Sierra Madre ATV Tour and Zipline

The best part of this outing is its mix of ATV riding, ziplines, tequila, and lunch in one trip to the Sierra Madre. You leave the coastal hotels behind and reach Rancho Capomo near Las Palmas, where the setting feels rural and active rather than polished for tourists.

I like the new ATVs and long ride, which takes you through town, countryside, neighboring ranches, and along the local river. I also like the generous meal, with handmade tortillas, salsas, chicken, beef, beans, rice, and drinks included. The main drawback is that the ride gets dusty, and some zipline platforms have needed maintenance, so sturdy shoes, sunglasses, and a little caution are wise.

Key points to know before you book

• The ATV route lasts about an hour or more, with dusty stretches through rural roads and countryside.
• The zipline course includes optional stopping points, but the final two or three lines require a short uphill walk.
• Lunch is a real Mexican meal, not just a snack, with handmade tortillas, several main dishes, and alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.
• House tequila tasting is included, with unusual flavors such as almond, coffee, and pineapple.
• Transportation is part of the package, using an air-conditioned vehicle and designated pickup points.
• Bring sunglasses, closed athletic shoes, and a grip for your hands, since dust, metal handlebars, and rough platforms can affect comfort.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta for the Sierra Madre

The tour begins at 8:15 a.m. at the OXXO on the corner of Carretera Barra de Navidad and Púlpito in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica. Pickup and drop-off are provided from designated meeting points, and the tour ends back at the starting point.

The drive to Rancho Capomo takes about an hour and 10 to 20 minutes from a Puerto Vallarta hotel, depending on the pickup arrangement. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, a useful comfort in the heat. A larger van can hold about 15 or 16 people, though the rear seats may have an odd odor and the windows are generally fixed.

If you have a larger group, confirm transportation details before the morning of the tour. One group of 14 had a mix-up over hotel pickup, but a phone call to Rancho Capomo fixed it. WhatsApp produced the quickest response, so I would use that channel if you need to clarify pickup details.

Once you reach the ranch, you can use the restrooms and settle in at the bar area. Horses are kept on the property, and the ranch grows agave for its own tequila. That gives the place a working-ranch feel before the machinery and harnesses come out.

Getting ready for the ATV ride

The staff outfit you with helmets and handkerchiefs before the ATV portion. Both single and double ATVs are available, and the vehicles have been described as new. That matters because a dependable machine makes the ride less stressful, especially if you are new to off-road driving.

The start can feel rushed. You may still be adjusting your helmet strap and covering your face when staff begin taking group photos. Take a moment to check your fit before setting off. A handkerchief helps with dust, but you will want sunglasses as well, especially if you ride behind another ATV.

The ride lasts about an hour, and it is more than a short loop around the property. You pass through the village, head into the countryside, ride near neighboring farms and ranches, and reach the local river. The route gives you a look at the Sierra Madre foothills away from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone.

This is not a quiet nature ride. The ATV engines are loud, and dry conditions can send dust into the air. If you are seated behind another vehicle, keep your glasses on and expect dirt on your clothes. The handkerchief helps, but it does not make the ride clean.

I would wear clothes you can wash easily. Closed athletic shoes work for most people, though hiking boots are a better choice if you plan to complete every zipline and walk between the higher platforms.

What the ATV portion feels like on the ground

The ride combines ordinary village roads with rougher rural stretches. That mix is part of the appeal. You are not simply circling a purpose-built track, and the route lets you see a more local side of the area.

At the same time, the ride asks for attention. Dust reduces visibility, and the person ahead of you may throw up a steady cloud in the dry season. Leave space between vehicles when possible, keep your sunglasses on, and expect your shoes and lower clothing to get dirty.

The tour is suitable for most participants, but it is still a motorized outdoor activity. You need to follow the guide’s instructions and feel comfortable handling an ATV or riding as a passenger. The group size can reach 25 people, though portions of the day may be split into smaller groups.

After returning to the ranch, you can use the restrooms again and prepare for the zipline course. This pause is useful because the ATV section is dusty and warm.

Flying between trees on the zipline course

The staff provide the harness, helmet, and handlebars, then explain how to use the equipment. Instructions have been described as clear, which helps if this is your first zipline outing.

The course gives you several chances to cross above trees and river areas. Some sections let you stop and return to the bar or outdoor dining area if you decide the activity is not for you. You do not have to finish every line simply because you started.

The later part requires more effort. The final two or three ziplines involve a short hike to the next platform, so this is not a ride-only activity. Standard athletic shoes should work, but hiking boots offer better footing if the ground is rough or damp.

There are a few comfort points worth knowing. The handlebars are plain metal rather than padded, and sweaty hands can make them less pleasant to hold. Weightlifting gloves or another pair of gloves with a firm grip could help, though they are not supplied.

The platforms have also been under maintenance at times. Watch for splinters or rusty metal, and do not rush while stepping onto or off a platform. The course may not have the polished feel of a major theme-park attraction, but that is also part of the ranch setting. You are using an outdoor course in the forest, not a highly controlled indoor facility.

Lockers are available, but you need to bring your own lock. You can place belongings inside without one, though I would avoid leaving anything valuable unsecured. Keep your phone with you only if it is safely protected and permitted by the staff.

Tequila tasting before the meal

The tequila tasting adds local flavor without taking much time away from the active parts of the day. The ranch makes its own tequila from agave grown on the property, and the tasting may include almond, coffee, and pineapple flavors.

You can taste tequila before the zipline and again around lunch. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included with the meal, so you can choose what suits you. If you are driving an ATV, follow the staff’s timing and safety guidance rather than treating the tasting as a free-for-all.

