ATV + Zipline + Waterfall + Rainforest Lunch COMBO

Catch three Costa Rican thrills in one day. This Jaco combo pairs 10 zip lines, a long 2,400-foot cable, a four-hour ATV outing, a waterfall swim, and lunch in the mountains. I like the mix of speed and scenery, and I especially like that the meal is part of the day rather than an afterthought. The main concern is the required $1,000 credit card hold for the ATV rental, which should be clear before you arrive.

You will move between several locations, so this is not a slow, quiet rainforest walk. It is an active six-hour outing with mud, heat, water, engines, and plenty of time on your feet. Guides such as Marcos, Emmanuel, Diego, Alonzo, Justin, and Marco have earned praise for being attentive and fun, while the zipline crew has helped nervous first-timers feel secure. Still, you should have moderate fitness and be ready for a tiring day.

Five things to know before you book

• The longest zip line reaches 2,400 feet: You will spend almost half a mile in the air on one of the final cables.
• The ATV portion is the physical heart of the day: Expect roughly four hours across forest tracks, rural roads, muddy areas, and mountain viewpoints.
• The waterfall is more than a photo stop: You can cool off in the basin, and the route may allow jumping or swimming when conditions permit.
• Lunch comes with mountain scenery: Restaurante Paz del Campo includes a tilapia farm, a fishing pond, and views toward the Pacific on clear days.
• A $1,000 card hold is required: Visa or Mastercard details are kept on file until the ATV is returned safely.
• The package suits active groups best: Drivers must be at least 16 and hold a valid license, while children and unlicensed participants ride as passengers.

What the $179 price buys you in Jaco

At $179 per person, this is not a cheap single-activity outing. It is a full package that combines a canopy course, ATV rental, guides, transportation between activity sites, waterfall entry, fruit, bottled water, and lunch. If you paid separately for ziplining, an ATV trip, a waterfall visit, and a substantial meal, the bundled price begins to make sense.

The value comes from the variety. You are not spending six hours on one repetitive trail or sitting in a vehicle all day. The morning or early part of the outing brings the zipline; the ATV ride then adds a much longer stretch of active exploration, followed by a meal and return through the hills.

The price also covers bilingual guides, which matters when you are learning ATV controls or being clipped into a zipline system. Several guides receive praise for keeping groups comfortable and safe, including Jordan and Justin on the canopy course and Alonzo and Justin during one ATV outing.

There is one financial detail you should treat seriously. Every ATV or Rhino rental requires a Visa or Mastercard voucher on file. For a group using one to four vehicles, the company requires one card with a $1,000 hold. Larger groups need more cards, with one $1,000 hold for each group of four vehicles, up to the stated limits.

That is a hold, not a listed tour fee, but it can affect your available credit. Bring the required card with you. If the vehicle returns in the same condition, the voucher is returned or destroyed at your request.

Flying through the Los Suenos canopy course

The zipline portion begins at the Los Suenos Canopy Tour. The course is described as 12 cables with 10 platforms, while the route description highlights 10 zip lines. Either way, you should expect a substantial canopy circuit, not a single short glide.

The second-to-last cable is the star. At 2,400 feet, it carries you almost half a mile and gives this course its big-ticket moment. That length can feel exciting for experienced zipliners and intimidating for a first-timer. The staff has helped nervous participants get comfortable, so do not feel embarrassed if you need clear instructions before leaving the platform.

The canopy portion lasts about two hours, including the safety briefing, platform changes, and time moving through the course. Guides handle the equipment and direct you at each station. You should still listen closely, follow body-position instructions, and wear clothing that lets you move freely.

The course also has a useful little finish. Afterward, you can enjoy pineapple and watermelon and buy a photo disc of the experience. The fruit is a small touch, but it helps after a warm, active session. It also gives you a chance to cool down before returning to the main office for the ATV portion.

One appealing detail is the chance to see wildlife from above. A group reported seeing monkeys while ziplining. That is never guaranteed, but the elevated route gives you a different angle on the forest than the ATV trail does.

