Review · MEXICO
ATV with Speedboat, Waverunner, or Parasailing
Get ready for sand, sea, and a little mud. Maroma Adventures combines a guided ATV ride through jungle trails and dunes with a second water activity at Maroma Beach, making a lively two-hour outing near Playa del Carmen. I like the choice of pairing an ATV with a WaveRunner, speedboat, or parasailing, and I like that food, drinks, beach access, and hotel transport are included. The main drawback is the extra cost for the marina fee, locker, insurance options, and especially the pricey activity photos.
The guides receive much of the praise here. Jorge, David, Pedro, Eduardo, Steve, and other staff members are singled out for clear safety instructions and upbeat direction. Still, I would confirm your pickup time, exact return transport, and selected activity before leaving your hotel. Communication has been excellent for some bookings and very poor for others.
Key things to know before you book

- The ATV route changes scenery: You ride from a road section into jungle trails, then across small sand dunes.
- You choose two activities: The combo can include ATV riding plus a WaveRunner, speedboat, or parasailing, though you should confirm the exact choices when booking.
- Each activity lasts about 45 minutes: The full activity time is roughly 90 minutes, with safety instructions before each ride.
- Lunch and beach time add value: Maroma Beach access, food, and nonalcoholic drinks are included.
- Extra fees can add up: Expect a $15 marina fee in cash, plus $10 for a locker and possible charges for damage coverage or photos.
- Pickup needs careful checking: Transport is offered from many Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Riviera Maya hotels, but pickup details and return arrangements have caused problems.
What the $150 price really covers

At $150 per person, this is not a cheap quick ride. It is priced as a packaged beach outing, with transportation, two activities, equipment, guides, insurance, beach access, and food included. If you want a simple way to combine motorsports and a beach club visit, the package can be fair value.
The activity time itself is about 90 minutes, split between two 45-minute choices. The entire visit lasts around two hours, although transportation and time at the beach club can make your day longer. You are paying not only for the rides, but also for the setting, staff, meal, and convenience of having the arrangements made together.
The value weakens when you add the required or suggested extras. The marina fee is listed as $15 per person and must be paid in cash. A locker and key cost $10, with one review noting that the deposit is returned when the key comes back. Damage insurance for an ATV may be offered separately at about $20 per ATV, according to one family’s experience.
Photos are another budget concern. You cannot normally carry your phone or camera during the activities, and the park photographer takes pictures for purchase. Prices reported in the supplied experiences range from $50 for one picture to $65 or even $200 for larger packages. Bring a GoPro only if the staff permits it, and ask before assuming you may use it.
A few more speedboat days around the world worth a look
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Starting at Maroma Beach

The setting is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Maroma Beach gives you a pleasant place to eat, have a drink, and relax between or after the activities. The beach club includes food and nonalcoholic drinks, and the buffet receives especially strong praise for barbecue, ice cream, and a broad selection.
One family found the staff so attentive that servers remembered their drinks and brought them without being asked. Other visitors liked the snack area and the chance to make a longer beach day out of the excursion. The grounds are described as well kept, and playful coatis sometimes wander around the property.
Do not treat the meal as a minor snack. If your pickup is moved earlier so you can eat before the kitchen closes, take that offer seriously. One solo visitor changed a 3 p.m. booking to an earlier pickup and found the buffet worthwhile, with generous portions and no tight limit on what could be eaten.
The food schedule matters. One experience noted that the kitchen closed around 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m., while the information desk also became less useful late in the afternoon. Ask when your meal is available, especially if you select a later activity time.
Riding the ATVs through jungle trails and sand dunes
The ATV portion begins with a guided route through the property. The first part runs along a road, which gives new drivers time to get used to the machine. Later, the route becomes bumpier and reaches small sand dunes where you can ride faster.
That change in terrain is part of the appeal. You are not simply circling a flat track. You get a basic practice section, jungle paths, rougher ground, and soft sand. One useful feature is the chance to switch drivers between the easier first section and the bumpier portion, although you should ask the guide how this works for your group.
The ride lasts about 45 minutes. Some people find that just right, while others wish it were longer. Your experience will depend on the group pace, weather, and guide. Guides such as Jorge, David, and Steve receive praise for being friendly, funny, and careful with first-time drivers.
Rain can change the ride quickly. One person began the ATV portion in heavy rain, which eased after about 20 minutes. Wet trails may make the ride messier and more exciting, but bad weather can also reduce visibility and affect the photo service.
Safety deserves serious attention here. Riders must follow the guide, wear the provided protective equipment, and take the safety instructions seriously. A serious accident involving a 17-year-old rider was reported after an ATV flipped on a sandy curve with coconuts nearby. The account also raised concerns about how the injury and medical expenses were handled.
That incident does not mean every ride is unsafe, but it does mean you should not treat the ATV as a casual amusement ride. Ask about the route, driving rules, insurance, and what happens if a person is injured. The minimum age to ride independently is 16, and a handling test is required. Children as young as six may participate, but younger children cannot drive themselves.
Choosing between a WaveRunner, speedboat, or parasailing