This is one of the more distinctive parts of the outing. Many adventure tours tack on a generic drink stop. Here, the agave and ranch setting give the tasting a stronger connection to the place.

A proper Mexican lunch at Rancho Capomo

After the zipline, you return the helmet, harness, and handlebars, then head to the outdoor dining area. Lunch is substantial and works well after a dusty morning in the sun.

You can watch women at the ranch make tortillas by hand. The meal includes tortillas, two kinds of salsa, sope, chicken, beef, beans, and rice. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available, and margaritas have been a popular choice after the ride.

The food is one of the strongest reasons the $150 price can make sense. You are not paying only for two activities. The package also covers transport, equipment, guides, lunch, drinks, and tequila tasting. If you would book separate transportation and pay for a meal and drinks on your own, the combined cost could quickly approach the tour price.

The outdoor dining area also has hammocks, giving you a place to rest before the return trip. That pause matters. ATV riding and ziplining can be tiring, and the half-day schedule feels fuller than the five-hour headline suggests once you include the drive.

Photos, group size, and the pace of the day

Souvenir photos are not included. Do not expect cameras mounted along the course like those at a theme park. The available photos and videos may depend on what your own group can capture with personal phones.

Staff may take group photos at the ATV start, but you should not count on a full professional photo package. If getting action shots is important, ask about the current photo setup before you go and protect your phone from dust and falls.

The maximum group size is 25 people. That is large enough to create waiting time, though the activities can be handled in separate smaller groups. A private feel is possible when only a few groups are on site, but you should not book this expecting a private tour.

The tour is offered in English, and most of the staff have been described as speaking English. Names of individual guides are not provided, so the quality of your personal guide may vary by departure.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a full day away from Puerto Vallarta’s beach and hotel zone. It suits active couples, groups of friends, bachelorette parties, and families with participants who can manage ATV riding and a short walk between zipline platforms.

It is especially useful for a group with different interests. One person can enjoy the ATV ride, another can focus on the ziplines, and everyone can meet for lunch and drinks. The optional exit points on the zipline course also make it easier for less confident participants to take part without completing every line.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet nature visit, a polished resort-style attraction, or a spotless outing. The ATV section is dusty, the course can feel rough around the edges, and the ride to the ranch takes time. You should also be comfortable with a full morning of heat, equipment, engines, and outdoor activity.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Still, the activity includes ATV use, harnesses, elevated platforms, and a short hike, so consider your own comfort and mobility before booking.

Is $150 a fair price?

At $150 per person, this is not the cheapest half-day activity in Puerto Vallarta. It becomes better value when you use most of what is included: round-trip transport, an ATV ride of about an hour, the full zipline course, equipment, a professional guide, tequila tasting, lunch, and drinks.

The value is strongest if you want several activities in one booking. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the ranch, find lunch in the countryside, or pay for equipment rental. The meal is generous, and the transport removes a major practical problem.

The price feels less attractive if you plan to skip the zipline, avoid tequila, or prefer a small private outing. Souvenir photos cost extra, and transportation details may need confirmation if you are staying outside the standard pickup area.

The tour is recommended by 90 percent of customers and carries a 4.6 rating from 10 ratings. That is a positive signal, but the sample is small. I would use the practical details more than the number: expect fun activities, good food, and friendly staff, while also accepting dust, basic platforms, and a busy schedule.

My advice on booking and preparation

The cancellation policy is generous up to 24 hours before the 8:15 a.m. start, when you can receive a full refund. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted. Poor weather can cancel the outing, with a new date or full refund offered.

Book about a week ahead if possible. The average booking lead time is eight days, which suggests that last-minute spaces may not always be available. Before departure, confirm your meeting point, pickup plan, and whether your group needs extra transport from a hotel.

Pack:

• Sunglasses for ATV dust
• Closed athletic shoes, preferably with good grip
• Comfortable clothing that can get dirty
• A handkerchief or face covering
• A small lock for the lockers
• Gloves if you dislike bare metal handlebars
• Cash or another payment method for optional photos

You will want to leave valuables behind. The lockers are useful, but a lock is not provided.

Should you book the Sierra Madre ATV Tour and Zipline?

Book it if you want a busy, social outing that combines off-road riding, forest ziplines, local tequila, and a filling Mexican lunch. The package offers good value for people who plan to use nearly every part of it, and the ride to Las Palmas gives you a real break from Puerto Vallarta’s resort strip.

Skip it if you need a quiet, highly polished attraction or dislike dust, rough outdoor platforms, and long transport time. For the right person, the imperfections are manageable. Bring glasses, sturdy shoes, and realistic expectations, and this becomes one of the more varied ways to spend a day in the Sierra Madre.

FAQ

Where does the Sierra Madre ATV Tour and Zipline start?

The tour 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 listed start time is 8:15 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately five hours, including the activities, meal, tasting, and return transportation.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points are included in an air-conditioned vehicle. Confirm additional hotel pickup details if your accommodation is outside the standard arrangement.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Mexican food such as tortillas, salsas, sope, chicken, beef, beans, and rice. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are also included.

Is tequila tasting included?

Yes. The package includes a tequila tasting. Flavors may include almond, coffee, and pineapple.

Are ATV and zipline equipment included?

Yes. The necessary equipment is provided, including helmets, harnesses, and handlebars for the zipline portion.

Are souvenir photos included?

No. Souvenir photos are available to purchase, but they are not included in the tour price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor-weather cancellations may result in a different date or a full refund.