What to Wear on an ATV Tour: Clothing Checklist 2026
For an ATV tour, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, over-the-ankle boots or sturdy closed shoes, gloves and eye protection, plus a helmet. That is the gear list of the ATV Safety Institute and of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Operator listings add three things: clothes you do not mind ruining, a bandana and sunglasses for dust and mud, and a swimsuit when the route stops at a cenote or beach.
- Base outfit: long pants, long sleeves, over-the-ankle boots, gloves and eye protection, per the ATV Safety Institute and the CPSC.
- Helmet: most listings do not say it is included, so check and ask before you book.
- Caribbean routes: Puerto Plata and Punta Cana listings warn of dust, mud and water, so wear old dark clothes.
- Swim stops: Cozumel and Punta Cana listings include cenotes and beaches, so pack a swimsuit and towel.
- Licence: not mandatory on the Jade Caverns tour in Cozumel, required for drivers on the Volcano ATV Tour in Iceland.
What to wear on an ATV tour depends less on the country than on the trail. A desert run means dust and sun. A jungle or countryside route in the Caribbean means mud and stream crossings. An Iceland ride means cold and wind. The base outfit stays the same in all three.
This guide gives you that base outfit, the extras by terrain, what operators say in their own listings, and a checklist to read the night before. Every recommendation below is either from a safety body we link to or from an operator description we quote.
How we built this guide
We started from the protective gear lists published by two safety organisations, the CPSC ATV Safety Information Center and the ATV Safety Institute Golden Rules (consulted October 2026). Then we read the operator descriptions of 60 ATV, buggy and jeep listings in Cozumel, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and Iceland, captured in October 2026, and pulled every line about clothing, gear, licences and ages. Tour prices, ratings and review counts come from Viator listings captured in 2026 and can change.
The base outfit for any ATV tour
The ATV Safety Institute recommends a helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots and gloves for every rider. The CPSC gives the same list: a helmet plus eye protection, boots, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Most tour listings do not say whether a helmet is included, so check the included section and ask the operator for one before you book.
- Long pants. Hiking pants, work pants or jeans. Both safety bodies list long pants, not shorts.
- Long sleeves. A light long-sleeved shirt in hot places, a jacket in cold ones. The ATV Safety Institute accepts either.
- Boots or sturdy closed shoes. The recommendation is over-the-ankle boots. Trainers are the practical fallback for most tourists. Sandals and flip-flops do not meet either list.
- Gloves. Both lists include them. Check whether your listing includes them. If not, bring a cheap pair from home.
- Eye protection. Goggles are best. Sunglasses are the minimum. The ATV Safety Institute names flying debris and contact with foliage as the reasons.
What operators say in their listings
Operator descriptions are short, but the clothing lines repeat. These are quoted from the listings we read, with the price, rating and number of reviews shown on each.
- Amber Cove and Taino Bay Shore Excursion: 2 person Buggy Tour (Puerto Plata, from $118.44, 4.31 from 190 reviews): asks guests to wear clothes they do not care about, sunglasses or goggles, and a bandana for mud and dust.
- Half-Day Buggy Guided Adventure for Amber Cove and Taino Bay (Puerto Plata, from $117.80, 4.82 from 317 reviews): warns that you will get dusty, dirty and muddy and will drive through water.
- ATV and Buggy Excursion 4x4 in Punta Cana with Water Cave (from $25.20, 4.86 from 769 reviews): says to bring a bandana and sunglasses because trails can be dusty or muddy depending on the weather, and the route includes a cenote dip and a stop at Macao Beach.
- AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY Super Buggy Tour (Puerto Plata, from $125, 4.74 from 292 reviews): lists free goggles and a bandana as included.
- Jade Caverns and Mayan Village Cozumel ATV TOUR (from $79, 4.88 from 1,210 reviews): includes a cave where you can swim or jump in from a cliff of about 20 feet, so swimwear makes sense.
The pattern is clear. In the Caribbean, expect to finish dirty and wet. Wear dark, old clothes and keep a change of clothes for the ride back to the ship or hotel.