The water portion takes place along the bay at Maroma Adventures. The WaveRunner and speedboat outings are guided, rather than free roaming. Before departure, you receive about 15 minutes of safety instructions and time to learn how to handle the equipment.
The WaveRunner is the clearest choice if you want the most active ride. The guide leads the group along the bay, with zigzags and turns. In choppy conditions, you may catch some air over the waves. Several people describe this as the most exciting part of the combo, especially first-time riders who felt well watched by guides such as Pedro and Eduardo.
The guided format adds safety, but it also limits your freedom. You follow the guide instead of setting your own course or speed. If you are hoping for a long, open-water blast, the 45-minute session may feel structured and brief. If you are nervous, the same structure can make the ride easier to manage.
The speedboat provides a different kind of fun. It is less about controlling a personal machine and more about the movement of the boat and the shared ride. The speedboat earns praise for being exciting, but one account described a boat that repeatedly lost power near the end. The guide suggested seaweed as the cause, though the passenger was not convinced.
Parasailing is also listed as an option, and one person called that activity amazing. Because the supplied details describe the selection in slightly different ways, confirm whether your booking includes ATV plus parasailing or another pair. The itinerary explains the choice as two of three activities, while the wider description includes parasailing among the options.
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Transport can make or break the day

Roundtrip pickup is offered from most centrally located hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya. Pickup time depends on your hotel, so the listed start time is not enough information by itself.
This is the area where I would be most careful. Some pickups have been described as smooth and even excellent. Other groups never received a clear pickup email, followed incorrect meeting directions, or spent an hour trying to locate the correct point. One family was told to pay an unexpected transportation charge after problems with the meeting arrangement.
Return transport has also caused frustration. A group was told to wait 90 minutes for the next vehicle, then was placed in a shared van that stopped at another resort. The extra wait and stop added roughly 45 minutes. The lesson is simple: ask before the activities begin when your return vehicle leaves, whether it is private or shared, and where it will collect you.
Do not assume an Uber will solve the problem. One group found that Uber vehicles did not go to the activity area. Save the operator’s working phone number before departure, and ask your hotel staff to help confirm the pickup point if anything looks unclear.
Food, lockers, clothing, and practical details

Wear swimwear or beachwear, comfortable shoes, and a light jacket for the boat ride. A towel, sunglasses, and a change of clothes are sensible, especially if rain or sea spray is in the forecast.
You will need a secure place for phones, wallets, and dry clothes. Lockers are not included, and the listed charge is $10 for the locker and key. One account says the deposit is returned when the key is handed back, so ask exactly how the payment works before storing anything.
The activity is offered in English, with guides also available in Spanish. The maximum group size is 15 people, which should keep the guided portions manageable, though the property may have other activity groups nearby.
The maximum weight is 240 pounds per person for a single modality and 220 pounds per person for a double modality. The provider advises against participating if you have limited mobility, back problems, a recent surgery, or are pregnant. These activities involve jolts, balance, and water movement, so take those warnings seriously.
Weather, safety, and the photo question

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If you are already at the property and rain begins, the activities may still continue, as one person found, but visibility and enjoyment can suffer.
The equipment includes protective gear, and safety briefings are built into both activity sessions. Guides are often praised for watching first-time riders and keeping the mood light without skipping instructions. Still, a cheerful guide is not a substitute for following the rules.
The photography policy is worth understanding before you pay. Phones and cameras may not be allowed during the rides, reportedly for safety reasons. That leaves you dependent on the official photographer, whose photos can be expensive. Ask about the package price before the activity, and confirm exactly what you will receive. One person paid for photos and videos but reported not receiving them, so keep your receipt and purchase details.
Who will enjoy this combo most?

I would recommend this outing to couples, families with older children, and friends who want several kinds of activity without arranging separate bookings. It works especially well for a group with mixed interests: one person can enjoy the ATV, another can look forward to the water ride, and everyone gets beach time and a meal.
It is also a good first taste of ATV or WaveRunner riding. The guides provide instructions, the groups are limited to 15, and the rides are long enough to feel worthwhile without taking over an entire day.
I would be more cautious with young teenagers, nervous drivers, people with physical limitations, and anyone expecting a quiet beach day. The ATV route can be rough, the water can be choppy, and a fall can have serious results. This is an active excursion, not simply a beach club with a short ride attached.
Should you book Maroma Adventures?
Book it if you want variety, guided instruction, a buffet meal, and a convenient package near Playa del Carmen. The best combination for thrill seekers is likely ATV plus WaveRunner. Choose the speedboat if you prefer a shared ride, and consider parasailing if that option is confirmed for your booking.
Before paying, confirm four things: your hotel pickup time, the exact two activities, the return transport plan, and every extra fee. Bring cash for the marina charge, allow for a locker, and decide in advance how much you are willing to spend on photos.
With a 4.8 rating from 498 ratings and a 96 percent recommendation rate, the experience clearly works well for many people. It also has real weak points, especially communication, transport delays, photo prices, and the handling of unexpected problems. I would book it for an active beach day, but I would arrive prepared, alert, and clear about the costs.
FAQ
How much does the ATV and water activity combo cost?
The listed price is $150 per person.
How long does the experience last?
The experience lasts about two hours. Each selected activity lasts about 45 minutes, for roughly 90 minutes of activity time.
Which activities can I choose?
The experience allows you to select two activities from ATV riding, WaveRunner, speedboat, and, in the wider tour description, parasailing. Confirm the exact choices available for your booking.
Is hotel pickup included?
Roundtrip transportation is included from most centrally located hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya. Pickup time depends on your hotel.
Is food included?
Yes. Food and nonalcoholic drinks are included, along with access to Maroma Beach.
Are lockers included?
No. Lockers and keys cost $10. A deposit may be returned when you bring back the key.
Is there a marina fee?
Yes. A $15 marina fee is listed and must be paid in cash upon arrival.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age to participate is six. You must be at least 16 to ride an ATV or other vehicle on your own, and a handling test is required.
Can I cancel for a refund?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive another date or a full refund.
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