ATV + Zipline + Waterfall + Rainforest Lunch COMBO

The big draw here is the sheer variety packed into one day: a long rainforest ATV ride, a cool waterfall stop, mountain views, lunch at a tilapia farm, and a zipline course with a cable nearly half a mile long. I like the chance to see rural Costa Rica from several angles, and I like that guides such as Marco, Diego, and Alonzo have been singled out for careful instruction and friendly help.

I also like the practical touches: fruit and bottled water are included, the waterfall entry fee is covered, and lunch is part of the price. The main catch is the $1,000 credit-card hold required for the ATV rental, plus the physical effort of combining a long ATV ride with ziplining in one day.

Key points at a glance

• A 2,400-foot zipline cable: The second-to-last cable is almost half a mile long and gives this course its biggest thrill.
• A four-hour ATV route: You ride through secondary rainforest, muddy areas, open countryside, and mountain roads before reaching the waterfall.
• A real swim stop: Bring a swimsuit and ask your guide about jumping into the waterfall basin when conditions allow.
• Lunch at a mountain tilapia farm: Restaurante Paz del Campo offers a scenic pause, good food, and the option to fish while lunch is prepared.
• A serious vehicle deposit: You need a Visa or Mastercard voucher with a $1,000 hold for groups using one to four vehicles.
• A full, active day: The package lasts about six hours and suits people with moderate fitness more than anyone seeking a relaxed outing.

One Jaco day, four different kinds of adventure

This package is built for people who want to do a lot before dinner. From the Jaco office, you head first to the Los Suenos Canopy Tour, then return to the office for the ATV portion, continue into the hills for a waterfall and lunch, and finally return to Jaco.

The order may vary with weather, trail conditions, and daily operations, so I would treat the schedule as a working plan rather than a minute-by-minute promise. The total time is about six hours, with the ATV portion described as four hours and the zipline section taking about two hours.

That combination is the value. Booking each activity separately would take more planning and could cost more once transport, food, and entrance fees are added. At $179 per person, this is not a cheap half-day outing, but it includes two major activities, lunch, water, fruit, guides, and the waterfall admission fee.

The trade-off is pace. You are not spending a whole morning slowly exploring one forest trail. You are switching between locations and activities, so the day feels active from start to finish.

Ten zip lines, ten platforms, and one very long cable

The canopy portion takes place at Los Suenos. The course is described as having 12 cables and 10 platforms, with the route commonly presented as 10 zip lines. That difference in wording is worth clarifying at check-in, but the important point is clear: this is a substantial canopy course, not a single short ride for beginners.

The second-to-last cable stretches about 2,400 feet. That is close to half a mile in the air, and it is the feature most likely to stick in your memory. You get the thrill of speed and height without needing to operate a machine, making this the easier half of the day physically.

The canopy staff receive especially strong praise for keeping first-time riders calm. Guides named Jordan, Justin, Danny, William, Mary, and Willforte are among those credited with helping people feel safe and keeping the mood light. I would still expect harness checks, platform instructions, and some waiting between cables, especially if the course is running with a larger group.

One useful detail is that the zipline group may be larger than your ATV group. You might have a private or small ATV outing and then join other participants for the canopy course. The total group limit for the activity is 15 people, but the actual group at each stage can differ.

The canopy office provides pineapple and watermelon afterward, along with bottled water. Photos are available for purchase on a disk, so you can keep your camera tucked away during the rides. If you want pictures, ask how the photo service works before leaving the course.

The ATV ride is the heart of the day

After the canopy outing, transportation returns you to the main Jaco office. There you receive a helmet and instruction before setting out on your own ATV, assuming you meet the age and license rules and complete the required card authorization.

The route heads into secondary rainforest within minutes. The ride includes forest, flatter rural areas, muddy sections, and mountain roads. Guides make regular stops for scenery, photos, and a quick check that everyone is comfortable. That matters because a four-hour ride can feel very different depending on your pace and the trail conditions.

You do not need to be an expert rider, but you do need a moderate level of fitness and enough confidence to handle an off-road route. The operator can alter the route based on weather, trail conditions, and rider ability. A road that is manageable one day may be muddy or unsuitable the next.

Guides such as Marco, Diego, Emmanuel, N, Alex, and Alonzo have received specific praise for clear instruction, patience, and care on the route. Their role is not just to lead the group. They stop for views, help with photos, and watch the pace so the outing remains manageable.

You can use a tandem ATV, mule, or Rhino if driving your own ATV is not right for you. Unlicensed participants and children under 16 must ride as passengers, and drivers must be at least 16 with a valid driver’s license. The number of passengers cannot exceed the number of ATV drivers.

The waterfall stop adds a welcome cool-down

The ATV route reaches Catarata Bijagual, where you can rinse off and swim in the waterfall area. Several accounts describe the water as refreshing after the ride, and guides may encourage swimming or rock jumping when conditions are suitable.

I would ask directly about the waterfall experience when you arrive. One guide may describe the safest place to enter, the depth of the basin, and whether jumping is appropriate that day. Do not assume that every feature will be available, since rain, water levels, trail conditions, and safety rules can change.

This is also the point where proper clothing matters. Wear a swimsuit under clothes you do not mind getting dirty. Closed-toe shoes are required, and sandals or flip-flops are not allowed. A pair of old tennis shoes is a better choice than anything open at the heel or toe.