Four hours on an ATV through the hills

Back at the main office in Jaco, you put on a helmet and learn the basics of operating your ATV. The package includes a four-hour ATV tour, although the listed stop times are approximate and include transfers and the waterfall visit.

This is the most demanding part of the day. You may ride through secondary rainforest, rural areas, flatter stretches, and muddy sections. The route can change with trail conditions and rider ability, so you should not expect every described feature on every departure.

That flexibility is useful. A guide can adjust the pace and route for the group, but it also means your exact ride may not match another group’s outing. Recent routes have included mountain viewpoints, a waterfall stop, and open areas with broad views. On a clear day, the return toward sea level may reveal the Pacific Ocean and the Nicoya Peninsula across the bay.

The guides make a real difference here. Marcos is praised for taking time with the group and showing several types of terrain. Emmanuel received praise for explaining the route and helping riders feel at ease. Diego is noted for waiting at the lunch stop and checking on the group. Alonzo and Justin are described as attentive and friendly during the ride.

You may drive your own ATV if you are at least 16 and have a valid driver’s license. Children under 16 and unlicensed participants must ride as passengers. The number of passengers cannot exceed the number of drivers, so a group with several non-drivers may need to use the available Mules, Rhinos, or tandem ATV arrangements.

Those alternatives are useful if you are not confident on a motorcycle-style vehicle. They also make the trip possible for some families, but do not assume every participant can operate a separate ATV. Confirm your group’s seating plan before arrival.

Cooling off at Catarata Bijagual

The waterfall stop breaks up the engine time. After reaching Catarata Bijagual, you can rinse off and cool down in the water. Several outings included swimming, photos, and time near the basin, and one guide encouraged natural-spring swimming and rock jumping.

Conditions matter here. Water levels, weather, trail conditions, and safety decisions can change what is available. Jumping should only happen if your guide specifically says it is suitable that day. You should also bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes, since the water stop can leave you wet well before lunch.

The waterfall is valuable because it gives the ATV ride a clear purpose. You are not simply driving in circles for four hours. You are using the rough mountain route to reach a natural stop where you can cool off, take pictures, and catch your breath.

Do not count on a long, private swim. The stop is one part of a packed day, and the amount of time in the water depends on the group and the conditions. Still, it is one of the strongest parts of the package for anyone who wants more than motorized sightseeing.

Lunch at Restaurante Paz del Campo

After the waterfall, the route continues to Restaurante Paz del Campo, a mountain restaurant connected to a tilapia farm. You can try fishing from the pond or sit back while lunch is prepared.

The meal receives some of the strongest praise in the feedback. It is described as delicious, authentic, and one of the best local meals included in an activity. The setting adds much of the appeal: you are surrounded by mountain scenery rather than eating at the beach or in a roadside stop.

You should allow yourself to enjoy this pause. The ATV portion can be tiring, and lunch is the day’s main chance to sit down properly. A family outing also praised the view from the restaurant, while another group enjoyed the relaxed setting enough to mention a friendly local cat.

The fishing pond gives you something to do if your meal is not ready, though fishing is an option rather than a required part of the program. The description does not promise a particular fish catch or menu, so do not book this expecting a formal fishing excursion.

Returning through rural Costa Rica

After lunch, you return toward sea level through rural Costa Rican scenery. The road back is part of the experience, not just a transfer. Clear weather may open views of the Pacific Ocean and the Nicoya Peninsula across the bay.

Clouds can block those views, and the tour operates in all weather conditions. That is worth remembering when you see dramatic photos used to describe the route. The scenery is a possibility, not a guarantee.

You finish back at the Adventure Tours Costa Rica meeting point in Jaco. Pickup in the Jaco area is available upon request, but the stated meeting point is the company office on Calle Samudio in Barrio Copey. The full activity takes about six hours, and the listed maximum is 15 people.

Because the zipline and ATV sections may involve different groups, the day can feel less private than the ATV portion. One group had a private ATV and waterfall experience before joining a larger zipline group. If you want a small group throughout, ask before booking.

