Our Puerto Vallarta trip was as fun as they come, from the seaside to the adventure we wrapped a bit of everything into our trip. We climbed the Sierra Madres ( In San Sebastian del Oeste) to the elevation of 4683 Feet above sea level one day and the next we were climbing the Sierra Madres, via the Cuale River in Puerto Vallarta.
Our Puerto Vallarta RZR 4×4 Cuale River adventure is surely not for those without an adventurous spirit as you will either get really dirty from dusty trails or you will get really wet and muddy if it has rained.
Let me share a few details about this epic adventure and then you can lavishly live travel out loud and decide if the Puerto Vallarta RZR 4×4 Cuale River Adventure is for you.
Puerto Vallarta RZR 4×4 Cuale River Adventure
*updated August 2019
NO vacation is complete without some form of adventure. It might be that cab ride you took with the wrong cab driver to the WRONG place. There might be that time that you ended up getting stuck taking a tour of a timeshare just to earn a new adventure.
Of course, if you left your teens poolside, don’t have a phone number to reach you at, things might get a little shady! After all, you are in Mexico, and when you go for a walk and don’t come back after a few hours….. The most fabulous RZR 4×4 Cuale River Adventure is what happens as a result!
No one was pushing us to do anything on this trip, but my kids love adventures, and I feel that when we are traveling we have to experience as much as we can.
We have mini bucket lists that we work on and this was about to get crossed off. The Sierra Madres has been very kind to us on this particular trip as they have provided us a lot of different adventures.
This is me, all face-masked up, and ready for whatever dirt and dust are going to spatter me. Bring it on, this Gringa is ready! How WILD is this trip going to be? Stay tuned because we are about to travel through mud, dirt, cobblestone streets and there will be cliff diving of some crazy sort!
Arrival at Wild Treks Adventures
There are a few tour companies in Puerto Vallarta and this time we chose Wild Treks Adventures. Why? Well, before this all happened, Michael and I got ‘channeled’ into this timeshare visit. Our hotel, lady, insisted we take this. It was not part of the FAMILY Puerto Vallarta Press Trip and it totally sucked 5 hours our of our day!
Honestly, the funniest Karma is that the place that crushed on us so hard to attempt to talk us into a timeshare actually hosted me for a week in a different location!
We arrived at Wild Treks Adventures which was about 15 minutes from the Buenaventura Grand via cab. You get there, check-in, get a bandana, helmet and eye gear (you will need it all).
There is a bathroom (albeit a little rough) and I highly advise using it due to the bumps on the cobblestone roads and the rough terrain you are about to embark upon. Don’t miss your chance is al I am saying!
The guides will go over how to drive your Polaris RZR 4×4’s and a little bit about hand signaling and then off you go. If you just follow the group and rev it up a bit here and there, I am sure you are going to have a fabulous time.
Most were in a party of 2, we, however, as Team Vento, were together. We rode together and had an exceptional time. You do need to make sure that the size Polaris we rode in is available. It is not always there!
Do I think you can use a camera if you are not driving? Yes. If you are driving I suggest a Go Pro helmet or a stand for putting on the RZR. I attempted to do this with my phone and let us just say it was not one of my better decisions!
TOURING Puerto Vallarta
You might wonder what you got yourselves into when you initially start. Get ready to merge with the crazy flow of traffic in the streets. Follow the group, stay with the guides and life will be fine! Never take those seatbelts off and wear your helmet!
You get in and you start right away, stay tight to your guide and watch the road, it’s insane and a lot at once, but once you start moving Oh My Goodness is it fun! Our kids were cheering as we drove.
I heard screams of DELIGHT and laughter. The 3 amigos rode in the back and still talk about this family ride together! Never do we lack for party stories, and this trip turned into the biggest party story ever!
We met up with the group of ATV’rs before traversing the mountain and the Guides will take your photo and jump in! They are a hoot. Everyone will go up the mountain, and you can spread out a bit. What you don’t know is that the traffic will be oncoming too! Yep, what looks to be a single lane road actually is 2 lanes and TIGHT!
