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Looking for a fantastic ATV tour in Tamarindo?
You’ve come to the right place! Tamarindo is one of our favorite places in Costa Rica and we come here all the time. And, as adventurous travelers, we can never say “no” to an ATV tour. So we’ve done a TON of them, and now we’ve narrowed down it to our three top picks for you.
So if you’re looking for a hair-raising adventure, a family-friendly tour, or a killer combo deal, we’ve got you covered with these fantastic ATV tours in Tamarindo. Quad biking around the area is our favorite way to explore and we’re sure it will be yours, too!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this private ATV tour! It gives you the freedom to move at your own pace, get off the beaten track, and doesn’t break the bank.
Check out the 500+ 5-star reviews and book your spot here, before dates sell out.
Tip: This is a popular tour, so reserve it early to guarantee your spot with free cancellation 24 hours before you depart.
1. Private ATV or Buggy Guided Tour from Tamarindo or Conchal
- Price: $80 – $165 USD
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 9 am, 12 pm, or 3 pm
- Highlights: hidden viewpoints, secret beaches, rainforest trails, wildlife, small group tour
- Inclusions: hotel pickup (if option selected), all equipment, safety briefing, guide, water, and snacks
- Pickup from: Tamarindo hotels, self-drive option available
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 500+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
This ATV tour is our top choice, and given the glowing reviews, it’s clear that we’re not the only ones who love it. It offers a private ATV tour for a really affordable price. In fact, in terms of value for money, it cannot be beaten, so don’t miss out!
We think that this tour is absolutely perfect for families and groups of friends looking to make some memories together. Exploring Tamarindo’s gorgeous hidden beaches and breathtaking viewpoints is always a wonderful experience, but when it’s just you and your group, it really is extra special.
Oh, and let’s not forget the unbeatable thrill of tearing around on an ATV. That part is pretty great, too! You’ve also got the choice to ride in a buggy if you prefer, for no extra cost. Best of all, your guide will tailor the route to your group’s interests and ability level – ah, the perks of a private tour!
This is also an amazing choice for families as kids as young as 4 are welcome to ride. Talk about fun for all the family! We also love that there’s the flexibility to choose between self-drive or pickup so that those who are already renting a car don’t end up paying twice for transport.
Given its stellar reputation (check out all 500+ glowing reviews here), this tour does book up ahead of time, especially during peak season. So we say take advantage of the free cancellation policy and secure your spot today because you won’t find a better ATV tour than this one!
Book our FAVORITE tour here and get free cancellation options!
Related Read: Another adventurous activity Tamarindo is known for is ziplining – check out our top zipline tours in Tamarindo here!
2. Small Group ATV Tour of Tamarindo’s Secret Beaches
- Price: $85 USD
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Time: 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, or 2 pm
- Highlights: secret beaches, spotting wildlife in the rainforest, driving through local villages
- Inclusions: local guide, all equipment, bottled water, hotel pickup and drop-off
- Pickup from: Tamarindo
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 85+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Tamarindo is known for its beautiful beaches, and this tour hits all of the quietest and most beautiful spots. After all, ATVs are fantastic for reaching remote areas that cars can’t reach!
We think that this 2.5-hour tour has an incredible itinerary. If you’re looking for a comprehensive overview of Tamarindo, don’t hesitate to book this one! Not only does it allow plenty of time to swim at not one but two gorgeous beaches, but you’ll also drive through local villages and spot monkeys, iguanas, and lots of tropical birds as you explore the rainforest.
Reynolds is an amazing guide who makes everyone feel welcome. He’ll also take some awesome photos for you, to remember your adventure and to show off to everyone back home, of course! It really doesn’t matter if it’s your first or your 50th time riding an ATV, this tour is a blast for everyone.
This tour is a must for solo travelers, as it’s the only ATV tour that you can book for one person. And I don’t know about you, but I think that joining an adventurous group tour sounds like a pretty great way to make new friends.
Since this tour is the only one that solo travelers can do by themselves in Tamarindo, be sure to book it before all of the spots fill up. Tearing around the area on an ATV is an absolute blast and an adventure that you really can’t miss, so don’t take any chances and grab your spot today!
Check out the dozens of 5-star reviews and secure your spot on this tour here.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. ATV or UTV Beach Tour from Tamarindo with Optional Extras
- Price: $67 – $95 USD
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: between 7:30 am – 3 pm
- Highlights: 2-3 beaches, mountain viewpoints, rivers, jungle scenery, wildlife, the option to upgrade to add a canopy tour, zipline, or snorkeling
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, local guide, all equipment, bottled water
- Pickup from: Tamarindo
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We had an incredible time on this ATV tour! We booked it because of its competitive price, but don’t worry, this tour does NOT skimp on the good stuff. I enjoyed every second and I especially love the fact that you have the option to add extra activities for a fun-filled combo tour.
