ATV + Zipline + Waterfall + Rainforest Lunch COMBO

The biggest draw here is the variety packed into one day. You can zip almost half a mile on a 2,400-foot cable, then trade your harness for an ATV and ride through rainforest trails to Catarata Bijagual before lunch high in the mountains.

I like the refreshing waterfall stop and the excellent mountain meal at Restaurante Paz del Campo. I also like the way guides such as Marcos, Diego, Emmanuel, and Alex keep the ATV portion personal, stopping for photos and checking that everyone is comfortable.

The main caution is stamina. Four hours on an ATV is tiring, especially after ziplining, and the required $1,000 credit card hold can catch you off guard if you do not plan for it.

The best parts of this Jaco adventure

• A 2,400-foot zip line: The second-to-last cable covers nearly half a mile and gives you a long, open run through the forest.
• A real waterfall stop: You can cool off at Catarata Bijagual, take photos, and, when conditions allow, ask about jumping into the pool.
• A four-hour ATV route: Expect forest, rural roads, muddy sections, mountain views, and several scenic stops.
• Lunch at a tilapia farm: Restaurante Paz del Campo offers a peaceful mountain setting, local food, and the option to fish while lunch is prepared.
• Bilingual, attentive guides: Guides including Marcos, Diego, Emmanuel, Alex, Alonzo, and Justin have been praised for safety, patience, and good local explanations.
• A full-day value at $179: The price covers ziplining, the ATV tour, lunch, fruit, bottled water, waterfall admission, and pickup in the Jaco area when requested.

Why this combo works so well from Jaco

Jaco is a practical base for an active day because you are close to both the coast and the forested hills. This package makes good use of that setting. In one outing, you move from a canopy course to muddy mountain trails, then finish with food and Pacific views.

At $179 per person, this is not a cheap quick activity. It is a full package with several separate costs built in: a canopy tour, a four-hour ATV outing, a waterfall entrance fee, transportation between locations, fruit, water, and lunch. If you planned these activities separately, you would also lose time arranging transfers.

The value is strongest if you want a busy day and would otherwise book both ziplining and an ATV ride. If you only want a relaxed waterfall visit or a short ride, this is more activity than you need.

The outing lasts about six hours, but the day has several moving parts. You start at the Adventure Tours Costa Rica office in the Jaco area, transfer to the canopy site, return for the ATV briefing, ride into the hills, stop for the waterfall and lunch, then come back to the office. Pickup from Jaco-area accommodations is available on request.

Starting with 10 zip lines above the forest

The first major activity is the Los Suenos Canopy Tour. The package describes 10 zip lines and 10 platforms, while the included features list 12 cables and 10 platforms. The important point for you is that this is a substantial canopy course, not a single short glide.

The long cable is the highlight. At about 2,400 feet, it runs close to half a mile and gives you more time in the air than the shorter lines. That length also makes the course feel like a proper adventure rather than a warm-up ride.

The canopy crew handles the safety setup and gives instructions before you begin. Guides named Mary, Jordan, Justin, Danny, William, and Willforte have been praised for keeping nervous first-timers calm while still making the ride fun. If ziplining makes you uneasy, tell the staff early. The tone appears encouraging, and you will have several lines to build confidence before reaching the longest one.

Keep your expectations grounded. A canopy course is active and exposed, but it is not a wildlife safari. You might see monkeys, as some outings have, but animal sightings are not promised. The attraction is the movement through the forest and the broad views between platforms.

After the course, you get pineapple and watermelon. Bottled water is included too. A photo disk is available for purchase at the canopy office, so bring your own camera if you want personal pictures without buying the professional package.

Trading the harness for an ATV

After ziplining, you return to the Jaco office and prepare for the ATV section. Staff provide helmets and explain the controls, riding rules, and route. You can ride your own ATV if you are at least 16 and have a valid driver’s license.

You must wear closed-toe shoes. Tennis shoes are suitable, while flip-flops, sandals, and other open shoes are not allowed. Wear clothes that can get dirty, since the route may include muddy areas and wet sections.

The ride covers about four hours, which is a major part of the day rather than a brief add-on. You may pass through secondary rainforest, flatter rural areas, and rougher trail sections. Guides often stop at viewpoints, help with family photos, and check that everyone is managing the pace.

That personal attention is important. Marcos, Diego, Emmanuel, Alex, Alonzo, and Justin have been singled out for being patient, friendly, and careful. One guide may have only a small group, while another outing can include more riders. The maximum group size is 15 people.

You do not need to be an expert rider, but you do need a moderate level of fitness. An ATV is easy enough to understand, yet four hours of steering, gripping, bouncing, and balancing can wear you out. One sensible option for younger riders or anyone unsure of their strength is a tandem ATV, mule, or Rhino vehicle.

Children under four cannot ride. Anyone under 16 without a valid license must ride as a passenger. The group may not have more ATV passengers than drivers, so plan your party carefully if several children or non-drivers are joining.

Cooling off at Catarata Bijagual

The waterfall stop gives the ATV route a welcome change of pace. After riding through the forest, you can rinse off and cool down in the water at Catarata Bijagual. The stop is useful for more than pictures. It breaks up a long ride and lets you recover before lunch.

The water may feel especially good after a warm, muddy trail. Guides can help with family photos, and some outings include the option to jump into the waterfall pool when conditions allow. Ask your guide about the safest place and current water conditions rather than assuming every jump is available.

