Sierra Madre ATV Tour and Zipline

The best part of this outing is the change of scene. You leave Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone and head toward the Sierra Madre and the village of Las Palmas, where the ride passes farms, ranches, countryside, and a local river. Then you trade four wheels for a harness and zip between trees.

I like the all-in-one format: transport, ATV, zipline, lunch, drinks, and tequila tasting are bundled into the $150 price. I also like the meal itself, with handmade tortillas, salsas, beans, rice, chicken, beef, and sope. The main caution is practical: the ATV ride can be very dusty, and some zipline platforms have needed maintenance, so sturdy shoes and a careful eye are wise.

Key points at a glance

• The ATV route lasts about an hour or longer, passing through Las Palmas, nearby farms, countryside, and a river.
• Dust is part of the deal, especially in the dry season. Sunglasses or protective eyewear will help.
• The zipline section has several stages, with short uphill walks toward the final lines.
• Lunch is a real Mexican spread, including handmade tortillas, two salsas, chicken, beef, beans, rice, sope, and drinks.
• Tequila tasting includes house-made flavors, such as almond, coffee, and pineapple.
• The $150 cost covers the major extras, including air-conditioned transport, equipment, lunch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and a professional guide.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta at 8:15 in the morning

The tour begins at 8:15 a.m. from the OXXO meeting point at the corner of Carretera Barra de Navidad and Púlpito in the Zona Romántica, Amapas area. The activity ends back at this same meeting point.

Designated pickup and drop-off are included, but the meeting-point wording matters. If you are staying elsewhere in Puerto Vallarta, confirm where your transport will collect you. A larger group once arranged extra hotel transportation after some confusion, and the operator corrected the problem by collecting the group directly from its hotel for an additional charge.

The included vehicle is air-conditioned. It can hold roughly 15 or 16 people, according to the available tour details, and the overall activity allows up to 25 people. The windows are fixed except at the front passenger seat, so fresh air is limited. One useful seating tip: the rear of the van may have an unpleasant odor, while the middle and front were more comfortable.

The drive to the ranch can take around 70 to 80 minutes from a Puerto Vallarta hotel. That is a fair amount of road time for a five-hour activity, but it also explains why the day feels like a real break from town. You are not simply driving to a roadside adventure park. You are heading into a more rural setting.

Communication is easiest through WhatsApp. Email and messages sent through the booking platform did not always receive a quick reply, while WhatsApp produced an immediate response. That is a small but useful tip if you need to clarify pickup arrangements, group size, or transport.

Rancho Capomo: horses, agave, and a quick start

At Rancho Capomo, you can use the restrooms before the activities begin. The ranch also has horses and grows its own agave for house tequila, which gives the place more character than a basic ATV staging area.

You may be offered refreshments at the bar before getting fitted for the ATV section. Helmets and handkerchiefs are provided. The handkerchief helps with dust, but I would still bring sunglasses, since the rider ahead of you can send a thick cloud into your face.

The ATVs include both single and double models. Recent equipment has been described as new, which is reassuring, especially if you are nervous about operating one. Still, the setup can feel rushed. You may be adjusting helmet straps and arranging your handkerchief while staff take the first group photos.

Take a moment to get comfortable before you set off. Check that your helmet fits, ask where to place your feet, and listen carefully to the guide’s instructions. You do not need to be an expert rider, but you should be ready to control the vehicle and follow the group.

An hour on dusty roads through Las Palmas

The ATV route is more than a short loop around the ranch. It lasts about an hour, sometimes longer, and passes through the village, countryside, neighboring farms and ranches, and a local river.

This is the part of the day that connects the adventure with rural Puerto Vallarta. You see a side of the region that is easy to miss if you stay near the beach and hotel zone. The route is not presented as a slow sightseeing ride, though. It is an active outing, and the fun comes from moving through the countryside rather than stopping at a long list of viewpoints.

Dust is the biggest practical issue. In the dry season, the rider behind another ATV can get coated quickly. Bring sunglasses, and consider clothing you do not mind washing afterward. A handkerchief is supplied, but it will not keep every speck of dust away.

You will also want closed-toe athletic shoes. The ride is followed by more active equipment work, and open sandals are not a good match for the day. Keep your phone protected from dust and secure any loose items before setting off.

After the ATV ride, you return to the ranch dusty and ready for a restroom stop. That pause is welcome before changing into the zipline harness.

Zip lines over trees and river country

The zipline section begins with a helmet, harness, and handlebars. The guide gives instructions before you leave the platform, and the activity is designed so you can stop at some points and return to the bar or outdoor dining area if you decide you have had enough.

That option is important. You do not have to force yourself through every line, especially if heights are not your favorite part of an adventure day. The route has several stages, and the last two or three may require a short uphill walk to reach the next platform.

The views are the payoff. You move above trees and river country rather than simply racing across a single line. Some portions let you see the surrounding rainforest from a higher angle, which gives the day its strongest sense of place.

