How much do ATV and zip line tours cost in Jacó?

ATV tours cost $75-$120 for 2-3 hours, zip lines run around $70 per person. Combo packages (ATV + zipline) range from $110-$150 and include both activities plus lunch. Book directly with operators to save 15-20% compared to hotel tour desks.

Do I need a driver's license to drive an ATV in Jacó?

Yes. Vista Los Sueños requires drivers to be 18+ with a valid license, while AXR Jaco allows 16+ with a license. Passengers must be 9+ at Vista Los Sueños or 5+ at AXR. A credit card is required as a refundable security deposit.

Is rainy season better or worse for ATV tours and zip lines?

Rainy season (June-October) makes ATV trails muddier and waterfalls fuller—many riders prefer it for a more adventurous experience. For zip lines, book morning slots (8-9 AM) for more reliable conditions, as afternoon rain can pause tours. Operators adjust routes based on safety.

What should I wear for ATV and zip line tours?

Closed-toe shoes are mandatory for both activities. For ATVs, wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty (avoid white clothing) and consider long pants for protection. For zip lines, tie back long hair and skip dangling jewelry. Bring sunscreen and a light layer for rain.

Can I combine ATV and zip line in one day?

Yes, most operators offer combo packages that pair both activities in one day. You'll typically do one activity in the morning, break for lunch, then do the second in the afternoon. AXR's Trail Ride & Fly combo costs $120, and Vista Los Sueños offers full-day packages around $150.

ATV Tours & Zip Lines Near Jacó: Adventure Activity Guide

You came to Jacó to move. Not to lie on a beach towel watching iguanas do the same (though they have that art perfected). The hills behind town are full of jungle trails, hidden waterfalls, and cables strung between 60-foot platforms. A half day out here will either exhaust you completely or convince you to stay another week.

This guide covers the ATV and zip line scene around Jacó and Los Sueños, with actual prices, real operator names, and the stuff that doesn’t make it into the glossy brochures: which tours run better in muddy season, and why your hotel concierge is probably quoting you a marked-up price.

ATV Tours Near Jacó

Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park

The biggest operation in the area sits about 10 minutes from central Jacó in Herradura, near the Los Sueños resort entrance. Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park has been running since 2008 and is the go-to for anyone who wants ATV riding, zip lines, horseback riding, and a typical Costa Rican lunch all in one place without coordinating between different companies.

ATV pricing (verified at vistalossuenosadventurepark.com):

Single ATV, 2 hours: $75
Double ATV, 2 hours (two riders sharing one ATV): $100
Double ATV, 3 hours (with waterfall stop): $120
Double buggy, 2 hours: $150
Double buggy, 3 hours (with waterfalls): $175

The three-hour double option is the sweet spot for most couples or friends traveling together. You get jungle trail riding, a stop at a waterfall with time to actually swim, and views down to the Pacific coast. The two-hour tours are a solid intro but feel short once you’re out there. The buggies make sense for anyone who wants a more comfortable ride or is bringing kids who are too young to drive.

Transportation from Jacó center or Los Sueños costs an extra $5 per person if you need it. Minimum two people required for all tours.

AXR Jaco

AXR (“An Xtreme Rider”) has been operating out of downtown Jacó since 2006. They run a full fleet of ATVs and off-road buggies and have five tour lengths, from a one-hour quickie to a six-hour full-day route that covers riverbeds, remote villages, and multiple waterfalls.

Their tour lineup:

Rainforest Express (1 hour): Out to the jungle edge, up a small waterfall for a photo stop, back to the shop
Extreme Vista (2 hours): Mountain trails to a ridgeline rancho with valley and Pacific views
Waterfall Jumper (3 hours): Remote trails to a hidden waterfall and natural swimming pool
Extreme Rainforest (4 hours): Multiple trails, different waterfalls, half-day of off-road
Full Day Extreme Ride (6 hours): Riverbeds, remote trails, waterfalls, typical lunch

AXR is a good choice if you’re staying downtown. They include hotel pickup for Jacó area accommodations, without the extra transport fee Vista Los Sueños charges. They’re also the right call for a group that wants to stack two activities in one day (more on their combo packages below).

A credit card is required as a security deposit.

Costa Rica Waterfall Tours

A third solid option, particularly if you want to combine ATV riding with their other adventure offerings on the same day. Costa Rica Waterfall Tours runs ATV routes into the rainforest above Jacó with English-speaking guides.

ATV pricing:

2 hours: $80
3 hours: $110
4 hours: $145

They also operate canopy zip line tours and canyoning (waterfall rappelling), which makes them convenient for a group with different comfort levels. Some people zip line while others do ATVs, then switch.

Zip Line & Canopy Tours Near Jacó

Vista Los Sueños Canopy Tour

The same adventure park that runs the ATV operation also has the most talked-about zip line in the area. The course runs 12 platforms and 10 cables covering 3.5 kilometers (about 2.2 miles) with views over Herradura Bay and the Gulf of Nicoya. On a clear day you can see the Nicoya Peninsula across the water.