Yup, as if tearing through the lush jungle and visiting untouched beaches wasn’t enough, you can also add extra activities to the ATV tour. So if you’re also thinking of going snorkeling or ziplining in Tamarindo, then this tour allows you to get a fantastic combo deal. This is a great way to save money, so don’t miss out!
Another thing that impressed us about this tour was how accommodating the guides were to first-timers. Although we’re old hats at ATV tours by this point, not everyone in our group had ridden before and the guides were so encouraging and offered fantastic instruction. By the end of the tour, it was hard to tell the beginners from the pros.
This tour is a great choice for groups and families too, because groups of 2-4 people can save money by sharing an ATV or buggy. It’s truly one of the most affordable ATV tours in Costa Rica, but for that reason, it does sell out, even in the off-season. So if you like the sound of this tour, make sure to grab your spot ASAP. You can even reserve now and pay later!
Book this tour with over 400 glowing reviews here, before spots fill up.
Other Must-do Activities While You’re in Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a town filled with tons of things to do and see. So while you’re planning your trip here, make sure to check out a few more of our other favorite activities:
- Visit Rio Celeste – One of the most beautiful rivers and waterfalls in Costa Rica is within reach of Tamarindo. Rio Celeste Waterfall is a natural phenomenon where two rivers meet and cause the water to literally turn blue. Since it’s 2.5 hours away, unless you have your own vehicle, you’re going to need to join a tour. This specific tour leaves Tamarindo at 6:30 am and includes everything from hiking to a swim in the turquoise waters and even a visit to a wildlife sanctuary to see sloths!
- Sunset cruise – One of the best relaxing activities you can do in Tamarindo is a cruise through Tamarindo Bay. Aboard this Sunset Catamaran Cruise, you’ll sail out into the ocean in search of magnificent views, wildlife, and of course, an epic sunset. You can choose to do the tour in the morning or afternoon (the afternoon is better), and it includes an open bar, water activities, and a meal for only $85 USD!
- Learn to surf – Although you won’t find Tamarindo on any list of the top places to surf in Costa Rica, it’s arguably the best place for beginners. You can do surf lessons any day of the week, and there are tons of surf schools in town. This two-hour surf lesson is top-rated and has over 2,000 five-star reviews.
- See turtles – Getting a chance to see turtles in Costa Rica is pretty amazing. Luckily there are some secluded beaches around Tamarindo where turtles come to lay eggs on the beach from November to April. This turtle nesting tour is an evening experience (that’s when turtles come ashore) and if you’re really lucky you’ll even see baby turtles hatching and making their way to the ocean.
- Check out a local market – On Saturdays, the Tama Market is the place to be in Tamarindo! From 8 am to 2 pm, the market is bustling with stalls where you can do some shopping, pick up fresh fruit or veggies, or even grab lunch. We tried some excellent cold brew coffee here and I found a sunscreen I love made with natural products!
Where to Stay in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
You have so many choices when it comes to places to stay in Tamarindo. There are over 100 hotels and hostels in the downtown area catering to all needs and wants. To help you narrow it down, these are our favorites:
Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort – $$$
Those with a luxury budget should check out Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort. This is one of the most beautiful hotels in Tamarindo, and it’s not only located on the beach, but they also have a pool with ocean views.
All of the rooms have a seating area and a mini-bar. Prices for a room start at $224 USD per night. You can book Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort here on Booking.com.
Tamarindo Bay Apartments – $$
The Tamarindo Bay Apartments come with gorgeous rooms, a large pool, and a very modern and sleek design. However, the location is slightly back from the beach, and it’s not for families.
The hotel’s terrace overlooks the property’s tropical gardens, and breakfast is served outside here from November 1 to April 30. Rates for a one-night stay begin at $160 USD. Reserve a room on Booking.com.
Selina Tamarindo – $
The Selina is a good option for budget travelers, and I have personally stayed here. It’s an upper-market hostel with a great atmosphere and pool. The location is also right near the beach, and the dorm rooms and privates all have AC.
Rates for a private room start at $139 USD per night, and a bed in the dorm room starts at $71 USD per night. You can book Selina Tamarindo on Hostelworld or Booking.com.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
Tamarindo is full of thrilling activities, but we think ATVing is one of the best! These three tours are all a bit different, but all fun in their own way. We love the variety and know you’ll have a good time no matter which one you choose.
If you found this post helpful, check out our other Costa Rica blogs. After living in this beautiful country and traveling all around, we have gathered tons of resources to help you plan your travels. Here are a few related posts to continue your research!
10 Best Tamarindo Tours and Excursions You NEED to Check Out!