Review · SAN JOSE DEL CABO

ATV Tour, Camel Ride, Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch

5.0 · 3,380 reviews From $149 Operated by Cabo Adventures · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Cabo outing is the odd but appealing combination: a dusty ATV ride through Baja’s desert followed by a camel ride beside the Sea of Cortez. It gives you two very different ways to see the coast in one half-day, with lunch and tequila added to the mix.

I like the small maximum group of 14, which makes it easier to get help with the ATV and ask questions. I also like the simple plan: round-trip pickup, protective gear, an automatic ATV, a beach ride, buffet lunch, and tasting stops all handled in one booking.

The main drawback is cost transparency. The advertised $149 price does not include the $25 park fee or the listed $35 ATV collision fee, and professional photos can cost far more than many people expect. Put those extras into your budget before you decide.

Key points to know before you book

ATV Tour, Camel Ride, Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch - Key points to know before you book

  • Two very different rides in one outing: You move from cactus-lined desert trails to a slower camel ride along a beach.
  • The ATV is automatic: You need a valid driving licence, but you do not need to manage a manual gearbox.
  • Guides shape the experience: Juan, Miguel, Jorge, Alina, Adam, Erica, Aleman, Nelly, and others have received warm praise for safety, humor, and patience.
  • Phones and personal cameras are restricted: Professional photos are offered, but packages have been reported at roughly $175 to $220, with single images also costing a great deal.
  • Budget at least $60 beyond the advertised price: The stated $25 entrance fee and $35 collision fee are paid at check-in. Confirm how the collision charge applies to your booking.
  • Lunch is a real part of the day: The unlimited Mexican buffet includes vegetarian choices and sits in front of the Sea of Cortez.

A five-hour Baja outing with two distinct moods

ATV Tour, Camel Ride, Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch - A five-hour Baja outing with two distinct moods

This tour works because it does not ask you to choose between motors and animals. The ATV portion gives you noise, speed, dust, and open trails. The camel ride slows everything down and offers a different view of the coast.

The published duration is about five hours, though the activity itself is described as roughly three hours. The remaining time can include pickup, check-in, equipment fitting, meal service, and transfers. If you are planning another activity the same day, leave room around the stated start and end times.

Pickup is offered from Cabo San Lucas, but you need to confirm the exact place and time with the operator. One practical warning matters here: the pickup time can be earlier than the advertised adventure time, and missing that early pickup could mean missing the outing altogether.

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Arriving at Tierra Sagrada near San Jose del Cabo

ATV Tour, Camel Ride, Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch - Arriving at Tierra Sagrada near San Jose del Cabo

The activity takes place at Tierra Sagrada, a secluded oceanfront ranch operated by Cabo Adventures. The setting gives the day a clear sense of place. You are not simply riding around a generic recreation park, but moving between desert tracks and the Pacific coast.

At check-in, you should expect to handle the two required charges that are not part of the base price. The information supplied for the tour lists a $25 per-person Tierra Sagrada entrance fee and a $35 ATV collision fee. The collision charge is described as per booking in one section, while another note says it applies to each ATV, so confirm the exact amount before you arrive.

That point matters because the base fare looks more attractive until the extras are added. For two people, the listed fees could add $85 total if the collision charge is one booking fee, or more if it is charged per ATV. I would treat the $149 price as the starting point, not the final bill.

You receive full-body protective gear and a standard safety helmet. A valid driving licence is required, and the minimum stated fitness level is moderate. You also need to stay within the 265-pound, or 118-kilogram, weight limit per person.

Riding an automatic ATV through the desert

The ATV portion takes you through open desert, shallow canyons, dusty trails, and cactus-lined routes. The setting should appeal to anyone who wants a taste of Baja’s rougher side without arranging a separate rental or navigation plan.

The ATVs are automatic, which removes one common source of stress for first-time riders. You still need to drive responsibly, follow the guide, and handle uneven ground, but you are not shifting gears while trying to watch the trail.