Through the Sierra Madres
We headed up the Sierra Madres in all the glorious dust, get ready to be bathed and coated in the dirt if it’s hot, dry and sunny. You will need a shower when you go back, and make sure to either wear goggles or sunglasses. The helmet is for rollover protection!
Every turn will be fun, but safety first. You are not driving a car, and there are dangers. Enough said!
There’s traffic coming down the hill at you as well as you going up the mountain, people really use these trails as roads, FYI! The conditions can get tight and I was screaming that I did not want to fall off the earth.
Also, where you see a mountain next to us, you will note that it disappears and all that will be there shortly is a hillside with NO guardrail! That’s Mexico at its most authentic and this ride will get you there!
In some parts of the trail, you have the edge of the mountain, no guide rails, and if your tire takes the divots that are just and sliding out, you could be gone, so really focus. (look left no guard rail)
Capture that photo at the top of the trail. Bottom left photo, we are filthy and coated.
Rancho Los Pilas For Eats & Diving
Now it’s time to head back down the trail, and go over to the Rancho Los Pilas owned by Wild Trek Adventures as well. The food is good, you don’t need your wallet, you can charge it to your account.
If you wore your swimsuit and have a bit of ‘loco’ built-in or fearlessness you will be cliff diving! Yeah, we can tell this is NOT my thing. It’s breakfast with a side of daredevil and tequila shots!
Here I thought we were heading to some hidden treasure in the town, and in reality, when you get here, this is owned by them adventure group and it is nice, just not what I had envisioned.
There is this mini cliff the guys were jumping off of and then into the pool. Be warned, if it’s dusty and you do this the water will attract more dust and more bug bites.
I think that needs to be discussed. We should have worn pants, and long sleeve shirt or at least a strong DEET. We got a bit a lot and the heat would have been worse in pants, but the bites less, so pick your battle.
Food
Yes, this is your fuel-up area. It’s also the touristy part of the trip. You will be offered Tequila tasting, which I was not up for at the wee hours of the morning. Fear not, most will go to the tasting and some will buy!
My waffle was awesome probably the best of the trip so kudos! Nothing was expensive and after a morning of driving, it was well needed. My stomach was growling and the kids were starved too! It is so pretty here and a great time to stop alongside a bathroom break!
After you eat (the food is good) they move you to their Tequila tasting, and this would have been fun had we not had the responsibility of driving 3 kids and $28,000 Polaris RZR or if we had not already done tequila tasting on the whole trip. (can’t always drink and have fun)
While I could have, I passed. I was not the driver. However, it was too early for me to start drinking. Plus, we were headed back to enjoy cocktails poolside!
My personal opinion is that I would have preferred more time on the roads and trails. Of course, they are going to try to sell you stuff no matter where you go in Mexico, so it created less time behind the wheel. Not the perfect adventure, but a good one!
This is fun, it gives you a taste of what you may not see and if you have not tequila bought, this is your chance. Just whatever, because vacation is a vacation!
Here’s a note, if you did not bring cash with you then you can just charge what you buy (food and alcohol) to your name and when you get back to the office you can settle up there and that was the best thing we learned on this trip, so no worries!
So much to see. Lavishly live travel out loud. Puerto Vallarta RZR 4×4 Cuale River Adventure is definitely family fun for those that love the outdoors and seeing Puerto Vallarta like most will not!
Sounds and looks like you guys had a BLAST! See this is the kind if travel reviews I like, informative yet entertaining all at the same time. Definitely will bookmark and share your blog with my friends.
I agree that when you go traveling, it’s best to experience as much as you can. Experience the culture, the music the people and everything. I haven’t visited Puerto Vallarta yet, but after reading this I plan to make my visit soon, stay tuned!…
It’s sometimes challenging to find and activity that the entire family can enjoy. We aren’t the outdoorsy type. Whenever we go on vacation, the only thing we do together is shop! LOL!
What an exciting family getaway! This is perfect for summer. Although I would just be looking for alternatives at nearby cities or go out of state.
“I feel that when we are traveling we have to experience as much as we can” What I think that, when you travel a lot, you might widen your eyes to see surroundings.
