Puerto Vallarta: Jorullo Bridge ATV, Waterfall, Tequila Tour

The most memorable part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the ATV crossing of Jorullo Bridge, a 470-meter suspension bridge hanging 150 meters above the Cuale River. You also get a mountain ride, a waterfall stop, and tequila tasting in one compact day.

I like the mix of active riding and simple local pleasures. El Salto waterfall gives you time to cool off and take photos, while the tequila stop adds a taste of Jalisco beyond the beach resorts. The main caution is cost control: the $10 collision insurance charge per ATV is required and non-refundable, and water and upgrades may cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Ride through the Sierra Madre Occidental: The ATV route takes you away from the coast and into subtropical mountain country.
• Stop at El Salto waterfall: You can enjoy the clear water, take photos, and use the break to cool down.
• Cross Jorullo Bridge by ATV: The bridge stretches 470 meters and hangs 150 meters over the Cuale River.
• Choose a single or double ATV: Drivers must be at least 18, while an extra passenger can be 6 or older.
• Plan for extra costs: Collision insurance is $10 per ATV, and one recent booking experience reported that drinking water was sold separately.
• Allow five hours door to door: The ride itself lasts about two hours, with additional time for the shuttle and park stops.

From Puerto Vallarta to the Sierra Madre

This is a good choice when you want more than a beach day but do not want to spend a full day away from Puerto Vallarta. The total activity lasts five hours, including shuttle time and time inside the park. The actual ATV portion is about two hours.

Your outing begins with shuttle service from the assigned meeting point. Pay close attention to that location when booking, since it can change with the option you choose. One useful bit of planning comes from a past pickup mix-up: a group paid for a taxi to an early meeting point, then discovered the shuttle later stopped near their hotel. Confirming the pickup details can save both money and sleep.

The drive leads toward the Sierra Madre Occidental, where the setting changes quickly from city and coast to mountain roads and subtropical vegetation. You are not signing up for a quiet scenic drive. The point is to reach the ATV route and get moving, but the ride out helps explain why this tour feels different from a standard Puerto Vallarta excursion.

Bring your driver’s license. It is required to operate an ATV, and the minimum driving age is 18. You can choose an automatic or semiautomatic vehicle, so this works for people with different levels of riding experience, provided they meet the age and safety requirements.

Riding the ATVs for about two hours

The ATV ride is the heart of the experience. You will travel through the Sierra Madre on a route that combines mountain scenery with subtropical ecosystems. The appeal is not only speed. You get a look at the inland side of Jalisco, where the setting is rougher, greener, and more remote than the hotel zone.

The ATVs are described as being in solid working condition, which matters more here than fancy equipment. You want a machine that handles the route predictably and lets you focus on the road, the guide, and the scenery. The vehicles are available for one driver or two people sharing, subject to weight limits.

A single ATV has a maximum combined weight of 110 kilograms, or 242 pounds. A double ATV has a maximum combined weight of 220 kilograms, or 484 pounds. These limits are practical details, not fine print to ignore. They affect which vehicle you can use and may determine if two people can ride together.

The guides speak English and Spanish and provide safety equipment. You should still wear comfortable clothes and closed, comfortable shoes. Dust, water, and mountain conditions are easier to manage when you are dressed for movement rather than for the resort pool.

The riding can be genuinely exciting, but it is not completely risk-free. One group had a rider fall, and the crew responded with close attention and help. That is reassuring, but it also tells you to follow instructions and avoid treating the ATV like a go-kart. Stay alert, especially if the road is wet or uneven.

El Salto waterfall and the swimming break

The stop at El Salto gives the tour a welcome change of pace. After riding, you can pause beside the waterfall, enjoy its clear water, and take photographs. Bring swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes if you want to get in.

This is a useful stop for two reasons. First, it breaks up the motorized part of the day. Second, it lets you experience the mountain setting at a slower pace. You are not simply looking at the Sierra Madre from a vehicle. You have time to stop, cool down, and notice the sound and movement of the water.

Do not expect a snorkeling activity. Snorkel gear is not part of the experience, and the tour information does not promise snorkeling. Pack a swimsuit for the waterfall, not for an underwater excursion.

You should also carry water or cash to buy it. This is one of the clearest practical cautions. Drinking water was not included for one recent booking experience, and the need to pay for water was not made clear in advance. The included welcome drink is a small serving, described as juice in a shot glass, so it should not be treated as your hydration supply for a mountain ride.

Sunscreen and insect repellent are sensible additions. The tour takes place outdoors, and you will spend time around vegetation and water. Cash is also listed among the items to bring, useful for water, tips, or any optional upgrades offered during the day.

Crossing the 470-meter Jorullo Bridge

Jorullo Bridge is the tour’s signature moment. At 470 meters long and suspended 150 meters above the Cuale River, it gives you a strong dose of height and open air. The unusual part is that you cross it aboard your ATV, rather than simply walking across a pedestrian bridge.

That makes the crossing feel more connected to the rest of the excursion. You have already been riding through the mountains, so the bridge becomes part of the route instead of a separate photo stop. Expect striking views down toward the river and across the surrounding mountain country.

If heights bother you, consider this carefully before booking. The bridge is long, high, and exposed. The activity is best for someone who wants a little suspense along with the scenery. You do not need to be a serious off-road rider, but you should be comfortable operating or riding on an ATV in a high mountain setting.

