This post is about a Puerto Vallarta nonstop, riveting RZR 4×4 Cuale River Adventure you’ll love it is a perfect family adventure and what we consider a wild ride up the Sierra Madres with the side of a dust bath or a mud bath depending on the season.
Experience Puerto Vallarta with an adventure where you rip it up through the streets and the mountainside and have the chance to have fun!
I am far from a daredevil, yet my husband is the opposite, and I wondered if I chose right for all of us.
The kids had so much fun. I know I chose right; it was a blast and a memory maker!
Every vacation needs an adventure, and this is a great choice in Puerto Vallarta!
The Pulse-Pounding 4×4 Cuale River Adventure + the Streets of PV
From the countryside to the town, you will want to reserve this 4×4 Cuale River Adventure because it gets you out of your lodging and into the thrilling liveliness of Puerto Vallarta during the day.
It’s something different to do, and many people go and experience this.
Plan on half of a day and for the adventure, you won’t quite forget (depending on who is driving!)
Our Decision To Go To The 4×4 Cuale River Adventure.
No one was pushing us to do anything on this trip, but my kids love adventure!
So to comply, we sought out this wild Puerto Vallarta 4×4 Cuale River Adventure without a second thought!
Wild Trek Adventures in Puerto Vallarta
So the vendor we used for our wild adventure through the streets of Puerto Vallarta was Wild Trek Adventures.
Arriving at Wild Trek Adventures, The Tour Operator
There are a few tour companies in Puerto Vallarta, so we chose Wild Treks Adventures.
We arrived at PV Tour Operator’s HQ, about 15 minutes from our hotel via cab.
Our Tour Package Included:
- a 5-person RZR
- Safety helmets
- A stop at Rancho Los Pilas (bathroom break, food, tequila tasting)
- Fun Puerto Vallarta adventure tour up the Sierra Madres
We Suggest Bringing
- Bandanas (they do have some if you don’t )
- sunglasses
- A zippered bag that attaches to you somehow
- wearing athletic shoes
- A way to secure your Go-Pro that is hands-free if you are using one
The Sierra Madres has been very kind to us on this particular trip as they have provided us with many different adventures we toured Sans Sebastion a few days before and had a whole other view of the Sierra Madres.
Procedure At The Wild Treks Adventure
- Arrive
- check-in
- fasten your helmet
- get eye gear
- use the bathroom
- Get paired up with your RZR
- Brief instructional for the driver
- Get in and Buckle up! Baby – you gonna ride!
Need To Know Before the Puerto Vallarta Adventure Tour Begins
- The guides will go over how to drive your Polaris RZR 4x4s and a little bit about hand signaling
- You need to make sure that the size Polaris we rode in is available (if you’ve got 5). It’s not always available!
Now Let The Wild Ride Along The Cuale River Begin
Bring it on, this Gringa is ready! How WILD is this trip going to be?
I had so much running through my head, and I knew we were in for a thrill when my husband got behind the wheel.
Stay tuned because we are about to travel through mud, dirt, and cobblestone streets, and there will be cliff diving of some crazy sort!
The First Stop Before The Ascent Up the Sierra Madres
Before you head up the mountain, the guides stop and check on everyone since you have had a chance to drive a little and know what to expect.
If you want a photo, take it now, at the top of the mountain, and maybe while you are on the cobblestone streets; otherwise, ALL bets are off because it is mandatory to hold on!
Via The Streets in Puerto Vallarta + The Ride
You might wonder what you got yourselves into when you initially started.
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 can get a ticket (and yes, this has happened!)
Challenging Terrain Ahead on the 4×4 Cuale River Adventure
Once our guides checked in with us, they took off ahead, and we all followed, kinda!
I have no idea why my husband took the wheel because I know he has way too much fun when we are on adventures, and this day was NO exception.
That’s the 4×4 in front of us; believe it or not, this is ascending the Sierra Madres. It’s a road used by MANY that live in Puerto Vallarta; I thought it was just for the adventure.
So NOT the case, and let me add an ‘OMG’ with that because I would NOT use this for a road. Add to that, there had been no rain for a while the dirt began kicking up as soon as we started (not that it is a bad thing, it was hysterical)
4×4 Cuale River Adventure: Live It Up
We tried to selfie going up the hill, but I kind of failed, there were curves, no guide rails, and my husband was insanely moving about like he owned the RZR.
The kids were having so much fun telling him to go faster or swerve, and I was just freakin’ praying he would get away from the side of the mountain… welcome to the Vento Family!
