The Jorullo Bridge gets most of the attention, but it is not the only off-road option around Puerto Vallarta. On the northern shore of Banderas Bay, our Punta de Mita tours head into the jungle, cross streams, climb to ocean viewpoints and, on the RZR route, pass through Sayulita. They leave from a different set of pickup points than the mountain tours, which is the detail most people miss when they book.<\/p>\n
Here is how the two tours compare, where you get picked up and what you need to bring.<\/p>\n
The Jorullo tours climb into the Sierra Madre above the Cuale River and end on the hanging bridge. The Punta de Mita tours stay near the coast: jungle trails, rural roads, river crossings and ocean views. There is no suspension bridge on this route. If you are staying in Nuevo Vallarta, Bucer\u00edas or the Punta de Mita resorts, it also saves you the drive south into the city, because the pickup points are on your side of the bay.<\/p>\n
The ATV tour lasts about two and a half hours, not counting the transfer. It follows rural roads and high mountain tracks, gentle streams and a few more demanding river crossings, then finishes at Higuera Blanca beach. Expect to get wet, because the water is part of the route. The price starts at MXN 2,000, and you can ride solo or share a double ATV with a partner.<\/p>\n
The tour includes transportation, certified guides, safety equipment and a photo and rest stop.<\/p>\n
The RZR tour is longer, about four hours plus the transfer, and it covers more ground. You drive through mountain trails, dirt roads and jungle, with views of the Pacific and the cliffs along the way, and the route includes a short stop in the town of Sayulita. A single RZR holds two to four people, and the price is per vehicle, starting at MXN 6,000.<\/p>\n
It includes round-trip transportation, bottled water during the ride, a helmet and goggles, bilingual guides and a tequila tasting at the end.<\/p>\n
| <\/th>\n | Punta de Mita ATV<\/th>\n | Punta de Mita RZR<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration (without transfer)<\/td>\n | About 2.5 hours<\/td>\n | About 4 hours<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Route<\/td>\n | Rural roads, streams, rivers, Higuera Blanca beach<\/td>\n | Mountain trails, jungle, ocean views, quick stop in Sayulita<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seats<\/td>\n | Single or double ATV<\/td>\n | 2 to 4 people per vehicle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Starting price<\/td>\n | MXN 2,000<\/td>\n | MXN 6,000 per vehicle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collision fee at check-in<\/td>\n | 10 USD per ATV<\/td>\n | 20 USD per RZR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Physical effort<\/td>\n | Medium to high<\/td>\n | Low<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best for<\/td>\n | Couples and solo riders who like to get muddy<\/td>\n | Families and groups who want more distance and a village stop<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nPickup Points and Times<\/h3>\nThese tours use their own pickup points around Bucer\u00edas and the Punta de Mita hotel strip. Be at the meeting point at least 20 minutes before the listed time. The first two points are free, and the hotel lobbies add MXN 100 per person.<\/p>\n
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