Fitness, clothing, and practical preparation

You do not need extreme athletic ability, but you do need moderate fitness. Four hours of ATV riding can be tiring, especially when combined with the canopy course, heat, wet clothing, and time climbing on and off equipment.

Wear closed-toed shoes. Tennis shoes are suitable; flip-flops, sandals, and other open-toed footwear are not allowed. Choose clothes that can get dirty, such as shorts and a T-shirt, and bring a swimsuit.

Pack sunscreen, a camera, and a towel or dry change of clothes if you have room. Bug spray is suggested, though it is not considered necessary. Bottled water and tropical fruit are included.

The tour runs in all weather, so dress for changing conditions. Poor weather can lead to cancellation, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you need to do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation. The experience is operated in English and Spanish. Children under four cannot ride, and the minimum drinking age in Costa Rica is 18, though drinking is not central to this outing.

The safety and comfort picture

The safety record described in the feedback is reassuring. Guides are praised for explaining the ATV controls, checking on riders, waiting at stops, and helping first-time zipliners feel calm. The canopy staff also receives credit for keeping the mood light without ignoring safety.

You should still take the physical demands seriously. ATVs require attention, balance, and comfort with changing terrain. If you are unsure about driving, choose a passenger position in a Rhino, Mule, or tandem arrangement rather than forcing yourself onto a vehicle.

Route details can change each day. Rain, trail conditions, and rider ability may alter the route or remove particular features. Ask your guide for the expected route at the start, especially if the waterfall, a specific viewpoint, or a jumping area matters to you.

Lightning can affect the water portion. One group had its cooling stop rescheduled because of lightning and was able to arrange another time. That example shows why flexibility matters on an outdoor day.

Who should book this Jaco combo?

I would recommend this package to active couples, families with older children, and friends who want several classic Costa Rican activities in one booking. It is especially useful if you have only one free day near Jaco and want a mix of forest, speed, water, food, and views.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet nature outing, dislike mud, have limited mobility, or tire quickly on active excursions. The combination is the appeal, but it is also the burden. One family specifically noted that four hours of ATV riding can be tiring even when the activity is enjoyable.

You should also think about the credit card hold before paying. If your available credit is tight, or if you did not bring a Visa or Mastercard, the ATV part could become a problem at check-in. This detail should not be a surprise.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a full, active day and value variety more than relaxation. The long zipline, waterfall swim, mountain lunch, and ATV route create a strong all-around package, and the guides receive unusually consistent praise for warmth, humor, and care.

Skip it if you want to avoid physical exertion, cannot meet the ATV license rules, or do not want a $1,000 card hold. For everyone else, $179 is a fair price for the amount included, especially when you count the lunch, transportation between stops, waterfall entry, equipment, guides, and two major activities.

FAQ

How long does the ATV, zipline, waterfall, and lunch tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. The schedule includes the canopy course, ATV ride, waterfall stop, lunch, and travel between locations.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $179 per person.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Adventure Tours Costa Rica in Barrio Copey, Jaco. Pickup in the Jaco area is available upon request.

How many zip lines are included?

The package describes a canopy course with 12 cables and 10 platforms. The route description highlights 10 zip lines, including a 2,400-foot cable.

How long is the longest zip line?

The longest highlighted cable is 2,400 feet, or almost half a mile.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Restaurante Paz del Campo is included, along with a tropical fruit snack and bottled water.

Can I swim at the waterfall?

The waterfall stop includes the chance to rinse off and cool down in the water. Swimming, jumping, and other water activities depend on conditions and the guide’s instructions.

Do I need a driver’s license?

ATV drivers must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Unlicensed participants and children under 16 must ride as passengers.

What should I wear?

Wear closed-toed shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a camera. Flip-flops, sandals, and other open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is a credit card hold required for the ATV?

Yes. A Visa or Mastercard voucher with a $1,000 hold is required for one to four vehicles. The voucher is returned or destroyed after the vehicle comes back in the same condition.