An ATV day in the mountains is a great way to escape the beach. This one pairs dirt-road riding with a real swim stop at a natural waterfall, then climbs higher for a family-run organic coffee farm and lunch overlooking Nosara.

What I like most is the mix of action and learning. You get time to cool off at the falls, and you also walk through how regenerative coffee farming works while sampling fresh juices and coffee. The one thing to consider: the waterfall portion involves walking over uneven, rocky ground, so mobility issues may make it tougher even with guide help.

Key things to know before you go

• Private group ATV experience so it’s just you and your people
• Waterfall swim time with enough room to explore, not a quick photo stop
• Family organic coffee farm with about 30+ years of regenerative farming
• Fruit-tree walkthrough including orange, dragonfruit, avocado, lime, and coffee
• Organic lunch with coast-and-hills views near Nosara
• Sturdy shoes matter since the waterfall area can involve rocky footing

ATV from Nosara up the mountain: dirt roads, jungle trails, and real riding

The day starts in the Nosara center area at Tierra Costa (Tierra Costa Nosara Centro). You ride in a group with your guide and head up from the coast into Guanacaste’s hills. The route uses dirt roads plus jungle trails, so expect a proper ATV feel, not a slow drive on a paved lane.

This is also a good choice if your group has mixed experience levels. In my experience, ATV tours are easiest when the guides set expectations early and adjust as needed. Here, you’ll get that kind of hands-on help on the ride so first-timers aren’t left to guess.

Duration is about 6 hours total, and the tour runs within daily hours from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Because your ride includes climbs and stops, timing feels natural: you’re not rushed at the coffee farm, and you’re not stuck riding with nothing to do in between.

One practical note: this tour needs good weather. If conditions are poor, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund, so plan to be flexible if you’re traveling in the rainy season.

The waterfall stop: swimming time plus a rocky walk

The tour’s first “wow” moment is the natural waterfall. You’ll stop, explore, and swim as long as you want within the time you have. This is the kind of place where you’ll want to slow down—water, shade, and the sound of it all around you.

Just don’t treat it like an easy stroll. The approach can involve a rocky, uneven area (think riverbed-style footing). If you have mobility limits, you’ll want to discuss it with the operator before you go, because the guide can help, but the ground is still ground.

Footwear is your best friend here. Sturdy shoes with grip are the safer bet, even if you plan to get wet. Some people use water sandals, but only if they’re stable and secure on rocky steps. If you’re bringing flip-flops, consider leaving them for after the tour.

Also, bring a basic plan for your belongings: you’ll want water-friendly storage for your phone and wallet, or a dry bag if you have one.

Inside Juan’s organic coffee farm: regenerative farming you can actually see

After the waterfall, it’s back on the ATV and farther up the mountain. The coffee farm visit is the heart of the day if you like agriculture, food, and how a product goes from plant to cup.

This is a family-run operation with over 30 years of regenerative farming practices. That matters because you’re not hearing theory only. You’re walking through fruit trees and coffee plants and seeing how the farm is managed as a living system rather than a one-crop factory.

On the tour, you’ll meet Juan, the owner/host, and you’ll get a guided walk through the farm’s key areas. Expect a tour style that feels personal, not scripted—Juan shares how the coffee plant is cared for across the full cycle, from cultivation through harvest and onward to what ends up in your cup.

You’ll also move through a variety of fruit trees such as orange, dragonfruit, avocado, and lime. Seeing these together helps you understand the farm is doing more than producing coffee; it’s maintaining a whole ecosystem around the coffee plants.

Coffee and fruit tasting: what you learn, what you sample, what to buy

The farm portion includes tastings: you’ll sample fresh fruit juices and coffee. This is where the tour becomes more than a walk. You’ll connect what you saw—how the plants are grown and tended—to what you taste.

You learn the basics of coffee cultivation in a way that sticks:

• how the coffee plant is maintained over time
• how harvest fits into the process
• how the coffee gets from the farm to your cup

And because the farm grows other fruits too, the tasting feels like part of the same story. Those juices are usually a welcome break after the ride and the waterfall.

If you want a souvenir that makes sense (and not just a fridge magnet), bring some cash to buy coffee from the farm. Juan’s coffee is a common add-on, and it’s one of the easiest ways to keep the day from ending when the tour does.

Organic lunch with Nosara coastline views: the fuel part feels like a treat

Lunch is included and served as organic food with a view over the hills and coastlines of Nosara. This stop works on two levels.

First, it’s a real reset. After ATV riding and wet, rocky waterfall time, you’ll appreciate a sit-down meal that isn’t rushed. Second, the setting turns lunch into part of the experience instead of a quick break to fill your stomach.

You’re eating in a scenic spot high enough to see the coastline and hills, and that’s exactly what makes this tour different from tours that feel like a checklist. You get to breathe, digest, and enjoy a wide view before you head back down.

If you’re picky about meal timing, you’ll still be fine. Lunch is planned inside the 6-hour window, so it fits naturally between the waterfall and the return ride.

Price and logistics: value for your money, and who should book

The price is $195 per person for about 6 hours. To judge value, I look at three things: how many distinct experiences you get, how much time you actually spend in each, and whether there’s any “dead time.”

Here, you get three real components:

1) ATV riding across dirt roads and jungle trails

2) a waterfall stop with time to swim and explore

3) a farm visit with a walk through coffee and fruit trees, tastings, and lunch

That’s not a quick “drive-by” day. It also includes lunch, which usually means you’re not scrambling for food later or paying extra once you’re hungry.

Two other details make planning easier:

• You’ll start and end at the same meeting point in Nosara.
• It’s a private tour, so only your group participates.

One more planning point: this tour requires a minimum of 4 people to run. If your group is smaller, reach out and you can discuss options.

Finally, booking lead time tends to be solid (it’s often reserved about a month in advance), so if you’re set on a specific day, I’d treat it as a book-early kind of activity.

Should you book this ATV + waterfall + organic coffee tour?

Book it if you want an active, real-world Costa Rica day that mixes water time, mountain riding, and food-focused learning. It’s especially good for couples and families who like doing a lot without feeling rushed. The private setup also makes it easier to handle different riding comfort levels.

You should think twice if mobility is a key concern. The waterfall area can involve a rocky walk over uneven ground, and even with guide help, it may be challenging. Also consider how you feel about being on an ATV for part of the day—this isn’t a gentle stroller-style outing.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes tasting what you learn and you want lunch with actual scenery, this tour is a strong fit.

FAQ

How long is the ATV waterfall and organic coffee farm tour?

It runs for approximately 6 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $195.00 per person.

Where do we meet, and does the tour end back at the same place?

You meet at Tierra Costa Nosara Centro in Nosara, Guanacaste. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is this tour private?

Yes. This is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Is there a minimum group size?

Yes. A minimum of 4 people is required to run the tour. If you’re traveling with fewer, you can reach out to discuss options.

What if the weather is bad, or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.