Extras by terrain
| Terrain | Add to the base outfit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Desert and dunes | Bandana or buff, goggles | The ATV Safety Institute lists goggles against flying debris. |
| Jungle, countryside and mud | Old dark clothes, bandana, a change of clothes, a bag for wet items | Caribbean operator listings mention mud, puddles and stream crossings. |
| Routes with a cenote or beach stop | Swimsuit under your clothes, small towel | Listings in Cozumel and Punta Cana include swim stops. |
| Cold places (Iceland) | A jacket for the long-sleeve item | The ATV Safety Institute accepts a long-sleeved shirt or a jacket. Check the listing for what the operator lends. |
Three tours and how to dress for each
1. Las Vegas Desert ATV Experience
From $109, rated 4.84 from 3,465 reviews, about 3 hours. A desert route, so the desert row applies: bandana and goggles if they are not supplied, on top of the base outfit. See more options in Las Vegas.
2. Manuel Antonio: Off Road Rainforest and Waterfalls ATV Tour
From $85, rated 4.84 from 1,229 reviews, about 3 hours. Rainforest and waterfalls in the title mean wet ground. Dark clothes you can ruin, shoes that can get soaked and a change of clothes. More in Quepos and Manuel Antonio.
3. Twin Peaks ATV Iceland Adventure from Reykjavik
From $179, rated 4.9 from 689 reviews, about 3.5 hours. Wear a jacket as your long-sleeve layer and read the listing for what the operator provides. More in Reykjavik.
The checklist for the night before
- Long pants you do not mind getting dirty
- Long-sleeved shirt or light jacket
- Over-the-ankle boots or sturdy closed shoes
- Gloves
- Goggles or sunglasses
- Bandana or buff for dust and mud
- Swimsuit and small towel if the route has a swim stop
- A full change of clothes and a bag for wet or muddy items
- Driving licence if the listing asks for one
Before you book
Read the "what to bring" and "not included" lines of the listing. They differ between operators even in the same town. Some list free goggles and bandanas, others ask you to bring your own. Licence rules also vary: the Jade Caverns tour in Cozumel says a driver licence is not mandatory, while the Volcano ATV Tour in Iceland (from $141.49, 4.9 from 303 reviews) requires the driver to hold one. If you are not sure which vehicle suits you, read our ATV vs quad vs UTV guide and our ATV tour safety tips.
More reading: ATV tours in Punta Cana, ATV tours in Cozumel, ATV tours in Iceland, ATV tours with kids and ATV rental vs guided tour.
FAQ
Can I wear shorts on an ATV tour?
It is not recommended. Both the ATV Safety Institute and the CPSC list long pants as part of the protective gear for every ATV rider. Long pants are one of the 6 items on the ATV Safety Institute gear list.
What shoes should I wear on an ATV tour?
The ATV Safety Institute recommends over-the-ankle boots. Sturdy closed trainers are the practical minimum for most tourists. Sandals and flip-flops fit neither the ASI nor the CPSC list, and 2 Puerto Plata listings (from $117.80 and $118.44) warn you will drive through mud and water.
Do ATV tour operators provide helmets and goggles?
Most listings do not say. Check the included section and ask the operator for a helmet before you book. Goggles vary: the AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY Super Buggy Tour (from $125) lists free goggles and a bandana, while other Puerto Plata and Punta Cana listings ask you to bring sunglasses or goggles yourself. Check the "included" section of your listing.
Will I get dirty on an ATV tour in the Dominican Republic?
Very likely. Two Puerto Plata buggy listings tell guests to wear clothes they do not care about because they will get dusty, muddy and wet, and a Punta Cana listing (from $25.20) says trails can be dusty or muddy depending on the weather.
Should I bring a swimsuit on an ATV tour in Cozumel or Punta Cana?
Yes, if the route has a swim stop. The Jade Caverns and Mayan Village Cozumel ATV TOUR (from $79) includes a cave swim, and the Punta Cana ATV and Buggy Excursion with Water Cave (from $25.20) includes a cenote dip and Macao Beach.
Do I need a driving licence for an ATV tour?
It depends on the operator. The Jade Caverns ATV tour in Cozumel says a licence is not mandatory. The Volcano ATV Tour in Iceland requires the driver to have one and passengers to be 6 or older. Read the listing before you book.
What should I wear on an ATV tour in Iceland?
The same base outfit (long pants, long sleeves, boots, gloves, eye protection) with a jacket as the long-sleeve layer, which the ATV Safety Institute accepts. Iceland ATV tours we track start from $129 and the Volcano ATV Tour lasts about 1 hour, so check the listing for what the operator lends before you buy gear.