This kind of adventure is already exhilarating for me since I don’t really like to go outside my comfort zone. But this seems pretty convincing to go on my next “adventure”.
a rough road adventure experience is one of the purposes i go to places in a far flung countryside. The nature surrounding the trail is beautiful. The experience itself is unforgettable.
I wish our family is like yours. I only get to travel with friends. This is one awesome adventure!
How’s the temperature in that place? Is there a place in that river where fishing can be done? Only 4x4s? No dirt bikes? And yep, thanks for sharing this: “if you did not bring cash with you then you can just charge what you buy (food and alcohol) to your name and when you get back to the office you can settle up there ” – best info!
Pretty great review here! As I was looking at the pictures, I thought those oval thingies were markers of some sort that are supposed to be highlighting something. Only when I looked closer that I realized that those are some sort of logo of yours! Off to my eye doctor tomorrow!
“if you did not bring cash with you then you can just charge what you buy (food and alcohol) to your name and when you get back to the office you can settle up there ” – Seriously? I am very impressed! Question: If me and my buds go here with our own ATVs and gear, would that be okay?
I just love offroading on 4x4s! This place looks like a fun area to cruise around in. However, it seems like all the vehicles they have are of the passenger types. Do they have any that I can drive on my own? Single-seaters I mean. Because that would definitely make me wanna go there!
Family goals! Bucket list for summer! Muchos gracias Dana 🙂
This is one summer adventure I’d love to do! It may not be in Puerto Vallarta (I can’t afford that yet!) but I’ve been wanting to do something like this with my family for a long time.
This trip must be very fun for you guyz! What an amazing adventure and enjoyment for a family bond.
This made me want to travel with family and friends again though the original plan is to go backpacking alone this summer. I just hope I could convince them to try this kind of adventures with me.
That really looks like quite an adventure. I’m gonna try and convince my friends that we try it out sometime. I wish there were more pictures of food. It is easier to convince our guy friends with that!
That looks totally fun! I’m into dirt bikes and the like so I would really enjoy trips like this. Is there an option there where I drive?
This is so fun! This is total adventure. I havent been driving so this is a good opportunity!
Yoohoo way to go! I want to experience riding this with my family!
My kind of outdoor fun! I’ve never been in an ATV adventure before. I will take note of this in case we head down to Puerto Vallarta. Thanks for the tip Dana!
Wow you guys like like you’re having a blast! I really have to visit Puerto Vallarta and stop putting it off.
I miss travelling. I love all of those pictures, it’s amazing.
“but my kids love adventures, and I feel that when we are traveling we have to experience as much as we can”
What I think that, if you can let your kids take adventures, your kids might be trained more brave to face the challenges.
wow! what a family travel goal! I can feel the warmness and excitement while reading your blog post. It must be fun to watch it in vlog version 😀
Now that definitely looks fun! Rather dusty for some people’s tastes, but not mine. I’d prefer to be in the driver’s seat though.
Mexico is says to be one of the good places for travel. Now I’m wanting to go there too!
This sure is an epic adventure! Adventure trips with the family are truly memorable. Thanks for sharing your travel experiences with us!
I’ve been following your Puerto Vallarta posts for a while now and this looks fun as well. Unfortunately, I’m not very tolerant of dust so I’ll probably think twice before going on a similar adventure. 🙁
Wow. A nice travelogue you have posted about your trip to Puerto Vallarta. It looks like an awesome place in Mexico. I have not traveled a lot internationally yet but would like to have a trip in future. By that time I would definitely visit this place. I can see that you have enjoyed a lot. Thanks for sharing.
Looks really fun! I would love to do this type of adventure with the kids and the hubby. I’m sure they will love every minute of it.
Yes I would love to do this trip too, looks like they had a blast!
I can feel the excitement reading your post. I need to include that you captured a picture of a waffle that I feel like entering my hand on the screen to get it. Do you want to do a vlog? If you want to try to do a video of your adventure and post it on YouTube, I will be the first subscriber.
OMG this is FUN! I’d love to go on an adventure trip just like this one. Summer please come soon!
First a lavish hotel and now this? I am drooling to get to Mexico right now.
The adventure must really be enjoyable! I would want to go ride that car. Cool!