REVIEW · PLAYA DEL CARMEN
ATV with Speedboat, Waverunner, or Parasailing
Book on Viator →Operated by Maroma Adventures · Bookable on Viator
That mix of sand, water, and speed is hard to beat. This Maroma-area combo pairs a guided ATV ride through jungle trails with a second guided ride on the Caribbean by WaveRunner or speed boat. It also comes with Maroma Beach access and a beach club setup that keeps the day feeling complete, not rushed.
What I like most is how you get two action blocks: a 45-minute guided ATV and a second guided option, totaling about 1.5 hours of riding time. I also like the practical side—pickup is offered from many hotels around Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Riviera Maya, and you’re guided in English and Spanish with protective gear included.
My one caution: the add-on costs can surprise you. Lockers cost extra (USD $10), there’s a marina fee (USD $15 cash on arrival), and while insurance is listed as included, you may still be asked about extra coverage and photo packages that are not cheap.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Maroma Adventures at Maroma Beach: what this combo is really like
- The ATV ride: jungle trails, sand dunes, and guide-led confidence
- WaveRunner or speed boat: short, guided Caribbean thrill
- Maroma Beach club stop: food, drinks, lockers, and the photo reality
- Price and value: does $150 really make sense?
- Logistics that can make or break your day (pickup, timing, and driving rules)
- Who should book this combo, and who might want a different plan
- Should you book ATV with WaveRunner or speed boat in Maroma?
- FAQ
- How long is the ATV with WaveRunner or speed boat experience?
- Where does the tour take place?
- What activities are included in the combo?
- Do I get hotel pickup and drop-off?
- Is food included?
- What are the minimum age requirements?
- Are there weight limits?
- Are lockers included?
- Are there any additional fees at the marina?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key things to know before you go

- Two-activity structure: You choose 2 from ATV, WaveRunner, Speed Boat (and Parasailing may be available), for about 1 hour 30 minutes total ride time.
- Guided riding: Both the ATV and the water activity are run with guides, plus protective equipment.
- Maroma Beach club included: You get beach access and a meal with food and no-alcohol drinks.
- Time matters with boats: If weather is rough, this experience can be adjusted or canceled for poor conditions.
- Extra fees are real: Expect a marina fee and locker costs, plus potential photo spending.
- Teens can drive—if they qualify: Riders must be 16+ to handle the vehicle on their own, with a handling test.
Maroma Adventures at Maroma Beach: what this combo is really like

This is the kind of tour that works best when you want variety without a full-day schedule. You spend the day in the Maroma area, not hopping across the whole Yucatán. The payoff is two different thrills in one go: traction and bouncing on land, then salt spray and faster motion on the water.
The overall pacing is built around a short time at the activities site and then beach club downtime. The tour duration is listed at about 2 hours, but the real feel is that you’re getting picked up, doing two guided rides, then settling in for food and relaxation at Maroma Beach. For many people, that’s the sweet spot: enough adventure to feel like you did something big, without exhausting your legs for the rest of the trip.
A big practical win is language support. The guides are listed as English and Spanish, which matters when safety rules are part of the deal (they are). You’ll also have a small group cap: maximum 15 travelers, which usually keeps instructions clearer and lines shorter than the mega-tour model.
The ATV ride: jungle trails, sand dunes, and guide-led confidence

The ATV portion is 45 minutes and is guided. That timing matters. It’s long enough to get a real sense of how the machine handles, but short enough that you don’t end up feeling beat up—especially because the terrain includes both smoother practice areas and rougher sections.
From the way the ride is described, the route includes jungle trail segments first and then ends at small sand dunes. That final stretch is where you’ll feel the ATV do its job. Sand dunes mean traction changes fast, and your speed will drop or surge based on where you put the throttle and weight. You should also expect a safety briefing before you ride—protective equipment is included and they go over driving measures before the action begins.
If you’re nervous about first-time ATV riding, this setup is helpful. One review notes that the first part of the circuit starts on the road as a practice run before getting bumpy, which gives you quick “okay, I can handle this” momentum. Another person praised their guide’s humor and calm instruction style, including a guide named Steve who made the experience fun while keeping safety front and center.
WaveRunner or speed boat: short, guided Caribbean thrill

