I did an ATV tour while vacationing near Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica. They ran the tour out of the hotel where we were staying so all you had to do was pay the fee and you were done.
That morning, the guide pulled back a large tarp covering the machines complete with baloney skin tires, mismatched body panels (some were missing), bent handlebars and coolers strapped on the rear cargo racks... all had seen better days. The guide started the machines to let them warm up while he stocked the coolers with water and lots of cerveza!! He had a large cooler on his ride stuffed with "lunch" that included a variety of fruits and seafood, most of which I couldn't identify.
Luckily the group was small, 4 ATV's plus the guide and all were somewhat experienced riders. They showed you where the throttle and brake was, how to shift and that concluded the training session. The tour left the hotel @10:00 a.m. and returned around 4:00 p.m. It took us into the very dense jungle where we rode footpaths, creek beds and thru some of the worst poverty you could ever imagine. The tiny village's homes consisted of skid walls with tin/dirt roofs, no electricity or running water. The livestock lived with the people and the chickens had free range of the open air dwellings. We seen crocodiles on the river bank, heard howler monkeys in the trees and spotted all kinds of unusual birds and reptiles... it truly was another world.
We were frequently stuck due to the bald tires and one in the group got a flat, the guide had to go get a spare while we anxiously waited alone in the jungle... I'm glad we had plenty of beer! It was one of those experiences you keep for life and feel very blessed I had a chance to do it. It puts a smile on my face every time I think about it, what a ride!
