As beautiful as the beaches are in Playa del Carmen, there’s a whole Mayan jungle out there on the outskirts just waiting to be explored. Playa, as the locals call it, is a playground for outdoor adventurers, and riding ATVs in Playa del Carmen is one of the most fun ways to explore.

The best part is, you can couple your ATV ride with a cenote swim, Mayan ruins, and even boat tours with the whole of the Riviera Maya on your doorstep. Read on to find out all about which ATV tours in Playa del Carmen to choose, where to book to get the best experience, and answers to any of those burning questions you might have.

ATVs Playa del Carmen

Best ATV Tour in Playa del Carmen for: Culture Lovers

Couple your adrenaline-filled adventure with the chance to fully immerse yourself in the culture of the Riviera Maya.

On this ATV tour, you’ll get to visit a local Mayan village and meet some of the local people. With the help of your guide, you’ll learn more about their culture, history, and traditions and experience life outside of the bustling tourist areas.

A swim in a private cenote is also included where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of the dense Mayan jungle and cool off after your ride.

Best ATV Tour in Playa del Carmen for: Cave Exploration

Drive a shared ATV or go solo and navigate the 17-mile-long jungle route on your own. Then you’ll take your Indian Jones-style adventure to the next level by heading underground to explore a cavernous cenote.

You’ll get to learn all about how these natural sinkholes are formed and discover the amazing formations including ancient stalactites and stalagmites.

Best ATV Tour in Playa del Carmen for: Kids

While drivers need to be 16 years old and above, passengers of the ATV can be as young as 6 on this action-packed adventure tour. 

This ATV tour is also a great all-rounder that’s suitable for families as you’ll get to experience a little bit of the best the Playa del Carmen area has to offer. Soar through the trees ziplining, take part in a Mayan blessing ceremony, swim in a cenote, and of course, ride through the jungle on an ATV.

Everything happens at Emotions Native Park Adventure which is great for families as you’ll have a tour guide who will help you through all the experiences and also explain the natural sites you’ll visit along the way.

Best ATV Tour in Playa del Carmen for: A Full Day Adventure

If a simple ATV experience isn’t going to cut it, then this full-day ATV tour will have you bouncing from one thrilling experience to the next.

The list of activities is long but includes some of the best things to do in Playa del Carmen, including a challenging ropes course, thrilling zip-line circuit and a jaw-dropping bungee swing along with the chance to go off-road on a Polaris RZR buggy or speedy ATV. A light lunch is included and when you need a break from all the activities, you can indulge in a dip in a hidden, private cenote.

Best ATV Tour in Playa del Carmen for: When You’re Short On Time

This ATV tour is located just 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen and goes for a fun-filled 3-hours. You can be splashing through the jungle on a dune buggy in the morning and get back to enjoying the beaches and serenity of your resort in the afternoon.

You’ll even have time to cool down with a swim in a cenote and the chance to snorkel and check out the underground formations.

What can I pair my Playa del Carmen ATV tour with?

Save money and couple your ATV tour in Playa del Carmen with another adventure activity. Some of the best tours in the Riviera Maya are packaged together so you can get your ATV fix while also experiencing more of what the area has to offer.

Jetski + ATV tour

Get your adrenaline pumping with the ultimate speed machines from both land and sea. First, you’ll get your thrills on a WaveRunner riding through the crystal clear waters of the Mexican Caribbean and then you can explore the jungles and mangroves of Playa del Carmen by ATV.

To top it off, you’ll be located on Maroma Beach, which has been dubbed one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by The Travel Channel.

Zipline + ATV tour

Head deep into the jungle to take in the ultimate views as you fly high above the canopy on this Zipline and ATV combo tour. This activity includes one of the best ATV tours Playa del Carmen, a ride on the fastest zip line in Riviera Maya, and an authentic Mexican lunch to fuel the adventures.

Speedboat + ATV tour

Fuel your adrenaline high with the best of both land and sea. On this combo, you’ll get to challenge the waves in a speed boat and then head inland for ATVs in Playa del Carmen jungle. You’ll get 45 minutes on both as well as roundtrip transportation so you can relax on the way there and back.

Horseback riding + ATV tour

Couple your day out riding ATVs in Playa del Carmen with a more natural riding experience. You’ll get to explore the verdant area on horseback, with time to trot your way through the forest and truly take in your surroundings. Keep an eye out for monkeys winging through the trees and colorful toucans which would usually be scared off by the noise of the ATVs.

This experience is great for both experienced and novice riders, so you won’t have to worry if you’re a first-timer.