Your second ride is a guided WaveRunner or guided speed boat (Parasailing may also be an option in the combo universe). The ride is designed as an experience along the bay near Maroma Adventures rather than a long, open-ocean marathon.
In practice, WaveRunner time can feel like guided play: follow-the-leader turns, zigzags, and moments where you catch waves and feel the machine lift. A couple of people specifically mention getting a few seconds of air or flying sensation on the WaveRunner ride, which tells you the guide is letting riders experience motion, not just cruising at walking speed.
Speed boat can feel more like power with less technical handling. That’s a plus if you want the thrill without focusing on steering and balance. One review calls the speed boat awesome, and another highlights the full experience as an A+ day—so yes, it’s usually the part people talk about.
Weather is the wildcard here. ATV rides often happen whether it’s drizzling or pouring, but water ride quality depends on conditions. One person mentions a rainy window and still having fun, with the guide keeping things safe and enjoyable. Just understand that if conditions are poor enough, the tour can be canceled and rescheduled or refunded rather than forced forward.
Maroma Beach club stop: food, drinks, lockers, and the photo reality

The tour includes free access to Maroma Beach plus a meal at a beach club. Food is a standout for a lot of people. Several comments focus on the buffet and BBQ, and one family review calls the food amazing, including BBQ and ice cream. That matters, because this combo can otherwise feel like “two rides and you’re done.” Here, you get a proper place to cool off, eat, and reset.
Drinks are listed as food and no-alcohol beverages. So if you’re hoping for a full party bar vibe, that’s not what’s guaranteed in the included package. You might still find bar service on site, but the included part is specifically non-alcohol drinks.
Now for the part that can mess with expectations: photos. “Souvenir photos” are available for purchase, but multiple reviews say photos aren’t allowed during the activities and your phone may need to be secured in a locker before you ride. That’s consistent with the safety logic—no handheld devices around moving equipment. The downside is cost shock. People report pay-to-purchase photo packages and high prices, sometimes described as very expensive compared to the base tour.
Also note the locker reality. Lockers and the key are not included and cost USD $10. If you’re traveling with a family, lockers can feel tight. Even when you get your deposit back, you’re still paying up front for the key/lock access.
One smart approach: bring a small, waterproof bag for your essentials and keep your phone where you can access it outside the rides. And if photos are important to you, plan to buy them only if you can see the full package and confirm pricing before committing.
Price and value: does $150 really make sense?

At $150 per person, this is not a budget add-on. It’s priced like an organized, guided adventure with transportation and a beach club meal included. So the value hinges on what’s actually bundled and what’s not.
What you do get includes:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from many centrally located hotels (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya)
- Guided ATV time (45 minutes)
- Guided WaveRunner or speed boat (or Parasailing, depending on your combo)
- Protective equipment
- Maroma Beach access
- Food and no-alcohol drinks
- Insurance listed as included
- English and Spanish guides
What you should budget for separately:
- Locker access/key (USD $10)
- Marina fee (USD $15 cash on arrival)
- Souvenir photos, if you choose them
- Possible extra insurance upsell: one review mentions extra coverage being suggested for ATV engine damage, even though insurance is listed as included
Then there’s a less obvious cost: time. Some people mentioned pickup confusion and timing problems, like arriving late or waiting long stretches to get back to the hotel. That’s not the tour’s “price” in dollars, but it is the cost in your day. If your schedule is tight, your first job is making sure pickup details are correct and confirmed with your hotel location.
So, is it good value? If you want two guided thrill experiences plus a real beach club meal, yes. If you only care about one ride, or you’re photo-minded and hate add-on spending, you may feel squeezed by the extras.
Logistics that can make or break your day (pickup, timing, and driving rules)

