Reviewed · PLAYA DEL CARMEN ATV AND BUGGY TOURS
ATV or Speed Boat or Wave Runner with Beach Club In Riviera Maya
Playa Maroma gives you two very different ways to burn off a morning: take an ATV through three ecosystems, or head out on a Wave Runner or speed boat toward the Great Mayan Reef. I like the choice, the included pickup from hotels around Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya, and the small maximum group of 14.
I also like that beach access is included and that the price covers equipment and an orientation. The main caution is organization: confirm your pickup time and chosen activity carefully, since a reported time mismatch caused one customer to miss the outing entirely.
Key points to know before you book

- Three-part ATV route: Ride from mangrove trails into rainforest and finish along the beach.
- Two motorized water options: Choose a Wave Runner or speed boat, traveling in a guide-led caravan.
- Great location: The activity takes place at Playa Maroma, with access to the beach included.
- Hotel pickup included: Transportation is offered from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Riviera Maya hotels.
- Extra charges matter: Wave Runner and speed boat participants pay a $15 dock tax, while lockers cost $10.
- Small group size: The maximum is 14 people, though your exact group may be smaller.
Two ways to experience Playa Maroma

The heart of this outing is the choice between land and water. You do not combine the ATV and watercraft activities in one session. You select the option that fits your idea of fun.
The ATV route is the better pick if you want changing scenery and a rougher ride. It begins along a trail through mangroves, continues into thick rainforest, and ends on a track beside the beach. That gives the ride a useful sense of place. You are not simply circling a flat dirt course. You move through three distinct coastal settings.
The Wave Runner and speed boat option has a different rhythm. You operate a fast craft in a caravan led by an expert guide. The route follows the coast from Playa Maroma toward the Great Mayan Reef. You get the pleasure of handling a motorized watercraft while staying with a guided group.
I like having this choice because it lets you match the activity to your comfort level. If you prefer a trail and want to stay on land, choose the ATV. If speed and open water sound better, choose the Wave Runner or speed boat.
Basic driving skills are required, so neither option is aimed at someone who has never handled a vehicle of any kind. The minimum age to drive is 16. Children as young as six may participate when accompanied by an adult, but the information provided does not say that children can drive.
More beach clubs in Playa del Carmen:
- Catamaran Cruise in Riviera Maya With Snorkeling & Beach Club
★ 5.0 · 440 reviews - Discover Scuba Diving & Beach Club with Transportation In Riviera Maya
★ 5.0 · 239 reviews - Fishing Tour & Beach Club In Riviera Maya
★ 4.5 · 50 reviews
The ATV route through mangroves and rainforest

The ATV experience is described as a tour of three ecosystems. First comes a trail through intricate mangroves. These coastal plants grow in wet, tangled areas, and a route through them gives the opening section a more natural feel than a purpose-built amusement track.
From there, the trail moves into rainforest. This is the section where the setting changes most clearly. You are surrounded by thicker vegetation and a narrower route, with the ATV doing the work as the trail pushes farther into the wooded interior.
The final section runs along the shore. That transition from forest to beach is the main appeal of the route. It gives you a short sample of several parts of the Riviera Maya rather than keeping you in one enclosed riding area.
You should expect an active outing, not a quiet sightseeing trip. The tour information specifically advises people with limited mobility, back problems, recent surgery, or pregnancy to choose a lower-impact activity. That warning is worth taking seriously. An ATV route can place stress on your back and joints, even when the ride itself is not especially long.
The supplied timing needs a little care. The activity is advertised as roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes overall, including transportation and preparation. The included details describe one hour of activity, with 45 minutes of walking and 15 minutes of instruction. The itinerary also gives a 45-minute duration for Playa Maroma. Those figures do not line up perfectly, so ask the reservations team to explain the exact riding time before you pay.
That does not necessarily make the outing poor value. It simply means you should not assume that the full 2.5 hours is spent driving an ATV. Some of your time will go to transport, orientation, equipment, walking, and getting organized.
Wave Runner or speed boat toward the reef
The water option begins with a safety orientation and equipment. You then head out in a Wave Runner or speed boat, traveling in a caravan behind an expert guide.
The caravan format is important. You are not being sent off alone to find your own route. The guide marks the course along the coast, keeping the activity organized as the group travels toward the Great Mayan Reef.
A Wave Runner puts you directly at the controls and is the more hands-on choice. The speed boat option gives you the same general coastal outing in a different kind of craft. The available information does not explain how the two boats are assigned, so confirm your preferred choice when booking.
The route offers a look at the coast from the water, with Playa Maroma behind you and the reef as the general destination. The description does not promise snorkeling, swimming, or reef access, so do not book this expecting a separate marine-life excursion. The core experience is driving a fast craft along a guided coastal route.
The $15 dock tax per person applies to the Wave Runner or speed boat option. Add that to the advertised $85 price when working out your real cost. That puts the water activity at $100 per person before food, drinks, or any optional locker.
What the two-and-a-half-hour schedule really means

