ATV + Zipline + Waterfall + Rainforest Lunch COMBO

The longest zip line reaches 2,400 feet, nearly half a mile, but the real appeal is the variety packed into one day. You start above Jaco, trade your harness for an ATV, reach Catarata Bijagual, swim beneath a waterfall, and finish with lunch in the mountains.

I like the mix of high-energy action and slower local moments, especially the tilapia farm lunch and the chance to fish while your meal is prepared. I also like that guides such as Marco, Diego, Emmanuel, and Alex have been singled out for careful instruction and friendly service. The drawback is simple: four hours on an ATV, plus ziplining, makes for a tiring day, and the required $1,000 credit card hold may catch you off guard.

Key things to know before booking

• The 2,400-foot zip line is the headline ride: You get 10 zip lines and 10 platforms, with the second-to-last cable covering almost half a mile.
• The ATV portion is substantial: Plan on about four hours of riding through secondary rainforest, muddy sections, rural roads, and mountain scenery.
• The waterfall is a real break, not just a photo stop: You can rinse off and swim, and guides may point out safe spots for jumping into the pool when conditions allow.
• Lunch comes with a view: Restaurante Paz del Campo sits in the mountains beside a tilapia farm, with fishing available while you wait.
• You need the right shoes and a valid card: Closed-toe shoes are required, and the operator places a $1,000 hold on a Visa or Mastercard for the ATV rental.
• This suits active people best: The full day is rewarding, but it asks more of you than a short zip line or easy sightseeing trip.

One busy day from Jaco to the rainforest

This is not a gentle half-day outing. It is an approximately six-hour package that links three very different experiences: canopy ziplining, an ATV ride, and a waterfall lunch stop.

That combination is the main reason to consider it. You avoid spending separate days arranging transport and paying for individual activities. You also get a better sense of the area around Jaco, from the high forest to the mountain roads and, on clear days, the Pacific Ocean and Nicoya Peninsula.

The tradeoff is pace. The day includes transfers between the operator’s Jaco office and the zip line site, safety instructions, ATV riding, swimming, lunch, and the return trip. If your ideal vacation day includes long stretches of quiet, this will feel packed. If you want a lot of activity for one booking, the format works well.

The tour accepts a maximum of 15 people, though the ATV and zip line portions may not have the same group size. Some groups have had a private-feeling ATV ride and then joined a larger group for the canopy course.

Starting above Jaco with 10 zip lines

The canopy course comes first at Los Suenos. You receive your harness and instructions, then move across 10 zip lines and 10 platforms. The package description also lists 12 cables, so it is worth confirming the exact course layout when you arrive. The central point remains the same: this is a full canopy circuit, not one quick glide.

The second-to-last cable is the showpiece. At 2,400 feet, it carries you for almost half a mile. That longer run gives the course a strong finish before the final cable, and it is likely to be the moment you remember most clearly.

The zip line staff have earned repeated praise for safety and reassurance. Mary, Jordan, Justin, Willforte, and other canopy staff have been mentioned by name for helping first-time riders feel comfortable. That matters if you are nervous. The crew handles the harness work and gives clear instructions, while you focus on body position and the view.

You may also spot monkeys from the cables. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the forest setting makes this more than a mechanical ride between platforms.

After the course, you stop at the canopy office for pineapple, watermelon, and bottled water. There is also a chance to buy a disc of tour photos. That photo option is not included in the $179 price, so bring your own camera if you want to avoid an extra purchase.

The ATV ride is the heart of the day

After ziplining, transportation returns you to the main office in Jaco. Here you receive a motorcycle helmet and instruction on operating your ATV before heading into the rainforest.

The included ATV time is listed as four hours, although the itinerary breaks the broader stop into about three hours before adding the return section. Either way, this is a serious ride, not a short loop around a property. Expect a route through secondary rainforest, rural Costa Rican scenery, flatter sections, and muddy areas. Trail conditions can change from day to day, and your guide may adjust the route to match weather, ground conditions, and riding ability.

That flexibility is useful, but it also means the exact route is not guaranteed. A promised viewpoint or trail feature may be unavailable on the day you go. Ask your guide for the current plan before setting out.

The guides are an important part of the ATV experience. Marco, Diego, Emmanuel, Alex, Alonzo, and N have all been praised for attentive pacing, safety checks, local information, and a good sense of humor. Guides have also stopped often for photos, scenery, and quick checks that everyone is comfortable.

You do not need to be an expert rider, but you do need a moderate level of fitness and enough confidence to manage a vehicle on changing terrain. ATV driving can be tiring even when the route is fun. One family specifically found the combination of four-wheeling and ziplining excellent but demanding, and advised people with lower energy to choose only one major activity per day.

Drivers must be at least 16 and carry a valid driver’s license. Anyone under 16, or anyone without a license, must ride as a passenger. The group cannot have more ATV passengers than drivers, so plan your party carefully.

Mules, Rhinos, and tandem ATVs are available for people who do not want to drive alone. The wording around these options suggests that you should request the arrangement in advance rather than assume it will be available at the last moment.

The $1,000 ATV card hold deserves attention

This is the detail I would not overlook. Every ATV or Rhino tour requires a Visa or Mastercard credit card voucher to remain on file until the vehicle is returned in the same condition.

For one to four vehicles, the operator requires one card with a $1,000 hold. Larger groups require more cards: two cards for five to eight vehicles, and three cards for nine to 12 vehicles, each with a $1,000 hold.

The information describes this as a voucher and says it will be returned or destroyed after the vehicle is checked. Still, you should arrive with the proper card and enough available credit. This is not the same as paying an extra $1,000, but it can affect your available spending power during the trip.

