It’s 11 p.m., your La Fortuna trip is booked, and you’re three reviews deep wondering one thing: is this actually okay for a 5-year-old? Yet every parent researching ATV tours for kids in Costa Rica hits the same wall: plenty of photos, but almost no answers tied to your child’s real age. This guide fixes that. So we’ve grouped our family friendly ATV tours by age band, then matched each one to reviews from parents who brought kids exactly that age. In each band, you’ll see which vehicle fits, how long the ride runs, and what the trail is really like, mud and weather included. No hype. Instead, just what families like yours did, and what we’d suggest for a child your kid’s age.
At a Glance
- Youngest age: from 3 years old in a Side-by-Side with a baby seat (most La Fortuna operators start at 5 or 6).
- Best all-rounder: ages 5-7 on the 2-hour Jungle & Maleku’s tour.
- Everyone in one vehicle: the Side-by-Side seats up to 6.
- Teens driving solo: from age 16, on their own ATV (valid driver’s license required).
- Private tours: available for families who want a calmer, more flexible pace.
- Is it safe? Yes, with the right vehicle, weight limits respected, and a guide setting the pace.
Ages 3-4: The Toddler-Ready Side-by-Side
Here’s the honest truth most sites won’t tell you: we’re the only operator in La Fortuna that runs tours for children under 5. In fact, we welcome all ages from 3 years old, using a baby seat in our Yamaha Viking 700cc, a 6-seater Side-by-Side rated to 272 kg (600 lbs). Why not a regular ATV? Because on a quad, a small child rides behind the driver, holding on, missing most of the view. Instead, in the Side-by-Side they sit up front, buckled in, watching the rainforest go by. You drive the vehicle yourself, while a guide leads the way on an ATV to keep the group safe and on route. So for this age, guide Wilson is your specialist.
“The best investment ever! My daughter was so happy and excited through the whole 3-hour tour, amazed by the nature and amazed by Wilson, our personal guide… I really recommend to everyone to rent the SBS if you plan to take the tour with kids; they don’t enjoy the same if they travel in the ATV because it’s only for 2, and they’re in the back hugging the driver.”
From: Parent of a 3-year-old, 5-star TripAdvisor, Apr 2025
So on the Side-by-Side, the whole family rides together in one vehicle, not split across separate quads.
Traveling with a toddler? Book a Side-by-Side for your toddler
Ages 5-7: The Sweet Spot
This is where most families land. Because by 5 or 7, kids are big enough to ride as passengers and old enough to remember every sloth and monkey. If you’re comparing ATV tours for 5 year olds against ATV tours for 7 year olds, the answer is the same: this is the easiest, highest-payoff age to bring them. So you have two good routes. The 2-hour Jungle & Maleku’s tour keeps kids as passengers on a gentler trail, or take the Side-by-Side if you’d rather have everyone in one vehicle.
Never driven before? In fact, you won’t be the only one: one parent noted it was easy and fun on their first day, and they even extended an hour to get closer to the volcano. For mixed groups, it really shines:
Not sure which? Choose your 5-7 year old’s adventure
Ages 8+: Growing Confidence
Older kids can handle more, so this is where the 3-hour Discovery tour comes in. It climbs partway up the volcano to a viewpoint over the older lava fields, the part most families remember. Now the honest part, because kids safety on ATV tours only matters if we’re straight with you about the terrain. Indeed, the roads are steep and bumpy in places. Our ATVs are 4-wheel drive, well maintained, and handle it well, but this is real trail riding, not a flat loop.
Real talk: after two hours, some kids tire. After three, satisfaction climbs, but only you know your child. If they fade early, the 2-hour Jungle & Maleku’s tour is the safer pick.
Ready for the volcano? Explore the volcano
Ages 16+: Teens Take the Wheel
From age 16, a teen can drive their own ATV, while a guide sets the pace and the same weight limits stay in place. Anyone who drives, whether teen or adult, must bring a current, valid driver’s license from their home country on the day of the reservation. So pair the 3-hour Discovery with the volcano climb, or step up to the Jet Ski and ATV Combo for a full day on land and water.
