ATV + Zipline + Waterfall + Rainforest Lunch COMBO

The best part of this Jaco combo is the variety. In one long day, you get a half-mile zipline, a muddy ATV ride through the rainforest, a waterfall swim, and lunch at a mountain fish farm. It packs Costa Rica’s active side into a single outing without making you arrange four separate bookings.

I like two things in particular: the guides make frequent stops for photos and safety checks, and the lunch setting at Restaurante Paz del Campo is more than a quick tourist meal. You can fish in the tilapia pond, enjoy the mountain air, and look toward the Pacific on a clear day. The main drawback is the pace. Four hours on an ATV plus ziplining is tiring, and the $1,000 credit-card hold can surprise you if you do not read the rental terms carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• The zipline includes 10 cables and 10 platforms, with a final long run of about 2,400 feet.
• The ATV portion lasts about four hours, with rainforest trails, muddy sections, viewpoints, and a waterfall stop.
• Lunch is served at a mountain tilapia farm, with fishing available while your meal is prepared.
• A Visa or Mastercard credit card hold is required for ATV rentals, usually $1,000 for one to four vehicles.
• Guides are praised for safety and personal attention, including Marco, Emmanuel, Diego, Alonzo, and other bilingual staff.
• This is a full physical day, not a gentle sightseeing tour. Closed-toed shoes, swimwear, and clothes you can get dirty are essential.

A full Costa Rican adventure packed into six hours

At $179 per person, this experience is aimed at people who want action, scenery, and lunch in one neatly organized day. You begin near Jaco, transfer between the canopy and ATV operations, and finish back at the main meeting point.

I see the value in the combination. A separate zipline outing, ATV trip, waterfall visit, and lunch stop can take up much of your holiday planning. Here, the pieces fit together, with bilingual guides handling the transitions. You also get bottled water, tropical fruit, the waterfall entrance fee, and lunch included.

The tradeoff is that this is not a slow forest excursion. The ATV ride alone takes about four hours, and the zipline adds another active two hours. If you want a calm morning by the beach, choose a shorter activity. If you want a big adventure day, this package gives you plenty for the price.

Starting in Jaco at the canopy course

The day begins with pickup from the Jaco area if requested, or at Adventure Tours Costa Rica in Barrio Copey. From there, you head to the Los Suenos Canopy Tour for the zipline portion.

The course uses 10 platforms and 12 cables according to the included activity details, while the route description highlights 10 main zip lines. The important point for you is simple: this is a substantial canopy course, not a single short glide for first-timers.

The second-to-last cable is the star. At roughly 2,400 feet, it runs close to half a mile and gives you a long look across the forest. The zipline guides handle the gear, explain the process, and keep the group moving from platform to platform.

First-time zipliners should find the staff reassuring. Jordan, Justin, Mary, Willforte, Danny, William, and other canopy guides are singled out for being patient, cheerful, and careful with safety. That matters because the height and length of the lines can feel intimidating at first.

You might also spot wildlife. One outing included monkeys near the zipline course, though animal sightings are never promised. The forest setting is the real constant, with cables carrying you above the trees rather than along a ground-level path.

After the course, you stop for pineapple and watermelon. This is also the time to purchase a photo disc if you want official pictures of the activity. Bring your own camera if you prefer, but make sure it is secure and suitable for an active day.

Four hours on an ATV through the rainforest

After the canopy course, transportation returns you to the Jaco office. You receive a helmet, learn the controls, and go over the basics of operating your ATV before heading toward Catarata Bijagual.

The route moves through secondary rainforest and changing countryside. You may encounter flat stretches, muddy areas, mountain roads, and scenic overlooks. Guides stop along the way to check that everyone is comfortable and to point out views. The exact route depends on trail conditions and rider ability, so the outing may not include every feature described in advance.

That flexibility is useful in wet Costa Rica, where conditions can change from one day to the next. It also means you should not expect a fixed sightseeing route. Your guide decides what is safe and practical on the day.

