Advice on taking the ATV tours

[kathycid]

Hi
Just wondering how th ATV tours are. We did the whole day Depalm jeep tour & that was a lot of fun (boy do you get dirty though). It was pretty bumpy, but I was O.K. I have a minor back issues, but I do go to the gym. My question is- is the ATV tour more bumpy & should I have my own or ride with my other half??
We have never been to the natural pool so we were thinking of doing this tour. I heard from others on the board that the ride to the pool was a little hairy how so?? Do they only do 1/2 days or is it the whole day? & which is the best company to go with??
Thanks so much for your input on this. I appreciate it!!

[Arubalisa]

Our family did took a private ATV tour with Kini Kini http://www.kinikini.com/kk/servlet/Tours. Nice small Mom & Pop run business, literally run out of their house.

1/2 Day
Single Rider $65.00
Private Single Riders $105.00

I wrote about the experience athttp://www.aruba.com/forum/f32/arubalisa-we-await-reports-aruba-31671/#post112775

There is more info in the post at

http://www.aruba.com/forum/f10/atv-tours-help-30543/#post112592
and
http://www.aruba.com/forum/f10/atv-tours-help-30543/#post106257

Dh rode with our 12 yo and I rode single. Dh especially was nervous about riding the ATV, nevermind driving it. Kini Kini made us feel very comfortable and gave us a good run through before our butts even hit the seats. If the ATV's were not new, they were "like" new.

During our stop at the Natural Bridge, a rider on a rented ATV from another company admired our ATV's saying, "We [meaning us] got the good ones." Our guide Ray allowed us to drive at a speed comfortable to us. By the time we left the lighthouse we were of course off road and I know I personally was feeling very comfortable driving.

This was our third visit to the Natural Pool. The first two were via 4 x 4. Getting there on ATV, was BY FAR, the easiest and quickest way in which to get there. It was still a little "hairy" but by following our guide Ray, we knew exactly where on the path to follow. I might add I was grateful the brakes worked! Never once did I fear for my life though. Imo it is more dangerous swimming in the Natural Pool than getting there via ATV.

Downside? Now I know where they got the saying, "Eat my dust". Ugh, by June the island had not had any significant rain since February. The island did see significant rain June 24 and 25. In 17 visits I have never seen the island as dry as it was.

Clothing? Wear the junkies clothes and footwear you own. My t-shirt from that day just went into the trash, no amount of bleach was ever going to get out all of that dust.

Sorry if any of the info was duplicated from my previous posts. Just have to say this was by far, in addtion to the helicopter tour, the best tour we have taken in all of our visits to Aruba.

[kathycid]

Hi
Thanks so much for your very helpful & "Comforting"reply. We will definitely try it with the company you suggested.
The people on this board are so nice & helpful. It's really appreciated!!

[AGHLAW]

Wife and I took the alf day ATV tour with DePalm. Good tour, see a lot of sites but there are definitely some rough parts and rocky terrain, off-roading up large hills. We had a great tour guide and I think that makes a difference. The full day tour that was offered by Depalm was a half day ATV and half day at Depalm island with lunch included.

Definitely don't wear anything nice and I would recommend an old pair of sunglasses.

Enjoy.

[THEPOGCBR900RR]

Originally Posted by AGHLAW

The full day tour that was offered by Depalm was a half day ATV and half day at Depalm island with lunch included.

Where did you see the half a day atv, and half a day depalm island, and how much was it?

Thanks

[THEPOGCBR900RR]

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

Our family did took a private ATV tour with Kini Kini http://www.kinikini.com/kk/servlet/Tours. Nice small Mom & Pop run business, literally run out of their house.

1/2 Day
Single Rider $65.00
Private Single Riders $105.00

I wrote about the experience athttp://www.aruba.com/forum/f32/arubalisa-we-await-reports-aruba-31671/#post112775

There is more info in the post at

http://www.aruba.com/forum/f10/atv-tours-help-30543/#post112592
and
http://www.aruba.com/forum/f10/atv-tours-help-30543/#post106257

Dh rode with our 12 yo and I rode single. Dh especially was nervous about riding the ATV, nevermind driving it. Kini Kini made us feel very comfortable and gave us a good run through before our butts even hit the seats. If the ATV's were not new, they were "like" new.

During our stop at the Natural Bridge, a rider on a rented ATV from another company admired our ATV's saying, "We [meaning us] got the good ones." Our guide Ray allowed us to drive at a speed comfortable to us. By the time we left the lighthouse we were of course off road and I know I personally was feeling very comfortable driving.

This was our third visit to the Natural Pool. The first two were via 4 x 4. Getting there on ATV, was BY FAR, the easiest and quickest way in which to get there. It was still a little "hairy" but by following our guide Ray, we knew exactly where on the path to follow. I might add I was grateful the brakes worked! Never once did I fear for my life though. Imo it is more dangerous swimming in the Natural Pool than getting there via ATV.

Downside? Now I know where they got the saying, "Eat my dust". Ugh, by June the island had not had any significant rain since February. The island did see significant rain June 24 and 25. In 17 visits I have never seen the island as dry as it was.

Clothing? Wear the junkies clothes and footwear you own. My t-shirt from that day just went into the trash, no amount of bleach was ever going to get out all of that dust.

Sorry if any of the info was duplicated from my previous posts. Just have to say this was by far, in addtion to the helicopter tour, the best tour we have taken in all of our visits to Aruba.

So basically this tour would be a lot better than the depalms atv mania?

Thanks!

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by THEPOGCBR900RR

So basically this tour would be a lot better than the depalms atv mania?

Thanks!

I cannot speak about De Palm's tour with any experience.

I can tell you that based upon Graham Flanagan's suggestion http://www.aruba.com/forum/f10/atv-tours-who-everyones-favorite-co-27992/#post102282 we went with Kini Kini. They are a small "Mom and Pop operation", very small and personalized service.

[THEPOGCBR900RR]

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

I cannot speak about De Palm's tour with any experience.

I can tell you that based upon Graham Flanagan's suggestion http://www.aruba.com/forum/f10/atv-tours-who-everyones-favorite-co-27992/#post102282 we went with Kini Kini. They are a small "Mom and Pop operation", very small and personalized service.

Yea from your awesome write up, Kini Kini seems the place to use.
Thanks