Expect What? On Your Puerto Vallarta 4×4 Adventure
You get in, 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 cheered with screams of delight as we drove and accelerated!
The three amigos rode in the back and talked about this family ride together!
Everyone (ATVs & RZRs will go up the mountain), but 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 is two lanes and TIGHT!
Ascending Up The Sierra Madres + A Dust Bath In The Polaris RZR 4×4
We headed up the Sierra Madres in all the glorious dust, getting 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, but it is so worth it and so fun you’ll have a blast.
Make sure to wear either goggles or sunglasses.
The helmet is for rollover protection! Every turn will be fun, but safety comes first, and you will think you are rolling over if you aren’t the driver!
Still Processing This Batch of Crazy On The Wild Treks Adventures
In the USA and on other trips out of the country, we have been on 4x4s but never in the main path of traffic.
There’s traffic coming down the hill at you, and you go up the mountain; people 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!
There were other parts of the trail, where you’ll have the edge of the mountain, no guide rails, and if your tire takes the divots that are just sliding out, you could be gone, so really focus. (look left. No guard rail)
Rancho Las Pilas: Eats & Diving Part Of the Wild Treks Adventures
Now it’s time to head back down the trail and go to the Rancho Las Pilas, owned by the Tour operator.
The food is good; you don’t need your wallet and can charge it to your account.
If you wear 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 the adventure group, and it is nice, just not what I had envisioned.
There is this mini cliff the guys were jumping off and into the pool.
This is the part that I think is neither safe nor a waterfall, so it’s hype over craziness, IMO, and I always tell you the truth, so this is nothing to get too cranked for.
Food At Rancho Las Pilas
Yes, this is your fuel-up area, and IMO, other than seeing this little diving display, we could have skipped this and gone on with our day a bit faster (sorry for being the wet beach towel but there’s a lot to do and if we aren’t riding the trails then let us go back!)
We had plenty of food opportunities at the hotel and throughout the Malecon, but the operator had to make their money!
More people were moaning the trip was no longer and that the time was wrapped into this part, which is true. It’s also the touristy part of the trip.
Cobblestone + Scenic the RZR 4×4 Cuale River Adventure
Then, after the stop at Rancho Las Pilas, we descended from the mountains, and like out of nowhere, we are suddenly bumping up and down on the cobblestone streets; what a freakin’ adrenaline rush! Crazy fun!
Want Photos? Don’t Bring this to the Wild Ride Along the Cuale River
Do you think you can use a camera if you are not driving? Not even a chance you might get ejected from your seat!
Trust me, I tried, and then we nailed a curve hard, and well, not even going to explain the issues, lol!
Yes, but you will want your hands to HOLD on, so it would be better to try the following!
I suggest a Go Pro + a helmet hold for the GO Pro or a stand for putting on the RZR.
Yep, I pathetically failed at trying to capture and ride; between the bumps, and the crazy drops to the right of the Sierra Madres, I was not able to take photos!
Why You’ll Want To Experience The 4×4 Cuale River Adventure In Case, You Didn’t Figure It Out
- It’s a g great adventure for families, friends, and couples
- You will see two waterfalls.
- Ride along the Cuale river
- experience the quaintness of the cobblestone streets
- Ride up the Sierra Madres
- enjoy scenic views
- taste tequila
- dive from a small cliff And experience Puerto Vallarta’s other side
Overall: Puerto Vallarta 4×4 Cuale River Adventure
My personal opinion is that I would have preferred more time on the roads and trails versus stopping for food on the short trek since it was not that long, but it was still fun, and we got to watch the jumpers!
Pro Travel Tip: If you buy food or Tequila at the stop, as mentioned, charge it and settle up when you get back.
The other side is that it takes time to wait in line to settle up.
Moral: Spend cash, not charge!
Puerto Vallarta RZR 4×4 Cuale River Adventure is family fun for those that love the outdoors and see Puerto Vallarta like most will not!
We walked back to our hotel, using the Malecon. It was a chance to shop (albeit dirty, lol) and get those fruity popsicles we became addicted to!
Dana Vento: Award-Winning Travel Writer & Seasoned Explorer
Join me on a journey through the world’s wonders. From compelling stories at Niagara Falls to accolades in writing and Instagram photography, my global adventures are rich with experience. Each article offers a slice of life—from cruising the seas to exploring vibrant Aruba—turning every trip into an award-worthy adventure. Here’s to a life of exploration and unforgettable stories
