ATV & Buggy Adventures

ATV & Buggy Adventures runs off-road quad bike and buggy tours from a site near Lake Maprachan, about 20 minutes east of Pattaya in Bang Lamung district, Chonburi. The Explorer Tour covers 27km of trail for 2,990 THB per person; the longer Adventure Tour covers 34km for 3,500 THB. Both involve roughly 2 hours of actual riding within a 3-hour visit, running since 2006.

Riders choose between 500cc single-rider ATVs, 660cc two-seater buggies, or 1,500cc four-seater family buggies before heading out onto tracks that cut through forest, open fields, and village backroads. The Explorer route sticks to flatter ground and is built for first-timers and families; the Adventure route adds steeper climbs and deeper mud ruts for anyone who’s ridden before. Every visit starts with a safety briefing and on-site practice with an English-speaking guide, who stays with the group for the whole ride rather than just pointing at a map.

Groups tend to arrive buzzing and leave the same way — mud-splattered, laughing, comparing GoPro footage over the post-ride meal included in the price. It’s a loud, physical few hours rather than a scenic drive: expect engine noise, dust in the dry season, and standing water on the trail after rain. Guides keep pace with mixed-ability groups, slowing for nervous riders and opening up the throttle on the straighter stretches for anyone who wants it.

Morning sessions beat the worst of the afternoon heat, though the operator runs tours through the day. Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet or muddy — bring a full change for the ride back to your hotel, since the mud doesn’t stay on the trail. Free hotel transfer covers most of the Pattaya area, so you don’t need your own transport.

Insider Tip: Book the Explorer Tour if it’s your first time on an ATV — reviewers who jumped straight to the Adventure Tour without experience found the deeper ruts harder to control than expected. Step up to Adventure once you’ve done one Explorer run.

Watch out: Groups of 12 or more get 15% off plus free GoPro footage and photos, but that also means peak-season slots fill with tour-bus groups — book a specific time slot in advance rather than turning up and hoping for a spot.

For other high-energy half-days around Pattaya, Jungle Bungy Jump and Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Pattaya sit within a similar drive from the city.