ATV, Camel & Desert Adventures

Cabo's desert hits different than you'd expect — it's not Sahara sand, it's Baja scrub meeting Pacific dunes, especially at Migriño Beach where the sand piles high enough to ride. ATVs are the main draw, ripping through arroyos and cactus trails that feel remote even though you're twenty minutes from your hotel. Camel rides are pure tourist novelty but genuinely fun if you lean into it, and a handful of outfits bundle both into one dusty morning.

Updated September 2026

Pick your way

The ways to do it — honestly compared.

Way 1

ATV-only desert loops

Pure quad riding through the Baja backcountry — arroyos, ridgelines, and desert trails east or south of the Cabos. You're covering more ground and riding harder terrain than the combo tours, with guides who know the trails well enough to let you open it up where it's safe.

Why you'll love it

Longer ride time, no switching between activities
More variety in terrain — desert hills, arroyos, sometimes hidden beaches
Better for riders who want speed and actual off-roading
Often smaller groups than the all-in-one tours

Worth knowing

Dustier and rougher than beach-only routes
No novelty add-ons like camels or tequila tastings
Can feel repetitive if the terrain is all scrub

Best for: People who actually want to ride, not just check a box — especially if you've done ATVs before and want desert scenery over gimmicks.

Typical price: $75–130 per person

Do it with:ATV Cabo Racing and Buggies →ATV Tour: San Jose del Cabo Hidden Beaches & Desert Trail →San Jose del Cabo Desert Mountain Biking Tour →

Way 2

ATV + camel combo

The classic Cabo mash-up: an hour on ATVs through desert or dunes, then switch to a camel for a slow walk along the beach. It's touristy as hell, but if you're doing Cabo for the first time and want maximum variety in one outing, this delivers.

Why you'll love it

Two totally different experiences in one short window
Camel portion is silly fun and makes for good photos
Easier terrain on the ATV side — manageable for nervous riders
Usually includes beach access you wouldn't see otherwise

Worth knowing

ATV time is shorter and less challenging
Camel ride is brief and slow-paced, often just a loop
Can feel rushed if you're actually into either activity
Groups tend to be larger

Best for: First-timers who want a taste of everything and don't mind the tourist-package vibe.

Typical price: $55–148 per person

Do it with:ATV and Camel Ride Combo Tour in Los Cabos →2x1 Tour: Cabo San Lucas Arch + Camels Ride + Pick up! →2 hours Horseback Riding & Dune Buggy Combo at Migriño Beach →

Way 3

Migriño dunes and beach riding

Migriño is where the real sand is — Pacific-side dunes that run into the beach, giving you the full desert-meets-ocean scene. UTV or dune buggy tours here focus on open sand and beach trails, often timed for sunset when the light actually makes the desert look dramatic.

Why you'll love it

Actual dunes, not just dirt trails
Sunset tours offer better light and cooler temps
Beach riding is smoother and less technical
Scenic enough that even passengers enjoy it

Worth knowing

Sand riding can feel samey after the first twenty minutes
Sunset slots book up fast in high season
Pricier than inland desert loops
Wind off the Pacific can be punishing depending on the day

Best for: People chasing scenery over adrenaline — especially couples or groups with mixed skill levels.

Typical price: $148–267 per person

Do it with:Migrino Sunset and Evening Double UTV Tour →

Way 4

Desert + tequila or other add-ons

Some outfits throw in tequila tastings, sandboarding, or ziplines to pad out a shorter ATV loop. It's a way to stretch a two-hour ride into a half-day experience, though the extras are hit-or-miss depending on the operator.

Why you'll love it

More variety if straight riding feels monotonous
Tequila tasting is usually decent and educational
Good for groups where not everyone is into ATVs
Can make a short tour feel like better value

Worth knowing

Less actual ride time than advertised
Add-ons can feel tacked-on rather than integrated
Sandboarding in particular is harder than it looks
Logistics get clunky with multiple stops

Best for: Groups who want a sampler platter and aren't precious about any one activity.

Typical price: $51–313 per person depending on add-ons and location

Do it with:ATV Desert and Beach Adventure in Los Cabos with Tequila Tasting →ATV Off-roading + sandboarding Tour in La Paz →

Before you go

Book morning slots if you can — afternoon desert heat is no joke, especially May through October.
Wear clothes you're okay trashing. Dust gets everywhere, and camel drool is a real thing.
Migriño dunes are the only place you'll get real sand riding near Cabo; inland tours are mostly dirt and scrub.
Bring cash for tips — guides expect $10–20 per person depending on group size.
If you've never ridden an ATV, ask about automatic vs manual transmission options when you book.
Sunset tours at Migriño book up a week or more in advance during high season; don't wait until you're in town.

The operators

Who does it best.

