When I was a kid, I loved playing outdoors and having fun. With the warm sun on my face and not a care in the world…it was all about the laughter and freedom.
So as an adult, I am always my happiest when I can play outside, laugh and have fun. And that’s exactly the experience we had when my husband and I went on an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) tour with Wheelie Trails ATV Jungle Adventure in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. In fact, before we could even finish our tour, we were already making plans to go again. But this time, forget about sharing and taking turns driving, we each want to drive our own ATV.
While doing our research, we found that so many companies do combination tours with cenotes, snorkeling, biking, swimming, etc. We did not want to pay for those other activities just to ATV, so we kept looking on Trip Advisor until we found ATV Jungle Adventures. And although they offer those other activities as well, you can book an ATV only tour.
We booked our two-hour tour through their website, confirmed our pricing, and waited for the fun. On our tour day, we met our guide at the appointed location, completed and signed our liability forms, and paid for our tour. After we finished the administrative business, it was time to get down to the nitty-gritty.
Our guide provided very detailed instructions on how to appropriately operator the ATV. He then proceeded to explain what the tour involved in terms of driving to and from the off-road tour location. Let me stop here to let you know right now that you will be driving your ATV on Highway 307 and other city streets until you reach the off-road tour location. So, if you have any concerns about that, you probably should not go on this tour.
The guide further explained the need for safety, including hand signals he would be using to guide us through a safe and fun experience. He offered cold bottled water, bandanas to protect our faces (we had already purchased our own in advance, so we used ours), helmets and a place to store our belongings. Now about that…don’t bring a bunch of stuff with you thinking there is a place to put it while you tour. The guide has a small storage type box on the front of his ATV (see photo below) where he recommends you put your purse, jacket, or other very small items. I would recommend that you bring a plastic garbage bag with you to place your items in before you put them in the storage box. Trust me, there is so much dirt and grim (part of the fun) flying everywhere, that plastic bag will help protect your belongings.
So now it was time to go! My husband and I shared the ATV and took turns driving it. After we maneuvered the Playa del Carmen city streets, we hit the trails flying (well, maybe not flying, but we pressed just a little harder on the throttle…smile). Up and down, and all around…we were both laughing and grinning from ear to ear and really having fun, fun, fun!!! In fact, if we didn’t have our bandanas on, we would have had a mouth full of dirt and grime (remember mud pies…smile). Talk about a blast…we grinned and laughed so hard that our cheeks hurt the next day.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT YOU MAY FIND HELPFUL:
1. Bring and wear your sun glasses. They will protect your eyes from all the dirt, grime and debris.
2. Bring your own bandana or use theirs. It will protect you from eating dirt.
3. Bring a plastic garbage bag to put your purse, hat or other small items in the storage box that is located on the tour guide’s ATV.
4. Ladies (or gentlemen) if you are wearing long earrings that day, I would recommend removing them until after the tour (just a precaution).
5. Wear casual clothes. Something you don’t mind getting dirty, is a must. We wore shorts, but the next time I go, I will be wearing long pants. My rationale for longer pants is because I felt a heat sensation on my left leg next to the exhaust cover. Maybe it won’t be so noticeable with longer pants.
6. You can take your own photos before and after with your ATV, but the guide will take photos of you on the actual trails and email them to you. There is no additional cost for this service.
7. The guide did introduce himself and gave us his name. At the end of the tour we asked him to spell it for us so that we may include it in our review. He said he would email it when he sent the photos. We got the photos, but he forgot to include his name.
8. As you are walking down the street toward the Ferry dock, it is located across from Café Antoinette Bakery, through an alley that is behind Senor Frogs. It is toward the back, on the right-side of the small business plaza (see photos). Look for the ATV sign and the ATVs.
GO, have fun, and get a little dirty!!! It’s like a playground for
grown-ups!!! Enjoy our photos.
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