This is a pickup-based activity, and pickup quality is where days can go from smooth to chaotic. One family review describes a rocky start with incorrect pickup details and trouble contacting the operator. Another person says their hotel pickup was great, with private car service that felt organized from start to finish.
How do you protect yourself?
- Put your exact hotel name and location on your booking carefully.
- If you’re doing a later combo time, confirm pickup so you don’t miss the meal window at the beach club.
- Keep an eye on the day’s schedule. Some reviews mention kitchen closing time issues, so build buffer time into your plans.
Driving rules are also worth understanding before you show up:
- Minimum age to ride on your own is 16, and a handling test is required.
- Minimum age is 6 years old for the experience.
- There are weight limits: up to 240 lbs per person for single modality and up to 220 lbs per person for double modality.
If you have mobility limitations, back problems, recent surgery, or you’re pregnant, the tour explicitly recommends choosing a less impact activity. That’s not just fine print. ATV and water rides can involve sudden jolts and awkward transfers.
Finally, group size is capped at 15 travelers, which helps with managing instruction. Still, if the check-in area is busy, it can feel confusing at first. Give yourself a little calm at arrival and follow staff directions closely.
Who should book this combo, and who might want a different plan

This is a great match for:
- Active travelers who want two thrills in about a half-day block
- Couples, small groups, and families with teens old enough to qualify for driving
- People who enjoy guided adventure with safety briefings rather than DIY riding
It may not be ideal for:
- Teens or riders who get stressed by rules, speed, or uneven terrain (even when guides are good, sand sections can be intense)
- Anyone who hates pay-to-play add-ons, especially photos
- People who dislike time uncertainty around pickup and return transportation
One review story that deserves respect involves an ATV accident with a teenager who fractured a tibia. That person said they didn’t complete the rest of the excursion and dealt with a difficult claims experience afterward. I can’t predict outcomes for anyone. But I can tell you this: sand dunes and sharp curves are part of the route, and you should take safety and gear seriously, especially when riders are new.
Should you book ATV with WaveRunner or speed boat in Maroma?

If your goal is a guided day that mixes ATV action with a Caribbean water ride and includes beach access plus a meal, this is an easy yes to consider. I like that you’re not stuck choosing between land thrills and sea thrills—you get both, and guides help keep it controlled.
Book it if:
- You’re okay with added costs like lockers and marina fees
- You don’t mind that phones may need to stay secured during rides
- You want a structured, small-group adventure with pickup options
Think twice if:
- Your day is schedule-tight and pickup must be perfect
- You strongly dislike add-on upsells (photos, extra coverage)
- You’re traveling with riders who won’t do well in sand or fast water conditions
If you do book, do two things: confirm your pickup details with your hotel location, and ask before you go what is and isn’t allowed for photos during the ATV and water segments.
FAQ
How long is the ATV with WaveRunner or speed boat experience?
The experience is listed as about 2 hours in total.
Where does the tour take place?
It takes place at Maroma Beach in the Playa del Carmen area, with pickup offered from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Riviera Maya.
What activities are included in the combo?
You choose 2 activities from ATV, WaveRunner, and speed boat (Parasailing may also be offered as an option). Each activity is guided and protective equipment is included.
Do I get hotel pickup and drop-off?
Pickup is offered from most centrally located hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Riviera Maya, with transportation included in the tour.
Is food included?
Yes. Food and drinks are included, and alcoholic beverages are not included.
What are the minimum age requirements?
The minimum age is 6 years old. To ride the vehicle on your own, the minimum age is 16, with a handling test.
Are there weight limits?
Yes. The maximum weight allowed is 240 lbs per person for single modality, and 220 lbs per person for double modality.
Are lockers included?
No. Lockers and the key are not included and cost USD $10.
Are there any additional fees at the marina?
Yes. There is a marina fee of USD $15, paid in cash upon arrival.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded. The experience also requires good weather; if canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.










