Side by Side Tour (Arenal Volcano) 2 – 5 people

A muddy UTV ride, a river stop, and open views toward Arenal Volcano make this one of La Fortuna’s more hands-on outings. You follow rough farm tracks, cross wet patches, pass through local countryside, and reach places a regular car cannot.

I like the mix of terrain, from practice fields and hills to river crossings and back roads. I also like the family-friendly side-by-side format, with space for several people in one vehicle, supplied helmets and goggles, and guides such as Pablo and Aaron who help point out wildlife and keep the pace safe.

The main thing to understand is that this is a guided scenic adventure, not a high-speed driving course. If you want hard technical riding or racing, the shared tour may feel too tame, especially when less-experienced drivers are in the group.

Key points before you book

• Expect mud and water: Rain can turn the ride into a very wet, messy adventure, so wear clothes and shoes you can sacrifice.
• Arenal is viewed, not reached: The route leads toward volcano viewpoints, but you do not drive right up to the volcano.
• Rio Arenal is a real highlight: You may have time for a short swim, though water conditions can affect how inviting or practical that stop is.
• The side-by-side suits families: Two people can share one vehicle, and car seats or booster seats have been provided for young children on some outings.
• Safety controls the pace: A briefing and practice section help guides place drivers in groups that match their comfort and skill.
• The price works best for a small group: The listed rate is $310 per group of up to two people, so check the total for parties larger than two.

What this UTV ride is really like

This is a two-hour motorized outing around La Fortuna, built around access rather than speed. The side-by-side UTV lets you sit beside your companion, share the driving experience, and tackle muddy ground without each person needing a separate ATV.

The route uses private farmland, rough tracks, local roads, jungle edges, and river areas. That mix gives you a more ordinary view of the Arenal region than a standard lookout or bus excursion. You may pass working countryside and see how quickly the roads change from smooth pavement to deep puddles and uneven ground.

The machines are used to reach the sights, rather than being the entire point of the trip. You get scenery, a little local life, and a dose of mud along the way. The balance is good for families and first-time riders, but experienced ATV drivers may wish for more difficult ground.

Getting started with the safety briefing

Your start point is F8CJ+8JP in La Fortuna, Alajuela Province. Pickup is offered, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The activity ends back at the starting point.

Before setting off, you receive a safety briefing and get familiar with the vehicle. Helmets and goggles are provided. The initial practice section can take a noticeable part of the outing, especially when the group includes first-time drivers.

That practice is not wasted time. Side-by-sides are larger and heavier than ordinary cars, and muddy turns or water-filled hollows can feel different from driving on pavement. The guide needs to see that each driver can handle the vehicle at a safe pace before the group heads farther out.

I would pay close attention here, even if you have driven an ATV before. The shared format means your pace affects the people behind you, and the guide’s job is to keep the whole group together. That is also why this tour does not cater to reckless driving or racing.

Moving from the practice area to rural tracks

The first part often uses an off-road practice area with holes, puddles, and muddy sections. In dry weather, this may feel like a simple introduction. After rain, it can become the liveliest part of the day, with deep mud and vehicles needing help through soft ground.

The route then opens into pasture and farmland. This is where the experience becomes less about technical driving and more about seeing rural Costa Rica from ground level. You can expect hills, local roads, open fields, and stretches that reveal daily life outside La Fortuna’s main tourist strip.

Some people will find this pace relaxing. Others, especially experienced ATV riders, may find open pasture sections boring. That difference matters when you decide if the tour fits you. The guides prioritize safe movement and group control, so you should not book this expecting a private rally through the jungle.

The side-by-side layout helps here. You can talk with the person beside you, watch the guide’s line through wet ground, and enjoy the scenery even when the route is not demanding. For a family group, that shared format is often more useful than a faster but more intense ride.

The Rio Arenal stop and the chance to get wet

A stop at Rio Arenal adds a welcome break from the vehicle. Depending on the route and conditions, you may have around 20 minutes there, with time for photographs, a drink, or a quick swim.

The river is one of the strongest reasons to bring a swimsuit or clothes that dry quickly. Some people get into the water, while others find the current too strong or arrive without planning to swim. Conditions can change, so treat swimming as an opportunity rather than a promise.

I would bring a small towel if you have room, but the most important choice is clothing. Mud and river water are common parts of the outing. Wear old shorts or trousers, a top you do not mind staining, and shoes that can handle water. The goggles help with spray and mud, but they will not keep every part of you clean.

The river stop also breaks up the driving. Two hours in a vehicle can feel long if every minute is spent on the trail. A pause beside the water lets you stretch, cool off, and take in a quieter side of the area.

Arenal Volcano views without the close approach

The volcano viewpoint is a short photo and water break, listed at about 10 minutes. You can see Arenal from the route and stop for pictures, but the vehicles do not take you close to the volcano itself.

That distinction is important. If your main goal is a close volcano viewpoint, you may want to pair this ride with a dedicated Arenal observation stop or another park activity. Here, the volcano is part of the setting and a rewarding backdrop, not the only attraction.

Weather controls the view. A clear morning can give you a strong look at the volcano, while cloud and rain may hide the upper slopes. The ride still offers muddy tracks, farms, and river scenery in poor visibility, but the photo stop will be less impressive.