The bridge is also the reason this tour may feel better suited to an active couple, a group of friends, or a family with older children than to someone seeking a relaxed sightseeing day. Extra passengers must be at least 6 years old, but young children may not enjoy the noise, motion, or height. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems.

Tequila tasting and the welcome drink

The tequila tasting adds a distinctly Jalisco touch. Puerto Vallarta is in the state of Jalisco, the home region most closely associated with tequila, so this part gives the outing a local connection rather than ending with the bridge and a ride back.

You also receive a traditional snack and a complimentary welcome drink. Keep your expectations modest. The welcome drink is a small portion, not a full beverage service, and the snack is a simple addition rather than a meal.

The tasting can be enjoyable if you see it as a short introduction to a regional product. It is not the main reason to book the tour. The mountains, waterfall, and bridge provide the real substance. If you do not drink alcohol, the ATV and waterfall portions still make up most of the experience, but the tequila stop will have less value for you.

One point to watch is the sales atmosphere. A recent experience included repeated offers for tips and paid upgrades. That does not cancel out the fun of the day, but you should decide in advance what you are willing to buy. Keeping some cash handy is useful, while keeping a firm budget can prevent the final bill from creeping upward.

Is $209 good value for one group?

The stated price is $209 per group up to one, so you should confirm exactly how the booking platform applies that wording before paying. The value depends heavily on how many people are riding and how the ATV arrangement is set up.

For that price, you receive shuttle service from the meeting point, an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, safety equipment, the ATV tour, the El Salto stop, the Jorullo Bridge crossing, a snack, a welcome drink, and tequila tasting. In practical terms, you are paying for several activities bundled into a five-hour outing rather than for a short ATV rental.

The additional $10 collision insurance charge per ATV is mandatory and non-refundable. Include it in your budget from the start. You may also need money for water, tips, or optional upgrades. The package is better value if you want all of those elements and would otherwise book separate transportation and activities.

It is less attractive if you only want a long ATV ride. About two hours of the five-hour schedule is riding, with the rest taken by shuttle time and stops. If the bridge and waterfall are the main reasons you are interested, the price makes more sense. If you want nonstop trail time, look carefully at the riding duration.

The booking terms provide free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful if your Puerto Vallarta plans are still changing, but check the exact meeting point and start time before you finalize your day.

What to pack and how to prepare

Use the supplied equipment, but bring the items that make the day more comfortable. Your packing list should include:

• Driver’s license
• Comfortable shoes
• Comfortable clothing
• Swimwear
• Towel
• A change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Cash
• Drinking water or money to purchase it

Wear clothes that can handle dust and splashes. A change of clothes is especially useful after the waterfall stop, even if you do not plan to swim. Comfortable footwear matters during the park stops and bridge crossing.

Eat something before departure if you tend to get hungry. The included snack is not a substitute for a full meal, and the ride takes you away from the easy food options of Puerto Vallarta’s hotel areas.

Give yourself extra time for the shuttle. The published duration is five hours, but the day includes transport, stops, and park time. Meeting points may vary, so confirm where you need to be rather than assuming the pickup will be at your hotel.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta ATV tour?

I would recommend this outing to active adults, couples, and groups who want mountain scenery, a waterfall, and a memorable bridge crossing in one half-day. It is also suitable for families with children old enough to ride safely as extra passengers, provided the vehicle weight limits work for your group.

It is a particularly good fit if you have already spent time on the beach and want to see a different side of Jalisco. You get a physical activity, a photo stop, and a local tequila element without committing to a full-day expedition.

I would be more cautious if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, dislike heights, or want a quiet nature visit. The ATV route is active, the bridge is high, and the day includes some sales pressure and extra costs.

The strongest parts are the mountain route, the waterfall break, and the ATV crossing of Jorullo Bridge. The main weaknesses are the unclear water arrangements, the required insurance charge, the possibility of paid upgrades, and the fact that the actual riding time is shorter than the full five-hour schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a compact adventure with several distinct stops and you like the idea of crossing a very long suspension bridge on an ATV. Bring water, confirm your meeting point, budget for the $10 insurance fee, and pack swimwear even if you are unsure about swimming.

Skip it if you want a calm sightseeing trip, dislike heights, or expect snorkeling and unlimited refreshments. For the right person, this is an energetic way to trade Puerto Vallarta’s shoreline for the Sierra Madre and return with a waterfall stop, tequila tasting, and a bridge story worth telling.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta ATV tour last?

The full activity lasts five hours. The ATV portion lasts about two hours, with the remaining time used for shuttle transport, the waterfall stop, the bridge experience, and time at the park.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes shuttle service from the meeting point, an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, safety equipment, a welcome drink, one snack, tequila tasting, the ATV ride, the El Salto waterfall visit, and the guided Jorullo Bridge crossing.

Is collision insurance included?

No. A non-refundable $10 collision insurance charge is made per ATV.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. You need a valid driver’s license to drive an ATV.

How old must I be to drive?

The minimum age to drive an ATV is 18.

Can a child ride as a passenger?

Yes. The minimum age for an extra passenger is 6 years old. The double ATV also has a maximum combined weight of 220 kilograms, or 484 pounds.

Can I swim at El Salto waterfall?

The tour includes time to enjoy the clear water at El Salto, and swimwear is listed among the recommended items. Bring a towel and a change of clothes if you plan to get in.

Is snorkeling included?

No. Snorkeling is not part of the stated activity. The water stop is at El Salto waterfall.

What languages do the guides speak?

The guides speak English and Spanish.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.