Guides have included Juan, Miguel, and Erica, with several names receiving praise for patience and clear direction. That matters if you are nervous. A calm guide can make the difference between enjoying the ride and spending the whole time worrying about keeping up.

The pace may not be the same for every group. Some outings split riders by experience level, allowing more confident drivers to move faster while keeping a gentler group together. That is useful for mixed parties, especially when one person wants excitement and another is still learning.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is a guided recreational ride, not an all-day off-road expedition. One account described the ATV section as very short and repetitive, while other accounts called it the best part of the outing and praised the desert views. The difference may come from the group’s pace, route, and expectations.

If you want a long, technically challenging ride with hours of remote backcountry terrain, this is not the right product. If you want a controlled introduction to Cabo’s desert trails, the automatic machines and guided format make more sense.

Meeting the camels and riding beside the water

ATV Tour, Camel Ride, Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch - Meeting the camels and riding beside the water

After the ATV section, the tone changes. The camel ride is the gentler part of the day, with the route passing along a deserted beach near the powerful ocean waves.

You get time to see the animals up close, and the guides share information about them during the experience. Alina and Jorge have been singled out for making the camel portion lively and informative. The animals have also been described as well cared for, which will matter to anyone who wants an animal encounter handled responsibly.

A camel ride is not a polished horseback-style outing. The seat can feel awkward, and the ride may be less comfortable than you expect. One useful way to think about it is as a short coastal encounter with an unusual animal, not as a fast-moving beach excursion.

The route can also feel structured. The camel ride follows a set path and may loop near the coast rather than covering a large stretch of beach. That keeps the activity manageable and safer, but it limits the sense of exploration.

Personal phones and cameras are not permitted during the camel ride, according to the tour rules. Staff enforce this because they want riders to keep their hands free and avoid distractions. Still, you should know that this policy affects the cost of your memories, since the on-site photography is the main alternative.

A few more ATV and quad tours around Mexico worth a look

The photo policy is the biggest sore point

ATV Tour, Camel Ride, Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch - The photo policy is the biggest sore point

This is the issue I would explain most clearly before booking. You may not be allowed to take your own pictures during the ATV and camel activities, while photographers capture images for purchase.

The photo prices described in the supplied information are steep. Individual images have been reported at around $70 or $80, while packages and framed or digital options have reached roughly $175 to $220. One account put the photo package near $200.

That can change the value calculation fast. A couple booking at $149 each may already be paying $298 before the entrance and collision fees. Add a $200 photo package, and the outing becomes a much more expensive day than the headline price suggests.

You may decide the professional photos are worth it, especially for a birthday or special trip. You may also decide that the activities matter more than having pictures. My advice is simple: ask about the current photo prices before you ride, and do not assume you can use your own phone whenever you want.

Tequila, mezcal, and lunch beside the Sea of Cortez

ATV Tour, Camel Ride, Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch - Tequila, mezcal, and lunch beside the Sea of Cortez

The meal gives the day a welcome pause. You sit near the water and have access to an unlimited Mexican buffet with several dishes and vegetarian choices. The food has been praised as tasty, and it gives you more substance than a quick snack between activities.

The tequila and mezcal tasting adds a regional touch, though you should keep the scale in mind. The tasting is described as a sampling of regional spirits, and some accounts characterize it as roughly two shots rather than a long educational session.

You can also purchase alcoholic drinks, but alcoholic beverages are not included. Some accounts refer to strong margaritas, while the tour information itself only promises the tasting. Plan to pay separately if you want beer, margaritas, or other drinks with lunch.

This portion of the outing is valuable because it turns the ride into a fuller half-day experience. You get time to eat, cool down, and enjoy the coastal setting rather than ending immediately after the ATV ride.

How the price compares with the experience

ATV Tour, Camel Ride, Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch - How the price compares with the experience

At $149 per person, the package is not cheap, but it includes several separate elements: a beach camel ride, a single ATV ride, tequila tasting, an unlimited Mexican buffet, and pickup from Cabo San Lucas.