The stop is not a long resort-style swim break. It is part of an active route, so you should expect time to cool off, take pictures, and get ready for the next section rather than spend hours at the water.

Lunch at Paz del Campo is more than a quick meal

After the waterfall, the route continues to Restaurante Paz del Campo, a mountain restaurant with a tilapia farm. The setting gives you a slower stretch after the noise and motion of the ATV ride.

Lunch is included and has earned some of the strongest praise in the feedback. It is described as delicious, authentic, and substantial enough to feel like a proper meal rather than a packaged snack. You can try fishing in the pond while waiting, or simply sit and enjoy the mountain setting.

The views are a major part of the stop. On clear days, the route back toward sea level offers views of the Pacific Ocean and the Nicoya Peninsula across the bay. Cloud and weather can limit what you see, so treat the panorama as a welcome possibility rather than a guarantee.

This lunch stop also gives the day some balance. Without it, the package would be a long sequence of engines, harnesses, and trail dust. The food and scenery provide a needed pause, and the included meal makes the $179 price easier to justify.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The package includes the canopy course, the four-hour ATV tour, bilingual guides, tropical fruit, bottled water, lunch, and the waterfall entrance fee. Pick-up is available on request in the Jaco area, but you should confirm it rather than assume it is automatic.

The price does not cover the photo disk from the canopy office. It also does not remove the need for the ATV card authorization. For one to four vehicles, the operator requires one Visa or Mastercard with a $1,000 hold. Groups using five to eight vehicles need two cards with a $1,000 hold on each, and larger groups need more.

This is a hold or voucher kept on file until the vehicle is returned in the same condition. The operator says it will then be returned or destroyed, depending on your preference. Still, you need enough available credit on the day of the tour, and this requirement should be part of your budget planning.

One complaint about the experience came from someone who had not expected the deposit until arrival. My advice is simple: call or message the company before your excursion and confirm the card rule, especially if you are using a debit card or traveling with a tight spending limit. The stated requirement is Visa or Mastercard, not cash.

Safety, weather, and physical effort

The safety record described in the available feedback is a strong point. Canopy and ATV guides are repeatedly praised for checking equipment, explaining procedures, keeping groups together, and helping nervous first-time zipliners.

That does not make the day effortless. Four hours on an ATV can be tiring, particularly when combined with climbing onto platforms and handling the zipline course. One family specifically found that doing both activities in a day required plenty of energy. If you are not in good shape, consider booking only one major activity per day.

The tour operates in all weather conditions, but poor weather can affect the schedule. Lightning already caused one group to reschedule its cooling portion, and the activity may be moved to another date or fully refunded if bad weather forces cancellation.

Wear clothes that can get dirty, apply sunscreen, and bring bug spray if you like. Bug spray is not considered essential, but the setting is tropical and personal comfort varies. Bring a camera only if it can be protected from water and mud. Closed-toe shoes are required throughout the ATV portion.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this package to couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who want a full active day near Jaco without arranging several separate outings. It works especially well if one person wants a waterfall swim, another wants ziplining, and everyone is willing to spend several hours on an ATV.

It is also a good choice for first-time zipliners. The canopy staff have helped nervous riders feel comfortable, and the bilingual guides can explain the process in English and Spanish.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a slow nature walk, a quiet meal, or a short activity that leaves the rest of the day free. The route can be tiring, the trails can be muddy, and the ATV card hold is a real financial consideration.

Children under four cannot ride. Children under 16 and anyone without a license must ride as passengers, so families should confirm their exact seating arrangement before booking.

Should you book this Jaco combo?

Book it if you want the most variety for one active day and can comfortably manage the physical effort and $1,000 card hold. The combination of the long zipline, waterfall, mountain lunch, and ATV route gives you more than a standard canopy outing.

I especially like the balance between thrills and scenery. You get speed on the cable, control on the ATV, a swim at Catarata Bijagual, and a proper meal at Paz del Campo. Guides such as Marco, Emmanuel, Diego, Alonzo, Jordan, and Justin are repeatedly praised for making the day feel safe and personal.

Skip it if you dislike mud, engines, heights, or a packed schedule. Before booking, confirm the pick-up arrangement, the card authorization, the exact ATV setup, and the expected route. With those points clear, this is a strong choice for an adventurous day around Jaco.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts about six hours. The zipline portion takes about two hours, the ATV and waterfall section is listed at about three hours in the route, and the ATV component is described as a four-hour tour.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Adventure Tours Costa Rica in Barrio Copey, near Jaco. Pick-up is available on request in the Jaco area only.

How many zip lines are included?

The package includes a canopy course listed as 12 cables and 10 platforms. The route description refers to 10 zip lines. The second-to-last cable is about 2,400 feet long.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at Restaurante Paz del Campo is included, along with a tropical fruit snack and bottled water.

Do I need a credit card for the ATV?

Yes. ATV and Rhino tours require a Visa or Mastercard voucher to be kept on file until the vehicle is returned in the same condition. For one to four vehicles, one card with a $1,000 hold is required.

What shoes should I wear?

You must wear closed-toe shoes, such as tennis shoes. Flip-flops, sandals, and other open-toed shoes are not allowed.

How old 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.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.