Bring water for this break. Even a short drive through wet ground can feel warm and tiring, and the stop gives you a chance to reset before returning to the vehicle.

Wildlife and the everyday side of La Fortuna

The guides can add a lot to the outing when they watch the trees and roadside carefully. Sightings have included sloths, iguanas, and howler monkeys. These are not guaranteed, but the open-air vehicle gives you a better chance to notice movement above the trail than you would from a closed car.

Guides Pablo and Aaron have been singled out for pointing out wildlife, helping with photographs, and making the ride feel safe and lively. Other guides may lead your group, but the service is intended to include basic information about Costa Rica’s biodiversity along the route.

The rural sections are valuable even when no animal appears. You pass through areas that are easy to miss from a main road, including private farmland and local back roads. That gives the trip more character than simply circling an off-road test field.

Still, keep expectations sensible. This is not a dedicated wildlife tour, and the motor noise means you should not expect a long list of animal sightings. Think of wildlife as a bonus woven into a driving excursion.

How the group size affects your day

The activity can accept up to 30 people, though the number in your actual departure may be smaller. Small groups can move smoothly, spend less time waiting, and sometimes allow the guide to adapt the pace more closely to the people in the vehicle.

Large mixed-ability groups are a different matter. If several drivers are new to ATVs or side-by-sides, the practice period may last longer and the route may move slowly. You may spend more time in open fields while the guide keeps everyone together.

The operator may split people by driving experience when possible, but you should still think of this as a shared tour. A private option is available for people who want more control over pace and route. That is worth considering if your group contains experienced riders who do not want repeated stops.

For most families, the slower pace is a benefit. Parents can focus on staying comfortable and safe rather than keeping up with an aggressive group. Children can share the vehicle, and car seats or booster seats have been supplied for young children on some family bookings. Confirm the arrangement for your own child before booking.

Who will get the most from the $310 price

The listed price is $310 per group of up to two people. That makes the value easiest to judge for a couple or two-person party that wants a private-feeling vehicle and a full activity rather than a short ride around a small track.

The rate covers roughly two hours, equipment, a guide, the route, and access to farmland and river areas. It also gives you an outing that combines driving, scenery, a volcano viewpoint, and a possible swim. For a couple who would otherwise book several separate activities, that combination can make the cost reasonable.

For a group of more than two, check the final price carefully because the published rate is for up to two people. The title allows two to five people, but the supplied details do not explain the extra-person charge.

I would consider the price worthwhile if you value variety and a guided experience. I would be less convinced if your only aim is fast, technical off-roading. In that case, a private tour may make better sense, even if it costs more.

What to wear and bring

The practical packing list is simple:

• Old clothing that can get muddy
• Closed shoes that can handle water
• A swimsuit if you may enter Rio Arenal
• A towel and a change of clothes
• Water for the stops
• A phone or camera for the volcano viewpoint

The supplied helmets and goggles reduce what you need to bring. You should still expect spray, mud, and rain to reach uncovered parts of your body.

Rain is not automatically a bad thing here. Wet weather can make the muddy sections much more fun, though heavy rain may reduce volcano visibility and make the river stop less comfortable. The activity requires good weather, so a cancellation caused by poor conditions brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Booking details that matter

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The tour offers pickup, ends where it begins, and is near public transportation.

Most people can participate, but you should consider your own comfort with uneven ground, water, and a moving off-road vehicle. The supplied information does not give a detailed age or medical policy, so families should confirm any child-specific needs before paying.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time.

The activity also needs a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you receive the option of another date or activity, or a full refund.

Should you book this Arenal UTV tour?

Book it if you want a family-friendly way to reach rural Costa Rica, enjoy muddy driving, and like the idea of stopping at a river. The side-by-side format works well for couples, families, and groups who want to share one vehicle rather than split up across separate ATVs.

I would also book it for the mix of scenery. You get Arenal views, farmland, back roads, wet trails, possible wildlife sightings, and a river pause in a single outing. That variety is the best argument for the price.

Think twice if you want speed, difficult technical riding, or complete control over the route. A shared group can move slowly, and the practice section may feel long for experienced drivers. For that audience, ask about a private tour instead.

For most people visiting La Fortuna, this is a good choice when approached as a scenic off-road outing with mud, not an extreme driving challenge. Bring clothes you can ruin, leave room for a swim, and expect the volcano to be a view along the way rather than the final destination.

FAQ

How long does the Side by Side Tour take?

The tour lasts about two hours. The time includes the safety briefing, practice section, off-road driving, countryside routes, stops, and the return to the meeting point.

How many people can ride together?

The experience is advertised for two to five people, and the listed price covers a group of up to two. Two people can ride in one side-by-side vehicle. Confirm the final price and vehicle arrangement if your group has more than two people.

Is the Arenal Volcano close to the route?

The tour takes you toward viewpoints with views of Arenal Volcano, but you do not drive directly up to the volcano. The viewpoint stop lasts about 10 minutes and allows time for photos and water.

Can I swim in the river?

You may have a chance to swim at Rio Arenal, with some outings allowing about 20 minutes there. Water conditions can vary, and the river may be too strong for swimming at times.

Are helmets and goggles provided?

Yes. Helmets and goggles are provided for the ride. You should still wear clothing and shoes that can get wet and muddy.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel yourself for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.