Bali ATV Quad Bike Tours: Where to Ride, Prices and Safety

The short answer

Most ATV quad bike tours in Bali run in the villages just north and west of Ubud, around Payangan, Taro and Bongkasa, on private dirt tracks that cut through rice fields, bamboo forest, rivers, muddy gullies and the occasional hand-dug tunnel. A ride lasts about 1.5 hours, the whole experience about 2 to 3 hours, and recent listings start at around USD 40 to 55 (roughly IDR 650,000 to 900,000) per person for a single rider without transfers. Add a private hotel pickup and the price can roughly double. You do not need any experience, and you will get muddy.

It is a fun, slightly silly morning out rather than a nature experience. Done with a decent operator, it is also very safe. Done with the cheapest one you can find, it is not always.

Where the tracks are

The ATV parks are clustered in the upland villages of Gianyar regency, roughly 20 to 40 minutes from central Ubud and 1 to 1.5 hours from Seminyak or Canggu, depending on traffic.

• Payangan: North of Ubud along the Ayung River valley. Several operators here run routes with river crossings, a waterfall stop and tunnels dug through soft volcanic rock. One popular listed route covers about 8 kilometers in 1.5 hours.
• Taro: Higher and greener, further north toward the Kintamani road, with rice field and forest trails that tend to be cooler in the morning.
• Bongkasa: On the west side of the Ayung gorge, close to the start points of the river rafting, which is why so many combo packages are based here.

Some routes advertise features such as a carved "gorilla face" cave or a jungle tunnel. They are fun, but do not choose a tour only for the photo stop; the quality of the track, the bikes and the guides matters more.

Single or tandem, and what it costs

You can ride alone or share a bike as a tandem, with one person driving and one sitting behind. Tandem rides cost less per person and are usually the only option for children; operators typically require tandems to be booked in pairs.

As a guide to 2025 and 2026 listings:

• Single rider, no transfer: from around USD 40 to 55 (about IDR 650,000 to 900,000).
• Single rider with private hotel transfer: around USD 95 to 100 (roughly IDR 1.6 million).
• Tandem: cheaper per person than a single, varying by operator.
• Extras: a refundable locker and towel deposit of around IDR 100,000 at some parks, photo and video packages, and tips for your guide.

Booking platforms and hotel desks often quote in USD, while operators in Bali quote in IDR, and the same tour can be priced very differently depending on where you book. Compare the inclusions, not only the headline price.

What is included

A properly run tour should include:

• Helmet, rubber boots and basic protective gear
• A safety briefing and a short practice loop before the real trail
• A guide riding with the group, front and back
• Showers, changing rooms and towels at the base
• A drink and a simple lunch or snack
• Personal accident insurance

Hotel transfers are sometimes included and sometimes an add-on. Ask in writing what you are paying for.

Safety and age limits

ATVs are heavy machines, and most accidents happen when riders go too fast on a downhill or on a slippery corner. Listen to the briefing, keep a gap to the bike in front and ride at the speed of the slowest person in your group.

Typical rules from one well-reviewed Payangan operator give a sense of the norm: no children under 6, ages 6 to 13 ride tandem with a parent, and ages 13 to 65 can ride solo, with a maximum weight of around 150 kilograms per bike. Pregnant travelers are not allowed, and the ride is not recommended for anyone with back problems or heart conditions. Rules vary, so confirm with your operator.

Check whether your own travel insurance covers motorized activities. Many policies exclude them or require you to add cover, and you do not want to discover that in a Bali hospital. Our guide on whether Bali is safe covers health and insurance basics.

Mud, clothes and what to bring

You will get wet and muddy, and in the rainy season from about November to March you will get very muddy. That is half the fun.

• Wear: old clothes you do not mind ruining, ideally long pants and a long-sleeved top to protect against scratches. Dark colors hide the worst of it.
• Bring: a full change of clothes, underwear included, a plastic bag for the wet ones and sunscreen.
• Leave behind: jewelry, sunglasses you love and anything not waterproof. Use the lockers.
• Phones: Most operators offer a photographer. If you film yourself, use a chest strap or a waterproof case, never one hand on the handlebar.

Combining it with rafting

Because the ATV parks and the Ayung River rafting routes share the same valley, many operators sell combo days: rafting in the morning, lunch, then an ATV ride in the afternoon, or the reverse. It is efficient, and the price per activity is usually lower than booking separately. Expect a long day of about 7 to 9 hours door to door from the south coast, and keep the evening free. If you have the time, pair the ATV ride with a walk through the Tegallalang rice terraces instead, which are nearby.

How to choose a reputable operator

• Read recent reviews: Look at the last three months, not the overall star rating, and look specifically for comments on bike condition, guides and safety.
• Look at the bikes: Photos of the fleet should show modern, well-kept machines. Ask the engine size if you care about power.
• Ask about insurance: A legitimate operator will confirm personal accident insurance without hesitation.
• Confirm the route: Ask how long you actually ride. Some cheap tours spend more time waiting than riding.
• Avoid street sellers: Book through your accommodation, a trusted driver or a well-reviewed platform, not a stranger on the beach.

For a different kind of adventure, the volcanic landscape around Mount Batur offers sunrise jeep tours on black lava fields. More ideas are in our guide to the best things to do in Bali.