simple roadside lookout.

The reward is a quieter swimming stop. You get plenty of time to swim, explore, or sit near the water instead of being hurried through a five-minute photo stop. The waterfall has been described as a peaceful place where you could happily stay much longer, which says a lot about the pace of this part of the day.

This is also the point where you need to judge your own mobility. The rocky riverbed can be difficult for anyone who has trouble walking. The guide team may offer help, but the terrain itself remains uneven. If the waterfall is the main reason you are booking, consider this limitation carefully.

For families, the stop can be a highlight because it gives children a break from the ATV and a chance to move around. One outing included a mother and her ten-year-old twin boys, and the coffee portion held the children’s attention as well. Still, every child and adult should be comfortable with the walk and the outdoor conditions.

Climbing higher to Juan’s organic farm

After the waterfall, you return to the ATV and continue up the mountain to Juan’s farm. This is where the tour shifts from recreation to a closer look at food production.

Juan runs the family farm and has spent more than 30 years using regenerative farming practices and sustainable principles. The visit is not limited to a coffee tasting at a table. You walk among fruit trees and see how several crops fit into the farm, including oranges, dragonfruit, avocados, limes, and coffee.

I value this part because it gives context to what ends up in your cup. Juan explains how coffee plants are cared for, cultivated, and harvested through the full process. You get to connect the plant, the farm work, and the finished drink rather than treating coffee as an anonymous product.

The family setting also gives the stop a personal feel. Juan and his family host the meal and farm visit, so the outing offers a look at a way of life that differs from the beach hotels and restaurant areas around Nosara.

Abraham has also guided this tour and is especially strong on the fruit and coffee grown in the region. Junior may lead the ATV portion, while Juan handles the farm explanation, though guide assignments can vary. If having a particular guide matters to you, ask when booking rather than assuming who will lead your date.

Fresh coffee, juice, and a lunch with a view

The farm visit includes samples of fresh juices and coffee. That tasting adds a practical reward to the lesson. You can see the crops, hear about their care, and then taste some of the results.

The included organic lunch is served at the farm, with a view over the hills and Nosara’s coastline. This is one of the strongest reasons the $195 price can work for the right person. You are not simply paying for transportation between attractions. The meal is part of the setting and gives the day time to slow down.

The food has received especially warm praise, and the setting matters as much as the plate. Lunch in Juan’s home, looking out across the hills, feels more connected to the place than a standard meal at a roadside restaurant.

If you enjoy coffee, bring some cash. Juan sells his coffee, and buying a bag gives you a way to take a small part of the farm home. Cash is not listed as an official requirement, so think of it as a useful extra rather than a condition of joining.

What the private format changes

This is a private activity, meaning only your own group participates. That gives you more control than a large shared excursion. A beginner can receive extra instruction without holding up a busload of people, and a family can keep its own pace at the farm and waterfall.

The private format also explains part of the price. At $195 per person, you are paying for a more personal day rather than the lowest-cost ATV transfer available. The tour still requires a minimum of four people, so a couple or solo visitor should contact Tierra Costa before booking to discuss other options.

The activity is offered Monday through Sunday, subject to availability. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, also subject to availability. Since the tour depends on good weather, poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. That rule is worth noting because weather and outdoor conditions matter to this outing.

Who should book this six-hour outing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want more than a motorized thrill. It suits people who enjoy mixing an active ride with swimming, food, farming, and conversation.

It is a good choice for:

• Families who want an outing with several different activities
• Couples or private groups who value a flexible pace
• New ATV riders who want guide support
• Coffee drinkers who want to understand how the crop is grown
• People staying in or near Nosara who want to see the hills and rural side of the area
• Strong walkers who are comfortable with a rocky approach to the waterfall

I would hesitate to recommend it if you want a polished resort-style excursion with little physical effort. The riverbed walk, ATV roads, and changing weather all make this an outdoor day. It may also be a poor fit if your group has fewer than four people and does not want to ask about alternate arrangements.

Practical packing advice for the ride

Wear sturdy shoes that can handle both the waterfall walk and the farm paths. Teva-style water sandals have worked for some participants, but closed shoes with good grip may feel more secure on wet or loose rock.

Bring swimwear if you want to enter the water. Pack whatever you need to stay comfortable outdoors, but keep the focus on useful items rather than a heavy day bag.

I would also bring cash for possible coffee purchases at the farm. The tour includes coffee to sample, but buying Juan’s coffee is separate from the included lunch and tasting.

Plan on giving the day its full six-hour shape. The waterfall, farm tour, tasting, lunch, and ATV return all take time. This is not a quick morning ride that ends before lunch.

My take on the $195 price

The price is easiest to judge by looking at what you would otherwise need to arrange separately. You get a guided ATV route, a waterfall visit, a farm lesson, fruit and coffee samples, lunch, and the return ride in one private outing.

I think the strongest value comes from the combination of Juan’s farm and the personal guiding. The farm is not just a backdrop for lunch. It explains how coffee and fruit are grown, and the meal lets you enjoy the setting without rushing away.

The weakest value appears if you have little interest in coffee or farming. In that case, a simpler ATV and waterfall trip may suit you better. The farm is a major part of the day, not a short extra stop.

The high rating of 4.9 from 36 ratings and a 100 percent recommendation mark suggest that the overall formula works very well. I would still pay attention to the practical limits: minimum group size, rocky access to the waterfall, and weather dependence.

Should you book the ATV, waterfall, and coffee farm tour?

Book it if you want a full, varied day in the Nosara hills and you like the idea of meeting a farming family rather than only visiting a packaged attraction. The strongest moments are likely to be the quiet waterfall, Juan’s explanations, the organic lunch, and the views from the farm.

Think twice if walking over a rocky riverbed is difficult, if you dislike ATV travel, or if your group has fewer than four people and needs a guaranteed departure. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded way to connect Nosara’s roads, water, food, coffee, and countryside in one private outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Tierra Costa NosaraCentro in Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point where it began.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $195 per person.

How many people are required for the tour to operate?

A minimum of four people is required. If you are traveling with fewer than four, you can contact Tierra Costa to discuss other options.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An organic lunch at the family coffee farm is included.

Can I swim at the waterfall?

Yes. The waterfall stop includes time to swim and explore the surrounding area.

What should I wear for the waterfall walk?

Sturdy shoes are recommended because the walk follows a rocky riverbed. Water sandals with suitable grip may also work.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.