Trail conditions change from day to day. Rain can alter the route, and your guide may adjust or skip certain features for safety. The tour operates in all weather, but poor weather can also lead to a rescheduled activity or full refund. Lightning already caused one outing to move its cooling portion to another time, so flexibility is useful.

Bring a swimsuit under your riding clothes. You will also want a towel, though the supplied information does not confirm that towels are provided. A camera can be useful, but protect it from water and mud.

Lunch at a mountain tilapia farm

The meal at Restaurante Paz del Campo is one of the strongest parts of the day. The restaurant sits in the mountains beside a tilapia farm, with a quiet setting that feels far removed from Jaco’s beach strip.

You can try fishing from the pond while waiting for lunch, or simply sit back and enjoy the setting. The food is described as authentic and generous, and the meal has received especially strong praise. For an active tour, this is more satisfying than a hurried boxed lunch.

The restaurant also gives you time to slow down. After a four-hour ride, you may be ready for shade, a proper meal, and a chance to talk with your guide. Some outings have included striking views from the restaurant area, with the Pacific Ocean and Nicoya Peninsula visible across the bay on clear days.

The view depends on weather. Cloud, rain, or haze can block it, so do not book this package only for a guaranteed ocean panorama. The food and mountain setting remain worthwhile even when the distant view disappears.

The return route and the view across the bay

After lunch, you make your way back toward sea level. The return passes through rural Costa Rican scenery, with more chances to see how the hills around Jaco are used beyond the resort zone.

On a clear day, the Pacific and Nicoya Peninsula provide the most dramatic view of the return route. Guides may stop at good viewpoints, and this is a useful time for photos because you are no longer racing to reach the waterfall.

You finish back at the Adventure Tours Costa Rica meeting point. The listed address is Del Super Excelente, about 1.2 kilometers in the Barrio Copey area of Jaco, at the orange building on Calle Samudio. Pickup in the Jaco area is available when requested, but confirm it when booking rather than assuming it is automatic.

The $1,000 ATV hold matters

The most important practical detail is the security hold. Every ATV or Rhino rental requires a Visa or Mastercard voucher to be kept on file until the vehicle returns in the same condition.

For a group using one to four vehicles, one card with a $1,000 hold is required. Five to eight vehicles require two cards with a $1,000 hold on each, while nine to 12 vehicles require three cards with a $1,000 hold on each.

This is a hold, not the tour price, but it can affect your available credit. Bring the required card or cards with you. Once the vehicle is returned safely, the voucher can be returned or destroyed at your request.

This rule is easy to miss when planning a family budget. If you cannot provide the required card, staff may need to drive you or arrange a passenger position rather than letting you operate your own ATV. Confirm the process before departure if the hold could be a problem.

What to pack for six active hours

Pack for mud, water, heat, and a long day outside. Closed-toe shoes are required, and clothing should be comfortable enough for riding and suitable for getting dirty.

Bring:

• A swimsuit
• Sunscreen
• A camera
• Bottled water, although water is included
• Bug spray if you prefer extra protection
• Clothes that dry reasonably well
• A change of clothes for the ride back

No special technical gear is listed. The company provides helmets for the ATV portion and the canopy equipment for ziplining. The tour runs in all weather, so a rainy day may mean wet trails and changed routes rather than a normal dry ride.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. The tour is operated by multilingual guides in English and Spanish.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this package if you want to make one day count and enjoy several kinds of outdoor activity. It suits couples, families with older children, and friends who want more than a beach afternoon.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want both an ATV ride and ziplining
• You enjoy muddy trails and active sightseeing
• You want a waterfall swim without arranging a separate transfer
• You value a full meal over a basic snack
• You are comfortable spending most of the day outdoors
• You can handle the $1,000 card hold

I would hesitate if you dislike driving, tire quickly, or want a quiet nature outing. The ATV ride is long, and the zip line adds another active block before it. Families should also think about passenger arrangements, age limits, and the number of licensed drivers.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Marcos, Diego, Emmanuel, Alex, Alonzo, Justin, Mary, Jordan, Danny, William, and Willforte have all been praised for safety, warmth, and good timing. Guide quality can vary by departure, but the operation is clearly built around active instruction and group care.

Should you book the Jaco ATV and zipline combo?

Book it if you want a high-energy, good-value day that combines forest, waterfall, food, and long views. At $179, the package makes sense for anyone who would otherwise pay for separate ATV and zipline trips.

Think twice if you want only one main activity, cannot handle a four-hour ride, or do not have access to the required Visa or Mastercard hold. For most active visitors based in Jaco, this is a well-rounded choice, with the waterfall and mountain lunch providing the breaks needed between the faster sections.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts about six hours, including the canopy tour, ATV ride, waterfall stop, lunch, and transportation between locations.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $179 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

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 experience describes 10 zip lines and 10 platforms. The included features also list 12 cables, so confirm the exact cable count with the operator if that detail matters to you.

How long is the longest zip line?

The second-to-last cable is about 2,400 feet long, or nearly half a mile.

Can I drive my own ATV?

Yes, if you are at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Unlicensed participants and children under 16 must ride as passengers.

Is a credit card deposit required?

Yes. A Visa or Mastercard voucher must be kept on file. One card with a $1,000 hold is required for groups using one to four vehicles, with additional cards required for larger vehicle groups.

What should I wear?

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

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour operates in all weather, but routes can change with trail conditions. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.