Private Todos Santos Jeep

Cabo’s resort zone is only part of southern Baja. This private 4×4 trip heads west toward Cerritos and Todos Santos, pairing Pacific views and a surf beach with time in a small town, a Mexican lunch, and a drive on mountain back roads. It is a useful way to see more of the region without organizing the route yourself.

I like two things in particular: your group gets its own guide and vehicle, so you can set the pace, and the day mixes beach stops with Todos Santos rather than making the drive the whole show. Guides Carlos and Sol have been singled out for their friendly manner and skill behind the wheel, including finding quiet, out-of-the-way places.

One point to weigh is the lunch stop. It is included and set beside Cerritos Beach, but service can run slow when the restaurant is busy. If you are hungry, don’t expect a quick meal; bring the supplied snacks and water, and allow the full day.

• Private for up to three: The $650 rate is per Jeep, not per person.
• Pacific scenery en route: The Transpeninsular Highway offers views of the ocean and mountains.
• A proper town stop: Allow about two hours in Todos Santos for galleries, craft shops, and a meal break.
• Off-road time: The route includes southern Baja back roads near the Sierra Laguna Mountains.
• Beach-focused lunch: Mexican food is included at a restaurant by Cerritos Beach, with vegetarian options.
• Pickup needs a little planning: Hotel transport covers the main tourist areas, with set meeting arrangements for other locations.

From Cabo’s marina to the Pacific road

The tour starts at 9:00 am and lasts about six and a half hours, including round-trip transportation. You can meet at Plaza Gali in downtown Cabo San Lucas, where the guide waits by the Oxxo at the parking lot exit, or request the complimentary hotel pickup if you are staying in San José del Cabo, the tourist corridor, or the Cabo San Lucas tourist area.

The drive west begins on the Transpeninsular Highway. This is not just a transfer between stops: the road gives you views of the Pacific Ocean and the mountains, and the tour allows roughly an hour for this leg. Keep your camera handy, though you may find that simply watching the terrain change is part of the appeal.

The vehicle is an air-conditioned 4×4 Jeep for up to three people. Depending on availability, the operator may use a Ford Bronco instead. The private format means you are not sharing the ride with strangers, and the guide can shape the outing around your group. The vehicle has air conditioning, but expect the character of the day to shift once you head off the paved road.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, the pickup point takes a little explaining. From the tender pier, pass through the security gate, turn right along the red sidewalk, and continue toward the Cruise Terminal building. Walk through to the parking lot exit; the guide waits in front of the Oxxo. If you are driving, use the same Plaza Gali lot, opposite Sandos Finisterra.

Hotel pickups are not available from every resort. The complimentary service covers the main tourist areas, but not hotels outside them such as Hard Rock, Nobu, or Four Seasons. If you are staying at one of those properties, plan to meet at Plaza Gali instead. For hotel pickup, provide your exact lodging details when you book and confirm the time with the operator the day before. Pickup is usually about an hour before the tour begins.

Cerritos, where the surf sets the pace

Cerritos Beach is one of the day’s main attractions. Known for its large waves and surf, it offers a change of scene from Cabo’s resort shoreline. The tour gives you about an hour to walk around and take in the beach, with the sun, wind, and open Pacific setting doing much of the work.

This is a place to enjoy the view, not a promise of a swim. The information provided emphasizes the waves and surfing, so bring a towel and sandals if you want them, but don’t assume the water will suit every swimmer. Pack sunscreen and sunglasses, too. Even a short beach stop can feel long under Baja sun without them.

The schedule returns to Cerritos later for lunch, so you will see the area twice. That may sound repetitive, but the stops have different purposes: first, time to wander along the shore; later, a sit-down meal at a restaurant by the beach. The lunch is included in the tour price, with fish tacos, shrimp, chips, sauces, guacamole, and flavored water among the offerings. Chicken and beef are also listed, and vegetarian options include salads, quesadillas, beans, and rice.

Set your expectations for the meal sensibly. The restaurant’s seaside location is a draw, but one group waited around 40 minutes and left before food arrived on a day when a large event was taking place. The operator explained that the normal menu includes three tacos with rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, and chips. If you have a tight schedule or a very hungry group, the included snacks and bottled water can help bridge the wait.

Lunch is optional, but skipping it does not reduce the tour price. That is worth knowing if you have dietary needs, prefer to eat elsewhere, or simply want more time at the beach. Ask about the vegetarian choices before you go, and remember that the meal is part of the day’s planned stop rather than a separate dining excursion.

Two hours to explore Todos Santos

Todos Santos is the longest stop, with about two hours to explore. It is designated a Mexican Magic Town and is known here for its galleries and handicraft shops. This is your chance to browse at your own pace rather than follow a guide through every storefront.

The free time makes the tour more than a scenic drive. You can look for local art and handmade goods, take a break from the Jeep, and decide how to spend your own time. The schedule also mentions the famous Hotel California. Treat it as a stop you can visit, not as a guaranteed explanation of any connection to the Eagles song; no such connection is established in the tour details.

Two hours is enough for a relaxed look around, but not an open-ended visit. If shopping matters to you, keep an eye on the time and ask your guide how the schedule is running. The tour also includes a local restaurant meal in Todos Santos as part of the stop description, while the detailed lunch information places the included Mexican lunch at Cerritos. Since the day’s meal plan can be easy to misunderstand, clarify with the operator which meal is included and where before departure.