Snorkeling + ATV tour

Ride a Can-am 4X4 across the jungle to visit three extraordinary ecosystems of the Mayan world. Snorkeling is available in both an open-air and underground cenote, along with a dive in the waters of the Mexican Caribbean where you’ll get to experience the exotic marine life surrounding the area. Roundtrip transportation and lunch are also included on this ATV tour.

How much do ATV tours in Playa del Carmen cost?

Half-day tours start from $80 while full-day ATV tours start from $100 and can get up to $200 depending on inclusions.

For example, this 2.5 hour ATV Ride and Secret Caves Tour starts from $83 and includes pick-up and drop-off and a cenote swim.

While this Full-Day Selvatica Jungle Adventure Park Trip includes zip-lines, a ropes course, bungee swing, parachute jump, cenote swim, and an ATV off-road experience along with a light lunch and round-trip transport and starts from $170.

What do ATV tours in Playa del Carmen include?

Usually, you’ll get roundtrip transportation from your hotel, at least a light snack for short tours or lunch for full-day ones, water, and non-alcoholic drinks.

ATV tours also include any necessary safety equipment, goggles for dust protection, and sometimes a bandanna.

Note: If you do have any special dietary requirements, it’s a good idea to pack some snacks or a light lunch for yourself. While some tours do provide lunch, many tour operators are still not 100% across how to best cater for gluten-free or vegans in Playa del Carmen.

Where to book ATVs Playa del Carmen?

When booking a tour for myself, my go-to’s are usually Get Your Guide and Viator. With both tour booking sites, you’ll have access to reviews from past visitors, customer support, and a variety of payment options.

The best part is that you will have total flexibility as you can book now and most tours offer worry-free cancellation up to 24-hours before. So if it looks like it might rain or you’ve changed your mind and want to hang out at the pool bar instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you can cancel if you choose.

What should I bring on an ATV tour?

What you bring along on a Playa del Carmen ATV tour will largely depend on which activities you’ll be pairing it with. In general, however, here are some of the ATV tour essentials not to forget:

• Insect repellant. The mosquitoes in the jungle can be particularly ferocious. Make sure to slop on some eco-repellant to avoid getting covered in bites.

• Water shoes or clothes-toed shoes. These aren’t the sexiest footwear but they are easy to clean and give you a bit more traction when riding through mud and water.

• Swimsuit. Many ATV tours include a trip to a cenote and after getting all hot and sweaty riding through the jungle, you won’t want to miss jumping in.

• Change of clothes. You should expect to get dirty so bring along some spare clothes to pop on after your tour.

• Towel. Likewise, you’ll want something to dry off with.

• Phone or camera with waterproof case. There’s likely to be a photographer on your tour but if you’re planning to bring your phone or camera, make sure it has the right protection.

• Cash. Most tours won’t include a tip so it’s a good idea to bring some cash along to show the tour guide your appreciation. You might also want cash to buy snacks or souvenirs.

• Reusable water bottle. The Riviera Maya is quickly becoming a very eco-friendly destination and although drinks are usually provided on these ATV tours, many will be happy to fill your bottle for you to save on plastic.

Playa del Carmen ATV tour tips

• Get as close as possible to the leader. Many of the tours will involve riding through narrow, windy jungle trails and if you’ve opted for a group tour, there will likely be at least 10 other people in your group. In the dry, winter season, you really don’t want to be at the back of the pack, blinded by all the dust that’s blown about by the riders in front of you.

• Book in advance. If you know which tour and when you’d like to go, I strongly suggest booking as soon as possible. I’m usually a fan of spontaneous travel but many of these tours are popular and can get booked out due to the limited number that can go at once.

• Save money and combine. While you don’t need to do a tour for every activity in Playa, if you are planning on doing another tour, look out for ways to combine the two together. Or, consider spending a day at one of the adventure parks, like Xplor or Xavage (my personal favorite) where you can get a chance to ride ATVs more than once if you love it.

ATVs Playa del Carmen: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do an ATV tour if I’m visiting on a cruise ship?

Your cruise is likely going to dock in Cozumel which is a 45-minute ferry ride away from Playa del Carmen. It’s certainly possible to fit in an ATV tour in Playa del Carmen but you can also find a selection of ATV tours in Cozumel that are just as fun.

What is the minimum age to ride an ATV?

Most tours will require drivers to be at least 16 years old and riders to be 6 years and older.

How many can people go in an ATV?

Some ATV tours in Playa del Carmen are designed to have just one person riding while others can have up to two people on an ATV.

When should I book my ATV tour?

ATVs Playa del Carmen are a popular tour option so you should book your tour as soon as you start planning your trip.