One person could not drive because this requirement had not been understood before arrival. In that case, a staff member drove instead. That solved the problem, but it changed the experience. Confirm the deposit procedure before booking if your group is traveling with a tight budget or limited credit.

Catarata Bijagual brings the cool-down

Within a short time of leaving Jaco, the route reaches secondary rainforest and continues toward Catarata Bijagual. The waterfall stop gives the day a needed change of rhythm after the ATV ride.

You can rinse off in the water and take photos. The swimming area is also a chance to cool down before lunch. Some guides may allow a jump or a short plunge into the waterfall pool, but this depends on current conditions and the guide’s direction. Ask directly if that option is safe on your visit, and do not treat a previous group’s experience as a guarantee.

The water has been described as refreshing, and guides have helped with family photos. This is one place where a swimsuit is useful. Wear clothing that can get muddy and wet, since the ATV ride comes first and the waterfall follows.

The waterfall entrance fee is included. That saves you from handling another small payment during a day already filled with equipment, transport, and activity changes.

Lunch at a mountain tilapia farm

After the waterfall, you continue to Restaurante Paz del Campo, a mountain restaurant and tilapia farm. This is more than a quick boxed meal. You can fish from the pond while waiting, or sit back and take in the quiet surroundings.

The food receives some of the strongest praise in the feedback, with several people calling lunch delicious and one family describing it as among the best local food they had in Costa Rica. The package includes an authentic lunch, so you do not need to budget for a separate meal.

The setting is a major part of the value. On clear days, the return route offers wide views toward the Pacific Ocean and the Nicoya Peninsula across the bay. Weather can obscure those views, so treat them as a bonus rather than a promise.

This lunch stop also helps balance the physical side of the day. You have time to sit, eat, and recover before returning to sea level. If you are traveling with people who want some quiet during an adventure day, this is the part they may appreciate most.

What the $179 price includes

At $179 per person, this is not the cheapest activity around Jaco. But the price covers several items that would otherwise add up:

• Zip line canopy course
• Four-hour ATV tour
• Bilingual English and Spanish guides
• Helmet and ATV instruction
• Tropical fruit snack
• Bottled water
• Lunch
• Waterfall entrance fee
• Requested pickup in the Jaco area

The value depends on how many parts you would book separately. A zip line outing, a long ATV ride, a waterfall visit, lunch, and transportation can become expensive when arranged one at a time. This package is strongest for people who genuinely want all three core activities.

It is weaker value if you mainly want to zipline or see a waterfall. In that case, you may spend much of the day and much of your energy on an ATV ride you did not really want.

The guides also affect the value. Strong instruction matters on both the canopy course and the ATV trail, especially for first-time riders. The repeated praise for staff such as Marco, Diego, Emmanuel, Alex, and the zip line teams suggests that the human side of the operation is one of the package’s best assets. Guides can change, so treat those names as examples, not a guarantee of your exact team.

What to wear and bring

Wear closed-toe shoes, such as tennis shoes. Flip-flops, sandals, and other open-toed footwear are not accepted.

Choose shorts and a shirt or other clothing that can get dirty. Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a camera. Bug spray is suggested, though it may not be necessary.

A camera is useful, but secure it carefully during the zip lines and ATV ride. The operator also offers a disc of tour photos after the canopy course, so you can decide at the end if the official images are worth buying.

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress for changing conditions. Poor weather can also cause a cancellation, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this Jaco combo

I would choose this package for an active couple, family, or group of friends who want to fill one day with variety. It is especially useful if you have limited time around Jaco and want forest, mountain, waterfall, food, and ocean views without arranging several separate outings.

It also suits first-time zip line riders. The canopy team has a strong record of helping nervous people feel safe, and the guides use safety checks throughout the ATV portion.

I would think twice if you dislike muddy roads, do not have a valid driver’s license, or want a relaxed day. Four hours on an ATV can be tiring, and the entire outing requires you to change activities several times.

Children under four cannot ride. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation, but you should still confirm any special needs with the operator before departure.

Pickup is available on request in the Jaco area only. The listed meeting point is Adventure Tours Costa Rica, about 1.2 kilometers past Del Super Excelente in Barrio Copey. The activity ends back at that meeting point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Because the trip depends on suitable weather, poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want an active, full-day sampler of the Jaco area and you like the idea of moving from cables to muddy trails to a waterfall and mountain lunch. The 2,400-foot zip line, refreshing swim, good meal, and Pacific views give the day plenty of memorable moments.

Skip it if you want only one focused activity, have limited stamina, or cannot manage the $1,000 card hold. Before booking, confirm the hold, license rules, pickup location, and the current trail plan. For the right group, $179 is fair because it bundles several substantial experiences rather than padding the day with a short stop or basic snack.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts approximately six hours, including the zip line course, ATV ride, waterfall stop, lunch, and return to the Jaco meeting point.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Adventure Tours Costa Rica in Barrio Copey, Jaco, about 1.2 kilometers past Del Super Excelente. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many zip lines are included?

The tour includes 10 zip lines and 10 platforms. The included services also list 12 cables, so you should confirm the exact course layout with the operator on the day.

How long is the longest zip line?

The second-to-last cable is approximately 2,400 feet long, or almost half a mile.

Do I need a driver’s license to operate an ATV?

Yes. 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.

Is an ATV security deposit required?

Yes. The operator requires a Visa or Mastercard voucher with a $1,000 hold for groups using one to four vehicles. Larger groups may need additional cards and holds.

What should I wear for the tour?

Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that can get dirty. Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a camera. Flip-flops, sandals, and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.