You’ll ride ATVs past Mazatlán’s agave fields with a local guide, share a rustic meal of burritos and cheese flambée, then join a traditional temazcal ceremony led by a shaman before tasting fresh mezcal at a countryside distillery—an experience that lingers long after you leave.
The van picked us up right outside our hotel in Mazatlán — I was still half-awake, but the driver was already joking about how dusty we’d get. Fifteen minutes later we were at this ranch just outside the golden zone, helmets and goggles waiting for us. Our guide, Luis, explained the ATVs in Spanish first (I understood maybe half) and then switched to English for me. The engines were louder than I expected. We took off along these winding trails through agave fields — you could smell the sweet earth and something sharp from the plants. At one point we crossed a wooden bridge that creaked under us; I laughed nervously but Luis just waved us on like it was nothing.
After an hour of riding (my arms felt it), we parked back at the ranch for lunch. Cheese flambée came out sizzling, with beef burritos, beans, tortillas — all homemade. I tried to ask for more salsa in Spanish (“más picante?”), which made everyone at the table smile. The food tasted smoky and rich, probably because they cooked it over wood fires out back. There was this easy feeling around the table — maybe from the ride or just being hungry together.
Then came something I didn’t expect: a shaman greeted us for the temazcal part. He handed out clay for a mud bath (cool and gritty between my fingers), told us to cover our skin and let it dry under the sun before rinsing off. Inside the temazcal it was dark except for steam swirling around volcanic stones; herbs hung in the air — sharp, almost minty. We sat quietly while he spoke about earth and water and letting go of what you don’t need anymore. Sweat dripped down my back; I kept thinking about how old this tradition must be here in Sinaloa.
Afterwards we toured their little mezcal factory — not fancy at all, but you could smell cooked agave everywhere. Tasted a few different kinds (one burned going down), learned how they roast everything right there on site. By then I felt both exhausted and weirdly light, like something had shifted inside me even if I couldn’t say what exactly. Still thinking about that steam room silence sometimes when things get noisy back home.
The guided ATV ride lasts about one hour through trails near Mazatlán.
Yes, lunch is included—expect cheese flambée, beef burritos, beans, tortillas, salsa, guacamole and drinks.
You should bring a swimsuit, extra clothes, towel and sunscreen for the temazcal part.
Yes, roundtrip hotel or port pickup is included with your booking.
Vegetarian options are available if you advise at time of booking.
Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.
No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to physical activities involved.
You also get bottled water, alcoholic beverages (mezcal tasting), safety equipment for ATVs and guidance throughout.
Your day includes hotel or port pickup by air-conditioned van, all safety gear for your ATV ride through Mazatlán’s countryside with a local guide leading the way, a full regional lunch with drinks provided after your adventure, participation in an authentic temazcal ceremony led by a shaman (with mud bath), plus mezcal tasting at their own distillery before heading back to town.
Do you need help planning your next activity?