If you booked each piece separately, the convenience alone could be useful. You do not need to find an ATV rental, arrange a camel encounter, locate a restaurant, or organize transport between them. For a short vacation, that tidy setup has real value.

The problem is the extra spending. Add the $25 entrance fee and $35 collision fee listed for check-in, then consider drinks and photos. The final price can move well above $149 per person, especially if you want professional images.

I would compare this tour with your priorities. If you want a full, organized outing and plan to skip the photo package, the price may feel reasonable. If you mainly want a long ATV ride, you may find the activity too short. If you want a low-cost animal encounter, the add-on fees may be frustrating.

Who will enjoy this combination tour most

ATV Tour, Camel Ride, Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch - Who will enjoy this combination tour most

I would recommend it to first-time Cabo visitors who want several experiences in one day. It suits couples, families with eligible older children, birthday groups, and friends who like a mix of activity and downtime.

It also works well for a mixed group. The automatic ATVs are approachable, and the ride can be divided by experience level. Someone who is cautious does not necessarily have to ride at the same speed as a confident driver.

You should skip it if you are pregnant, since expectant mothers may not participate. It is also a poor fit if you cannot meet the weight limit, do not have a valid driving licence, or are uncomfortable wearing a helmet and protective gear.

I would be cautious about booking if your main goal is photography. The no-personal-camera rule and high photo prices may spoil the day for you. The same is true if you expect a long, remote ATV route rather than a guided circuit.

Practical planning for a smoother day

Confirm your pickup location and pickup time with the operator before the morning of the tour. Do not rely only on the activity start time, because pickup can be scheduled well before it.

Wear clothes you do not mind getting dusty. The route includes dirt trails, shallow canyons, and cactus-lined desert terrain, so you should expect an active outing rather than a clean, quiet sightseeing ride.

Bring what the operator allows, but assume you may need to store your phone during the rides. If you care about photos, ask about the package prices at check-in before making a purchase.

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. You need to manage the ATV, wear safety equipment, and sit through the camel ride. Expectant mothers cannot join, and every rider must wear a standard-size helmet.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book this Cabo ATV and camel tour?

Book it if you want variety and convenience more than maximum ride time. The mix of desert trails, camels, ocean views, buffet lunch, and tequila gives you a memorable half-day without much planning. The guides, including names such as Juan, Miguel, Jorge, and Alina, have earned strong praise for energy, humor, patience, and safety.

Before paying, add the entrance and collision fees to the advertised rate. Then decide how you feel about the photography rule and the possible $175 to $220 photo package. If those costs do not bother you, this is a lively way to sample several sides of Cabo in one outing.

If your priority is a serious off-road ride, low total cost, or complete freedom to take pictures, I would choose something else. For everyone else, especially a group seeking a well-organized day with both action and a relaxed meal, this tour is a reasonable pick, provided you budget honestly.

FAQ

How long does the ATV and camel tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours, although the activity at Tierra Sagrada is described as about three hours. Pickup, check-in, equipment, meals, and transfers are part of the overall timing.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a beach camel ride, a single automatic ATV desert ride, tequila tasting, an unlimited Mexican buffet, and pickup service when available.

Are the entrance and collision fees included?

No. The supplied information lists a $25 per-person Tierra Sagrada entrance fee and a $35 ATV collision fee paid at check-in. Confirm how the collision fee applies to your specific booking.

Do I need a driving licence?

Yes. A valid driving licence is required to participate in the ATV portion.

Is lunch suitable for vegetarians?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available at the Mexican buffet.

Can I bring my phone to take pictures?

Personal cameras and phones are not permitted during the camel or ATV rides according to the tour rules. Professional photography is offered separately, and the prices can be high.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant participants?

No. Expectant mothers may not participate.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled. You can also cancel for a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time.

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