Bali ATV Quad Bike Adventures

Bali’s ATV course takes you beyond paved roads and into a muddy ride past rice fields, bamboo, rivers and a tunnel. You’ll have a guide along the way, and the track is designed for beginners as well as experienced riders.

I like two things here: the varied, roughly 1.5-hour route gives you more than a quick spin around a field, and the ride ends with a shower and lunch, useful after a proper coating of mud.

The catch is the gap between the ride and the full-day outing. The course is near Ubud, so pickup from south Bali can mean a long drive, especially in traffic. Also check whether the displayed price is for a shared tandem ATV or a solo bike before you book.

What to know before you choose

• The route changes under your wheels: Expect puddles, rice fields, bamboo, a small river and a tunnel, not just a flat track.
• The ride itself is about 1.5 hours: Transfers and add-on stops can stretch the day to 5 to 10 hours, depending on your package.
• You can ride solo or tandem: Solo riders must be at least 16. Tandem passengers can be as young as 5 when accompanied by an adult.
• Basic post-ride comforts are included: Helmets, boots, insurance, lunch, mineral water, lockers, shower facilities and a changing room are part of the experience.
• The extras can change the day: Packages may add hotel transfers, waterfalls, Ubud sights, a swing or white-water rafting. Check exactly what your selected option includes.
• The outing has a strong overall rating, with practical cautions: The ride and staff earn frequent praise, while long drives, waiting time, vehicle condition and uncertainty about insurance terms deserve attention.

Getting to the ATV course near Ubud

The ride takes place at Bali Pertiwi Adventure in Bongkasa Pertiwi, in Badung Regency. That is not the same as starting in central Ubud, and it is a considerable drive from some south Bali resorts. One rider coming from Nusa Dua found the journey too long; traffic can turn a half-day plan into much of a day.

You can book a package with round-trip hotel transfers or make your own way to the meeting point. With transfers, pickup and drop-off are at the same hotel or location, and you need to give the operator your accommodation name and address when booking. Without them, arrange your own transport to the ATV site.

For a pickup package, the driver is part of the day’s experience. Oka and Pong are among the drivers praised for friendly conversation, clear communication and pointing out places along the way. But a good driver cannot make Bali traffic disappear, so leave room in your schedule and avoid planning a tight connection afterward.

The activity’s total duration varies by package. The ride is about 1.5 hours, but the complete outing may take 5 to 10 hours once transfers and any extra stops are counted. The shorter 5-to-7-hour estimate is a useful guide, not a promise. Ask about your chosen combination if you need to be back by a particular time.

Gearing up for a muddy 1.5-hour ride

At the ATV site, you’ll be fitted with a helmet and boots, then shown how to use the bike’s controls. A professional guide leads the group along the course. The ride is described as challenging but suitable for different skill levels, with staff explaining the controls and monitoring the group.

The route is the main attraction. You’ll pass rice fields and bamboo, cross puddles and a small river, and go through a tunnel. The mix keeps the ride from feeling like a simple loop. Some stretches can be rough or treacherous, though, so take the instructions seriously and ride at a pace you can manage. The course is meant to be fun, not a test of how fast you can go.

A few practical details matter. Riders have reported that some vehicles may need repair, so check your ATV before setting off and tell staff if anything feels wrong. Also, confirm how long you can expect to be on the track. The advertised ride is around 1.5 hours, but some riders have felt their actual time was shorter, or found that completing the course quickly did not mean another lap was available. If ride time is a priority, ask the operator what the duration means for your specific session.

The group can include up to 30 people. That is a sizeable maximum, and the pace may be shaped by the range of riders and the guide’s need to keep everyone together. Guides have been praised for checking on the group and helping new riders feel secure. If you have never driven an ATV, use the briefing to get comfortable with the controls before the route gets rough.

Choosing a solo bike or tandem ride

A solo ride gives one person one ATV and is available from age 16. Tandem means two people share one bike, with one rider driving and the other riding as a passenger. Tandem rides must be booked in pairs, such as two, four or six people, so check that your party fits the booking rules.

Children aged 5 to 11 must ride as passengers with an adult. The minimum age for the adventure is 5 when accompanied by an adult on a tandem ride. The course can be a hit with older children and teens, but the rough sections may not suit every child or adult. Think about the passenger’s comfort with mud, bumps and a long ride, rather than age alone.

A tandem booking also calls for a quick conversation before you arrive: who will drive? If both people want a turn, ask the operator in advance whether swapping is possible. The supplied details define tandem as one driver and one passenger, so do not assume each person gets a stint behind the controls.

Shower, lunch and the extras

After the ride, you can use the shower and changing room to get cleaned up. Lockers are also included. Bring a change of clothes if you plan to continue sightseeing or sit in a vehicle afterward. Souvenir photos are not included, though they may be available to buy.

Lunch and mineral water are included. The meal is described as local, but the portion and options may not suit everyone. One rider found the serving too small and had to buy more food; another was able to arrange a vegan meal. If you have dietary needs, contact the operator before the day rather than relying on a last-minute request. Drinks beyond the included water may cost extra.

