ATV or Buggy in Samaná: which one should you rent?
Both go down dirt tracks and both are fun. But they are not the same vehicle, and picking the wrong one can spoil your day.
The difference, in one line
An ATV is ridden like a motorbike: you sit astride it, you steer with handlebars, and one or two people go on it. A buggy is driven like a car: steering wheel, pedals, seats side by side, and four or more people fit.
And about the names: four wheel, forwill, quad, ATV and cuatrimoto are all the same machine. Only the speaker changes. The buggy is the one that really is something else.
Which one suits you
| ATV (quad / four wheel) | Buggy | |
|---|---|---|
| People | 1 or 2 depending on the model | 4 or more |
| How you drive it | Handlebars, like a motorbike | Wheel and pedals, like a car |
| Together or separate | Everyone rides their own | All in one vehicle |
| Narrow tracks | Gets through better | Needs more width |
| With small children | Not ideal | Better choice |
| How it feels | More direct, more adventure | Calmer, more of a cruise |
So what do we rent?
ATVs. We work with maintained Loncin X-Wolf 300s, and we do not have buggies. We would rather tell you straight than waste your time.
If you are one or two per vehicle and want to ride your own, that is exactly what you are after. If you are four and want to travel together in one, then a buggy is your thing: message us anyway and we will point you the right way, we know the area and we know who has them.
What is the same either way
- You need a valid driver’s licence
- No previous experience needed
- Closed shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dirty
- The tracks in Samaná are dirt: you will end up dusty, and that is part of it
FAQ
Are a quad and a four wheel the same?
Yes, exactly the same. In Samaná people say four wheel or forwill, in English quad or ATV, elsewhere in Latin America cuatrimoto.
Is a buggy safer than an ATV?
They are different, not one better than the other. A buggy has a frame and belts; an ATV is nimbler on narrow tracks. Ridden sensibly, both are fine.
Can I bring a small child?
On an ATV it is not ideal. With small children, a buggy or a guided tour with a separate vehicle works better.
Do you rent buggies?
No. ATVs only. If you need a buggy, message us and we will tell you who to talk to locally.
If you already know
See ATV rental in Samaná, Las Terrenas or Las Galeras, or our guided routes.