Before every tour, we run a short driving test so each person feels comfortable behind the wheel. Then, if anyone isn’t at ease, our extra guides adjust on the spot: a parent can ride as a passenger with one guide while their child rides on a separate ATV with another, so the whole family enjoys the tour with more peace of mind, safety, and comfort.
Got a teen driver? Your teen drives, book now
Compare Tours by Age
Age | Recommended tour | Vehicle | Duration | Best for |
3-4 | Side-by-Side | Yamaha Viking 700cc (seats 6) | Flexible | The only ride that seats toddlers safely up front |
5-7 | Jungle & Maleku’s | ATV (kids as passengers) | 2 hours | Easiest, highest-payoff age; wildlife stops |
8+ | Discovery | ATV (4WD) | 3 hours | Volcano viewpoint, if your child can go the distance |
16+ | Discovery or Combo | ATV (16+ drives) | 3 hrs / full day | Independence, volcano, jet ski add-on |
Which Tour Should You Pick?
- Child under 5: the Side-by-Side, the only vehicle that seats them safely, baby seat included.
- Want the whole family in one vehicle: a Side-by-Side ATV family tour seats up to 6 (pregnant travelers, limited mobility, even your dog welcome).
- For maximum wildlife on a short, easy ride: the 2-hour Jungle & Maleku’s.
- To reach the volcano viewpoint: the 3-hour Discovery, best for ages 8 and up.
- Teen wants to drive: ages 16+ on their own ATV (Discovery or Combo).
Mixed-Age Families: One Tour, Everyone Together
The hardest booking is a 4-year-old, a 9-year-old, and a 15-year-old who all want different things. Still, the Side-by-Side solves it, everyone in one vehicle, or you run a small convoy where the adults and older teens drive and the little ones ride. We also offer private tours, which make the day much easier for families, especially when you’re traveling with teenagers or younger children. In addition, our routes include a stop at a Maleku indigenous village, a cultural pause you won’t find folded into a family ATV tour elsewhere in La Fortuna. As a result, it turns a ride into something the kids actually talk about afterward: part adventure, part real Costa Rica.
Frequently Asked Questions
It varies by operator; most in La Fortuna start at 5 or 6. We welcome all ages from 3 years old, using a baby seat in the Side-by-Side.
A regular ATV seats one or two, with children riding behind the driver. The Side-by-Side seats up to 6 with everyone facing forward, plus a baby seat option, better for toddlers, mixed ages, and anyone wanting to ride together.
Our family tours run 2 to 3 hours. Most kids do well on the 2-hour route; the 3-hour Discovery adds the volcano climb but can tire younger children. Pick the length to match your child, not the other way around.
There are ATV and Side-by-Side tours in many parts of Costa Rica, but La Fortuna is one of the best options for families: it combines off-road adventure with Arenal Volcano views, rainforest landscapes, and access to nearby hot springs. Families with kids may also prefer UTV or private tours for a more comfortable, flexible, and guided experience.
Yes, with the right setup. Our fleet is renewed every 3-4 years, weight limits are firm for the trails, and a named guide leads every tour. We won’t pretend the terrain is flat; it’s real trail riding, but it’s built for families who want safe exploration, not stunts.
Plan the Right Tour for Your Kids
Choosing a family friendly ATV tour in Costa Rica doesn’t have to be a guessing game. First, match the age, then match the vehicle, and you’ve matched the experience: from a 3-year-old’s first Side-by-Side to a 16-year-old taking the wheel. Our Side-by-Side fleet is adapted for babies, pregnant travelers, guests with limited mobility, and pets, so no one in your group gets left at the hotel. So tell us your kids’ ages and your dates, and we’ll match you to the right tour, no pressure, just a clear recommendation from people who run these trails every day.
Still deciding between a quad and a Side-by-Side? Read our full guide: ATV or Side-by-Side in La Fortuna
