ATV riding in Cabo: desert trails and tequila tasting

You ride the ATV yourself, not as a passenger on someone else's tour.

ATV riding in Cabo puts you behind the wheel of an automatic 4x4 on dusty trails, cactus-lined arroyos and shallow canyons in the Baja outback, with a local guide leading the group. The day includes hotel pickup, full protective gear, a safety briefing, unlimited Mexican buffet lunch at an ocean-view restaurant, and tequila and beer tasting. Riders must be 18 with a valid licence, weigh no more than 265 lbs, and have moderate fitness; the activity is not suitable for expectant mothers or anyone with spinal injuries or cardiovascular concerns.

Step-by-step itinerary

ATV tour with lunch and tasting

• Pickup by Cabo Adventures van
• Scenic drive along Pacific coast
• Arrive at Tierra Sagrada rancho
• Meet guides and gear up
• Ride automatic ATV on desert trails
• Explore cactus-lined arroyos and canyons
• Drive through shallow streams
• Return to ranch and enjoy Mexican buffet lunch
• Tequila and Mezcal tasting
• Return to hotel by Cabo Adventures vehicle

The Experience

An air-conditioned van picks you up from your hotel and drives you along the Pacific coast to Rancho Tierra Sagrada. In winter, you may spot humpback whales breaching in the ocean during the drive. Once you arrive, guides outfit you in full-body protective gear—helmet, goggles and gloves—then walk you through a safety briefing before you board your automatic ATV.

The riding itself covers about three hours of dirt trails, shallow streams and rocky routes through untouched ranches and farmlands. You navigate cactus-lined arroyos, speed through shallow canyons, and salute locals as you pass. The route deliberately avoids the beach to protect sea turtles nesting there. By the end, you're back at the ranch covered in dust and ready to eat.

Lunch happens at an ocean-view restaurant where you claim an unlimited traditional Mexican buffet with fresh homemade quesadillas, regional spices and cold beverages. Vegetarian options are available. After eating, you taste tequila and mezcal—the operator's way of closing the day. Then the van drives you back to your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return in an air-conditioned van.
• full-body protective gear including helmet, goggles and gloves.
• professional ATV instruction and safety briefing.
• three hours of guided ATV riding on automatic 4x4 vehicles.
• unlimited traditional Mexican buffet lunch with quesadillas and regional flavors.
• tequila and beer tasting at an ocean-view restaurant.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Cabo Adventures

Is this one for you?The riding demands moderate fitness and three hours in the saddle on uneven terrain—it is not a leisurely drive. If you want to operate the ATV yourself rather than watch from a passenger seat, and you have a valid licence and can handle the physical pace, this is the activity for it.

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Top questions

Do I need my own driver's licence to ride the ATV?

Yes. You must be at least 18 years old and carry a fully valid licence to operate the ATV. The guide will check it before you ride.

What happens if I've never ridden an ATV before?

The guides give you a full safety briefing and instruction before you start. The ATVs are automatic, so you don't manage a manual transmission—you focus on steering and throttle control on the trails.

Is the Mexican buffet lunch included, or do I pay separately?

The unlimited traditional Mexican buffet, quesadillas and beverages are included. Tequila and beer tasting are also part of the package. A park entrance fee of $25 USD and ATV collision insurance of $35 USD are paid at check-in.

What's the Baja desert like during the ride?

You travel through cactus-lined arroyos, shallow canyons, dusty dirt trails and natural water pools. The terrain includes rocky routes and shallow streams. The route crosses untouched ranches and farmlands, and the ocean is visible in the distance.

Can I choose whether to buy collision insurance for the ATV?

Collision insurance protection is optional and available at checkout. The $35 USD fee covers damage to the vehicle during your ride.

How long is the whole experience from pickup to drop-off?

The ATV riding itself is three hours. Add time for hotel pickup, the scenic drive to the ranch, the safety briefing, lunch and tequila tasting, and the drive back to your hotel. Plan for a full morning or afternoon.