This town stop also offers a useful contrast to the coastal scenery. You move from surf and open road to small shops and galleries, then get back into the vehicle for the next leg. That variety is one reason this tour suits people who want more than a beach outing but do not want to plan each transfer themselves.

Back roads and Sierra Laguna views

After Todos Santos, the route turns to the back roads of southern Baja. The operator describes this section as a 4×4 drive with views of the Sierra Laguna Mountains, giving you a taste of the region beyond the main highway. About an hour is allocated for this part of the trip.

The off-road section is a key reason to choose this experience over a standard town transfer. One guide, Carlos, was praised for driving through desert and mountain terrain, and for taking the group to an empty beach and other places they would not have found alone. That points to the value of a local guide: not just steering the vehicle, but helping you reach less obvious corners of the area.

It is still a road trip, not a technical off-road driving course. The included vehicle and guide take care of the route, while you enjoy the ride and views. If you want to drive, you must be at least 18 and bring a valid driver’s license. You should ask the operator ahead of time about driving arrangements rather than assume every passenger will get a turn.

The guide can make a real difference here. Carlos is praised for being an excellent driver and friendly source of information. Sol is also praised for explaining the places visited and pointing out local animals. Those details suggest the outing can be more rewarding than a scenic ride, especially if you enjoy learning about the natural setting as you travel through it.

One passenger who often gets carsick reported no trouble on this tour, but that is not a guarantee for everyone. The itinerary includes winding back roads, so if you are prone to motion sickness, consider your usual precautions and let the guide know. The Jeep’s air conditioning may help with comfort, but it does not change the road itself.

A short pause at Punta Lobos

Punta Lobos is a brief final stop, scheduled for about 15 minutes. The point is the view, not a long beach visit or an extended walk. It gives you one more chance to take in the coast before returning toward Cabo.

Because the stop is short, use your time well. Keep your camera ready and follow the guide’s timing so you are not rushing back to the vehicle. This is a scenic punctuation mark at the end of a day that has already included beach time at Cerritos, town browsing, and mountain roads.

The precise order and timing can shift with conditions. Rain or road closures may lead the operator to change locations, reschedule, or cancel. If the operator cancels for poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. For a private tour, you can also decide whether to complete the full activity, which gives your group some flexibility if you need to shorten the day.

What $650 buys your group

At $650 for up to three people, this is a group price, not a per-person fare. For a full group, that works out to about $217 per person before any personal spending. The price includes the private guide, the 4×4 vehicle, hotel or port pickup and drop-off where available, lunch, bottled water, snacks, and granola bars.

The strongest value is the combination of private transport and a full day of varied stops. You are not paying only for a ride to Todos Santos: the outing includes Cerritos, time in town, back roads, Punta Lobos, and a guide to handle the route. For two or three people who value their own schedule, that can be a better fit than paying separately for transportation and arranging stops independently.

For one person, the price is harder to justify unless privacy and convenience matter more than cost. The rate remains $650 even if you do not use all three places in the Jeep, and choosing not to eat the included lunch does not lower it. There are five Jeeps available, so larger parties may be able to book more than one, but each vehicle is limited to three passengers.

Personal expenses and alcoholic drinks are not included. Bring a little money if you expect to shop in Todos Santos or buy anything beyond the provided food and drinks. The tour is offered in English, and the minimum age to participate is six.

Is this the right Baja day trip for you?

I would choose this tour if you want to get beyond Cabo’s resort area without taking on the driving and route planning yourself. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who like a mix of coastal scenery, a town visit, and a little time on rougher roads. It is especially appealing if you enjoy having a guide who can point out local details and adapt the day to your group.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a long beach day, a slow shopping day, or a highly structured cultural tour. The stops are varied, but the day is still built around driving, and the beach time is divided between Cerritos and a short visit to Punta Lobos. The lunch may also take longer than planned.

Before booking, check the pickup point for your hotel, confirm the included lunch location, and ask about current cancellation terms. The supplied tour details give two different advance cancellation windows, 24 and 48 hours, so verify the rule shown at checkout. If those practical points work for you, this private trip offers a strong way to see several sides of southern Baja in one manageable day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about six and a half hours, including round-trip transportation. The overall estimate is six to seven hours.

What is the price, and how many people can ride in one vehicle?

The price is $650 per group for up to three passengers. Five vehicles are available, and the operator may use a Jeep or Ford Bronco depending on availability.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Mexican meal is included, with options such as fish tacos, shrimp, chicken, beef, sides, and vegetarian dishes. The meal is optional, but skipping it does not reduce the price.

Where does the tour start?

The standard meeting point is the Plaza Gali parking lot in Cabo San Lucas, by the Oxxo at the lot exit. Complimentary hotel pickup is available in San José del Cabo, the tourist corridor, and the Cabo San Lucas tourist area.

Can I drive the Jeep?

You must be at least 18 and have a valid driver’s license if you want to drive. The tour details do not promise that every passenger will get a turn, so confirm arrangements with the operator.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, tennis shoes, sandals, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Bottled water, snacks, and granola bars are included.