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

The day’s unusual pairing is its appeal: you steer an ATV through Baja’s dusty desert paths, then slow down for a camel ride beside the surf. It’s a lively way to sample two very different sides of the Cabo area without arranging separate excursions.

I like the variety packed into one outing, and the meal facing the Sea of Cortez gives you a welcome pause after the rides. The small-group cap of 14 also means your guide can give the group more attention than on a large coach tour.

One caveat: the advertised $149 price does not cover every cost. You’ll owe an entrance fee and a collision fee at check-in, and optional photos can be very expensive. Check the final fees and pickup instructions before you go.

The quick take

• Two rides, two very different moods: An automatic ATV takes you over dusty, cactus-lined trails and shallow canyons. A camel ride offers a slower pace along the beach.
• The guides are a real part of the fun: Names including Juan, Miguel, Jorge, Alina and Aleman have been associated with lively, patient and helpful guiding. Staff assignments can vary.
• The food is more than a snack: Your ticket includes an unlimited Mexican buffet, with vegetarian options, served at an oceanfront restaurant.
• Budget above the advertised fare: The $149 price excludes a $25-per-person entrance fee and a $35 collision fee. The fee description is not consistent about whether that $35 is charged per booking or per ATV, so confirm the total.
• Plan for photo restrictions: Personal photos are not allowed during the camel ride, and the professional photo packages can cost a lot. Decide in advance if you’re willing to skip the pictures.
• Allow time for pickup: The full outing lasts about five hours, though the activity at the ranch is listed at three hours. Confirm your pickup time and location with the operator.

From Cabo pickup to the ranch

This outing is based at Tierra Sagrada, a secluded oceanfront ranch operated by Cabo Adventures. Round-trip transfers are offered from Cabo San Lucas, which makes the tour easier to manage than arranging your own transport to the activity site. The total experience lasts about five hours, while the activities at the ranch take roughly three.

That difference matters when planning the rest of your day. Don’t treat the three-hour activity estimate as the time you’ll be away from your hotel. Your pickup may be well before the activity begins, and the precise schedule depends on the pickup arrangements. Confirm the time and location directly with the operator after booking. One reported source of frustration was not seeing an early arrival instruction, so check your messages rather than relying only on the tour start time shown at checkout.

Once you arrive, staff provide protective gear before the ATV ride. The group is capped at 14 people, which is a manageable size for following a guide and getting instructions. It’s still a group outing, not a private ride, and the pace is set by the guide and the group’s ability.

The ATV ride: dusty trails, not a race

The ATV section takes you through open desert, cactus-lined dusty trails and shallow canyons. The route is guided, and you ride an automatic ATV, so there’s no manual gear shifting to master. A valid driving licence is required. A standard-size safety helmet must be worn, and the tour is intended for people with a moderate level of physical fitness.

This is an organized trail ride, not an invitation to race off on your own. Some participants have found the route exciting and the ATVs easy to handle; others expected a longer or more varied ride and felt that the guided loop was short. If you want high-speed off-road driving or a long expedition across remote terrain, this may not be your match. Think of it as a taste of desert riding within a combined half-day activity.

The guide may separate riders by experience, which can help keep the pace comfortable. That approach is useful if you’re new to ATVs, though you should still be prepared to follow instructions and keep a steady distance from the rider ahead. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty. You’ll need to leave your phone put away while riding, both for safety and because personal cameras are restricted during some parts of the experience.

The camel ride: a slower coastal interlude

After the ATV ride, the pace changes. You’ll meet the camels and take a beach ride beside the ocean. The setting gives you a different view of the Baja coast than you get from the dusty trails: instead of steering through the desert, you’re moving slowly along the sand with the waves nearby.

The camel ride is a novelty, and part of the fun is simply getting close to an animal you may not often see. Guides also share information about the camels. Don’t expect a long-distance trek or a smooth, cushioned ride. The camels follow a set route near the beach, and the saddle can feel uncomfortable. If you’re expecting a substantial riding expedition, the short, controlled ride may feel limited. If you’re happy with a brief, unusual coastal experience, it adds welcome variety to the day.

There’s an important photo catch. Phones and personal cameras are not allowed during the camel ride, according to the stated policy, and staff may ask you to put yours away. A photographer takes pictures for purchase instead. The photos may be appealing, but prices mentioned for individual images and packages are steep, with packages reported at around $200 and single images at roughly $70 to $80. Those amounts can change, so ask about the price before you agree to anything. If photos matter to you, treat them as a possible extra, not as part of the ticket.

