Cabo: Off-Road ATV Adventure & Candelaria Village with Tequila

Summary

Off-road through Baja’s wild trails to Candelaria village then taste tequila with locals

You’ll power your own ATV across Baja’s wild trails from Cabo to Candelaria village, meeting locals along the way before tasting tequila with your guide. Expect dusty shoes, laughter at your driving skills (trust me), and views that stick with you long after you’ve washed off all that desert grit.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I nearly bailed when I saw the dust on the helmets. We were barely out of Cabo San Lucas, and already my shoes looked like they’d been through a flour fight. Raul, our guide, grinned and handed me goggles that smelled faintly like sunblock and engine oil. “You ready?” he asked. I wasn’t sure. But there’s something about the way Baja air feels — dry, sharp, almost electric — that makes you want to say yes even if you’re not.

The first few minutes behind the wheel were pure chaos (for me, anyway). My hands shook on the ATV handles as we bounced over riverbeds and around these ridiculous cacti that looked like they’d been here since dinosaurs. Raul rode ahead, waving us around rocks and pausing now and then to point out plants — he called one “biznaga” and cracked it open so we could smell its weirdly sweet sap. At one point I stalled out right before a hill; my partner laughed so hard she nearly dropped her phone. There was this moment where all you could hear was wind and distant barking dogs from somewhere in the scrub.

We climbed up toward Candelaria village — not much more than a cluster of sun-bleached houses tucked into the hills. A couple of kids waved as we passed; an old man nodded from his porch with this slow, easy gesture like he had all day to watch strangers roar by. Raul told us stories about how people here still use traditional farming methods — he seemed proud of it. The air changed up here: cooler, carrying hints of wood smoke and something earthy I couldn’t quite name.

On the way back down toward Cabo, we stopped for tequila tasting (I tried to pronounce “reposado” right; Raul just laughed). The ocean finally came into view — blue like someone turned up the saturation too high. I still think about that stretch where you can see nothing but desert rolling into sea. By the time we pulled back into base camp, my teeth were gritty but I couldn’t stop smiling. So yeah… if you’re after a real day trip from Cabo San Lucas that’s more than just posing for photos, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Off-road adventure and village visit

• Drive off-road through river beds
• Ride around desert cactus
• Follow Baja 1000 race trails
• Travel up mountain to Candelaria village
• Learn about historic village
• Enjoy views of Pacific Ocean

Top questions

How long is the off-road adventure from Cabo to Candelaria?

The ride covers several hours round-trip including stops at Candelaria village and for tequila tasting.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

Your day includes transportation by Real Baja Tours van for pickup and drop-off.

What kind of vehicles do we drive on this tour?

You’ll drive ATVs or side-by-sides designed for Baja off-roading terrain.

Are guides local experts?

Yes, guides like Raul or Alberto know the area well and share stories about local culture and nature.

Is tequila tasting part of the experience?

Yes, there’s a stop for tequila tasting during or after visiting Candelaria village.

Do I need off-roading experience?

No prior experience is needed; trails are available for beginners to advanced riders.

What should I bring or wear?

Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty; helmets and safety equipment are provided.

Is lunch included in this tour?

No lunch is mentioned; purified water is provided during your ride.

What’s included

Your day includes transportation in a Real Baja Tours van for pickup and drop-off in Cabo San Lucas, full safety equipment (helmet, goggles), your off-roading ATV or side-by-side vehicle, purified water throughout the ride, plus guidance from friendly local experts who know every twist of these Baja trails—and yes, there’s a tequila tasting stop before heading back home.