Guides including Marco, Emmanuel, Diego, Alex, N, Alonzo, and Justin have received strong praise for their attention to the group. The useful detail here is not just friendliness. The guides are described as stopping for photos, checking on riders, explaining the surroundings, and adjusting the pace when needed.

You can choose a single ATV, a tandem ATV, or a Mule or Rhino vehicle. The larger vehicles suit people who do not want to operate an ATV themselves or who prefer a steadier ride. Unlicensed participants and children under 16 must ride as passengers, and the number of ATV passengers cannot exceed the number of drivers.

Drivers must be at least 16 and carry a valid driver’s license. Children under four cannot ride. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, so you should be comfortable sitting, steering, handling uneven routes, and staying active for several hours.

The credit-card hold deserves careful attention

The most important practical detail is the vehicle security requirement. Every ATV or Rhino rental requires a Visa or Mastercard voucher to remain on file until the vehicle is returned in the same condition.

For a group using one to four vehicles, the company requires one card with a $1,000 hold. 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 not a charge for the tour itself, but it can affect your available credit. Bring the required card or cards on the day of the ride. If the vehicle returns safely, the voucher is returned or destroyed, depending on your preference.

I would treat this as a booking requirement, not a minor footnote. One person arrived without having budgeted for the hold and could not drive an ATV, so an employee had to drive instead. The activity still went ahead, but the experience was different from what had been planned.

Catarata Bijagual adds a welcome cool-down

The waterfall stop is a major reason to choose the package rather than an ATV-only ride. After the dusty and sometimes muddy route, you can rinse off and swim in the cool water at Catarata Bijagual.

Some outings include the chance to jump or enter the waterfall basin, but you should ask your guide about the current conditions and what is safe. Water levels, rocks, weather, and trail conditions can change. Do not assume every group will have the same waterfall access.

The stop also breaks up the long ATV ride. You are not sitting on the vehicle for four straight hours with no pause. Guides have helped with family photos and given groups time to cool off before continuing.

The waterfall is not a polished pool attraction. Expect a natural setting and conditions that can be wet, uneven, and affected by weather. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring shoes that can handle mud and wet ground.

Lunch at Paz del Campo is part of the experience

After the waterfall, the ride continues to Restaurante Paz del Campo, a mountain restaurant and tilapia farm. This is one of the strongest features of the day because lunch becomes a scenic stop instead of a rushed refueling break.

You can relax near the pond, try fishing, or simply enjoy the quiet while your meal is prepared. The food is described as delicious and authentic, and several outings singled it out as one of the best parts of the day.

The restaurant’s setting also gives the schedule some breathing room. After the physical work of the ATV ride, you can sit down, eat, and take in the mountain surroundings. A local cat may even wander by, adding to the informal feel.

On clear days, the return route offers views toward the Pacific Ocean and the Nicoya Peninsula across the bay. Weather controls the view, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed panorama. Still, the combination of mountain roads, rural homes, forest, and coastal views gives the ride a strong sense of place.

What the day feels like from start to finish

The listed duration is about six hours, with roughly two hours for the canopy course, three hours assigned to the waterfall and lunch section, and another hour for the return and ATV operation. The descriptions also refer to a four-hour ATV tour, so you should expect a long active day rather than a tightly timed six-hour schedule with no variation.

The group size can reach 15 people. Your ATV group may be smaller, and some outings have had only one guest and one guide for the riding portion. The zipline course may combine your party with a larger group.

That difference matters. A small ATV group can feel more relaxed and makes it easier for the guide to stop for photos or adjust the pace. The canopy portion is more likely to run as a shared group experience.

Transportation between the Jaco office and the canopy location is included. Pickup in the Jaco area is available on request. The activity ends back at the original meeting point, so plan your return from there rather than from the restaurant or waterfall.