Buffet lunch and tequila tasting

The meal is served at an oceanfront restaurant, with the Sea of Cortez in view. The unlimited Mexican buffet is included, and vegetarian options are available. People who value a proper meal after an active morning will likely find this a more useful inclusion than a small snack or a rushed stop. The food has drawn strong praise, though your experience will depend on the menu served that day.

The tequila tasting is included too, and you may also sample mezcal. Keep expectations measured: this is a short tasting, not an extended spirits class. Some people have described it as only a couple of small pours. Other alcoholic drinks, such as beer or cocktails, are not included, so bring extra money if you want to order them. The tour’s description presents the tasting as a chance to try regional varieties, but it doesn’t specify how many pours or which brands will be served.

The restaurant stop is a natural place to sit down, cool off and let the day settle. You can eat, taste the included spirits or relax by the beach. For many people, this meal is one of the tour’s strongest value points, particularly when compared with excursions that charge separately for lunch.

What the price really covers

The advertised price is $149 per person. The stated extras are a $25 entrance fee per person and a $35 collision fee. Those charges bring the known cost to at least $174 per person if the collision fee is charged once per booking, but the tour information also describes that fee as applying to each ATV. Accounts from people who paid at the ranch cite totals of $65 or $80 in entrance and insurance charges, so the fee wording deserves a careful check before you commit.

Ask the operator to confirm the exact check-in charge for your party, including whether the collision fee is per booking or per ATV. Also ask whether any insurance charge is separate from the listed fee. It’s better to settle that question before the pickup van arrives than to discover an unexpected bill at the ranch.

The price does include the beach camel ride, a single ATV ride, tequila tasting and buffet lunch. Transfers are offered, but confirm that your pickup point is covered and what time you must be ready. Photos and additional alcoholic drinks cost extra. Taken together, the tour can be reasonable value if you want both activities and lunch in one outing. It is less appealing if you’re mainly paying for a long ATV ride or expect professional photography to be affordable.

Who will get the most from this tour

I’d consider this outing if you want a varied, active half-day and like the idea of combining motorized and animal rides. It suits a birthday or group outing particularly well, since the activities give people something to talk about beyond the meal. The small group limit and helpful guides can make it easier to ask questions or get assistance than on a much larger tour.

It’s less suitable if you’re pregnant, since expectant mothers may not participate. You must have a valid driving licence, be within the maximum weight limit of 265 pounds (118 kilograms) per person, and have a moderate level of physical fitness. The safety helmet must be worn. Check these requirements against your own situation before booking.

You may want another excursion if your main goal is a long, independent ATV adventure, a comfortable camel ride, or lots of personal photos. The itinerary is guided and the camel ride is brief, while the photo rules and pricing are a frequent point of frustration. If those details won’t bother you, the mix of desert riding, beach scenery, lunch and tasting makes for a full and varied day.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you value variety and convenience more than a long, technically challenging ride. Two activities, lunch and a tasting are bundled into one day, and the guides’ energy and attention are among its strongest points. Before paying, confirm the total check-in fees, pickup time and photo prices. If you’re comfortable with those costs and restrictions, this is a fun way to fit a little desert and coast into one Cabo outing.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The full experience lasts about five hours, including pickup arrangements. The activities at Tierra Sagrada are listed at roughly three hours, so confirm your pickup time and plan for the longer total.

What is included in the $149 price?

The tour includes a beach camel ride, a single ATV desert ride, tequila tasting and an unlimited Mexican buffet lunch. The stated entrance fee, collision fee, additional alcoholic drinks and optional photos are not included.

What extra fees should I expect?

The stated additional charges are a $25 entrance fee per person and a $35 collision fee. The fee description differs on whether the collision fee is charged per booking or per ATV, so confirm the exact amount with the operator before you go.

Do I need a driving licence to ride the ATV?

Yes. A valid driving licence is required. You must also wear a standard-size safety helmet during the tour.

Can I take my own pictures during the camel ride?

No. Personal photos are not allowed during the camel ride. A photographer takes pictures that you can buy separately, and prices can be high, so ask about the cost before purchasing.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available at the Mexican buffet.