Cabo ATV Tours
Rating
Family of 4
$300-$500 for a family of 4 depending on tour type.
Duration
2-5 hours
Best Ages
6 and up (rider), 14+ to drive
About
ATV tours are one of the most popular adventure activities in Cabo San Lucas, and for families with older kids, they deliver a thrilling combination of desert landscape, Pacific beaches, and off-road excitement that's hard to match. Multiple operators run daily tours through the dramatic Baja desert terrain surrounding Cabo.
The standard tour follows desert trails through arroyos (dry riverbeds), past forests of giant cardon cacti, over sandy ridges, and out to remote Pacific beaches. The landscape is ruggedly beautiful — raw desert wilderness that feels untouched and cinematic. Guides lead the group, controlling the pace and stopping at scenic viewpoints for photos and brief ecological explanations.
For families, the vehicle options matter. Kids aged 6 and up can ride as passengers on double ATVs with an adult driving. Teens 14 and older can drive their own ATV after completing a brief safety orientation and driving test.
For families who want to ride together without splitting up, UTVs (side-by-side vehicles seating 2-4 people) are the best option — they're more stable than ATVs and keep the whole family in one vehicle.
Several operators serve the family market. Real Baja Tours offers ATV and UTV adventures with small group sizes. Cactus Tours runs family-specific off-road experiences. Cabo Adventures has ATV tours at their Tierra Sagrada ranch property. Cabo Discount Tours has a dedicated Kids Off-Road Adventure for younger riders.
Tours typically last 2-5 hours depending on the route, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. Most include protective gear (helmets, goggles), a bilingual guide, water, and sometimes lunch at a desert ranch with a tequila tasting (for adults). Expect to pay $75-130 per ATV or $200-350 for a family UTV.
Practical preparation is important: wear closed-toe shoes (mandatory), clothes you don't mind getting covered in dust, and apply sunscreen before putting on a helmet. Bandanas or neck gaiters for dust protection are strongly recommended. The Baja dust is fine and pervasive — expect to be thoroughly sandy by the end, which kids find hilarious rather than annoying.
Book at least 2-3 days ahead during peak season (December through April). Morning tours offer the best temperatures and lighting.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
No
Nursing / Changing
Not Available
Kid Meals
Not Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Morning tours (8-10 AM) offer cooler temperatures and better desert light for photos. Avoid midday in summer when the desert heat is extreme. Sunset tours are spectacular but book well ahead.
Wait Times
Book 2-3 days ahead during peak season
Nearby Food
Most ATV tours include hotel pickup, so you'll return to your hotel area. Celebrate the adventure with tacos at Taquería Rossy downtown or a post-ride meal at The Office on the Beach on Medano. Some desert ranch tours include lunch.
Why Kids Love It
ATV tours through the Baja desert are pure adrenaline for older kids and teens, and the landscape makes it feel like riding through a movie set. Tours take families through dramatic desert arroyos (dry riverbeds), past towering cardon cacti, through sandy washes, and out to remote Pacific beaches that you can't reach any other way. The Baja desert is stunningly raw and beautiful — all rock, cactus, and endless blue sky — and experiencing it from the seat of an ATV at speed is exhilarating.
Kids aged 6+ can ride as passengers with an adult on double ATVs, bouncing over terrain and getting thoroughly dusty in the best possible way. Teens 14+ who pass a brief driving test can operate their own ATV, which gives them a serious independence thrill. The guides know the trails cold, stopping at scenic viewpoints and explaining the desert ecosystem along the way.
Some tours include a beach stop where the desert suddenly gives way to crashing Pacific waves — a dramatic landscape transition that impresses every time. UTV side-by-sides that seat the whole family are available for families who want to ride together.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Kids 6+ can ride as passengers on double ATVs with an adult — they must wear a helmet and stay seated
- Teens 14+ can drive their own ATV after passing a brief driving orientation test
- UTVs (side-by-sides seating 4) are great for families who want to ride together without splitting up
- You WILL get dusty — wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and consider a bandana or buff for your face
- Some tours include lunch and tequila tasting at a desert ranch — the food is usually good and the tequila is for adults only
What to Bring
- Closed-toe shoes — required by all operators (sandals won't be allowed)
- Clothes you don't mind getting dirty — dust and sand are guaranteed
- Bandana or neck gaiter to cover your mouth and nose from dust
- Sunscreen applied before the helmet goes on — hard to reapply on the trail
- Waterproof phone case if you want to take photos while riding
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$300-$500 for a family of 4 depending on tour type.
Single ATV: ~$75-100/person.
Double ATV (kid rides as passenger): ~$90-130.
UTV (seats 4): ~$200-350.
Most include hotel transport, gear, guide, and water.
Tips to Save
- Book a double ATV where a younger child rides as passenger with an adult — cheaper than booking separate vehicles.
- UTVs that seat 4 can be more economical for a full family than 2 separate ATVs.
- Book directly with operators like Real Baja Tours or Cactus Tours instead of through hotel concierges.
- Look for combo deals that include horseback riding.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 8AM-5PM
- Monday
- 8AM-5PM
- Sunday
- 8AM-5PM
- Tuesday
- 8AM-5PM
- Saturday
- 8AM-5PM
- Thursday
- 8AM-5PM
- Wednesday
- 8AM-5PM