What to wear and bring

You should dress for mud, water, heat, and movement. The company recommends:

• Closed-toed shoes such as tennis shoes
• A swimsuit
• Shorts and a shirt you can get dirty
• Sunscreen
• A camera
• Bug spray, though it is not considered necessary
• A valid driver’s license if you plan to operate an ATV

No flip-flops, sandals, or open-toed shoes are allowed. This rule makes sense for both the ATV portion and the zipline platforms.

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately. Poor weather can affect the route, the waterfall, and the views. If conditions make the experience unsafe, it may be moved to another date or canceled with a full refund.

Safety, age limits, and physical demands

The staff places strong attention on safety during both activities. Zipline guides manage the equipment and help first-timers through the platforms, while ATV guides provide instruction before the ride and check on the group along the way.

Still, you need to take responsibility for your own comfort. This is not a passive sightseeing trip. You will handle an ATV, ride over changing surfaces, climb around at the waterfall, and spend time in active outdoor conditions.

The minimum age for driving is 16 with a valid license. Children under 16 ride as passengers, and children under four cannot ride at all. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation, though pickup service is limited to the Jaco area upon request.

The tour is conducted in Spanish and English. If you need a particular language or have concerns about riding ability, speak with the operator before the start of the activity.

Who should book this Jaco combo

I would choose this for an active family, a couple, or a group of friends that wants one full adventure day. It works especially well if you have limited time in Jaco and want more than a beach outing.

Families should consider the age rules and the stamina required. One family described four hours of riding plus ziplining as wonderful but tiring, with the warning that people in less-than-great shape may prefer one major activity per day.

It also suits first-time zipliners because the canopy staff offers close instruction and reassurance. The ATV section is more demanding, particularly if you are not used to rough trails or long periods of riding.

I would not choose it if you want a quiet nature walk, a guaranteed clear ocean view, or a flexible schedule. You are committing most of a day to an organized, active program.

Is the $179 price good value?

At $179, the package is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Jaco, but it covers several substantial elements: canopy ziplining, a four-hour ATV experience, a waterfall entrance, transportation between activity locations, tropical fruit, bottled water, and lunch.

The value improves if you planned to book both an ATV outing and a zipline separately. Lunch at the mountain restaurant and the waterfall stop give the day more than simple transportation between two paid activities.

The credit-card hold is separate from the tour price and deserves attention when you plan your budget. The hold does not replace the $179 payment, and you need the required Visa or Mastercard available on the day of the ride.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

My recommendation

I would book this tour if you want a high-energy day with several distinctly Costa Rican settings: forest canopy, muddy mountain trails, a natural waterfall, a tilapia farm, and Pacific views.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the unusually long zipline, the attentive ATV guides, the waterfall break, and the quality of the lunch stop. The reasons to pause are the physical workload, the possible group size, weather-dependent scenery, and the $1,000 card hold.

Bring proper shoes, a swimsuit, a driver’s license if needed, and enough available credit. If you do that and enjoy active outings, this is a well-rounded Jaco day that gives you plenty for the price.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts approximately six hours, though the exact timing can vary with trail conditions, weather, and the group.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Adventure Tours Costa Rica in Barrio Copey near Jaco. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available from my accommodation?

Pickup is available upon request in the Jaco area only.

How many zip lines are included?

The canopy course includes 12 cables and 10 platforms. The route description highlights 10 zip lines, including a cable of about 2,400 feet.

How long is the ATV portion?

The ATV tour is described as lasting about four hours.

Can I ride a tandem ATV or another vehicle?

Mules, Rhinos, and tandem ATVs are available. These options are suitable for passengers or people who do not want to operate a single ATV.

What age must I be to drive an 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.

Is a security deposit required for the ATV?

Yes. A Visa or Mastercard voucher must be kept on file. For one to four vehicles, the requirement is one card with a $1,000 hold.

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.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, but routes and features can change. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.