Pricing: Around $70 + tax per person

Tour times run four slots daily: 8 AM, 10 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. Not a children’s beginner course, but nothing that requires prior experience either. The weight limit is 250-260 lbs (113-118 kg) per harness, depending on the operator.

This is the zip line to do if you want ocean views on your lines. Most Costa Rica canopy tours send you through dense jungle. This one has a few cables where you’re looking straight out to the Pacific.

Tranopy Tour at Vista Los Sueños

Vista Los Sueños also runs a “Tranopy” experience, which is different from the standard canopy tour. An open-air gondola tram carries your group up the mountain while a guide narrates the forest, waterfalls, and wildlife on the ascent. Once you reach the top, you zip line back down.

Pricing: Around $79 + tax per person

It’s a bit more expensive than the standard canopy tour and moves at a slower pace overall, which makes it the better pick for families with nervous first-timers or older travelers who want the scenery without the pure adrenaline focus.

AXR Jaco Canopy

AXR offers a zip line tour south of Jacó near Playa Hermosa. Same format as the area’s other canopy tours: a series of platforms descending through jungle with ocean and valley views. It’s available as a standalone tour (book at axrjaco.com) or bundled into their combo packages — most people pair it with an ATV ride in the same day.

Costa Rica Waterfall Tours Canopy

Their canopy zip line tour runs 12 platforms, 10 cables, and 3 hanging bridges. Similar course structure to Vista Los Sueños, with views of Carara National Park and the Pacific, plus regular macaw and monkey sightings if you’re out in the morning.

Waterfall Rappelling (Canyoning)

This is the activity that people who’ve done zip lines before come back for. Rappelling down waterfalls is a completely different experience: slower, wetter, and more technical. You’re in a harness, controlling your own descent, with your guide backing you up at all times.

Costa Rica Waterfall Tours — Canyoning Tour

Their canyoning operation picks you up and takes you on a short, rugged drive up the mountain from Jacó in 4×4 vehicles, climbing over 1,000 feet in elevation. You gear up in Black Diamond equipment, do a dry-run rappel to get your form right, then hit the waterfalls.

The tour includes:

2 zip lines over the river (warm-up)
Cliff jumping opportunities (4 to 45 feet, fully optional)
Swimming
4 waterfall rappels

Guides are hands-on throughout and keep you “safe and backed up” on every descent. They’ve taken people from ages 7 to 78 through the course, so it’s genuinely accessible to most fitness levels. That said, you’re climbing, swimming, and rappelling. It’s not a beach walk.

Jaco VIP — Private Canyoning Tour

Jaco VIP runs a privately guided version of the same experience, 15 minutes from town. You zip line over a 200-foot waterfall as your first move, then rappel down the faces of 4 waterfalls ranging from 60 to 90 feet tall. Two ziplines carry you out of the canyon at the end.

The private format means your group isn’t combined with strangers. You move at your pace, stop where you want, and the guide is entirely focused on your group. This is worth the premium if you have a group that wants to take their time.

Gear is Black Diamond throughout, and the guide handles all setup and safety.

Combo Packages: Why Most People Do Both in One Day

Most operators bundle ATV + zip line into a half-day combo because it makes logistical sense. You do one in the morning, break for lunch, do the other in the afternoon. The math usually works out better than booking each separately.

AXR Jaco “Trail Ride & Fly” combo (ATV + Zipline): $120 per rider. If you want a passenger on your ATV, add $70 (covers the ATV passenger seat plus one zipline ticket for that person). This is their most popular package.

Vista Los Sueños full combo (Zipline + ATV + lunch): Around $150+ per person depending on the package configuration. The park structures several options through booking platforms like Viator or their direct site.

Single ATV + Zip Line half-day combo (via The Real Deal Tours / The Costa Rica Tour Site, operating Vista Los Sueños Park tours): ~$110 per solo rider, ~$169 for two people sharing an ATV. These are the same park tours booked through a discount agent, often slightly cheaper than the operator’s direct pricing.

The Vista Los Sueños full-day combos that include lunch are worth it if you’re driving from Los Sueños or Herradura and want to make a complete day out of it. If you’re based in central Jacó, AXR’s combo is simpler since they include hotel pickup and the operation is downtown.

What to Wear and Bring

For ATV tours:

Closed-toe shoes. Every operator says this. Sandals or flip-flops are a bad idea on a moving ATV, and most will let you rent closed-toe shoes on-site if you show up in sandals.
Clothes you don’t mind destroying. You will get muddy. You will get dusty. Bring your worst travel shorts.
No white clothing. Operators will warn you about this; after the first trail, white is done.
Long pants if you’re sensitive to engine heat or trail debris; shorts are fine but pants protect your legs better.
Sunscreen and a light layer in case it rains.
Prescription glasses or contacts are fine, but sunglasses tend to fog or fly off in the wind. A head strap helps.

