If you would rather drive than walk, the ATV adventure is the high-energy option on the Costa Maya. The trip is a guided ride on quad bikes along the tracks and trails that run through the scrub and jungle behind Mahahual, with a guide at the front, a safety briefing before you set off and a stop for a swim or a drink afterward. The version described here includes an open bar, which is worth reading carefully: alcohol and quad bikes do not mix, so most riders keep the drinks for the end, after the machines are parked. The outing is popular with groups of friends, couples who like a bit of adrenaline and families with teenagers who would be bored by a temple. Expect dust or mud depending on the weather, bumpy ground and a lot of laughing. You do not need prior experience, though you should be comfortable on a vehicle with a throttle and handlebars. It is a loud, playful contrast to the quiet boardwalk and reef days that make up the rest of the coast.
Why go
The Quintana Roo coast behind the beach is a flat, wooded landscape of low jungle, dirt roads and open clearings, which makes for easy and fun quad riding rather than technical trail work. A guided ride lets you see a stretch of terrain that most cruise visitors never leave the shoreline to find, with the bonus of a beach or beach club finish. It is a good choice for groups who want to do something together, because everyone rides at the guide's pace in a line.
How to do it
You will usually be asked for a valid driver's license and to sign a waiver, and operators commonly set minimum ages and weight or height limits, so check these when you reserve. Wear closed shoes you do not mind getting dirty, long trousers or shorts you can wash, sunglasses to keep dust out of your eyes and a hat that sits under a helmet.
Bring a change of clothes if the operator allows it, and a waterproof bag for your phone. Give your ship name and all-aboard time when you reserve, and make sure the schedule leaves you a generous margin, because ATV rides tend to start with a briefing, a ride and a beach stop before you are returned to the port.
Practical points
Take the safety briefing seriously and ride at a speed you are comfortable with. Avoid the open bar until the ride has ended, and drink water as well as cocktails because the heat is real. Passengers who do not want to ride may be able to join a seat or wait at the beach club, so ask in advance.
Rain turns tracks to mud, which many riders enjoy, but heavy weather can change or cancel the schedule, so keep a flexible plan. Pair the ride with a swim, a boardwalk lunch or a massage to recover, and do not stack it with other long excursions on the same port day.
Make the most of it
Keep a steady gap behind the rider in front to avoid dust and flying mud, hold the handlebars firmly on bumps and take photos only when stopped. A small towel and a plastic bag for wet clothes make the ride back far more comfortable, especially if you head straight to a restaurant or the ship.
What to expect
The experience
A guided quad-bike ride on tracks and trails behind Mahahual with a safety briefing, usually followed by time at a beach spot.
Best time
Morning or early afternoon, when it is not at its hottest.
How long
Around three hours including the briefing, ride and beach stop; confirm the exact length when you reserve.
Tips
Wear closed shoes and washable clothes, bring a licence and sun protection, and save the drinks until the ride is over.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Groups and adventure seekers who want something active and playful.
- Families
- Suits teenagers; check minimum age and weight limits, and whether passengers can ride along.
- Couples
- A fun shared adrenaline hit, with a swim to finish.
- Pair with
- A swim, a boardwalk lunch or an oceanfront massage afterward.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
Do I need to have ridden an ATV before?+
No. A briefing is given first and the guide leads the group, but you should be comfortable controlling a vehicle with a throttle and handlebars.
What do I need to bring?+
A valid driver's license if asked, closed shoes, clothes you do not mind getting dirty, sunglasses, sun protection and water. A waterproof bag for your phone helps.
Is the open bar safe to use?+
Treat it as an after-ride perk. Do not drink before or during riding, and follow the guide's instructions.
Is there an age or weight limit?+
Operators commonly set limits, so confirm minimum age, height and weight when you reserve.
What happens if it rains?+
Tracks get muddy, which many riders enjoy, but heavy weather can change or cancel the schedule. Ask the operator about their policy.