Browse all ATV, Camel & Desert Adventures tours →

IndoorFrom $120© TripAdvisor contributor via TripAdvisor

Cabo San Lucas Desert Spa

Cabo San Lucas Desert Spa is tucked into Villa del Arco Beach Resort, just off the old highway to San José. The name is misleading — you're not in the middle of the desert, but the setting pulls away from the beachfront noise into something calmer. With over 2,600 reviews landing at a perfect 5/5, it's consistently ranked as one of the top spas in Cabo, which suggests they're doing something right with the fundamentals: solid technique, attentive staff, and treatments that actually deliver. The menu covers the usual suspects — massages, facials, body wraps — but execution matters more than variety at this level. Reviewers mention the pre-treatment ritual and the therapists' ability to adjust pressure without being asked. If you're staying elsewhere in Cabo San Lucas, it's worth the short drive. Book ahead, especially during high season, because that rating doesn't go unnoticed.

wellness

1.5h

ATV Cabo Racing and Buggies

ATV Cabo Racing and Buggies runs desert tours out on Camino a Cabo Del Este, east of San José del Cabo proper. You're heading inland into the scrub and arroyos, away from the resorts. The 4.4 rating over 33 reviews suggests they've got the basics down — functional equipment, guides who show up, and routes that don't bore repeat visitors. They're not a massive operation, which usually means smaller groups and less time waiting around at a staging area. The terrain out here is raw Baja: dust, cactus, dry washes that turn into rivers when it actually rains. If you want technical single-track or serious mechanical challenge, this isn't that. It's open-throttle desert riding with enough variation to feel like you went somewhere. Expect to get filthy. Bring a bandana or buff for the dust, and don't wear anything you're precious about.

land

Age 8+

Dunes Tours & Travel

Dunes Tours & Travel operates out of San José del Cabo and runs a tight booking operation—24 reviews, all five stars, which in the tour world usually means they're doing something right with logistics and guide quality. They handle the standard Cabo spread: ATV rides through the desert, snorkeling trips to the arch, sunset cruises, whale watching in season. The perfect rating suggests they're consistent on the details that matter—pickups on time, equipment that works, guides who know the difference between a sea lion and a seal. What stands out is the reliability factor. Small tour operators in Cabo can be hit or miss on communication and execution, but a spotless rating across two dozen reviews points to someone answering the phone and delivering what they promised. If you're coordinating multiple activities across a trip and need one point of contact who won't ghost you, this is the type of outfit that keeps your itinerary from falling apart.

land

Camelot Sailing Cabo

OutdoorFrom $150

Camelot Sailing Cabo

Camelot Sailing Cabo runs out of the marina in Cabo San Lucas, offering sailboat charters on a vessel that keeps group sizes small. The perfect rating comes from only two reviews, so take that for what it is — enough to suggest they're doing something right, but not a deep bench of feedback. The operation focuses on private and semi-private trips, which means you're not fighting for rail space with thirty strangers. Expect the standard Cabo coastline route: arch views, possible whale or dolphin sightings depending on season, and snorkeling stops if conditions allow. The crew handles the sailing while you handle the sunscreen. If you want a quieter alternative to the party catamarans, this is one way to get it.

water

2 hours Horseback Riding & Dune Buggy Combo at Migriño Beach

This two-hour combo runs out of Migriño Beach, a stretch of open sand on the Pacific side between Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos. You split the time between horseback and dune buggy — one hour each — covering desert trails and beach riding in the same outing. The small sample size on reviews (three total) all came back at five stars, which suggests the guide crew is doing something right, but it's not a large enough set to call it proven. At $125, it's positioned in the middle of Cabo's adventure pricing. The attraction here is efficiency: two different vehicles, two types of terrain, same block of time. Migriño is less trafficked than the main Tourist Corridor beaches, so you're more likely to have open sand. Expect dust, sun, and horses that know the route. Bring something to tie back long hair and shoes you don't mind getting dirty.

land

2x1 Tour: Cabo San Lucas Arch + Camels Ride + Pick up!

This tour bundles two of Cabo's most-photographed activities into a single morning or afternoon: a boat ride out to El Arco and a camel ride along the beach. The boat portion gets you close enough to the arch and Lover's Beach to snap the shot, though how long you linger depends on the group and the swell. Back on land, the camel leg takes you up the coast—most outfitters run these on Playa Migrino or near the old lighthouse. The camels walk, they don't run, so it's gentle if you've never done it. The Viator listing shows a perfect 5-star rating across 16 reviews and runs about four hours start to finish, which includes hotel pickup. At $55 starting price, it's positioned as an entry-level combo, which means you're sharing the boat and the camel handler's time with other guests. If you want the arch without the crowds, book a private panga instead; if you want the camel without the boat, most beach clubs in the Corridor can arrange it solo.

water