Discover Costa Rica Beyond the Coast: An Unforgettable Mountain Adventure Most people come to Uvita for the coast. Fewer realize the hills behind it are worth a full morning. If you want the best ATV excursions in Costa Rica that mix mountain trails, a waterfall, big viewpoints, and a coffee farm, the Morete ATV Tours route covers all of that in about four to five hours, with a local guide up front. The Mountains Behind the Coast Once you leave the beach, the landscape changes fast. You’re on rural roads, climbing through forested hills and farmland, with the elevation shifting under you. Every stretch looks different. One minute it’s green pasture, the next it’s a ridge with a wide view. The viewpoints are the best part of the pacing. You ride for a while, then stop, step off, take photos, and look at the hills rolling out toward the southern Pacific. Nobody’s rushing you. La Mano de Morete La Mano de Morete is a landmark on the route and a good photo stop. It’s included when the rainy-season conditions allow, so it isn’t a guaranteed stop every day. Your guide will tell you whether it’s on that morning’s route. San Luis Waterfall San Luis Waterfall is the main natural stop. It’s surrounded by thick tropical vegetation and feels properly tucked away. Depending on the route and conditions, you can take an optional hike for a closer look, which is a nice break from sitting in the vehicle. A few practical points: Waterfalls and forest trails change with the rain, so wear proper shoes and follow your guide. If a trail isn’t safe that day, the route gets adjusted. That’s the guide doing the job, not a problem with the tour. It Changes With the Season The route isn’t identical all year, and that’s a good thing. Rainy season. The countryside is at its greenest and the streams run full. When conditions allow, the route includes La Mano de Morete, San Luis Waterfall with the optional hike, countryside viewpoints, and a coffee farm visit with tasting. Heavy rain can affect which trails are open, so the final plan depends on the day. Dry season. The route can include a swimming hole and a cliff-jumping area, along with San Luis Waterfall, the viewpoints, and the coffee farm. Swimming and jumping only happen when conditions are safe. Water levels and weather decide that, so don’t count on it, and always follow local guidance. The Coffee Farm Coffee is a big part of Costa Rican farming, and the farm stop puts that in context. You visit a local farm, learn a bit about how it works, and sit down for a tasting. After a morning on dusty trails, it’s a good way to slow down. It also shows you the rural side of the region. You pass farms and mountain communities on the way, which you’d never see from the highway. Wildlife The forests and countryside around Uvita are home to plenty of animals. Depending on the route and the season, you may see birds, monkeys, and butterflies. Sightings are never guaranteed, which is part of why they’re fun when they happen. Keep your eyes open, give animals space, and don’t chase them. Stay on the trail, follow your guide, and take your trash with you. [Add a real example here: an animal your guides often see, and roughly where on the route.] Which Vehicle Should You Choose? This is the part to read carefully, because it decides who gets to drive. Single ATV (quad). You need previous ATV experience. You also have to pass a mandatory driving test before the main tour begins, and you need a valid driver’s license. The trails include uneven ground, slopes, and changing terrain, so these rules exist for a reason. Side-by-side (SxS). If you’ve never ridden an ATV, choose a side-by-side with a licensed driver. You still get the full route without having to handle a quad on your own. What to Bring Sneakers or water shoes (no sandals) Swimsuit and towel, in case there’s water time Light, comfortable clothes Sunscreen and insect repellent A change of clothes for afterward Sandals aren’t allowed. You’ll be riding and walking, so you need shoes that stay on. We provide the essential gear: helmet, goggles, and a gator neck. Wear all of it the way your guide shows you, and listen closely to the safety briefing before you set off. Why Go With a Guide? You could rent a vehicle and wander. You’d miss most of this. A guide knows which trails are open, which stops work that day, and when to change the plan because of weather or safety. Local knowledge is the whole point. With four to five hours on the route, there’s time for the trails, the viewpoints, the waterfall, and the coffee farm without feeling hurried. Ready to Ride? Morete ATV Tours runs guided adventures of about four to five hours through the mountains above Uvita. Depending on the season and conditions, you’ll see San Luis Waterfall, La Mano de Morete, countryside viewpoints, and a coffee farm with a tasting, and in the dry season the route may add a swimming hole and cliff-jumping area. Routes adjust to the weather, and the vehicle rules are there to keep everyone safe.