ATV vs UTV: which ride is right for your crew?

What's the difference between an ATV and a UTV?

An ATV (all-terrain vehicle, also called a quad) is a motorcycle-style machine you straddle and steer with handlebars — 1 rider on a Single, or driver plus one passenger on a Double. A UTV (utility task vehicle, also called a side-by-side or buggy) is more like a small open jeep: car-style seats for up to 5 people, a steering wheel, seatbelts, a roll cage and a roof.

In short: the ATV is the more physical, hands-on ride; the UTV is the more comfortable, social one. Same trails, same mud, same river crossings — different way of experiencing them.

Who can drive, and who can ride along?

The rules are the same for both vehicles: every driver must be 18 or older with a valid driver's license from any country, in any language. No international permit needed — your regular license works as long as it's valid and has your photo.

Passenger ages differ: on an ATV Double, passengers must be at least 5 years old. In the UTV, kids from 2 years old can ride, and baby seats are available on request. Anyone without a license — teens included — joins as a passenger.

Pick an ATV (Single or Double) if…

You want the throttle in your own hand. The ATV is for riders who want to feel the trail — leaning into corners, powering through river crossings, picking their own line in the mud. Singles give every rider full control; Doubles let a licensed driver share the machine with a passenger aged 5+, which is great for couples and parents with a kid or teen.

One key booking rule: ATV reservations require a minimum of 2 machines (any mix of Singles and Doubles), and this applies to the ATV combo tours too. So a lone Single or a lone Double can't go out by itself — think two Singles, a Single plus a Double, two Doubles, and so on.

Pick a UTV (Side-by-Side) if…

You're travelling with kids from 2+, mixed ages, grandparents, or anyone who'd rather enjoy the view from a proper seat with a seatbelt and a roll cage overhead. Up to 5 riders share one vehicle (we recommend 4 for all-adult groups, for extra comfort), so the whole family experiences the trail together — pointing out monkeys, laughing through the splashes, no one left out.

The UTV is also the answer for solo travelers and couples who want a single vehicle: unlike the ATVs, the UTV can be booked on its own with no minimum-machine rule.

How much does each one cost?

All prices include Costa Rica's 13% IVA. The ATV Adventure runs $95 per Single (1 rider) and $105 per Double quad (2 riders — that's about $53 per person). The UTV is $300 per vehicle for up to 5 riders, which works out to as little as $60 per person with a full crew.

On combos: ATV + Cabalgata is $150 (Single) / $195 (Double); ATV + Canopy is $165 (Single) / $205 (Double) with Congo Trail. The UTV combos keep the $339 vehicle price and add the activity per person — $45 for the cabalgata, $40 for the canopy.

Which one is safer?

Both are guided tours on a route our team rides every single day, with helmets and goggles included, vehicles inspected before every departure and a bilingual guide setting a pace that matches the least experienced rider in the group.

That said, the UTV adds passive protection the ATV can't: seatbelts, a roll cage and a roof. That's why it's our recommendation for small children, older riders and anyone nervous about balance. On the ATV, safety comes from the briefing, the pace and your own attention — thousands of first-timers do it every year without trouble.

Can we mix ATVs and UTVs in one group?

Yes — and it's what most bigger groups end up doing. A classic setup: kids and parents in the UTV, the adrenaline crew solo on quads, everyone on the same trail with the same guide, regrouping at the finca and the viewpoints for photos.

If you're planning a mixed group, tell us the ages and preferences when you book (or message us on WhatsApp) and we'll suggest the best combination of vehicles for your crew.

What if I'm traveling solo?

Because ATV bookings need a minimum of 2 machines, a solo traveler can't reserve a single quad on its own. Your best options: book the UTV (it goes out as a single vehicle), or write to us on WhatsApp — depending on the day's schedule we may be able to help you find a departure to join.