The walking is not a major trek, but you should wear shoes with decent grip. Hiking boots are useful if you have them. Standard athletic shoes should work for most people, provided they are secure and comfortable.

There are two safety and comfort points worth noting. First, some platforms have been undergoing maintenance, with reports of splinters and rusty metal. Look before you place your hands or lean against a railing, and follow staff directions closely. Second, the handlebars are completely metal and may feel slippery if your hands are sweaty. Weight-lifting gloves or another grippy pair of gloves could help, though they are not supplied.

Lockers are available, but you need to bring your own lock. Keep valuables to a minimum. If you do use an unlocked locker, understand that the operator does not provide the same security as a locked one.

Souvenir photos are listed as available for purchase, but do not assume there will be automatic cameras on the lines, like at a theme park. Bring your own phone if you want personal photos and videos, but only use it when staff say it is safe. Your best chance for pictures may be from friends in your group.

Handmade tortillas and a generous Mexican lunch

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package. After returning your helmet, harness, and handlebars, you head to the outdoor dining area for a meal served with your group.

You can watch tortillas being made by hand while the cooks prepare the food. The meal includes tortillas, two kinds of salsa, sope, chicken, beef, beans, and rice. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included, so you do not need to budget separately for a beer, soft drink, or other beverage.

This is not a token plate served to keep you moving. After a dusty ATV ride and time in the sun, a proper meal makes a real difference. The outdoor setting also gives you a chance to slow down, cool off, and talk with your group.

Hammocks are available for a short rest. Use them. The day has a steady rhythm of driving, riding, walking, and climbing, so a few quiet minutes after lunch can be just what you need.

Tequila tasting with local flavors

The tequila tasting adds a distinctly Mexican touch to the day. The ranch grows agave for its own tequila, and the tasting includes unusual flavored options such as almond, coffee, and pineapple.

You may taste the tequila before the zipline and again during lunch. Keep your pace sensible, especially because the tour includes sun exposure and physical activity. The drinks are included, but you are not required to drink alcohol. Non-alcoholic choices are available.

I like this part because it ties the meal and the ranch together. It is not just another bar stop added to an adventure tour. The agave growing and house flavors give you something specific to remember.

Is $150 a fair price?

At $150 per person, this is not the cheapest activity in Puerto Vallarta. The value depends on how many pieces you would otherwise book separately.

The price includes air-conditioned transport, the ATV, all safety equipment, the zipline, a professional guide, lunch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, tequila tasting, and return transport to the meeting point. You also get roughly five hours of activity and travel combined.

For a group that wants both motorized adventure and ziplining, the bundle is sensible. You avoid arranging separate transport, finding lunch, and paying extra for every drink. The included meal is substantial, and the ATV route is long enough to feel like a central part of the day rather than a brief add-on.

The value is weaker if you want a quiet nature outing, dislike dust, or plan to skip the zipline and ATV. You are paying for a full activity day, not a flexible sightseeing trip. Souvenir photos cost extra, and you may need to pay separately for certain hotel pickup arrangements.

The tour is recommended by 90 percent of customers and carries a 4.6 rating from 10 reviews. That is encouraging, though the sample is small. The strongest praise centers on the friendly staff, fun ATV ride, good food, clear zipline instructions, and the convenience of having transport, lunch, and drinks handled together.

Who should book this adventure?

I would choose this for an active group that wants a full day with several different elements. It works well for a bachelorette group, friends, couples, and families with participants who meet the activity requirements.

It is especially useful if you want to leave Puerto Vallarta’s built-up areas and see the countryside near Las Palmas. The day offers more variety than a stand-alone zipline or ATV booking.

You should think twice if you have trouble with dusty conditions, uneven walking, heights, or warm outdoor activity. The zipline can be shortened, but the tour still revolves around physical participation. The platforms also deserve careful attention while maintenance is taking place.

Bring sunglasses, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, clothes that can get dusty, and a lock if you want to use a locker. A grippy pair of gloves may improve comfort on the metal handlebars. Do not count on a professional photo system, so bring a phone for personal pictures if you can keep it secure.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:15 a.m. start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Sierra Madre ATV and Zipline?

Book it if you want a busy, social adventure day with real countryside riding, rainforest zip lines, a good Mexican lunch, and tequila tasting in one package. The included transport and food make the $150 price easier to justify.

I would not book it for a gentle nature tour or a polished theme-park experience. Expect dust, a long van ride, short uphill walks, metal handlebars, and platforms that require care. For the right group, though, Rancho Capomo offers a satisfying mix of action, food, drinks, and rural Puerto Vallarta.

FAQ

Where does the Sierra Madre ATV and Zipline tour start?

It starts at the OXXO on the corner of Carretera Barra de Navidad and Púlpito 242 in Zona Romántica, Amapas, Puerto Vallarta.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:15 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

Is transportation included?

Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points are included in an air-conditioned vehicle. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes tortillas, two salsas, sope, chicken, beef, beans, and rice. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included, along with a tequila tasting.

Do I need to bring a lock?

Lockers are available, but you must bring your own lock if you want to secure your belongings.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.