Take a ride on the wild side - ATV tours in Costa Rica

[Shannon Farley]

Costa Rica's greatly varied terrain, from beaches to jungle to rugged mountains, makes for a fun playground for ATV tours.

Officially known as All-Terrain Vehicles, or “Quads” in North America and “Quad Bikes” in England and Australia, ATVs can be an exciting way to access Costa Rica’s beautiful landscapes where other vehicles can’t travel. You also can cover more ground and see more than hiking. Some of Costa Rica’s best places for ATV riding include the Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, Jacó, and Tamarindo on the Guanacaste coast.

Costa Rica travel agency Team CRT offers an ATV tour on the Arenal Volcano portion of their fun 13-day and 12-night Family Educational Tour. While in Arenal, travelers stay at the Las Cataratas Eco Lodge.

The Quads Adventure ATV tour in Arenal is a great combination of adventure and fun. Off-road trails take you through pastureland at the base of the Arenal Volcano, giving you fantastic views. You’ll ride to the picturesque Lago de los Lirios (Lily Lake), and then continue on through the rainforest to a beautiful lookout point with one of the best views of the volcano. A naturalist guide will tell you about the volcano’s history and characteristics.

When choosing any ATV tour, be sure the company is reputable and has a clean safety record. Guides should be trained and professional, and should give all riders a complete safety instruction before beginning the tour. All riders should wear helmets, be aware of your surroundings at all times, and follow all safety precautions.

Travel safely and securely in Costa Rica with Team CRT, Costa Rica’s vacation experts. Team CRT knows the best of the country, what to do and see, and they personalize it for you. You will get expert guidance and personalized service while their agents help craft your tailor-made Costa Rica vacation. Team CRT offers vacation packages, beach destinations, nature tours, adventure tours, relaxation vacations, family vacations, honeymoons, Fly & Drive packages, sport fishing trips, golf vacations, and holiday packages to neighboring Panama and Nicaragua.

By Shannon Farley