The overall experience lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes, but that includes more than the central activity. Hotel pickup, arrival, walking, instruction, equipment, and the return to the meeting point all take a share of the clock.
The included information refers to 15 minutes of instruction and 45 minutes of walking. That is useful context because the ride itself may feel shorter than the total duration shown during booking.
I would plan this as a compact half-day activity rather than a full-day excursion. It leaves time for another plan, but you should not schedule something tightly on the other side of it. Pickup times can vary across the Riviera Maya, and the reported problem with a mismatched meeting time shows why you should confirm the details directly.
Your start and end point is Playa Maroma, at Carretera Federal 307 Chetumal Puerto Juarez Km. 306+250, Punta Maroma. Hotel pickup is offered throughout the Riviera Maya, but the exact pickup arrangement must be checked with the reservations team.
That is particularly important if you are staying in Cancun or farther south along the Riviera Maya. The distance from your hotel can affect how much of the morning is spent in the vehicle.
More ATV and Buggy Tours in Playa del Carmen:
- From Playa del Carmen ATV Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote
★ 5.0 · 2,041 reviews - Playa del Carmen Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim and Mayan Village Visit
★ 5.0 · 1,747 reviews - Jungle Buggy Tour from Playa del Carmen Including Cenote Swim
★ 5.0 · 1,253 reviews - ATV with Speedboat, Waverunner, or Parasailing
★ 5.0 · 498 reviews
The value of the $85 price

At $85 per person, the outing is reasonably priced for a short guided motor-activity session with transportation. The base price includes roundtrip transportation from many area hotels, an English or Spanish guide, the orientation, equipment, the activity, and access to Playa Maroma.
That package works best for you if hotel pickup is convenient and you want one organized activity without arranging a taxi or separate beach admission. Transportation can be a meaningful part of the value in the Riviera Maya, where attractions are spread along Federal Highway 307.
The extra costs are modest but easy to overlook:
- A $15 dock tax applies to each Wave Runner or speed boat participant.
- A locker costs $10.
- Food and drinks are not included.
- Private transportation is not included.
The water option therefore costs $100 per person before a locker or refreshments. The ATV option does not list a dock tax, so it may be the simpler choice if you want to keep the final bill close to the advertised price.
I would bring only what you need for the activity and use the locker if you have valuables that cannot remain with you. Since the locker fee is separate, decide ahead of time instead of treating it as part of the base price.
The strongest value here is the combination of hotel transportation and beach access. The weakest point is the short activity time compared with the total outing. If your priority is a long ATV ride or an extended water session, verify the exact duration before booking.
Playa Maroma adds more than a launch point

Playa Maroma is not just the place where you check in. Access to the beach is included, giving you some time in one of the Riviera Maya’s best-known coastal settings before or after the motor activity.
The information does not specify how much free beach time you receive, so do not assume you will have hours to relax. Still, beach access gives the outing a broader appeal than a stand-alone ATV track or watercraft rental.
For me, this is useful for couples or families who do not all want the same level of action. One person may care most about the ATV or Wave Runner, while another may appreciate the beach setting. The minimum participation age is six with an accompanying adult, but the driving age is 16, so younger children will not be independent drivers.
The beach also helps break up the activity. After a noisy motor ride, a little time near the shore can make the outing feel less rushed. Just remember that food and drinks are not included.
Group size, guides, and the safety briefing

The maximum group size is 14 people. That is small enough to keep the experience from feeling like a massive convoy, though the actual number on your departure can be lower.
An English or Spanish guide leads the experience. For the water option, an expert guide leads the caravan and marks the coastal route. For both activities, the briefing and equipment are included.
The 15-minute instruction period may sound brief, but it is an important part of the outing. Pay attention to the controls, route rules, and safety directions. Basic driving skills are required, so you should be comfortable following instructions and operating the craft or ATV.
The safety restrictions are clear. The activity is not recommended if you have limited mobility, back problems, a recent surgery, or are pregnant. It also requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
The provider has an overall rating of 4.9 from 315 ratings, with 97 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong result, and it fits the appeal of the package: a choice of land or water, a scenic coastal setting, and pickup included.
Still, high marks do not remove the need to check practical details. One serious complaint involved a meeting time that did not match the communication received, leaving the customer without the activity and wasting the day. I would save the confirmed pickup time, location, and selected activity in writing.
Who will get the most from this outing