Some packages turn the ATV ride into a longer day out. Depending on the option, you may add white-water rafting, a waterfall visit, Ubud sightseeing or a Bali swing. The Ubud option includes art handicrafts, Tegalalang Rice Terraces and the Sacred Monkey Forest. A waterfall package visits Tibumana and Kanto Lampo waterfalls and includes a stop for Ubud art handicrafts. Another option combines a swing, Tegenungan Waterfall and handicrafts.

These add-ons can be a good use of a private transfer if you want several stops in one day. But they also add time, and some combination packages may involve waiting between activities. Choose them because you genuinely want those stops, not because an upgrade menu makes the base ride look incomplete. Ask for the exact stops and inclusions for your selected package; the available combinations are not all the same.

Is $39.78 good value?

The advertised starting price is $39.78 per person, but treat that as a starting point rather than a guaranteed cost for every ride format and package. The main thing to clarify is whether that figure applies to a shared tandem ATV or a solo bike. Some riders have been surprised to find that the cheaper price was for sharing, with the solo option costing more. Add-on tours and transfers also affect the final price.

For the base experience, the value rests on a guided ride of about 1.5 hours, safety gear, insurance, lunch, water and access to showers and changing facilities. That is a useful bundle, especially if you want a muddy outdoor activity without arranging each part yourself. It is less compelling if you expect a full day of guided sightseeing for the base price, or if you are paying extra for a solo bike and several add-ons.

Be clear about what you are buying before paying. Compare the solo and tandem options, check whether transfers are included, and read the selected package details closely. Souvenir photos and personal expenses are extra. For an outing that includes sightseeing or a swing, weigh the additional stops against the extra cost and time.

Safety, insurance and who will enjoy this

Safety equipment and insurance are included, and guides provide helmets, boots and instructions. That is reassuring, but it is still worth asking what the insurance covers and reading any waiver carefully before signing. One serious concern raised about the operator’s paperwork was that coverage limits appeared low, while the waiver seemed to release the company from claims related to negligence. The stated limits in that account were about $600 for medical expenses and $6,000 for death or permanent disability.

Those figures come from an individual account, so confirm the current terms directly with the operator. Do not assume that the word insurance means every injury or circumstance is covered. If the written terms are unclear, ask for an explanation before you ride. You can also decide that the activity is not right for you if you are uncomfortable with the risks or waiver.

The experience is best for people who want an active, muddy outing and are comfortable following a guide over uneven ground. It can work for first-timers, families with older children, couples and groups of friends. It is a less obvious fit if you dislike rough rides, need a precise schedule, or want a quiet nature outing. This is a motorized activity, and the route is designed to be a thrill.

The most consistent strengths are the fun, varied track and the helpful staff. Riders have also praised drivers such as Oka, Pong, Pandu, Kept and Okta for punctual pickups, safe transport and local tips. Those individual experiences are a reminder that the driver can shape a long transfer, but names and service can vary by date.

Should you book the Bali ATV adventure?

Book it if you want a hands-on ride through muddy terrain and are happy to spend a good part of the day getting there, riding and cleaning up. The scenery changes, the guide helps newcomers get started, and the included shower, lunch and gear make the basic package practical. Add a waterfall or Ubud stop if you want a fuller day and have checked the timing and price.

Think twice if you are booking only because the starting fare looks low, need a short activity, or are uneasy about the insurance waiver. Before you pay, confirm solo versus tandem pricing, transfers, the exact add-ons, expected time on the track and insurance terms. If those details suit you, this can be a lively break from temples and beach time, with mud in places you did not expect.

FAQ

How long does the ATV ride take?

The ATV ride itself is about 1.5 hours. The full outing, including pickup and drop-off, can take 5 to 10 hours depending on the package.

Where does the ATV ride start?

It starts at Bali Pertiwi Adventure, Jl. Dewi Saraswati No. 2, Bongkasa Pertiwi, Abiansemal, Badung, Bali. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are hotel transfers included?

Round-trip hotel transfers are included only with packages that specify transfers. If you book without transfers, you must get to the ATV site yourself.

What is included in the base experience?

The experience includes a professional guide, insurance, an approximately 1.5-hour ATV ride, helmet and boots, lunch, mineral water, shower and changing facilities, and lockers.

What is the minimum age for riding?

The minimum age is 5 for a tandem ride with an adult present. Solo riders must be at least 16. Children aged 5 to 11 must ride as passengers with an adult.

What is the difference between solo and tandem?

A solo ride gives one person an ATV. A tandem ride uses one ATV for two people, one rider and one passenger. Tandem bookings must be made in multiples of two.

Can I add sightseeing or other activities?

Some packages include white-water rafting, waterfalls, Ubud sights or a Bali swing. The stops vary by package, so check the exact inclusions before booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours beforehand are not accepted for a refund or change.