For zip line tours:

Closed-toe shoes (also mandatory here).
Tie back long hair.
Leave dangling jewelry at the hotel.
Sunscreen (you’ll be outdoors for 2-4 hours).
The guides will harness you up over whatever you’re wearing. No special athletic gear needed.

For canyoning/rappelling:

A swimsuit under quick-dry clothes.
Water shoes or old sneakers that can get completely soaked.
Leave your phone in the vehicle unless you have a waterproof case. Guides usually have a GoPro setup for photos.

Restrictions to Know Before You Book

Age and driving requirements (by operator):

Age rules differ between operators. Don’t assume they’re the same across the board.

Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park: Drivers must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license. Passengers must be at least 9 years old.
AXR Jaco: Riders must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license. Passengers can be younger: 5+ years old on ATVs, 2+ years old in buggies.

Most operators also require a passport photo or stamp showing country entry. A credit card is required as a vehicle security deposit at all ATV operators (fully refundable if no damage).

Zip line weight limits:

Most zip lines in the area have a maximum weight of 250-260 lbs (113-118 kg) per harness, depending on the operator. This is a safety constraint on the equipment, not an operator preference. Confirm the exact limit directly when you book.

Health considerations:

Canyoning and rappelling involve climbing, swimming, and sustained physical activity. Operators ask that you disclose any physical limitations in advance.
Most operators cannot accommodate pregnant women on ATV or canyoning tours.
Anyone with serious back or neck issues should check with their doctor before ATV riding. The trails are bumpy by design.

Rainy Season vs. Dry Season

Jacó’s rainy season runs roughly June through October. Dry season is November through May.

Dry season: Dusty trails, clear views, no mud surprises. The riverbeds that ATVs cross tend to be lower, which means more rock to navigate and less current. Zip line days are more predictable, with lower odds of getting caught in an afternoon downpour halfway through a canopy tour.

Rainy season: The trails get muddy, and this is either a feature or a bug depending on your group. AXR’s website says it plainly: mud season changes the experience. Guides adjust routes based on conditions (a soaking trail that’s fun on an experienced rider’s ATV can be genuinely dangerous for a first-timer with bad footing), so the tour you planned may look different than the tour you expected. That said, many people who’ve done both seasons say rainy season ATV riding is more memorable. The waterfalls are fuller, the jungle is greener, and yes, you get filthier.

For zip lines, heavy rain occasionally causes operators to pause tours for safety, so morning departures tend to have more reliable conditions than afternoon ones during rainy season. Book the 8 or 9 AM slot if you’re traveling June through October.

For canyoning, rain makes waterfall rappelling more dramatic. The waterfalls are bigger. The water is colder. Most operators run the tours in light rain; they’ll cancel if conditions become unsafe but not for general overcast or showers.

Booking Tips

Book direct when you can. Hotel tour desks are convenient but they’re also commission-based, typically adding 15-20% on top of the operator’s direct price. The savings on a group of four can be meaningful. All the operators listed here have websites with direct booking or contact info.

Book at least 24-48 hours in advance during high season (December through March, and again in July). The half-day combos at Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park fill up quickly on weekends, and operators often require a minimum of two people to run a tour — booking ahead confirms your slot.

Ask about group discounts. Most operators offer reduced rates for groups of 6 or more, but they don’t advertise it prominently. A quick email or WhatsApp before booking often unlocks 10-15% off.

Cancellation policies vary. AXR Jaco requires 5 days’ notice for a full refund on online bookings; day-of cancellations lose the deposit. Vista Los Sueños / booking platforms generally require 24-72 hours depending on the platform. Read the fine print before you pay.

What to do if you’re staying in Los Sueños or Herradura: Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park is 10 minutes from your front door. Take the park’s full-day combo and make it a proper adventure day rather than a quick two-hour tour. If you’re staying in one of the villas in Los Sueños, our team can help you sort logistics. Just ask at check-in.

The Short Version

For most visitors, the three-hour Double ATV + Waterfall route at Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park ($120 for two riders) followed by their canopy tour ($70/person) is the right day. You’re in one place, lunch is included in the full combo, and the views from both the ATV trails and the zip line cables are worth the half-hour drive from Jacó center.

If you want something more intense, book the canyoning tour through Costa Rica Waterfall Tours and spend a morning rappelling waterfalls instead of zipping past them. It’s harder, slower, and nearly impossible to photograph well — which is probably why you came.

For more on planning your time around Jacó, see our day trips from Jacó guide and the Jacó destination guide for accommodation, restaurants, and what else to do in the area.

Prices in this guide are sourced directly from operator websites and verified as of early 2026. Rates change — always confirm current pricing when booking.