I would recommend the ATV option to you if you like active rides, want to see more than one type of coastal terrain, and prefer not to spend the session on open water.
The water option suits you if the main attraction is speed. Choose the Wave Runner or speed boat if the thought of following a guide along the coast toward the reef sounds better than riding through forest tracks.
Families can consider the outing, but age and comfort matter. Children from age six can participate with an adult, while drivers must be at least 16. The safety advice also makes this a poor fit for anyone who needs a gentle, low-impact excursion.
This may not be the right choice if you want a full beach day, a long reef tour, snorkeling, or a private experience. The activity is shared, the maximum group is 14, and the scheduled motor portion may be shorter than the overall 2.5-hour duration.
It is a good match for a first taste of an ATV or guided watercraft ride. It gives you a clear choice, basic instruction, organized transport, and access to Playa Maroma without taking an entire day.
Booking advice and cancellation terms
Confirmation is provided at booking. Because pickup is available across Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya, check the exact time and meeting instructions rather than relying on a general departure window.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes in that period are not accepted. Cutoff times use local time.
Weather is another factor. The activity requires good conditions, and a weather cancellation results in a different date or a full refund.
I would make three checks before finalizing:
- Confirm ATV or Wave Runner or speed boat.
- Confirm the pickup time and hotel location.
- Confirm the expected active riding time.
Those simple checks deal with the main practical weakness and help you judge the price fairly.
Should you book the Playa Maroma adventure?
Book it if you want a compact, active outing with a choice between an ATV route and a guided watercraft ride. The included hotel pickup, beach access, equipment, and small maximum group make the $85 base price attractive, especially for visitors staying along the main Riviera Maya corridor.
Choose the ATV if scenery matters most, with mangroves, rainforest, and beach on the route. Choose the Wave Runner or speed boat if speed and coastal travel are the main draw, but budget another $15 for the dock tax.
Skip it if you need a low-impact activity, a private tour, or a long water session. And before you leave your hotel, confirm the pickup time in writing. That small step protects your day and lets you enjoy what this outing does best: a short burst of motorized adventure at Playa Maroma.
FAQ
Where does the activity take place?
The activity takes place at Playa Maroma, at Carretera Federal 307 Chetumal Puerto Juarez Km. 306+250, 77710 Punta Maroma, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Roundtrip transportation is offered from hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya. You should consult the reservations team for the exact pickup details.
What activities can I choose from?
You can choose an ATV tour through mangroves, rainforest, and a beach route, or a water activity using a Wave Runner or speed boat in a guide-led caravan.
How long does the experience last?
The overall experience lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The included details also describe one hour of activity, with 45 minutes of walking and 15 minutes of instruction.
What is the minimum age to drive?
The minimum age to drive is 16. People as young as six may participate when accompanied by an adult.
Are there extra fees?
The Wave Runner or speed boat option has a $15 dock tax per person. Lockers cost $10. Food, drinks, and private transportation are not included.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or full refund.
More Boat Charters in Playa del Carmen
- 4 hours – Private 48ft Yacht all inclusive in Tulum and Playa del Carmen
★ 5.0 · 443 reviews - Riviera Maya Luxury Sunset Sailing plus Light Dinner and Open Bar
★ 4.5 · 424 reviews - 4H Private 38’Catamaran All-Inclusive in Tulum & Playa del Carmen
★ 5.0 · 308 reviews - Half-Day Luxury Sailing Experience in Tulum with Open Bar
★ 4.0 · 250 reviews
Newest Playa del Carmen trips we have written up
- Traditional and ancestral Temazcal experience★ 5.0 · 54 reviews
- VIP Temazcal Private Tour★ 5.0 · 17 reviews
- From Playa del Carmen: Whale Shark Tour★ 4.3 · 52 reviews
- 6 Hour Private Fishing Tour in Puerto Aventuras Riviera Maya★ 5.0 · 14 reviews
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen★ 5.0 · 34 reviews
- Award-winning Classic Horseback Ride (max. 6 riders)★ 5.0 · 51 reviews
- Holbox Island from Playa del Carmen★ 4.5 · 17 reviews
- Holbox Island Tour in Mexico with Lunch★ 4.5 · 17 reviews
Playa del Carmen ATV and Buggy Tours, compared.

From Playa del Carmen ATV Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote
Read our review →
Playa del Carmen Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim and Mayan Village Visit
Read our review →
Jungle Buggy Tour from Playa del Carmen Including Cenote Swim
Read our review →
ATV with Speedboat, Waverunner, or Parasailing
Read our review →
Playa del Carmen: Riviera Maya Buggy Tour with Cenote Swim
Read our review →
Riviera Maya Jungle Half-Day Tour: ATV, Ziplines, Cenote Swim, Rappel
Read our review →
Maya Adrenaline Tulum: Cenote + 5 Ziplining + ATV Adventure
Read our review →
Playa Del Carmen: Cenote & Mayan Village Tour by Buggy
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in
